Dawn Staley vs. Kim Mulkey Head-to-Head: Exploring all South Carolina vs. LSU matchups ahead of another exciting clash

Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey couldn't be separated from one another. They have seven national championships between them, including the last three women's college basketball seasons (Staley won in 2022 and 2024 while Mulkey secured the 2023 title).

Staley and Mulkey have combined for 1,373 career wins, 11 Final Four appearances and annual salaries of at least $7.2 million as the top two highest-paid women's college basketball coaches in the nation.

But more than this is the rivalry of two SEC schools which dominated the women's scene over the past three years and cost Iowa Haekeyes legend Caitlin Clark two national titles in 2023 and 2024.

No. 2 South Carolina (18-1, 6-0 SEC) will clash with No. 5 LSU (20-0, 5-0) inside Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina on Friday that nothing — even the harsh winter conditions and other forces outside the gym — could stop.

Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey have met seven times in their career with Staley leading their head-to-head 5-2. The three-time Olympic gold medalist was 4-0 against Mulkey when she transferred from Baylor to LSU in 2021. This includes the 2024 season where South Carolina beat LSU twice (76-70 on Jan. 25 and 79-72 on Mar. 10 for the SEC Tournament title).

With this in mind, Mulkey will look to halt the losing skid against Staley and noted in a postgame interview after LSU's win over Florida that she'll be happier if her team takes one in Staley's homecourt.

"Any victory on the road in our league is an accomplishment. But, we know what we face next, a tremendous challenge to play the defending champions and do it at their place," Mulkey said.

On the other hand, Staley said she and Mulkey have strong personalities. But she insisted it isn't between her and Mulkey, it is between the players and which squad would execute better on the court on Friday.

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Possible matchups to watch out for in LSU-South Carolina 2024-25 women's college basketball clash

The Lady Tigers and Gamecocks have a combined 38-1 record this season and both are in the Top 5 of the AP Weekly poll for women's college basketball. They've done this by employing a deep bench that consistently runs over their opponents and finds ways to win when they're behind.

If UCLA hadn't spoiled South Carolina's 43-game winning streak on Nov. 24, it could have been a battle of undefeated teams in the SEC in a possible preview of the 2025 national final. But just the same, both teams are looking to take control of the SEC and possibly close in on the No. 1 Bruins in the AP survey.

As South Carolina coach Dawn Staley pointed out, the players would decide on the game's outcome. Both teams have enticing matchups to look forward to on Friday.

#1. Flau'Jae Johnson vs. MiLaysia Fulwiley

Flau'Jae Johnson and MiLaysia Fulwiley have stood out as the top guards of LSU and South Carolina, respectively. Both 5-foot-10 guards can take over the court with heady plays and good court sense.

However, player-cum-artist Johnson, who averages 20.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, has a slight advantage in this clash due to her consistency and ability to score and make plays.

#2. Mikaylah Williams vs. Te-Hina Paopao

Mikaylah Williams and Te-Hina Paopao have managed to perform consistently under the noses of their more renowned teammates. Williams has piled up the points needed by LSU in offense while Paopeo has been deadshot from deep.

Although Williams has a slight advantage in points/40 minutes, Paopao has excelled in several aspects, including leadership on the court.

#3. Aneesah Morrow vs. Chloe Kitts

This power forwards clash has the makings of a classic. Thanks to Staley's excellent time management skills, Chloe Kitts has been an efficient contributor in both points and rebounds, averaging 9.5 ppg and 7.6 rpg in 19.5 minutes of action. Aneesah Morrow, on the other hand, has tallied 18.7 ppg and 14.2 rpg in a 32.8-minute work rate.

Kitts has closed the gap considerably in per 40-minute averages at 19.5 ppg and 15.6 rpg. Morrow, on the other hand, has normed 22.8 ppg and 17.4 rpg per 40 minutes.

#4. Kailyn Gilbert vs. Joyce Edwards

Kailyn Gilbert and Joyce Edwards have been effective off-the-bench producers for both teams. Gilbert has posted 11.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.0 apg and 1.2 spg, giving LSU another scorer aside from its Big 3.

On the other hand, Edwards, the No. 2 freshman in the Class of 2024, has played the role of a small forward/power forward in place of Ashlyn Watkins in recent games. She leads the team's offense with averages of 12.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.2 apg and 1.2 spg. It's more amazing that Edwards produces her numbers in only 20.3 minutes of playing time.

#5. Sa'Myah Smith vs. Raven Johnson

Sa'Myah Smith and Raven Johnson may not score the points needed for the team but they have consistently provided the defensive teeth their teams needed in every game. Smith has averaged 6.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 1.5 bpg this season and she has been great in defending the interior and helping out Aneesah Morrow in grabbing the boards each game.

On the other hand, Johnson (5.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.9 apg and 1.5 spg) has been the guard/scorer-stopper for Dawn Staley. She put on the clamps on Caitlin Clark in the 2024 national championship final and has stopped other scorers from imposing their will against the Gamecocks this season.

Who do you think will win when the LSU Lady Tigers take on the South Carolina Gamecocks on Friday? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.