When does Dawn Staley's South Carolina begin its 2024-25 season? Looking at Gamecocks' season opener

Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks made history last season, mounting an undefeated championship run. Even though Kamilla Cardoso stepped up to be the program’s star player, Staley’s run came through team effort. A signifying factor of that is the Gamecocks featured five different leading scorers in their first eight games.

Their narrative stayed the same throughout the year, as four different players led the scoring chart for Dawn Staley in the NCAA tournament.

As South Carolina nears its 2024-25 campaign, here's a closer look at their season opener that could help them extend the 38-0 winning streak.

South Carolina Gamecocks’ first game of the 2024-25 season

Dawn Staley’s roster will face Michigan in their season opener on Nov. 4. The matchup is part of the Hall of Fame Series and is set up to be played in Las Vegas. It will be the Gamecocks’ first Hall of Fame Series game, a concept that features some of the nation’s best basketball teams in exclusive locations.

South Carolina’s record championship run began with a game in Paris last season, where they defeated Notre Dame 100-71. This season, Las Vegas has the potential to be of the same significance.

For Michigan and Kim Barnes Arico, the game against South Carolina will be the second of their season. They will come off an Oct. 27 matchup against Divison II's Northwood in Ann Arbor.

Dawn Staley finally gets her White House appearance

The women's basketball NCAA champions have finally made their White House appearance. Dawn Staley and Co. visited Washington D.C on Tuesday.

Not only will the moment stay with the players for years to come, but it was also monumental for Staley, as she has been a longtime supporter of the Democratic National Party.

Moreover, President Joe Biden's remarks on Staley’s coaching acted as a cherry on top for the Gamecocks coach:

"I know why you’re so good, you got a girl from Philly running this team. I married a Philly girl. You don’t screw around with a Philly girl, man. They’re tough. Jilly from Philly," Biden said.

It is a tradition within the NCAA circuit for the national champions to be honored by the sitting president. However, Staley’s 2017 crew’s invitation came in late, while in 2022, the Gamecocks and the White House could not finalize a mutually suitable date, making Tuesday's visit their first.