Valentine’s Day Showdown: Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Faces Former Star MiLaysia Fulwiley and LSU in Baton Rouge Clash

In what promises to be one of the most emotionally charged and highly anticipated matchups of the 2025-26 women’s college basketball season, Coach Dawn Staley and her defending national champion South Carolina Gamecocks will travel to Baton Rouge on Valentine’s Day to take on the LSU Tigers—who now feature none other than former Gamecock sensation MiLaysia Fulwiley.

The February 14 clash at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center isn’t just a battle between SEC powerhouses—it’s a reunion that no one saw coming. Fulwiley, a Columbia, South Carolina native and one of the most electrifying guards in recent Gamecock memory, stunned the women’s basketball world this offseason by transferring to LSU after just one season in garnet and black. Her departure marked one of the most headline-grabbing moves in a transfer portal era that continues to reshape college basketball’s landscape.

Now, all eyes turn to Baton Rouge for a date that carries not only postseason implications but emotional weight for both programs. The backstory? Fulwiley was once seen as the future face of South Carolina basketball—a hometown hero who brought flair, creativity, and generational talent to the floor. She averaged 13.2 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds as a freshman, dazzling fans with no-look passes, ankle-breaking crossovers, and highlight-reel finishes that made her an instant fan favorite and a social media sensation.

But in a surprise turn, Fulwiley entered the transfer portal in April 2025, citing a desire for a “new environment, a fresh start, and an opportunity to expand my role as a leader.” A few weeks later, she committed to LSU, a decision that instantly fueled one of the most compelling storylines in SEC women’s basketball. Under Hall of Fame coach Kim Mulkey, the Tigers are reloading for another run at national contention. With Fulwiley now paired alongside a mix of veterans and blue-chip recruits, LSU’s offense gains the spark it desperately needed after a disappointing Sweet 16 exit last March.

For Coach Staley, who has built a dynasty in Columbia with discipline, culture, and elite recruiting, the Valentine’s Day meeting is about more than a former player. It’s about defending South Carolina’s throne atop the SEC and proving the Gamecocks can maintain their dominance despite offseason roster shakeups. Still, the emotion of facing Fulwiley—who she once recruited, nurtured, and celebrated—won’t be lost on Staley.

“She’s one of the most talented players I’ve ever coached,” Staley said earlier this summer when asked about Fulwiley’s departure. “As coaches, we always want what’s best for our players. MiLaysia is doing what she feels is best for her, and I respect that. But when we step on the court, it’s Gamecocks vs. Tigers.”

And that competitive fire is mutual. Fulwiley, never one to shy away from the spotlight, has made it clear she’s excited about the reunion—but equally motivated to show just how far she’s come.

“Playing against South Carolina is going to be emotional, no doubt,” Fulwiley said during an LSU offseason press conference. “But I’m a Tiger now. I’m ready to lead this team and go win. I’ve got love for Columbia, but when that ball tips off, it’s all business.”

The business of basketball, particularly on a stage as big as this one, brings with it national attention. ESPN has already announced it will broadcast the game in primetime as part of its Rivalry Week coverage, billing it as a matchup of titans. The Gamecocks, fresh off another Final Four run and with a reloaded lineup that includes returners like Chloe Kitts, Raven Johnson, and Sania Feagin, remain favorites to win the SEC. But the road to the conference crown will run through Baton Rouge on February 14—and it could be Fulwiley who stands in their way.

This isn’t the first time Dawn Staley has faced a player who once wore a Gamecock jersey, but the nature of Fulwiley’s departure makes this different. Her status as a hometown prodigy who chose South Carolina over countless suitors made her connection to the program uniquely personal. She was more than a recruit—she was a symbol of the Gamecocks’ rise and a bridge to the program’s next chapter. That she’s now wearing purple and gold adds a dramatic twist that even Hollywood couldn’t script better.

For LSU, Fulwiley represents the engine that can drive their offense back to national prominence. With her ability to create off the dribble, stretch defenses with her shooting, and elevate her teammates with uncanny court vision, she becomes the focal point of Kim Mulkey’s system—a system designed to win now. And with South Carolina circled in red on the calendar, expect Fulwiley to bring her best.

“She’s a game-changer,” Mulkey said after Fulwiley’s commitment. “There are very few players in college basketball who can dominate a game without scoring a single point—and MiLaysia is one of them. She makes everyone better, and she’s hungry.”

The hunger is mutual. South Carolina players, while respectful of Fulwiley’s choice, have expressed quiet determination to remind her what she left behind. The Gamecocks have embraced a “next woman up” mentality, with players like freshman phenom Tessa Johnson and transfer forward Kamilla Cardoso stepping into larger roles. Chemistry, not stardom, remains the hallmark of Staley’s system.

“It’s not about one player,” Johnson said during summer workouts. “It’s about all of us doing our job. We have love for MiLaysia, but when it’s time to play, we’re not holding back. We want to win.”

That intensity will make Valentine’s Day in Baton Rouge a spectacle. The PMAC will be rocking, student sections will be roaring, and the basketball will be top-tier. But beneath the surface, the storylines will ripple far beyond the hardwood. It’s about legacy, loyalty, growth, and the constantly shifting identity of college sports in the NIL and transfer portal era.

Analysts have already dubbed this a “statement game” for both programs. For South Carolina, it’s a chance to prove they don’t rebuild—they reload. For LSU, it’s an opportunity to make Fulwiley’s decision look prophetic and position themselves as real national contenders.

From a tactical standpoint, the matchup presents fascinating contrasts. South Carolina’s length and suffocating defense will challenge Fulwiley’s ability to create off the bounce. LSU’s speed and spacing will test the Gamecocks’ transition defense. It’s a chess match between two of the sport’s most competitive minds—Staley and Mulkey—and a showcase of the nation’s best athletes under the brightest lights.

Tickets are already nearing sellout status, and the hype will only grow as February approaches. Social media buzz, national previews, and endless storylines will fuel the drama. But when the clock hits 7 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, only one thing will matter—the game itself.

Will Fulwiley rise to the occasion and deliver a signature performance against her former team? Or will South Carolina’s machine-like execution silence the crowd and spoil the Tigers’ party?

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: on February 14 in Baton Rouge, love won’t be in the air—just rivalry, redemption, and relentless basketball.

It’s the kind of matchup fans dream about. A former hero turned opponent. A national title contender with something to prove. A conference rivalry that has already redefined the sport. And now, with hearts on the line and emotions running high, the stage is set.

Gamecocks. Tigers. Fulwiley. Staley. Valentine’s Day.

Let the countdown begin.