Author: footballtopstar

In a stunning turn of events on Sunday, South Carolina’s women’s basketball team suffered a defeat to the Texas Longhorns in Austin. This marked the Gamecocks’ first regular-season conference loss since 2021. However, despite the loss, USC managed to deliver a victory for ESPN.

The South Carolina-Texas game, competing against pregame Super Bowl coverage, garnered impressive viewership. The game averaged over 1 million viewers, with the peak audience reaching 1.3 million, as announced by ESPN PR on Tuesday. These numbers stand as the highest for an ESPN-broadcasted women’s basketball game this season, with only Fox broadcasting games drawing larger audiences.

South Carolina’s games have always drawn significant attention. Last season, the Gamecocks’ showdown with UConn surpassed 1 million viewers, while the 2022-2023 match against LSU nearly hit 1.5 million. And this weekend, Dawn Staley’s squad could replicate that success.

USC will renew its heated rivalry with the UConn Huskies on Sunday afternoon, as College GameDay makes its way to Colonial Life Arena. The highly anticipated matchup between two top-10 teams will tip off at 1:00 p.m., broadcast live on ABC. The pregame show will be split between ABC and ESPN, and fans can also catch the action via the ESPN app.

Both South Carolina and UConn are ranked in the AP Top 10, but they hold even stronger positions in the NET rankings, sitting at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. While the Gamecocks have accumulated two losses this season, a win over Geno Auriemma’s squad would enhance USC’s case for having the nation’s top resume.

Before the Sunday showdown with UConn, South Carolina will host an SEC contest against the Florida Gators this Thursday night. The 7:00 p.m. game at CLA will air on the SEC Network, with streaming available through the ESPN app.

More news…..

Brady Hunt Rejoins Garnet Trust, confirming his return to South Carolina Football

In a significant development for South Carolina football, Brady Hunt, a 6-foot-5, 253-pound tight end, has signed a new NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal with the Gamecocks’ official collective, The Garnet Trust, ensuring his return to the program for the upcoming season.

Hunt, who transferred to South Carolina from Ball State last offseason, was part of the Gamecocks’ three-man tight end rotation in 2024 alongside Joshua Simon and Michael Smith. He made valuable contributions during the season, recording two receptions for 22 yards, including a key first-down grab late in the victory over Missouri. Known for his versatility both as a blocker and a receiver, Hunt is expected to take on an even larger role next season, especially with Simon having exhausted his eligibility.

Before joining South Carolina, Hunt had an impressive 2022 season at Ball State, where he caught 46 passes for 498 yards and five touchdowns. His strong performance at Ball State and subsequent transfer to the Gamecocks highlight his potential to become a key player in South Carolina’s offensive game plan.

This new NIL deal underscores the Gamecocks’ commitment to player retention, with The Garnet Trust playing a crucial role in securing such agreements. Retaining players like Hunt is essential for the program’s continued success, and head coach Shane Beamer has stressed the importance of building strong relationships and maintaining open communication to keep the team unified and motivated.

Live from the court, we’ve got a major update for you on South Carolina women’s basketball. After a tough loss to the Texas Longhorns in Austin this past Sunday, the Gamecocks suffered their first regular-season SEC loss since December 2021. This marks the first time South Carolina has dropped two regular season games in a row since the season before that.

As a result, the Associated Press has dropped South Carolina from the second to the fourth spot in their updated top-25 rankings. But, in a twist, the NET rankings present a different picture. For most of the season, the Gamecocks have held the No. 1 spot in the NET rankings, and they continue to do so. Meanwhile, UConn and Texas remain in the top three, with the Huskies ranked second and the Longhorns third. UCLA, undefeated and holding a unanimous No. 1 ranking, is fourth in the NET.

For those who may be unfamiliar, the NET rankings are the key metric used by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. The rankings consider factors such as the Team Value Index, which evaluates a team’s performance, game location, and strength of schedule, as well as adjusted net efficiency, which assesses a team’s performance against the quality of its opponents and the location of those games.

Looking at South Carolina’s resume this season, it’s clear why the Gamecocks are still perched at No. 1 in the NET. They’ve racked up an impressive ten Quad 1 wins, the most of any team in the country. In fact, only one other team, Texas, has more than seven Quad 1 victories. On top of that, the Gamecocks lead the nation with 13 Quad 1 + Quad 2 wins combined.

As South Carolina looks to bounce back from this loss, they have two important games coming up over the next week. One will present a Quad 2 opportunity, while the other gives Dawn Staley’s team a chance to add another Quad 1 win to their record.

