USC Basketball: A Tale of Two Programs
This season, the story of South Carolina’s basketball programs is one of stark contrasts. On one side, you have the USC women's team, a powerhouse under the guidance of Coach Dawn Staley. Ranked No. 3 nationally, they boast a 27-2 record and have clinched the SEC title, setting their sights on a fourth national championship.
On the flip side, the USC men's team is struggling. With a 12-15 overall record and a 3-11 mark in conference play, they're on the brink of missing the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive year. This has raised questions about the future of fourth-year head coach Lamont Paris.
The difference in fan engagement is palpable. At Colonial Life Arena, the atmosphere shifts dramatically depending on which team is on the court.
This past weekend highlighted the disparity vividly. The men's team faced Mississippi State on Saturday, with an announced attendance of 10,265.
However, the actual crowd seemed to be about half that number.
In contrast, less than a day later, the women's team played to a packed house. After "ESPN College GameDay" broadcasted live from the venue, the Gamecocks women's team drew a sellout crowd of 18,000. They delivered a dominant 37-point victory, with the lively environment captured in a video shared by the athletics department.
The numbers tell the story. More fans are flocking to see the women's games than the men's.
An open records request revealed that the men's team averaged 4,372 scanned tickets for their 10 non-conference games, compared to an average announced attendance of 10,739. For the SEC home games, the announced attendance was slightly higher at 10,844.
Meanwhile, the women's team, even without including their high-profile SEC matchups, averaged 7,448 scanned tickets in eight non-conference games. Their announced attendance for these games was a robust 15,778, nearly double the number of tickets scanned.
This season, the USC women's basketball team has captured the hearts of fans, while the men’s team continues to search for answers. As the women's team pushes for another championship, the men face a critical period of reflection and potential change.