March Madness ignites as the defending champion No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks collide with the No. 4 Maryland Terrapins in a Sweet 16 clash dripping with drama. Set for Friday, March 28, at 5 p.m. ET at Birmingham’s Legacy Arena, this game pits a dynasty against a gritty underdog. Below, we break down how to watch, key storylines, and why this matchup could be one for the ages.
Watch Maryland vs. South Carolina: FREE Live & More
Date & Time: Friday, March 28, 2025 | 5:00 p.m. ET
TV Channel: ESPN
Live Stream Options:
- SteadyFlix: Catch real-time updates and streaming (subscription may apply) – your all-in-one hub for play-by-play drama.
- Budget-Friendly Pick: Sling TV slashes prices with 50% off your first month ($20) + a free AMC+ trial.
- ESPN+: Stream seamlessly with existing ESPN credentials.
Venue: Legacy Arena at BJCC (Birmingham, AL)
Channel Finder: Confirm ESPN availability via Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Hulu, or your local provider.
Game Preview:
South Carolina (32-3): Dynasty in Motion
Coach Dawn Staley’s squad is a defensive juggernaut, anchored by Joyce Edwards (13.2 PPG, 55% FG) and Chloe Kitts (10.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG), who silenced Indiana in their 64-53 rout. The Gamecocks dominate with the 5th-best field goal defense (35.2% allowed) and average 80.8 PPG. Their 11-game Sweet 16 win streak screams championship pedigree.
Maryland (25-7): Offensive Firepower Meets Redemption Arc
Fresh off a double-OT epic against Alabama (111-108), the Terps ride Shyanne Sellers (28 pts) and Sarah Te-Biasu (26 pts). Despite a shaky defense (70.5 PPG allowed, 307th nationally), their 11th-ranked offense (81.0 PPG) could light up the scoreboard.
Key Matchup:
- South Carolina’s Iron Wall vs. Maryland’s Scoring Storm
- History Lesson: Gamecocks lead 6-2 all-time, including an 86-75 Elite Eight knockout in 2023.
Sweet 16 Schedule Highlights (ET Times)
Friday, March 28:
- 2:30 p.m. | (2) Duke vs. (3) UNC (ESPN)
- 5:00 p.m. | (1) South Carolina vs. (4) Maryland (ESPN) ⭐ GAME OF THE DAY
- 7:30 p.m. | (2) NC State vs. (3) LSU (ESPN)
- 10:00 p.m. | (1) UCLA vs. (5) Ole Miss (ESPN)
Saturday, March 29:
- 1:00 p.m. | (2) TCU vs. (3) Notre Dame (ABC)
- 3:30 p.m. | (1) Texas vs. (5) Tennessee (ABC)
South Carolina’s quest for back-to-back titles faces a fiery test against Maryland’s explosive backcourt. Watch for Terps’ sharpshooter Kaylene Smikle (18.0 PPG) and Gamecocks’ three-point ace Te-Hina Paopao (37.1% 3PT) to trade daggers. Will the champs advance, or will Maryland’s offense rewrite history?