First up, the Gamecocks will face the Florida Gators in an SEC matchup at Colonial Life Arena. This game is part of the “Play 4 Kay” movement, a cancer awareness initiative in honor of coaching legend Kay Yow. The game will tip-off at 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on the SEC Network and streamed on the ESPN app.

Then, South Carolina will host the highly anticipated rivalry game against the UConn Huskies, a top-10 showdown. The Gamecocks have won four consecutive matchups against UConn and five of the last six. This exciting contest is set to tip-off at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday and will be broadcast on ABC, with streaming available via the ESPN app.

In a weekend split for South Carolina, the Gamecocks faced both Georgia and Texas, and we’re breaking down the clutch players, burning questions, and a standout play from their performances.

Three Clutch Players:

MiLaysia Fulwiley
Against Georgia: 25 minutes, 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Against Texas: 21 minutes, 13 points, 3 assists, 3 steals, 2 rebounds

Fulwiley led the Gamecocks in scoring in both games. In the Texas matchup, she showed why she earned SEC Tournament MVP last season, showcasing her speed and athleticism on both ends of the court. If not for missing four minutes in the fourth quarter due to arm pain, I believe South Carolina might have secured a win.

Chloe Kitts
Against Georgia: 22 minutes, 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 steal
Against Texas: 24 minutes, 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists

Kitts continues to prove herself as one of South Carolina’s most dependable players. Her relentless hustle was on full display against Texas, where she faced a significant size disadvantage but still delivered.

Tessa Johnson
Against Georgia: 23 minutes, 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block
Against Texas: 18 minutes, 7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal

After a brief slump, Johnson bounced back against Georgia. While she missed a crucial game-tying layup against Texas, she made key plays that allowed the Gamecocks to even be in that position.

Two Burning Questions:

1. Who is South Carolina’s crunch-time lineup?
When the game is on the line, who do you want on the floor? Coach Dawn Staley turned to Raven Johnson, Te-Hina Paopao, Tessa Johnson, and Sania Feagin against Texas. She explained the decision as trying to provide Texas with a different look, and it did result in a good layup attempt for Tessa. But this left out MiLaysia Fulwiley, Joyce Edwards, and Chloe Kitts. With such a talented and deep roster, every player brings something unique to the court, which raises the question: who do you leave out in those high-stakes moments? While Staley and her staff have been working on end-game situations in practice, it’s clear a more defined crunch-time lineup would be beneficial.

2. How badly is South Carolina going to beat Florida on Thursday?
For a Florida team already struggling, the last thing they want to face is a motivated South Carolina squad. If the Gamecocks are feeling motivated after this weekend, this could turn into a lopsided affair.

One Favorite Play:

Chloe Kitts’ subtle tapped pass to a cutting Joyce Edwards for a smooth layup was a highlight-worthy moment that would’ve likely earned the top spot.

Landon Duckworth, the former South Carolina QB commit, provides an update on his recruitment and his current situation with the Gamecocks.

Live from Atlanta, I’m catching up with Jackson, Alabama quarterback Landon Duckworth, who once made a commitment to the South Carolina Gamecocks but de-committed in June of last year. Since then, South Carolina’s football landscape has undergone significant changes, from head coach Shane Beamer’s contract extension to QB LaNorris Sellers showing off his skills. Now, Duckworth is in the final stretch of his recruitment journey.

We met with Duckworth during the Under Armour Next series to get the latest on his status with the Gamecocks.

Duckworth on the changes since his de-commitment: “You know, Coach Loggains is gone, but Coach Beamer is still around, so it’s all good. We have a really strong relationship, and I’ve also built a connection with Coach Shula. He came down to my school a few times, and we even had dinner with my mom in Mobile.”

On his expectations from the offense under Mike Shula: “I think it really depends. Coach Shula coached Cam Newton for a long time, and his dad was also a very accomplished coach. So, they’re definitely counting on him.”

On the message he’s been receiving from South Carolina’s staff: “We talk a lot—me, Coach Shula, and Coach Beamer. But I also keep in touch with the whole staff. Even the new hires have been clear: they want me, and they tell me that all the time.”

On which other programs are prioritizing him: “Florida State, Missouri, North Carolina, and Georgia are all making a strong push. I really like Missouri.”

As Duckworth approaches the end of his recruitment, South Carolina is still very much in the conversation, but the competition is heating up. Stay tuned for more updates as this recruitment unfolds!

More news….

First-Round Projections Have South Carolina DT T.J. Sanders As a Top NFL Draft Pick

The 2025 NFL Draft process is in full swing, and former South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders is now considered a potential first-round pick.

Although Sanders might have flown under the radar this season due to the dominant performances of South Carolina’s EDGE rushers, Dylan Stewart and Kyle Kennard, he is gaining recognition as the draft approaches. National analysts, including NFL Network’s lead draft expert, Daniel Jeremiah, are starting to take notice of Sanders’ impressive tape.

