No. 2 Gamecocks Travel to Norman for Pivotal Conference Battle Against No. 16 Sooners
Game Information
When: Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Norman, Oklahoma
TV: ESPN
Matchup: No. 2/2 South Carolina (AP/Coaches) at No. 16/16 Oklahoma
As South Carolina returns to SEC action following their dominant start to conference play, they face one of their most challenging road tests of the season. This marks the Gamecocks’ sixth game against a ranked opponent this season and their third such matchup in SEC play—exactly the kind of high-stakes environment where Dawn Staley’s program has historically thrived.
South Carolina’s Dominance on Hostile Courts
The historical context favors the Gamecocks significantly. Over the last five seasons, South Carolina is 8-2 against ranked opponents on the road and is 22-10 in such games in the last 10 seasons, according to GamecocksOnline.com. This remarkable road warrior mentality represents one of the program’s defining characteristics under Staley’s leadership—the ability to silence hostile crowds and execute at the highest level regardless of venue.
This will be just South Carolina’s second trip to Norman in program history. The first visit, on December 30, 2007, resulted in a 63-95 loss during the pre-Staley era. Thursday’s contest offers an opportunity to rewrite that narrative and establish dominance in what has become a renewed SEC rivalry.
Series History: Recent Dominance
The Gamecocks are 2-3 all-time against Oklahoma but are 2-1 in the Dawn Staley era (beginning 2008-09) with both wins coming in the Sooners’ first season in the SEC, per GamecocksOnline.com. More importantly, both victories came decisively in the 2024-25 season, establishing a psychological edge heading into this matchup.
The Previous Two Meetings
SEC Tournament Semifinal (March 8, 2025)
The top-seeded Gamecocks posted a 93-75 win in the semifinals (Mar. 8) behind 51.4 percent shooting in the first half. Joyce Edwards poured in 21 points to lead five players in double-figure points.
Regular Season Meeting (January 19, 2025)
The Gamecocks won the regular-season meeting in Columbia 101-60 on Jan. 19 by dominating the first (28-9) and third (30-16) quarters. Edwards led the offense with 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting.
The combined 127-point margin of victory across two games suggests complete tactical superiority. However, road environments change dynamics considerably, and Oklahoma will be desperate to avoid a third consecutive defeat to their SEC rivals.
Defensive Excellence: The Foundation of Success
South Carolina’s defensive identity remains the cornerstone of their championship pursuit, and the statistics in SEC play demonstrate their suffocating effectiveness:
The Gamecocks lead the SEC in scoring defense in conference games, allowing league foes just 57.2 points per game. They are second to Oklahoma in field goal percentage defense with the Sooners allowing 33.9 percent shooting and the Gamecocks coming in at 34.6 percent.
This creates a fascinating defensive matchup, as both teams pride themselves on limiting opponent efficiency. The marginal difference in field goal percentage defense (0.7%) suggests these programs employ similar defensive philosophies, making execution and individual matchups even more critical.
Dominating the Glass
South Carolina and Oklahoma are also 1-2 in rebounding in league play with the Gamecocks taking first in rebounding margin (+11.2) and second in rebounding average (45.2).
The rebounding battle takes on heightened significance given both teams’ prowess on the boards. South Carolina’s +11.2 rebounding margin in conference play represents dominance that fuels their transition game and limits opponents to single possessions—a critical factor against Oklahoma’s explosive offense.
Rim Protection
The Gamecocks lead the SEC with 6.8 blocks per conference game and are fourth in the nation with a season average of 6.5. Every Gamecock has blocked at least one shot this season, and guards are adding 2.3 blocks per game to the team average.
This versatile shot-blocking ability—with guards contributing 2.3 blocks per game—creates unique defensive problems for opponents. Oklahoma’s perimeter players cannot simply avoid South Carolina’s interior presence; they face rim protection from multiple positions, disrupting offensive flow and forcing difficult decisions.
Joyce Edwards: National Player of the Year Candidate
The sophomore sensation continues her remarkable ascent to college basketball’s elite tier:
National player of the year candidate Joyce Edwards is 14th in the nation in scoring at 20.6 points per game, and her SEC-best .601 field goal percentage comes in 13th. In conference play, the sophomore has elevated her work on the glass, ranking 12th in the league with 7.2 rebounds per game, including 3.4 on the offensive end (9th).
