Category: South Carolina Gamecocks

  • South Carolina Softball’s Revival with Ashley Chastain Woodard at the Helm

    South Carolina Softball on a Historic Path Under Ashley Chastain Woodard

    South Carolina Softball on a Historic Path Under Ashley Chastain Woodard

    Good afternoon, I’m here with breaking news from the world of South Carolina softball, where a thrilling new chapter has begun under the leadership of Ashley Chastain Woodard, the program’s 11th head coach. After being appointed on June 11, 2024, Woodard, a former Gamecock player and graduate assistant, has already ignited a wave of success that is making an undeniable impact in Columbia.

    Woodard’s coaching resume speaks volumes. Before returning to her alma mater, she spent five successful years as the head coach at Charlotte, compiling a remarkable 154-96 record and securing two NCAA postseason appearances. Her teams consistently delivered impressive results, including Quad 1 victories over powerhouse programs like Florida State, Georgia, and Virginia Tech. Now, she brings that winning mentality and culture to South Carolina.

    An Unstoppable Start to 2024

    The Gamecocks’ transformation under Woodard has been nothing short of spectacular. Since taking the reins, she has led the team to a perfect 12-0 record, earning a spot in the national rankings at No. 21. In these early games, South Carolina has already proven its mettle with victories over respected opponents like North Carolina, Virginia, Providence, and East Carolina. Clearly, this team is poised to compete at the highest level.

    Key Players Driving the Momentum

    The Gamecocks’ dominance is fueled by standout performances from key players:

    • Quincee Lilio (INF) – With a staggering .576 batting average and 1.496 OPS, Lilio leads the team in hits (19) and runs (12).
    • Natalie Heath (UTIL) – Hitting .538 with a 1.496 OPS, Heath has been a consistent offensive threat.
    • Emma Sellers (SS) – A steady force at the plate, Sellers boasts a .400 average and .971 OPS.
    • Abigail Knight (OF) – Contributing heavily with a .394 average and 10 runs scored.
    • Lexi Winters (C/OF) – With a .367 batting average, 1.253 OPS, and 11 RBIs, Winters has been clutch at the plate.
    • Ella Chancey (3B) – A dynamic presence, Chancey has a .357 average and 1.132 OPS.

    In the circle, Sam Gress has also shined, delivering dominant pitching performances while contributing offensively.

    What’s Next for the Gamecocks?

    Looking ahead, South Carolina will aim to extend their perfect start as they take on Boston University at 1 PM today. With Ashley Chastain Woodard at the helm, the Gamecocks are rapidly establishing themselves as a force in college softball. If the team’s early success is any indication, they’re more than ready for a deep postseason run.

    The Gamecocks’ newfound winning mentality has them on the rise, with the past struggles of the program now firmly in the rearview mirror. The Ashley Chastain Woodard era is off to a historic and exciting start, and South Carolina fans have much to look forward to as this thrilling season unfolds.

  • South Carolina vs Vanderbilt: Can Dawn Staley’s Squad Contain Mikayla Blakes?

    Update on South Carolina women’s basketball as they look to secure their first road

    Update on South Carolina women’s basketball as they look to secure their first road win since their loss to Texas in Austin on February 6.

    The No. 6-ranked Gamecocks (24-3, 12-1 SEC) are coming off a dominant 95-55 victory over Arkansas on Thursday night. Now, they travel to Nashville for a matchup with Vanderbilt on Sunday at 3 p.m. (SEC Network+).

    The Commodores (19-8, 6-7 SEC) are fresh off a tough 101-81 loss to Oklahoma. Despite their recent struggles, head coach Shea Ralph, who is in her fourth season with Vanderbilt, has had a history of success against South Carolina as an assistant coach at UConn. However, since taking over as the head coach of the Commodores, Ralph has yet to defeat Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley. Historically, South Carolina holds a 22-21 lead in the all-time series against Vanderbilt, and the Gamecocks have won 16 straight games against the Commodores, with their last loss to Vanderbilt coming back in 2011.