Jeremiah recently released his updated NFL Mock Draft, where he has Sanders going 31st overall to the Philadelphia Eagles. Regarding the potential selection, Jeremiah commented:

“There has not been a lot of buzz for Sanders, but I thought his tape was outstanding. He’s really twitchy and would fit right in with the bevy of talented defensive linemen in Philly.”

T.J. Sanders’ accolades include:

• 2024 Third-Team All-America (College Football Nation)
• 2024 First-Team All-SEC (College Football Nation)
• 2024 Second-Team All-SEC (AP, Phil Steele)
• 2024 SEC Interior Defender of the Year (College Football Nation)
• 2023 Third-Team All-SEC (College Football Network)
• 2023 Fourth-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele)
• 2023 Nutrition Award
• 2023 Rex Enright Defensive Player of the Spring
• 2023 co-South Carolina Spirit Award – Defense

South Carolina is quickly emerging as a serious contender for the College Football Playoff in the upcoming season, and the man leading the charge is none other than Shane Beamer. It’s become undeniable that Beamer, the former Oklahoma assistant, is exactly what this program needed. Having worked alongside some of the game’s most respected coaches, including his father, Virginia Tech legend Frank Beamer, Shane’s biggest influence might be Steve Spurrier, the man who mentored him during his time in Columbia. Could Beamer be the one to finally turn South Carolina’s football fortunes around?

As a head coach, Beamer embodies the traits of a CEO. He’s the ideal spokesperson for this underdog program, blending motivational leadership with a clear vision. While some might see him more as a motivator than an intricate strategist, Beamer’s ability to maintain momentum and make key decisions—especially in roster retention—has been crucial. He and his staff worked tirelessly to keep star players like LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart from entering the transfer portal, a move that underscores his foresight in an era where NIL deals are reshaping the college football landscape.

In an interview with On3’s Pete Nakos, Beamer emphasized the significance of roster retention and building a strong foundation for the future. “They didn’t need to go anywhere else to continue to accomplish what they wanted to accomplish here,” Beamer said. “They realized that everything we said in the recruiting process, we were going to do and be. That’s who we are. So it was a pretty simple process. We knew early in the season that the key for us was going to be to retain our roster. So we got to work on the particulars of that.”

Sellers, who made an immediate impact as the Gamecocks’ starting quarterback, and Stewart, a rising star on South Carolina’s feared pass rush, are just two reasons why the Gamecocks were on the brink of College Football Playoff contention at the end of last season. It’s a season that exceeded expectations, as many thought South Carolina would struggle just to make a bowl game.

But looking ahead, South Carolina is no longer just an intriguing pick for the playoff—they now seem poised to contend.

Beamer’s strategic approach to roster retention stands out as a key factor in South Carolina’s rise. Historically, the Gamecocks have faced an uphill battle, especially given the competition within the SEC and their fierce regional rival Clemson. South Carolina’s football program has often been inconsistent, despite a passionate fanbase. Before Beamer, the job was considered one that marked the twilight of many respected coaches’ careers. But Beamer is different. He’s bold, brash, and unafraid to challenge the established powers in the SEC.

His outspoken and unapologetic approach makes him both a polarizing figure and exactly the type of leader South Carolina needs in today’s college football landscape. Shane Beamer thrives in recruitment, possessing a keen eye for spotting potential in players who might not yet be fully realized. His confidence and bold leadership style help players unlock their full potential.

By ensuring that Sellers and Stewart stay in Columbia, Beamer has positioned South Carolina on the cusp of a major breakthrough, possibly ushering in an era of sustained success.

In a stunning twist, South Carolina’s women’s basketball team saw its SEC regular season winning streak come to an end with a hard-fought 66-62 loss at Texas. This marked the Gamecocks’ first SEC loss since December 30, 2021. While the defeat is disappointing, it’s important to note that the team’s goals remain very much in reach.

South Carolina (22-2, 10-1 SEC) still has a clear path to securing another SEC regular season title if they can win out in their final five games. This would also place them in a strong position as the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament, with a real shot at taking the title there. And, as always, the NCAA Tournament looms large, with a fourth National Championship very much in sight.

As Head Coach Dawn Staley put it, “The law of averages says at some point somebody is going to get you. I’m just glad they didn’t get us where we can’t survive. We still control our own destiny.”

While having goals is crucial, the challenge remains to achieve them. A single close loss doesn’t alter the bigger picture, but it does highlight a recurring issue for the Gamecocks that could be concerning as the season progresses.