Edwards’s efficiency (.601 field goal percentage) combined with her scoring volume (20.6 ppg) represents an exceptionally rare combination. Her ability to dominate without requiring high shot volumes makes South Carolina’s offense incredibly difficult to defend—they don’t need to force feeds to their best player because she converts at such elite rates when opportunities arise.
Her offensive rebounding (3.4 per game, 9th in SEC during conference play) provides South Carolina with additional possessions exactly when games tighten, giving the Gamecocks a crucial advantage in closely contested battles.
Raven Johnson: The Steady Hand
Senior point guard Raven Johnson’s evolution into an offensive threat while maintaining her elite playmaking and defensive prowess has transformed South Carolina’s backcourt:
Senior Raven Johnson continues to show a steady hand in guiding the Gamecocks, ranking fifth in the nation with a 3.6 assist-to-turnover ratio. Her 9.9 points per game are a career high and include 13.6 per SEC outing, which ranks second on the team.
Johnson’s 3.6 assist-to-turnover ratio (5th nationally) demonstrates exceptional decision-making and ball security—crucial qualities in hostile road environments where crowd noise and pressure can force mistakes.
Perhaps most impressive is her performance elevation against elite competition:
Her career-best field goal percentages are highlighted by 52.0 percent shooting in league play – the second-best mark in the conference. Against ranked opponents her numbers are even more impressive with 11.8 points per game on 57.1 percent shooting and 5.8 assists per game.
These statistics reveal Johnson’s big-game mentality—she doesn’t shrink in marquee matchups; she expands her impact precisely when her team needs it most. Her 57.1% shooting against ranked opponents suggests she thrives under pressure and makes high-percentage decisions even against elite defenses.
Madina Okot: The Double-Double Machine
Center Madina Okot provides South Carolina with interior dominance that complements Edwards perfectly:
Center Madina Okot averages a double-double on the season and in SEC action, during which she adds 12.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, including 4.6 offensive boards per outing, which is third-best in the conference.
Okot’s 4.6 offensive rebounds per game (3rd in SEC) combined with Edwards’s 3.4 creates relentless second-chance opportunities. Against Oklahoma’s Reagan Beers, who averages 11.2 rebounds per game, the Okot-Edwards tandem must establish physical dominance early to control the paint battle.
Bench Contributions: Depth Matters
The emergence of reserve guards in conference play has given South Carolina crucial rotation flexibility:
Reserve guards Maddy McDaniel and Agot Makeer have upped their contributions in league play, averaging 23.7 and 21.7 minutes per SEC game. McDaniel leads the SEC with a 5.0 assist-to-turnover ratio, and Makeer has poured in 7.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.
McDaniel’s SEC-leading 5.0 assist-to-turnover ratio provides South Carolina with a second elite facilitator who can spell Johnson without sacrificing playmaking or ball security. Makeer’s 7.8 points and 5.0 rebounds in conference play represent significant production from a freshman reserve, giving Staley options to match up against Oklahoma’s versatile roster.
Key Statistical Advantages
Efficiency Metrics
Ta’Niya Latson’s Shot Efficiency
Senior Ta’Niya Latson is scoring a career-best 1.23 points per shot attempt this season.
This remarkable efficiency—1.23 points per shot attempt—ranks among the elite nationally and demonstrates how Latson has transformed her game by joining a system where she doesn’t shoulder the entire offensive burden.
Tessa Johnson’s Effective Field Goal Percentage
Tessa Johnson leads the Gamecocks with a .610 effective field goal percentage.
Johnson’s .610 effective field goal percentage suggests she’s taking and making high-value shots, likely benefiting from the attention defenses must pay to Edwards, Latson, and Johnson.
Experience Against Elite Competition
South Carolina is playing its sixth game against a ranked opponent this season, including its third such game in SEC play.
This extensive experience against ranked competition provides South Carolina with mental and tactical preparation Oklahoma cannot match. The Gamecocks have seen every defensive scheme, every adjustment, and every pressure situation that tournament-level basketball presents.
Ta’Niya Latson: The Transfer Portal Success Story
The senior guard’s decision to transfer from Florida State, where she led the nation in scoring, to South Carolina represented a bet on personal growth over individual statistics:
The top scorer in the nation last season, senior guard Ta’Niya Latson decided to join South Carolina for her final college season because she knew head coach Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks had what she needed to challenge herself to expand areas of her game she was not able to hone at Florida State.
The results validate her decision completely:
Named an AP Preseason All-American and to the watch lists of every national player of the year award, Latson improved her strength in the offseason, which has helped her make strides defensively, and she is seeing the court better on offense.
