South Carolina may be unbeaten at the moment (3-0), but Tuesday night won't be a victory lap, it’s a test disguised as a non-conference game. Radford walks into Colonial Life Arena with three straight losses, but if you stop there, you miss the part that actually matters. This matchup is a mid-major with enough punch to make things uncomfortable if South Carolina shows up even slightly unfocused.
This is the second consecutive season the Highlanders have come to Columbia. Last December, the Gamecocks handled them easily with a 74–48 win. But a lot can change in a year, and Radford arrives with new personnel, new high-major transfers, and the kind of competitive edge that comes from playing real competition. Here's everything you need to know heading into Tuesday's matchup:
How to Watch
- Opponent: Radford Highlanders
- When: Tuesday, Nov. 18
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Where: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, S.C.
- TV/Streaming: SEC Network+
Radford is better than their record
Radford’s scoring stats come from high-major transfers who are comfortable on big stages:
Dennis Parker Jr. (NC State):
• 16.4 PPG
• 46.3% shooting
Del Jones (Clemson):
• 15.4 PPG
• 67.7% from the field
These two players run the Highlanders' offense. If they can get downhill early on or hit a couple of rhythm jumpers, they can take Radford into a scoring surge that will put pressure on South Carolina's backcourt, especially defensively.
The saving grace for the Gamecocks is Radford has been one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the nation, hitting just 26.3% from deep. For a South Carolina team that thrives on three-point variance, that is a huge matchup advantage. But poor shooting can cause problems if you let them live in the paint. And both of these guards love the attack.
South Carolina’s biggest advantage
For years, this program has lived and died by the perimeter. When the threes fell, the Gamecocks could clip almost anyone. When they didn’t, things always began to unravel. But Friday’s win over Presbyterian showed something this team has previously lacked: alternative routes to points.
After opening 0-for-6 from three, Paris told his players to ditch the jumper-first mindset and force the pressure at the rim. And it worked.
- South Carolina shot 42.1% overall
- Hit 25-of-32 free throws
- Committed a season-low of six turnovers
This South Carolina team has shown maturity, adaptability, and even after shifting to inside scoring, the Gamecocks still took 25 threes, hitting eight of them. They didn't abandon what they do well, they learned how to balance it.
Two key frontcourt pieces return
The Gamecocks will also get a huge boost on Tuesday with the return of Christ Essandoko, who missed the Presbyterian game, and Nordin Kapic, who suffered a thigh bruise, only playing three minutes last week.
Paris said both players were full participants in Monday's practice and ready to go. Essandoko’s size and Kapic’s offensive feel give USC the depth and flexibility it needs to keep its foot on the gas in the paint, especially if Radford tries to collapse on Meechie or chase shooters off the line.
Bottom line
South Carolina should win, but Radford can make it interesting. Radford is not quite good enough to beat the Gamecocks unless South Carolina helps them, but they are good enough to punch back if the team gets sloppy or slow.