NCAA Women's Tournament Final Four Preview and Prediction: Can South Carolina Fulfill Their Destiny and Defeat NC State?

(Photo : Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)) GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 10: Ashlyn Watkins #2 of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrate a call as an altercation breaks out behind her against the LSU Lady Tigers in the fourth quarter during the championship game of the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 10, 2024 in Greenville, South Carolina.

A trip to the National Championship game is on the line this week.

The undefeated No.1 seed South Carolina Gamecocks are taking on the No.3 NC State WolfPack on Friday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland for their NCAA Women's Tournament Final Four matchup.

This would mark the first time these two programs would meet in the NCAA Tournament and their 33rd meeting overall.

Can the South Carolina Gamecocks fulfill their destiny of winning another National Championship, or will the NC State Wolfpack punch their own ticket to the National Championship game?

Final Four Preview and Prediction: South Carolina Gamecocks vs. NC State Wolfpack

Date: Friday, April 5th
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Network: ESPN

Coach Wes Moore and the NC State Wolfpack have been one of the better stories in the NCAA Women's Tournament. NC State knocked out two of the best teams in the nation, upsetting the No.1 Texas Longhorns and then promptly handling No.2 Stanford on their way to the Final Four.

They have been led by two big-time scorers in guards Aziaha James and former South Carolina Gamecocks Saniya Rivers, who has come on during her time with the Wolfpack; both players stepping up and increasing their scoring averages during the NCAA Tournament.

Aziaha James and her fellow All-ACC first team teammate have been crucial for NC State on their run. James averaged 16.7 points per game during the regular season but has now averaged 24.3 points per game in the NCAA Women's Tournament.

The Wolfpack are also one of the best rebounding teams in the nation being ranked 12th in the nation behind River Baldwins and Madison Hayes, both averaging 6.9 rebounds a game.

Now, NC State has a challenging task ahead of them. The South Carolina Gamecocks are a force that has dominated every team they play.

It's no secret that the Dawn Staley led Gamecocks are one of the most well-rounded teams in the nation.

South Carolina has managed to blow out each team on their way to the Final Four and seem to have an answer for anything NC State could throw at them; as they do everything at an elite level, from rebounding to defense.

They are led by the WNBA bound Kamilla Cardoso, who tallies 14.1 points and 2.5 blocks per game.

The Gamecocks also have a sniper on their roster in Te-Hina Paopao, who shoots 39.4% from the field; which makes them even more dangerous offensively.