Complete Viewing Guide and Game Preview
The stage is set for one of women’s college basketball’s premier rivalries as No. 3 South Carolina prepares to host No. 19 Tennessee in a critical SEC showdown that will captivate a national audience and potentially reshape the conference championship race.
Broadcast Information
Game Time: 3:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, February 8, 2026
Location: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, South Carolina
Television: ABC (National Broadcast)
Radio: Gamecocks Sports Network
The prime afternoon ABC slot underscores the magnitude of this matchup, providing coast-to-coast coverage of two programs with storied histories and legitimate championship aspirations. The national broadcast ensures maximum visibility for both the rivalry and women’s basketball’s continued growth.
Broadcast Team
While specific announcer assignments for ABC’s coverage have not been officially released, expect a premier broadcast team befitting the game’s significance. ABC typically deploys its top-tier talent for marquee women’s basketball matchups, ensuring expert analysis and compelling storytelling throughout the contest.
Local radio coverage through the Gamecocks Sports Network will provide the hometown perspective, offering dedicated South Carolina fans their familiar voices for what promises to be an emotionally charged afternoon.
Expected Starting Lineups
South Carolina Gamecocks (23-2, 9-1 SEC)
The Gamecocks’ starting lineup remains uncertain due to lingering injury concerns affecting multiple guards. Head coach Dawn Staley has maintained strategic ambiguity throughout the week, keeping Tennessee’s preparation complicated.
Projected/Possible Starters:
- G Raven Johnson — The senior floor general averaging career-best 9.8 points and 5.3 assists while shooting 49.7 percent from the field
- G Tessa Johnson — Listed as questionable after being held out of Mississippi State’s second half for precautionary reasons
- G/F Joyce Edwards — The sophomore sensation leading the team with 20.4 points per game, recently surpassing 1,000 career points
- F Madina Okot — Averaging 10.0 rebounds per game and shooting 73.9 percent over her last four contests
- F/C — Additional frontcourt presence, potentially featuring versatile options
Injury Considerations:
- Ta’Niya Latson (Guard) — Questionable; has missed the last two games with a left knee injury, seen practicing with a brace
- Agot Makeer (Guard) — Questionable; sidelined with an unspecified lower leg injury since the Auburn game on January 29
- Tessa Johnson (Guard) — Probable; held out for precaution against Mississippi State
Staley emphasized Friday that “everybody’s full-go right now,” though the critical phrase “right now” suggests fluidity. The official SEC injury report, released Saturday at 8:10 p.m. ET, will provide clearer guidance, with a final update approximately one hour before tipoff.
Tennessee Lady Vols (15-5, 7-1 SEC)
Coach Kim Caldwell has employed rotating starting lineups throughout the season, making precise predictions challenging. However, Tennessee’s core contributors remain consistent regardless of starting designations.
Expected Key Players:
- G Mia Pauldo — Freshman point guard averaging 12.2 points with exceptional ball security (2.3 turnovers per 40 minutes)
- G Talaysia Cooper — Former Gamecock leading Tennessee with 14.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3.0 steals
- F Janiah Barker — Transfer forward contributing 13.8 points and team-leading 6.9 rebounds
- F Zee Spearman — Versatile 6-4 forward averaging 11.9 points and 6.5 rebounds with dangerous inside-out ability
Caldwell’s substitution philosophy features wholesale lineup changes rather than gradual rotations, meaning Tennessee’s “bench” distinction matters less than total available talent. The Lady Vols typically deploy waves of fresh legs to maintain their frenetic pace.
Critical Injury Updates
South Carolina’s backcourt health dominates pre-game storylines. The Gamecocks have played just 10 games this season with their full roster available, and half of their SEC contests have featured at least one missing starter.
Ta’Niya Latson was initially listed as questionable before the Mississippi State game but was downgraded to out shortly before tipoff—a pattern suggesting similar late-breaking decisions are possible Sunday. Her 431 minutes through 11 games before injury made her a crucial rotation piece.
Agot Makeer exited the Auburn game early in the first quarter and hasn’t appeared since, totaling 431 minutes across 12 games before the injury. She was observed working on stationary equipment away from team drills during Friday’s practice, though this doesn’t necessarily indicate unavailability.