Both of South Carolina’s losses this year have featured dominant post players who have exploited the Gamecocks’ defense in the paint. In November, it was UCLA’s Lauren Betts, who notched a double-double and attacked the basket with ease. In this game, Texas’ Kyla Oldacre proved to be a force, scoring eight points in the fourth quarter and pushing around South Carolina’s frontcourt. This was such a problem that Staley made the decision to change up her rotation during crunch time.

Chloe Kitts and Joyce Edwards didn’t play at all in the fourth quarter, with Sania Feagin getting the nod due to her ability to match up with Oldacre. Staley acknowledged, “They used Oldacre to finish us. She did a great job. She came through time and time again with crucial baskets.”

The stats paint a clear picture of Texas’ dominance inside, winning the paint battle 40-26 and outrebounding South Carolina 42-35. This marks the second time in a month that the Gamecocks have lost the rebounding battle to one of their top SEC rivals. Combined with previous losses to LSU, Tennessee, and UCLA in the rebounding category, it’s becoming clear that South Carolina is facing challenges on the boards against elite teams.

However, this issue—while significant—is almost a “luxury problem” for the Gamecocks. Their offense remains elite, their defense is top-notch, and their depth continues to outmatch most opponents. Still, the rebounding struggles, particularly since the injury to Ashlyn Watkins, are likely to persist throughout the season. South Carolina will need favorable matchups in the NCAA Tournament to avoid facing teams with dominant forwards.

“We give up too much when Chloe or Joyce are on her,” said Staley of Oldacre. “We could have tried Adhel Tac, she’s just not experienced enough. She’s a very experienced post player. I thought she brought it all home for them.”

As February rolls on and the regular season nears its conclusion, the Gamecocks are what they are: an incredibly talented team with one glaring weakness that they’ll need to work around. If the matchups are favorable, they remain one of the favorites to claim the National Championship, but only time will tell how they navigate these challenges in the coming months.

Good afternoon! It’s a highly anticipated matchup today as the No. 2 South Carolina women’s basketball team heads to Austin, Texas, to face the No. 4 Texas Longhorns. Here’s everything you need to know for the game, including how to tune in, the latest predictions, odds, and injury updates.

Who’s Playing:

• No. 2 South Carolina (22-1, 10-0 SEC) vs. No. 4 Texas (23-2, 9-1 Big 12)

When: Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET

Where: Moody Center, Austin, Texas (10,763-seat arena)

How to Follow the Game

• TV Broadcast: ESPN will carry the game, with Ryan Ruocco handling play-by-play, Rebecca Lobo providing analysis, and Holly Rowe as the reporter.
• Streaming: You can stream the game on ESPN’s website or app with your TV provider login.
• South Carolina Radio/Streaming: Listen live on 107.5 FM (Columbia) or 96.3 FM (Florence). Brad Muller will call the game. The pregame show starts at 1:30 p.m. (in Columbia). Streaming is available on their website.
• Texas Radio/Streaming: The Longhorn Radio Network will broadcast the game, with streaming available on TexasSports.com.
• Satellite Radio/Streaming: Tune in to SiriusXM channels 191 or 211 or stream on SiriusXM.com.

Betting Info:

As of 10:35 a.m. on Sunday, South Carolina is favored by 2.5 points, with an over/under of 137.5.

Regarding the NCAA Women’s Tournament future odds, South Carolina is a moneyline favorite at +155 (bet $100 to win $155) on FanDuel, followed by UCLA (+390), Notre Dame (+500), UConn (+550), and Texas at +2000. On DraftKings, South Carolina’s odds are at +175, with Texas at +1300.

Predictions:

Here’s how some predictions are shaping up:

• Massey Ratings predicts a South Carolina win, 70-66, with a 58% chance for the Gamecocks to take the victory.
• Bart Torvik gives a similar result, predicting South Carolina 69, Texas 68, with the Gamecocks having a 51% chance.
• GamecockCentral and 107.5 The Game predictions include:
  • Tyler Head: Gamecocks 70-62
  • Kevin Miller: Gamecocks 78-66
  • Brian Shoemaker: Gamecocks 69-65
  • Jack Veltri: Gamecocks 73-63

Injury Report:

• South Carolina: Ashlyn Watkins is OUT for the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL.
• Texas: Both Aaliyah Moore and Laila Phelia are OUT. Moore has been a starter in 19 games, averaging 7.9 points and 4.6 rebounds, while Phelia has appeared in 8 games, averaging 6.1 points and 2.1 rebounds.

We’ll keep you updated throughout the game with live updates. Stay tuned to GamecockCentral for real-time commentary and join us on The Insiders Forum approximately 30 minutes before tip-off!