    Here’s a closer look at some key aspects of the upcoming game:

    Mikayla Blakes: Vanderbilt’s Rising Star

    Freshman Mikayla Blakes is a standout for the Commodores and is making a strong case for SEC Freshman of the Year. The 5-foot-8 guard has already scored 50+ points in two separate games this season and recently dropped 34 points in a 30-point performance, her fifth of the season. She’s currently averaging 23.4 points per game, ranking No. 6 in the nation and second in the SEC. Blakes’ highlight moment came on January 19 when she hit a game-winning shot to defeat Tennessee. Just this past Sunday, she set an NCAA freshman record with 55 points in a comeback victory over Auburn.

    The Gamecocks will likely have Bree Hall match up against Blakes, but as Coach Dawn Staley mentioned, Blakes is a tough player to stop. Staley remarked, “When you’ve got the greenest of green lights, it’s hard to stop, you’re unafraid and have no fear of missed shots. It’s hard when you are running up against a player like that, you’ve just gotta make it difficult. You gotta control what you can control.”

    The key for South Carolina’s defense will be to limit Blakes’ open looks, avoid fouling, and make her uncomfortable whenever possible.

    Khamil Pierre: A Threat in the Paint

    Blakes may get most of the attention, but Khamil Pierre is another dangerous player for Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-2 sophomore forward is averaging 20.8 points per game and has posted more than 24 points in three games this month alone. She provides the Commodores with a strong inside presence, complementing Blakes’ outside scoring. Pierre also stands out on the boards, averaging 9.7 rebounds per game, more than Sania Feagin, Joyce Edwards, and Chloe Kitts, who will need to be mindful of Pierre’s presence down low.

    If Bree Hall can disrupt Blakes’ shooting, the Gamecocks will need to make sure they limit Pierre’s impact on the glass, as she is dangerous both offensively and defensively. Transition defense will also be crucial, with Blakes likely looking to push the pace following any rebounds from Pierre.

    Vanderbilt’s SEC Resume

    While the Commodores have faced some struggles this season, they’ve proven they can compete with top-tier SEC teams. Notable victories include wins over Tennessee and Alabama, both of which have given South Carolina trouble this season. Additionally, Vanderbilt only narrowly lost to LSU by six points. If the Gamecocks underestimate them or replicate the mistakes they made against UConn, this game could turn into a serious challenge.

    South Carolina vs Vanderbilt Prediction

    In what promises to be an exciting matchup, I predict South Carolina will win 89-77. Blakes will certainly put up over 18 points, but I expect Bree Hall to limit her scoring and prevent her from reaching a 50-point game. Ultimately, South Carolina’s starters should be more in sync on offense, allowing them to overcome the Commodores and extend their win streak.

    Stay tuned for updates as the Gamecocks look to continue their dominant season!

  • South Carolina Women’s Basketball: The Gamecocks’ Quest for Leadership

    South Carolina Women’s Basketball: The Gamecocks’ Quest for Leadership

    Before the UConn game, Bob Joyce, the radio announcer for UConn, interviewed Brad Muller, the voice of the Gamecocks. Joyce asked Muller about the Gamecocks’ leaders, but Muller struggled to provide an answer.

    On Wednesday, ahead of media availability, the discussion turned to identifying a key player to speak with. “We need one of the team leaders,” someone suggested. Yet, no one could pinpoint who that was.

    This has become an ongoing concern for the Gamecocks this season: Who exactly is stepping up as a leader? Even head coach Dawn Staley doesn’t seem to have a clear answer. “Our most experienced players have to be better,” Staley remarked on Wednesday.

    Last season, leadership wasn’t an issue for South Carolina. They lost just one player, Kamilla Cardoso, who wasn’t known for being a vocal leader. So, why is leadership a question this year?

    It may not have been a concern last year because the Gamecocks weren’t really tested—they never had to fight back from a loss. There’s also the personality factor at play.

    From an outsider’s perspective, leadership often gets boiled down to who delivers the fiery speeches to pump up the team. But the Gamecocks compensated for the absence of that type of leadership with an incredibly talented and competitive roster, all laser-focused on the ultimate goal of winning.

    They rose to the challenge time and again—whether it was dealing with a loss to Iowa in the Final Four, Raven Johnson’s Revenge Tour, the controversy of not being ranked No. 1, or Cardoso’s suspension.