Her offensive production in South Carolina’s system demonstrates perfect integration:
Latson is 12th in the SEC in scoring at 16.0 points per game and sixth in field goal percentage, hitting 51.3 percent, including 40.0 percent from 3-point range – both career-high numbers. Her 3.9 assists per game (13th in SEC) have led to another 8.9 points per game, meaning she has her hands on 26.1 percent of the Gamecocks’ total offense (24.9 ppg).
While Latson’s scoring average (16.0 ppg) has decreased from her nation-leading performance at Florida State, her efficiency has skyrocketed (51.3% FG, 40.0% 3PT—both career highs). More importantly, her expanded playmaking (3.9 assists contributing to 8.9 additional points) means she impacts 26.1% of South Carolina’s total offense while playing within a championship system.
Agot Makeer: The Freshman Rising to the Moment
The highly-touted freshman has exceeded expectations in her transition to college basketball:
Freshman guard Agot Makeer was ranked sixth in the Class of 2025 and drew McDonald’s All-America and honorable mention Naismith All-America honors out of Montverde Academy (FL). She opened her college career on the USWBA Tamika Catchings Freshman of the Year and the Wooden Award watch lists.
Her production in SEC play demonstrates immediate impact:
The long, lithe Makeer is averaging 6.5 points to go along with 4.7 rebounds per game, which leads the guards. In SEC games, her numbers rise to 7.8 points and 5.0 rebounds, and her 1.2 blocks per league game rank 15th.
Makeer’s 1.2 blocks per game in conference play (15th in SEC) from the guard position illustrates the defensive versatility discussed earlier—South Carolina generates rim protection from positions where opponents don’t expect it, disrupting offensive strategies and forcing adjustment.
Strategic Keys for South Carolina
Based on the statistical profile and series history, South Carolina’s path to victory requires:
- Establish defensive intensity early: Force Oklahoma into halfcourt offense where the Gamecocks’ 34.6% field goal percentage defense in conference play can dominate
- Control the glass: Win the rebounding battle against Oklahoma’s SEC-leading defensive rebounding to create second-chance opportunities while limiting Oklahoma to one shot per possession
- Deploy versatile rim protection: Use the guards’ 2.3 blocks per game to disrupt Oklahoma’s perimeter attack and force difficult finishes
- Leverage Johnson’s big-game excellence: With Johnson averaging 11.8 points on 57.1% shooting against ranked opponents, get her involved early to set an offensive tone
- Utilize bench depth: Deploy McDaniel (5.0 A/TO ratio) and Makeer (7.8 ppg in SEC play) to maintain defensive pressure and offensive production throughout the game
- Attack with efficiency: Continue the elite shot selection that produces 1.23 points per shot attempt (Latson) and .610 effective FG% (Johnson)
The Road Environment Factor
While statistics favor South Carolina significantly, road games in the SEC present unique challenges. Oklahoma will be playing with desperation after two decisive losses to the Gamecocks, and the home crowd will create an energized atmosphere designed to rattle the visitors.
However, South Carolina’s 8-2 record against ranked opponents on the road over the last five seasons suggests this team thrives in precisely these circumstances. The combination of veteran leadership (Johnson, Latson), elite talent (Edwards), and championship experience positions the Gamecocks to handle whatever environment Norman presents.
Final Analysis
The statistical, historical, and tactical evidence overwhelmingly favors South Carolina. The Gamecocks lead in scoring defense (57.2 ppg vs Oklahoma’s opponents scoring 62.3 ppg), rebounding margin (+11.2), blocks per game (6.8 in SEC play), and have dominated both previous meetings by a combined 127 points.
Oklahoma’s advantages—home court, desperation, and elite defensive rebounding—present legitimate challenges but likely won’t overcome South Carolina’s comprehensive superiority. The Gamecocks’ experience against ranked opponents, defensive versatility, and offensive efficiency should produce their third consecutive victory over the Sooners.
Prediction: South Carolina’s elite defense and balanced offensive attack prove too much for Oklahoma to handle, even in Norman. The Gamecocks improve to 3-1 in the Staley era against the Sooners with a double-digit road victory that reinforces their status as the SEC’s dominant program.
Expect Joyce Edwards to continue her National Player of the Year campaign with another efficient, dominant performance, while Raven Johnson’s big-game excellence (11.8 ppg, 57.1% FG vs ranked opponents) provides the steady leadership necessary to navigate a hostile environment and secure a statement road win.
