The No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks (15-1) are set to host the No. 5 Texas Longhorns (16-1) today, Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 PM ET, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN and streaming platforms like ESPN+ and Disney+, and Fubo.
This high-profile matchup is one of the marquee games of the women’s college basketball season, as both programs look to solidify their positions as national powerhouses.
Head coach Dawn Staley’s squad has once again proven their dominance despite dealing with adversity. The Gamecocks will play this game without standout Ashlyn Watkins, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury in late December. In her absence, freshman Joyce Edwards has risen to the challenge, providing scoring and rebounding punch as South Carolina looks to maintain its momentum.
South Carolina enters the game with the nation’s third-ranked defense, allowing opponents only 52.8 points per game while scoring an average of 81.6 themselves.
The Longhorns, led by head coach Vic Schaefer, come into this game riding a five-game winning streak, including impressive victories over ranked teams in recent weeks. Texas features a balanced attack, spearheaded by All-American Madison Booker, who has been a scoring and playmaking force all season. Forward Aaliyah Moore also provides a strong interior presence, creating a formidable matchup for South Carolina’s frontcourt.
The Longhorns are one of the few teams capable of matching South Carolina’s physicality. Their high-pressure defense, which forces an average of 18 turnovers per game, could cause problems for the Gamecocks if they are not sharp with their ball movement.
• Can the Gamecocks handle the Longhorns’ press defense? Texas thrives on forcing mistakes and converting turnovers into points, so South Carolina’s composure will be critical.
• The Joyce Edwards factor: The freshman phenom is stepping into a huge role in Watkins’ absence. Edwards is scoring 11.3 points per game with 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists for the Gamecocks. Will she rise to the occasion against a top-tier opponent?
The Lady Gamecocks have won the last ten game, averaging 86.2 points, 39.1 rebounds, 16.8 assists, 9.9 steals and 6.0 blocks per game while shooting 49.2% from the field.
This showdown between two top-10 teams will be a battle from start to finish. South Carolina has the home-court advantage and a deeper bench, which should help them outlast Texas in a close contest.