    They didn’t forget how to compete—well, except for the UConn game. However, when you’re the defending champions, it’s harder to stay motivated. The chip on the shoulder isn’t as large, and the drive isn’t as intense.

    Perhaps, being blown out by UConn could be the rallying point this season. It wasn’t just a loss—it was a humbling defeat. For the first time, South Carolina isn’t the favorite to win the championship.

    With UConn’s commanding victory over South Carolina drawing 1.8 million viewers, the largest ESPN regular-season audience in 15 years, the question remains: has the chip returned for the Gamecocks?

    That sense of leadership certainly surfaced in the Gamecocks’ victory over Arkansas, particularly from MiLaysia Fulwiley. She finished with 15 points, four rebounds, four assists, and a series of incredible plays that stood out.

    “I didn’t think about the last game. I just focused on this game,” Fulwiley explained.

    But Dawn Staley saw even more in Fulwiley’s performance. The sophomore, who is usually quiet, showed a more assertive side. “She was mad at the beginning,” Staley noted. “You can be mad and hold it in, or you can be mad and voice your opinion. And she was one that voiced her opinion. It’s good to hear it from a young player. A competitor doesn’t like anything about what happened. Not one thing, you know.”

    Fulwiley’s competitive nature has become contagious. Zia Cooke spoke about how Fulwiley drives her teammates to elevate their game. “She really does that in practice,” said Laeticia Amihere. “But every time she does it, it’s a shocker. No matter how many times she does it, it’s just mind-blowing because you don’t see that every day.”

    Aliyah Boston is another relatively quiet player, but through her performance, she has grown into a leader on the floor. Against Arkansas, Boston scored a team-high 18 points, with nine of those coming during a crucial 16-0 run in the third quarter.

    “We knew we had to come in and execute and show the world who South Carolina is, remind the world who South Carolina is,” Boston said.

    Other players also contributed to the win. Te-Hina Paopao had an off night with just four points on 1-5 shooting but contributed key plays in the third quarter, including a steal that led to a layup and a rebound that led to another basket for Edwards.

    Staley also praised the likes of Raven Johnson, Choe Kitts, Sania Feagin, and Maryam Dauda for playing their roles effectively. Sometimes, leadership isn’t about speaking up but executing what the team needs.

    Edwards and Fulwiley exemplify the type of leadership that can push the team forward. Despite any flaws, their competitiveness is undeniable, and that competitive fire can inspire the entire team to rise to the occasion.

    “She’s grown, she really is growing,” Staley said of Fulwiley. “She’s learning. She’s more active in practice. She’s using her voice in practice. So it’s always a good thing when a young player starts to utilize their voice and understands their power.”

    Do I buy into this newfound leadership from South Carolina?

    Perhaps. I’ve certainly convinced myself.

    But more importantly, I’ve seen enough of these Gamecocks to know: Never count them out.

  • Sam Vecenie breaks down why Collin Murray-Boyles is a top-tier NBA prospect.

    Sam Vecenie breaks down why Collin Murray-Boyles is a top-tier NBA prospect.

    As the college basketball season nears its peak, NBA scouts are turning their attention to top draft prospects—especially those on teams that may not make the NCAA Tournament. One name on their radar is Collin Murray-Boyles, a standout for the struggling South Carolina Gamecocks.

    Despite South Carolina’s winless record in SEC play through 13 games, Murray-Boyles’ performance remains impressive. Sam Vecenie from The Athletic recently gave him high marks, particularly for his defensive prowess and basketball IQ.

    “Just an unbelievable defensive playmaker,” Vecenie remarked. “Unbelievable defender. Processes the game at such a high level, it’s obscene. Shooting 57% from the field this season. I don’t really buy him shooting threes yet. I don’t know that that’s going to be a thing, but maybe it gets there.”

    While Murray-Boyles’ defensive skills shine, his three-point shooting has been a weak spot. He’s hitting just 28% from beyond the arc, though his attempts are minimal, with only one per game on average. His highest total this season came in a game against Virginia Tech with three attempts. NBA teams will be watching closely to see if he can develop this aspect of his game moving forward.

