"They're gonna get their money's worth": Dawn Staley primes Gamecocks and LSU fans for "rivalry" game after a change in schedule

Dawn Staley understands the importance of rivalries in the game of college basketball. She is hyped for the highly anticipated matchup between the No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks and No. 5 LSU Tigers.

Originally set to take place on Thursday, it was postponed to Friday at 5 p.m. ET due to a severe winter storm that impacted LSU's ability to travel to Columbia, South Carolina.

Staley expressed her excitement for the rivalry game in a live interview on the SEC Network, saying that fans will get their money's worth on Friday.

"It's a rivalry. It really is. We're not only a rivalry between the programs on the floor, but it's a rivalry with the fan bases because you can't say one bad thing about LSU without LSU fans hopping on our fans. You can't say nothing about Gamecock things," Staley said.

"It's so very good for our game that people are very interested in this rivalry. I'm sure the people that's going to pack Colonial Life Arena at 5 p.m. on Friday are going to get a treat. They're going to get their money's worth."

Dawn Staley's matchup history vs. Kim Mulkey

Dawn Staley and South Carolina are no strangers to facing Kim Mulkey and LSU.

Staley faced Mulkey seven times throughout their coaching careers at both programs, the former having the advantage with a 5-2 all-time record. The last time they faced was the 2024 SEC Championship, which saw the Gamecocks win 79-72.

The Tigers enter the matchup undefeated with a 20-0 record, winning their first five games of conference play. However, their two wins against ranked teams are those outside the top 15.

This is where South Carolina holds the advantage, heading into the contest with a 19-1 overall record. They have played eight teams ranked in the AP Top 25, going 7-1 in those matchups with the lone defeat being against No. 1 UCLA.

After this game, Dawn Staley and the No. 2 Gamecocks will be on the road to play the No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers at the Thompson-Boling Arena on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. ET.

Kim Mulkey and the No. 5 Tigers will return home to host the Texas A&M Aggies at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Jan. 26 at 4 p.m. ET.