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 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!