    Despite the three-point struggles, Murray-Boyles is still contributing significantly. He’s averaging nearly 16 points and 9 rebounds per game, with his defensive metrics also standing out. Vecenie highlights his advanced defensive stats as some of the best in the class.

    With just five games left in the regular season, and the SEC Tournament looming, it looks unlikely that South Carolina will make a deep run unless they have a Cinderella moment. If the Gamecocks’ season ends without a major postseason push, Murray-Boyles will transition to the NBA.

    In the latest mock draft from On3’s James Fletcher, Murray-Boyles is projected to be selected No. 17 overall by the Dallas Mavericks, just outside the lottery. He’s slightly behind a couple of international players from France.

    However, there’s still time for Murray-Boyles to improve, and Vecenie believes NBA teams will be drawn to his defensive tenacity and efficiency around the rim. The talented South Carolina forward looks set to make the jump to the NBA, with his second college season winding down.

    More news…..

    “I’m a big fan of the Gamecocks”: RB Jayrean Campbell discusses his interest in South Carolina

    South Carolina basketball recruit earns All-American honors

    Jayreon Campbell, a 2026 running back from McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, has recently expressed strong interest in the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 190 pounds, Campbell has garnered attention from several prominent programs, including Ole Miss, Georgia, Auburn, Michigan, Alabama, and Texas A&M. Notably, he holds an offer from South Carolina, reflecting the Gamecocks’ interest in his talents.

    Campbell’s recruitment is highly competitive, with multiple schools vying for his commitment. His recent official visit to North Carolina has intensified the race, making it a closely contested battle between the Tar Heels and the Gamecocks. His father mentioned that Campbell is still evaluating his options, indicating that a decision has not yet been made.

    The Gamecocks’ coaching staff, including running backs coach Montario Hardesty, is actively involved in Campbell’s recruitment. Their efforts to engage with Campbell underscore their commitment to strengthening the running back position for the upcoming seasons.

    As Campbell continues to explore his options, the University of South Carolina remains a strong contender in his recruitment process. The outcome of his decision will be closely watched by fans and analysts, as it has the potential to significantly impact the Gamecocks’ future offensive strategies.

  • South Carolina gains confidence and momentum with dominant victory over Arkansas

    In a game that everyone expected, South Carolina women’s basketball

    In a game that everyone expected, South Carolina women’s basketball crushed SEC bottom-dweller Arkansas 95-55, offering a much-needed break after their heavy defeat to UConn. The win was a contrast to the high-stakes games they’ve faced recently—Arkansas’ lackluster performance didn’t match the intensity of their previous matchups, making the game feel more like a scrimmage.

    Head coach Dawn Staley had emphasized the importance of regaining their identity, something the team had struggled with in their losses. “A common theme is we just didn’t play a resemblance of who we are,” Staley reflected. “In the losses, the common theme has been — whether people forced us to play that way or it was self-inflicted — it really just wasn’t us, and we have to get back to us.”

    Defensively, South Carolina certainly looked more like their usual selves. The Gamecocks effectively shut down Arkansas’ leading scorer, Izzy Higgenbottom, limiting her to just 10 points on 17 attempts. The defensive strategy, including tight perimeter coverage and strong help defense, particularly from MiLaysia Fulwiley, proved to be too much for Higgenbottom. Post-game, Arkansas head coach Mike Neighbors credited Fulwiley for her performance, calling her the main reason his star player struggled. “That’s a compliment,” Fulwiley said. “I take pride in my defense and I work really hard on it. Just for him to say that means that people see it and see that I’m really trying and putting effort in.”

    Offensively, the Gamecocks were always going to dominate. Arkansas, ranking dead last in SEC scoring defense, presented little challenge in that regard. But the game did provide moments of individual brilliance. Bree Hall set a season-high with three-pointers, Tessa Johnson hit back-to-back threes after struggling in recent games, and even Maryam Dauda made an impact, contributing nine points and eight rebounds against her former team. Staley was particularly impressed with Dauda, noting, “I thought she looked more relaxed than at any time during the season.”

