By The Numbers: Gamecocks Vs Hoosiers

Joseph Griffin | Mar 26, 2024

Mar 24, 2024; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley applauds a play / Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

With the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament narrowed down to the Sweet 16, every matchup is a battle between the nation's elite. This year is no exception, as Dawn Staley's South Carolina Gamecocks square off against the Indiana Hoosiers for a chance to advance to the Elite Eight. Let's break down this high-stakes contest by the numbers to see what could tip the scales in this pivotal showdown.

Two Elite Defenses

The defense will be a critical factor in this matchup. South Carolina has held opponents to an average of 55 points per game, while Indiana has also shined defensively, holding their opponents to 63.9 points per game. With both teams having the ability to score from anywhere on the court offensively, each defense will have to remain disciplined throughout the course of the games.

Three-Point Showdown

Indiana's proficiency from beyond the arc could be a game-changer. They are making nearly 40% from behind the arc, 39.6%, but they'll face a South Carolina team that's adept at guarding the perimeter and is just as efficient from three, shooting 39.8%. Looking at how both teams play defenses and their ability to shoot is very similar, however, the depth and another key number slightly give the Gamecocks an edge.

Four Quarters of Battle

This game will likely determine who can sustain their effort and execution through four quarters of basketball. The Gamecocks have been here before and know what it takes, and they have more depth to make this a four-quarter battle. While the Hoosiers are very dangerous with their starting lineup, they rarely come off the court. Just against Oklahoma, each starter played for at least 34 minutes.

Rebounding Margin

South Carolina's average rebounding margin of +12.5 demonstrates their control of the glass, a statistic that often translates to second-chance points and crucial possession advantages. Indiana will have to box out and be aggressive in the paint to counteract this, who only averaged about 35 boards per game to Carolina's 46.5.

As these numbers suggest, the Sweet 16 showdown between Staley's Gamecocks and the Hoosiers will be a fascinating game that could be close early. It's a game of inches, points, and percentages, and as the final buzzer sounds, it may be one of these critical statistics that sends one of these talented teams to the next round.

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