No. 4 Texas clashes with undefeated No. 2 South Carolina. Can Texas' suffocating defense overcome the Gamecocks' home dominance and offensive firepower?
There are road games, and then there are statements. Thursday night in Columbia falls squarely into the second category for the Texas Longhorns.
No. 4 Texas heads east to take on No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks in what feels less like a January conference game and more like a March preview.
Let’s start with the obvious ... South Carolina doesn’t lose at home.
The Gamecocks are 10-0 in Columbia, and historically, that building has swallowed plenty of ranked teams whole.
Texas brings one of the nastiest defenses in the league, allowing just 53.2 points per game while holding opponents to 36.6 percent shooting. That defense travels, and it will need to. South Carolina averages nearly 90 points per game over its last 10 outings while shooting over 50 percent from the floor.
At the center of Texas’ push is Madison Booker, who has quietly turned into one of the most complete players in the country.
She’s averaging 19.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and four assists.
Alongside her, Jordan Lee has provided steady scoring, averaging 14.2 points over the last 10 games.
South Carolina counters with star power and physicality. Joyce Edwards is a matchup nightmare, averaging 20.7 points with active hands on defense, while Madina Okot controls the paint and the glass, especially on the offensive boards.
Here’s where this game may tilt: pace and discipline.
Texas scores 90.5 points per game, nearly 37 more than South Carolina allows on average.
If the Longhorns can force turnovers (they average 13.5 steals per game) and avoid getting crushed on the offensive glass, they can turn this into a track meet. If not, South Carolina’s physical half-court style could grind things down.
Either way, this one’s going to be loud, physical, and unforgiving. The SEC schedule doesn’t offer many soft landings - but this is the kind of night where Texas finds out exactly who it is.
And for Longhorn fans? Buckle up. This is the game you clear your Thursday night for.
WHAT: No. 4 Texas Longhorns (18-1, 3-1 SEC) at No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks (17-1, 4-0)
WHEN: Thursday | Jan. 15 | 6 p.m. CT
WHERE: Colonial Life Arena | Columbia, SC | Capacity 18,000
TV: ESPN 2
RADIO: N/A
BETTING ODDS
SPREAD: UT +3.5
TOTAL: 137.5
MONEYLINE: UT +150 | SC -180