    Despite their immense talent, the Gamecocks appeared to benefit from a confidence boost in this game. The players who had struggled with their shots saw them fall, and Fulwiley displayed her signature moves around the basket, moves that Joyce Edwards called ‘mind-blowing.’ This game, while one of the easier contests of the season, gave South Carolina some much-needed momentum heading into a tough stretch.

    “I thought we were more like ourselves when it came to just the toughness piece of it,” Staley said. “The extra effort on the board, the loose balls, I thought we wanted to win all of them. There weren’t any that we allowed to just happen without some resistance.”

    While this victory will likely be forgotten in the grand scheme of things, especially with a challenging road trip ahead, it still offered a glimpse of what the Gamecocks are capable of when they’re firing on all cylinders. With starters getting some rest in the fourth quarter, it was a game that allowed South Carolina to recalibrate ahead of a tough road stretch.

    “I was very confident compared to how confident I’ve been in the past,” Fulwiley said. “A lot of layups were falling for me, and I was just excited. It made me feel good about taking more layups, and my teammates pushed me through and gave me that confidence and that boost I needed.”

    On a night when the outcome was never in doubt, the Gamecocks found success in staying calm, relaxed, and confident. It may not have been the most memorable game, but it was a step in the right direction.

  • South Carolina Women’s Basketball Update: Home Win Streak Ends, Falls Out of Top Five, and New Title Favorites Emerge

    South Carolina Women's Basketball Update: Home Win Streak Ends, Falls Out of Top Five, and New Title Favorites Emerge

    South Carolina’s season has taken a surprising turn as they’ve now dropped three games and fallen in the rankings. The big question remains: how will they respond to this adversity?

    The loss to UConn last weekend wasn’t necessarily unexpected—after all, the Huskies are a solid team capable of beating anyone. UConn has had a few hiccups this season, but they’ve still proven themselves to be a force. What truly shocked fans was the manner in which they defeated South Carolina. UConn ran away with an 87-58 victory, marking the lowest point total and highest points allowed by South Carolina this season. It was the first time in over a year that the Gamecocks scored fewer than 60 points in a game—since January 2023 against Mississippi State—and it was the most points they’ve allowed since January 2021 against Arkansas.

    The key difference here, though, was that in previous losses where one aspect of their game faltered, South Carolina managed to find a way to pull through. Against UConn, both offense and defense were simply off.

    Let’s dive deeper into some of the key takeaways from the Gamecocks’ loss on Sunday.

    End of the Home Win Streak

    Before facing UConn, South Carolina boasted an impressive 71-game home win streak. The last time they lost at home was December 3, 2020, against NC State, in a game where they struggled offensively, scoring only 46 points. Even though they couldn’t buy a bucket that night, the defense kept them in the game, limiting NC State to 54 points. But that loss was a turning point; the Gamecocks went on to win 12 straight games, starting their dominant home stretch. The streak culminated on February 13 with a commanding 38-point win over Florida, following a close loss to Texas.

    While the end of the home streak is a notable setback, this loss doesn’t have major long-term consequences for South Carolina. Since it wasn’t a conference loss, it won’t affect their SEC standing, and the Gamecocks are still in control of their path to securing a top seed for the NCAA Tournament—winning out in the regular season and clinching the SEC Tournament title will likely guarantee them a spot in the top seeds.

    South Carolina Drops Out of the Top 5

    After the UConn loss, South Carolina fell to No. 6 in the AP poll—marking the first time this season they’ve been outside of the top five. In fact, this is the first time since the preseason poll of 2023-24 that the Gamecocks haven’t been ranked in the top five. Their fall to No. 6 is a bit of a rarity in recent seasons, with their last drop outside of the top five coming before the 2020-21 NCAA Tournament when they were also ranked No. 6. It’s an unfamiliar position for a program that’s been at the top for quite a while.

    Title Odds Take a Hit

    While South Carolina may not have been the No. 1 ranked team going into the UConn matchup, they were still considered the favorites to win it all. Their mix of experience and strong coaching made them the team to beat. However, after the loss to UConn, the Gamecocks’ title odds have taken a hit. At BetMGM, their odds have dropped to +325, putting them in second place behind UConn, now the favorites at +200.

