The South Carolina–Texas matchup has become one of the most consequential rivalries in women’s college basketball over the last few seasons. They’ve met in big spots, traded home wins, and each team’s strengths (and a few timely injuries) have swung outcomes. Below is a concise, evidence-based look at the history between the programs, how each team plays, the notable upsets in the recent season, and a breakdown of the Gamecocks’ chances when they meet the Longhorns.
Quick series history (the scoreboard)
- All-time through the 2024–25 cycle the series is extremely close — South Carolina holds a 4–3 advantage in head-to-head meetings. During the Dawn Staley era (from 2008–09) South Carolina has been dominant in the matchups between these programs. (University of South Carolina Athletics)
- The 2024–25 season illustrated how tight the matchup became: each team won on the other’s home floor during the regular season and they met again in postseason play (SEC/Final Four discussions that year made the rivalry even more high-stakes). (SI)
Styles of play — what to expect on the court
South Carolina (what makes the Gamecocks tick)
- Defense-first identity. Under Dawn Staley South Carolina is built around lockdown defense, elite half-court positioning, and athletic frontcourt rim protection. The team mixes pressure on the perimeter with disciplined help defense — that has been the hallmark of Staley’s teams. (ESPN.com)
- Depth and balance. South Carolina typically features multiple scorers and a deep rotation; their bench plays meaningful minutes and can sustain defensive intensity when starters rest. That depth has allowed them to grind opponents down late in games. (University of South Carolina Athletics)
Texas (how the Longhorns attack)
- Guard-driven scoring and tempo control. Texas often relies on strong guard play (notably players like Rori Harmon and scorers such as Madison Booker in 2024–25) to create offense and control tempo. They can push in transition but also have the ability to grind out half-court possessions when necessary. (Statesman)
- Physicality inside. Texas’s frontcourt production (rebounding and interior scoring) has been key in swinging close games against top opponents. When their bigs get going, they can take pressure off the guards and win the battle of the boards. (University of South Carolina Athletics)
Notable upsets and turning points (recent season highlights)
- Texas upset South Carolina in Austin, 66–62 (Feb. 9, 2025). This was a signature result — Texas handed the Gamecocks a surprising road loss that ended South Carolina’s SEC regular-season win streak (reported as 57 games) and showed Texas could execute in clutch moments. Rori Harmon and Madison Booker were central to that result. (University of South Carolina Athletics)
- South Carolina answered in postseason play. In the SEC Tournament (March 9, 2025) South Carolina posted a convincing 64–45 win over Texas — a reminder that the Gamecocks can flip the script, especially in a setup that plays to their strengths (defense, depth, efficiency). (ESPN.com)
- They traded home wins. Across the season both teams showed they can defend home court and win big matchups — taking the “who’s better” debate right down to matchup details, injuries, and in-game adjustments. (SI)
Injuries, roster notes and how they matter
- Injuries and availability played a role in recent games. For example, reports around the Final Four/late 2024–25 cycle listed Ashlyn Watkins (SC) as out with an ACL, while Texas had some guard availability questions (Laila Phelia noted as out in some previews). Those kinds of absences shift lineup matchups and can either blunt a team’s interior presence or reduce perimeter options. Always check the final injury report on game day. (Busting Brackets)
Tactical keys that decide the game
- Who controls the paint? If South Carolina protects the rim and Texas can’t get easy interior buckets or second-chance points, the Gamecocks’ defense will suffocate the Longhorns. Conversely, if Texas wins the boards and gets high-percentage interior looks, they can neutralize SC’s length. (ESPN.com)
- Guard battles and late-game execution. Texas’s guards (Harmon, Booker-type scoring) must be limited from creating second efforts or getting to the foul line in clutch moments. South Carolina’s ability to force turnovers and convert transition buckets is another deciding factor. (Statesman)
- Depth vs. matchup scheduling. South Carolina’s deeper rotation can wear opponents down late; Texas needs to maximize its high-impact minutes and usually benefits when its starters stay hot. (University of South Carolina Athletics)
The bottom line — Gamecocks’ winning chances (a reasoned estimate)
No matchup is binary, but based on the most recent season’s evidence (each team winning on the other’s court, a tight all-time series, and the split 2024–25 results), here’s a reasoned probability split if both teams are near full strength:
- South Carolina — 55% chance to win. Why? Their elite defense, depth, postseason experience, and coaching edge under Dawn Staley give them a small but meaningful edge in tight, high-pressure games — particularly when the game slows and half-court defense matters. Their SEC Tournament win (64–45) is proof that when their defense clicks they can dominate Texas. (ESPN.com)
- Texas — 45% chance to win. Why? The Longhorns possess the guard play and interior physicality to upset South Carolina on any given night — they did exactly that in Austin (66–62). If Texas gets hot from the perimeter or wins the rebounding battle, they tilt the game strongly in their favor. (University of South Carolina Athletics)
(Those percentages are illustrative: small roster changes, foul trouble, or a single hot shooter can easily flip them — which is what makes this matchup so compelling.)
Final thought
South Carolina vs Texas has become a chess match: two elite programs with contrasting but complementary strengths. South Carolina’s defensive identity and depth give them a slight edge in neutral settings or on the road in hostile environments, while Texas’s guard play and inside presence make them a live upset threat — particularly at home. The 2024–25 season’s split results and postseason rematch illustrate that any outcome is plausible, and the ultimate winner usually comes down to which team executes its strengths on the day.
