South Carolina’s women’s basketball program is off to its best start in program history. South Carolina is 14-0 for the first time and has earned the program’s first No. 1 ranking. Thursday the Gamecocks will be looking to preserve their ranking when they travel to Tuscaloosa for a 6 p.m. matchup with the 
Crimson Tide.

“I’m excited about the opportunity as a competitor. You want to play the best. That is how you become the best,” Alabama coach Kristy Curry said. “You have to embrace those opportunities because they are few and far between.”

South Carolina is ranked No. 1 in the nation for a reason. Curry said USC’s size and depth is impressive. Four Gamecocks average 9.8 points per game or more. The team as a whole averages 79.4 points per game and gives up an average of 48.6 points per game. USC’s scoring margin is plus-30.8 compared to Alabama’s plus-6.2 margin.

Curry said she is excited about the challenge and is ready to turn things around after opening SEC play with two losses. The Tide lost to No. 11 Kentucky and No. 19 UGA last week and will play a third straight game against a ranked opponent. The SEC has six teams in the AP Top 25, more teams than any other conference.

“I think you want to coach, you want to play in that kind of league. As a player and a coach if you are afraid of that challenge you certainly do not need to be in this league. As a competitor that’s what we all embrace,” Curry said. “I can speak for myself. To be my best, I want to be in the best league in 
the country.”

Curry said she was disappointed about last week’s performance, but she said the team has to have 
short-term memory. She said Alabama has much of the season left and does not want a bad start in the SEC to derail any future success.

“We have to stay confident in ourselves, because if we don’t believe in our selves no one else will,” sophomore forward Ashley Williams said.

Following Thursday’s game, Alabama will travel to Oxford, Mississippi, Sunday for another SEC matchup. Ole Miss has improved from a year ago and has a record of 11-4. Tipoff is at 2 p.m.