    Following the Gamecocks, UCLA, Notre Dame, and USC round out the top five teams in betting odds. Texas, which defeated South Carolina two weeks ago, sits in sixth, followed by LSU, Tennessee, Duke, and Ohio State.

    Do these shifts in odds matter? It’s too early to say. The race for the title this season is wide open, and with the top teams all having had stumbles, it’s clear that anything can happen. UConn might have looked dominant against South Carolina, but they’ve suffered losses to teams like Notre Dame, USC, and Tennessee, so it’s not as straightforward as the odds might suggest.

  • South Carolina basketball recruit earns Overtime Elite MVP title…once more

    Eli Ellis

    Live from Columbia, South Carolina, I’m reporting on the arrival of Eli Ellis, a highly-anticipated basketball signee for the Gamecocks. With the summer fast approaching, the spotlight is already on the 6’1″ guard, who has become one of the most promising prospects to join South Carolina’s roster.

    Ranked as the highest-rated player in the Gamecocks’ class according to the On3 industry ranking, Eli Ellis is positioned at No. 70 overall in the nation, No. 4 in North Carolina, and No. 21 among all shooting guards. Expectations are soaring, as many see him as a potential dynamic scorer at the college level.

    Ellis has already made a huge impact in high school basketball, earning All-American honors and securing a spot in the prestigious Iverson Classic All-American Game in May. But just this week, he received another well-deserved accolade. On Wednesday evening, the news broke that Ellis had been named MVP of the competitive Overtime Elite league. This marks his second consecutive year winning the MVP award, a true testament to his incredible talent.

    During the season, Ellis posted eye-popping numbers, averaging 32 points, nearly 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. He also led his team, the YNG Dreamerz, to the top spot in the playoffs, and in the coming weeks, he’ll compete for the OTE championship. As if that wasn’t enough, Ellis has already etched his name in Overtime Elite history, becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer, with multiple 50-point performances under his belt.

    In addition to his MVP selection, Ellis earned a spot on the All-OTE team this season. Notably, his younger brother, Isaac Ellis, and teammate Kohl Rosario also made the cut, and both players are high on South Carolina’s radar for the Class of 2026. Isaac, much like Eli, is a crafty combo guard, while Rosario is an athletic wing with a growing shooting ability.

    Looking ahead to his time at USC, Ellis has a clear path to playing time. The Gamecocks will be losing starting guards Jamarii Thomas and Jacobi Wright, which opens up opportunities in the backcourt. If Ellis can impress during the preseason, he could secure a significant role as a freshman.

    As a player, Eli Ellis is all about scoring. His competitiveness, ball-handling, and shooting ability set him apart. Although his shooting percentages aren’t elite yet, it’s important to note that Ellis takes and makes some difficult shots, such as step-backs, fadeaways, and long-range bombs from 30 feet. As he adjusts to the college game, his efficiency should only improve. Despite not having exceptional size or athleticism, Ellis finishes around the basket with ease and has shown significant progress as a passer and playmaker this season, leading OTE in assists with 6.7 per game.

    It’s clear that Eli Ellis is a player to watch, and the Gamecocks are gaining a major talent to build around for the future.

  • South Carolina vs. LSU: Key Factors to Watch, Opponent Breakdown, and Injury Updates

    South Carolina vs. LSU: Key Factors to Watch, Opponent Breakdown, and Injury Updates

    South Carolina is hoping to break its 12-game losing streak as it heads to Baton Rouge for a late tip-off against LSU.

    The Gamecocks (10-15, 0-12 SEC) will face off with the LSU Tigers (13-12, 2-10 SEC) at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC) tonight, with tip-off scheduled for 9 p.m. on SEC Network. Let’s dive into some key things to keep an eye on in this matchup, as well as the latest updates on both teams.

    Key to Avoiding Another Blowout: The Big Run South Carolina has struggled throughout this season with one common theme: the inability to recover from large runs by their opponents. This was painfully evident in their most recent loss to Florida, where they only trailed by four points at halftime. But as has happened too often, the second half told a different story. A 27-9 run by the Gators out of the break led to a 20-point deficit for the Gamecocks, and they couldn’t claw back, falling by double digits. This marked the fifth time in SEC play that South Carolina has suffered a blowout loss.

