Defending NCAA champion South Carolina Gamecocks (34-3) will face No. 1 Texas on Friday in the Final Four. This will be coach Dawn Staley’s fifth consecutive trip as the battle of the top seed continues at the Big Dance. The Gamecocks are looking to become the fourth team to win back-to-back titles. Standing in their way are known rivals Texas Longhorns, for whom this is only its second Final Four and first since 2003.

Coach Vic Schaefer’s team has made it to the Elite Eight stage in the previous four seasons. However, this year was different as they finally made it over the hump. The teams have already faced each other thrice this season, and South Carolina Gamecocks hold a slight 2-1 advantage, but will the Longhorns win the most important one? Let’s find out.

Dawn Staley’s South Carolina vs Vic Schaefer’s Texas: Who has the edge?

When Texas and South Carolina face off on Friday, there will be no surprises. The fourth meeting between the two best teams in the SEC will decide the conference’s representative in the national title game. No matter what, the SEC is winning! Apart from that, it’s the Gamecocks who hold the advantage, and that too with a good margin. They are the two best defensive teams in the country. Only one opponent of each in the NCAA tournament scored more than 60 points in a game.

But during March Madness, especially in the last two rounds, Dawn Staley’s team hasn’t been able to establish their dominance. Both Sweet 16 and Elite Eight victories were just with a 4-point difference each against Maryland (71-67) and Duke (54-50), respectively. On the other hand, Longhorns have been dominant against Tennessee (67-59) and in the Elite Eight encounter with TCU (58-47). Another factor coming in is Texas 1-2 losing record this season against South Carolina, and they will be eager to close the chapter on the winning note.

The projected starting lineup

There is no major injury news to report for both teams, which becomes crucial at this stage.

Even the Coaches are ready for the showdown. “There’s no doubt in my mind they’re going to be ready. They know what it takes. They’ve done it,” Coach Vic Schaefer said. “They know what happened when we didn’t do it. And so I think from you know, I think from a leadership standpoint, our kids will be ready.” South Carolina Gamecocks HC instilled confidence in her team but also provided honest feedback.

“If it’s Texas, we’re gonna muck it up, just like we do in the southeastern conference…” Staley said. “I just hope that we can get our offense going a little bit. We can’t seem to just play a little bit more fluidly.” South Carolina does have a solid core of Joyce Edwards, MiLaysia Fulwiley, and Chloe Kitts, who are all averaging double-digit points in the season.

For the Longhorns, it’s the SEC player of the Year Madison Booker. The star sophomore is the leading scorer and put Dawn Staley’s team on notice with her 20-point performance when they won the tie 66-62. Stay tuned on Friday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) as the giants collide.