South Carolina JUMPS to #2 in AP Poll After Texas Collapses—Revenge Game is ON!
On3 reports shows that the college basketball landscape just shifted dramatically, and South Carolina fans have every reason to celebrate. After handling their business in back-to-back victories while Texas stumbled with a shocking loss to LSU, Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks have vaulted to the No. 2 spot in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll.
A New Hierarchy Emerges
South Carolina now sits as the second-ranked team in the nation, trailing only UConn, which has claimed unanimous No. 1 status. The Gamecocks’ ascent marks them as the highest-ranked SEC program in a conference that boasts an impressive nine teams in the top 25—a testament to the league’s national dominance.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Just days before South Carolina hosts Texas in a highly anticipated rematch, the Gamecocks have leapfrogged the Longhorns in the rankings. Texas, now sitting at No. 4, is reeling from their upset loss and, according to star guard Madison Booker’s brutally honest admission, “not ready” for what awaits them in Columbia.
The Resume Speaks Volumes
South Carolina’s No. 2 ranking isn’t just about recent wins—it’s backed by an impressive body of work against quality competition. The Gamecocks have defeated Louisville (No. 9) and Alabama (No. 21), while also notching victories over Georgia in SEC play and Power Five opponents Duke and Southern Cal, both receiving votes in the poll.
Their only loss? To Texas, back on Thanksgiving in what was technically a non-conference matchup. But that narrative is about to get a new chapter.
The Gauntlet Ahead
South Carolina’s remaining schedule reads like a who’s who of elite women’s basketball programs. The Gamecocks will face:
- Texas Longhorns (No. 4) – Thursday, January 15th
- Oklahoma Sooners (No. 13)
- Vanderbilt Commodores (No. 5)
- Tennessee Lady Volunteers (No. 20)
- LSU Tigers (No. 6)
- Ole Miss Rebels (No. 16)
- Kentucky Wildcats (No. 7)
This murderer’s row of opponents provides ample opportunity for South Carolina to solidify its championship credentials and potentially climb even higher in the rankings.
Revenge Served at Colonial Life Arena
All eyes turn to Thursday, January 15th at 6:00 p.m., when South Carolina gets its chance for redemption against Texas at Colonial Life Arena. ESPN2 will broadcast what promises to be the premier matchup of the week, with streaming available on the ESPN app.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Texas, ranked No. 4 overall in the NET rankings, comes to Columbia wounded from their LSU loss and, by their own admission, unprepared for the challenge. South Carolina, meanwhile, enters with momentum, confidence, and a home crowd that will be absolutely electric.
The Gamecocks have been circling this date since that Thanksgiving loss. Now, as the higher-ranked team and with Texas in disarray, they have the perfect opportunity to prove their No. 2 ranking is justified and that November’s result was a fluke.
Looking Beyond Texas
Following the Texas showdown, South Carolina hits the road on Sunday, January 18th, traveling to Baltimore, Maryland to face Coppin State Eagles at noon. The game, streaming on ESPN+, will give the Gamecocks a chance to refocus before diving deeper into their brutal SEC schedule.
Coppin State, ranked No. 297 in the NET rankings, represents the type of game South Carolina should handle comfortably—a palate cleanser before the gauntlet of ranked conference opponents continues.
SEC Dominance on Display
South Carolina’s No. 2 ranking highlights not just their individual success but the overall strength of the SEC. With nine teams in the top 25, the conference has established itself as the nation’s deepest and most competitive league. The Gamecocks’ ability to navigate this treacherous landscape while maintaining elite status speaks to the program’s championship pedigree.
The Road to Championship Glory
While UConn holds the unanimous No. 1 spot for now, South Carolina’s trajectory is undeniable. With their only loss coming to a team they’re about to face at home, the Gamecocks have everything lined up to make a statement that could shake up the entire top of the rankings.
Dawn Staley has built a program that thrives in these moments—revenge games, hostile environments, and championship-level competition. Thursday night will provide the perfect stage for South Carolina to prove their No. 2 ranking is just a temporary stop on their way to the top.
The question isn’t whether South Carolina belongs among the nation’s elite—it’s whether anyone, including UConn, can stop them when they’re playing at their best.
Thursday night in Columbia will begin to answer that question.
Source: On3