    If they want any chance at winning tonight, they must avoid letting LSU dominate the second half. Should the game be close at the break, South Carolina needs to take control early in the second half—scoring efficiently and playing solid defense. Otherwise, it could be another long night for the Gamecocks.

    An Unexpected Twist in LSU’s Performance Initially, this game seemed like one of South Carolina’s more winnable matchups. However, LSU comes into this game on the heels of a surprising road victory over Oklahoma. With a 2-10 SEC record, the Tigers now sit two games ahead of the Gamecocks at the bottom of the standings, but the win gives them momentum going into this contest.

    South Carolina has struggled on the road this season, posting a 1-7 record away from Colonial Life Arena. Their lone road victory came back in early December at Boston College, and they’ve only had one SEC road game that came down to the wire, a narrow three-point loss to Vanderbilt. Other than that, their road losses have all been by double digits. For the Gamecocks to pull off an upset tonight, they’ll need to defy the odds—winning on the road in the SEC is no easy feat.

    CMB Needs to Be More Aggressive South Carolina’s sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles has been a solid playmaker for the Gamecocks, but his recent performance against Florida raised some concerns. Murray-Boyles only took eight shots, finishing with 12 points on 3-of-8 shooting. He also grabbed just two rebounds. While his unselfishness is valuable, South Carolina will be better off if he takes more shots—ideally 15 or more. The Gamecocks are relying on him to step up and lead the offense if they’re going to have any shot at breaking their losing streak.

    Opponent Scouting Report: LSU For a deeper look at the LSU Tigers, you can check out our full scouting report here. LSU, though struggling in conference play, has proven they can still compete, as seen in their win over Oklahoma. With Daimion Collins, Corey Chest, and Derek Fountain all listed as probable for tonight’s game, the Tigers will be a tough challenge for South Carolina, who has been shorthanded all season.

    Injury Report For South Carolina: Myles Stute is OUT due to a blood clot.

    For LSU: Trey’Dez Green and Jalen Reed are OUT, while Daimion Collins, Corey Chest, and Derek Fountain are all listed as PROBABLE.

    Game Details

    • Who: South Carolina (10-15, 0-12 SEC) vs. LSU (13-12, 2-10 SEC)
    • When: Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 9 p.m.
    • Where: Pete Maravich Assembly Center (13,215 capacity)
    • How to Watch/Listen: SEC Network and 107.5 The Game

    ESPN gives South Carolina just a 30.5% chance to win, but the Gamecocks will be hoping to defy those odds tonight in Baton Rouge.

    Stay tuned for live updates, and let’s see if South Carolina can snap their streak!

  • South Carolina Women’s Basketball: 3-2-1 Breakdown – Key Players, Tough Questions, and a Standout Play from a Disheartening Weekend

    South Carolina Women's Basketball: 3-2-1 Breakdown – Key Players, Tough Questions, and a Standout Play from a Disheartening Weekend

    Live from the Gamecocks’ weekend rollercoaster, here’s my breakdown of the standout players, burning questions, and my favorite moment.

    Three Clutch Players

    Joyce Edwards
    Against Florida: 19 minutes, 28 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
    Against UConn: 28 minutes, 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks

    Edwards had a career-high 28 points against Florida and was pivotal for the Gamecocks against UConn, leading the team in scoring and tying for the lead in rebounds. It’s clear: Joyce Edwards is South Carolina’s top performer as they head into the final stretch of the season.

    Te-Hina Paopao
    Against Florida: 20 minutes, 14 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists
    Against UConn: 29 minutes, 10 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists

    Paopao set the tone early in the Florida game, delivering one of her best performances as a Gamecock. While she struggled with her shot against UConn, her involvement, especially in the first half, kept her engaged on the court.

    Champ Staley
    As Dawn Staley fondly referred to him, “My emotional support dog.” After the loss to UConn, Staley and Champ walked into the postgame interview together, with associate head dog mom, Lisa Boyer, later taking Champ behind Colonial Life Arena. You have to imagine that some tough conversations were had, and a little support from a pup never hurt.

    Two Burning Questions

    1. What happened?
    Coming off a dominant win against Florida, everything seemed to align perfectly for the Gamecocks heading into the UConn game. The crowd was pumped, and even though UConn initially took the lead, South Carolina was still getting good looks. But then… it all fell apart. Feagin got hit in the face early, and MiLaysia Fulwiley quickly picked up two fouls, throwing off the rotation. But despite these setbacks, it was a complete breakdown for the team, and the reasons behind it remain unclear. We’ll have to see if they can figure it out internally and turn things around.

    2. Can they bounce back?
    Can the Gamecocks regain their form? Absolutely. But will they? That’s still uncertain. I’m cautiously optimistic. The UConn game was such an outlier that I don’t think it should define the team’s season. But still, it’s concerning to see them falter in such a high-stakes game, especially given their history of performing best in the biggest moments. The question now is whether they can rediscover that competitive edge.

    One Favorite Play

    There weren’t many bright spots against UConn, but one play that stood out was MiLaysia Fulwiley’s incredible block. With Sarah Strong seemingly on her way to an easy layup, Fulwiley came from the help side and swatted the ball away, denying the 6-2 Strong a chance at scoring. It was an amazing display of defensive timing.

  • South Carolina Dominates Sacred Heart on Ray Tanner Day to Secure First Series Win

    After a win on Opening Day Friday, South Carolina head coach Paul Mainieri sent a text to his players: “There is no way we are losing on Ray Tanner Day.”

    With the Gamecocks set to honor legendary coach Ray Tanner before Saturday’s game, including a field dedication ceremony, Mainieri wanted his players focused on the win. They responded well.

    With many former players, staff, and others attending the special occasion, South Carolina (2-0) easily triumphed 14-0 over Sacred Heart in seven innings.

    “Great day for Ray. Great day for South Carolina athletics really,” Mainieri said. “The president was here, the athletic director was here. A lot of dignitaries. It was a beautiful day.”

    Although it’s still early in the season, there’s already a noticeable difference in this Gamecock offense. While power may come later as the weather warms up (with just one home run so far), the team’s focus has been on putting the ball in play, executing hit-and-run strategies, advancing runners, and capitalizing on the opponent’s errors.

    A lot of South Carolina’s early runs came thanks to mistakes from the Pioneers, which didn’t work in their favor. In the first inning, the Gamecocks loaded the bases with one out and scored three runs without a hit: walk, sacrifice fly, and wild pitch.

    They added two more runs in the third before breaking the game open in the fourth. After a leadoff walk, Henry Kaczmar hit a line drive at second base, but the ball deflected off the fielder’s glove and rolled into right field. Ethan Petry then cleared the bases with a two-run double to the right-center field wall. Three more unearned runs came in the inning, thanks to two errors from Sacred Heart, as the defense struggled throughout the day.

    Despite the offensive support, Matthew Becker was dominant in his first start of the season. The senior left-hander pitched five innings on just 60 pitches, allowing only one hit—a weak infield single in the second.

    Becker struck out nine batters without issuing a walk and retired the last 11 batters in a row, including striking out the side in the fifth.

    “I think the biggest difference isn’t really a stuff thing. I think it’s more of the mentality,” Becker said about his outing. “Getting pitch to pitch, making the out in the clutch moments, and taking that breath.”

    Through the first two games, South Carolina’s starting pitchers have delivered solid performances. Between Becker and Friday’s starter Dylan Eskew, they’ve allowed just one run in 10 innings while striking out 18 batters without a walk.

    With the game out of reach, Mainieri brought in freshman right-hander Ryder Garino to pitch the final two innings. Garino retired the side in order in both the sixth and seventh innings, striking out the final four batters to complete the run-rule win.

    “Oh, I’m really high on Ryder Garino, and not just because he’s Italian. I don’t love Garino because he’s Italian. I love him because I’m Italian,” Mainieri joked. “He’s a strike-throwing machine and he’s going to keep getting better and better and better. But he’s thrown just about like that every single scrimmage game since he’s been here.”

    As a team, South Carolina has struck out 29 batters over the first two games—16 on Friday and 13 from Becker and Garino on Saturday.

    Looking ahead: South Carolina will aim for the series sweep on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for noon on SEC Network Plus, with Jake McCoy making his first start of the year.