Tessa Johnson’s situation appears most optimistic. Staley explicitly stated she was held out against Mississippi State to “get her ready for the Tennessee game,” suggesting her probable availability barring unforeseen setbacks.
The compressed rotation has elevated younger players into prominent roles. Sophomore Maddy McDaniel and freshman Ayla McDowell have earned their first career starts over the last two games, with McDowell delivering 16 points and five rebounds in her starting debut against Mississippi State.
Tactical Implications
Tennessee’s arrival presents unique challenges, particularly their trademark full-court press that has disrupted opponents throughout the season. South Carolina’s guard situation directly impacts their ability to navigate that pressure.
“It’s reads like you’re a quarterback,” Staley explained when describing the mental demands. “You’ve got to see what the free safety’s doing. You’ve got to see where they are on the floor and you have to look beyond the linemen because you know they’re coming.”
If Latson and Makeer remain unavailable, South Carolina’s ball-handling depth becomes tested. By Mississippi State’s conclusion, the Gamecocks fielded six forwards and only two traditional guards—a personnel grouping poorly suited for press-breaking.
Freshman Alicia Tournebize could emerge as a wildcard. The 6-7 French post player’s perimeter comfort level exceeds traditional bigs like Adhel Tac or even Maryam Dauda, making her a potential strategic weapon in spread offensive sets.
“I think probably the game is a little bit quicker here, that’s one,” Staley said regarding Tournebize’s foul troubles. “Two, I actually don’t mind because that means she’s fighting back.”
What’s at Stake
First place in the SEC hangs in the balance, though significant conference schedule remains. South Carolina (9-1) and Tennessee (7-1) are the league’s only one-loss teams, but the Gamecocks’ two-game advantage provides cushion.
A South Carolina victory establishes a one-game lead plus critical tiebreakers over Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Texas—the SEC’s next three contenders. Tennessee faces a particularly brutal February schedule with four games in eight days ahead, alternating home and away against ranked opponents.
Beyond standings, the game carries national championship implications. South Carolina has defeated seven consecutive ranked opponents by an average of 9.0 points, demonstrating their ability to elevate performance against elite competition. Tennessee seeks validation that their resurgent program under Caldwell can compete with the sport’s established powers.
Gameday Atmosphere
Colonial Life Arena will feature special programming recognizing the significance of the occasion:
USC Veterans Alumni Council Give Back Game encourages fans to donate diapers (sizes 0-4) and wipes benefiting local NICU and Veterans Maternity Health Care, with collection stations outside the arena.
The first 5,000 fans receive “The House That Dawn Staley Built” t-shirts, commemorating Staley’s transformative impact on South Carolina women’s basketball and the program’s evolution into a perennial national powerhouse.
Doors open at 2:00 p.m. (1:30 p.m. for Fast Break Pass holders), with free parking and shuttle service available from Founders Park operating 1-6 p.m.
Halftime recognition will honor Brooke Neilson, continuing South Carolina’s tradition of celebrating program contributors and community members.
Historical Context
South Carolina owns an 8-game winning streak in the series, though recent margins have narrowed. The last three meetings were decided by single digits, including a 70-63 Gamecock victory on January 27, 2025, in Knoxville where five South Carolina players reached double figures behind Joyce Edwards’ 18 points.
The all-time series favors Tennessee 49-16, but the Dawn Staley era (beginning 2008-09) reflects South Carolina’s 15-12 advantage—a complete program reversal symbolizing the Gamecocks’ ascension to elite status.
How to Follow
For fans unable to attend or access ABC’s broadcast:
- Television: ABC (check local listings for channel number)
- Radio: Gamecocks Sports Network (available via TuneIn app and local affiliates)
- Streaming: ABC coverage available via ESPN+ and the ESPN app with appropriate cable/streaming authentication
- Live Stats: Available through South Carolina Athletics’ official website
- Social Media: Real-time updates via @GamecockWBB (Twitter/X) and South Carolina Women’s Basketball official accounts
Final Thoughts
Sunday’s 3:00 p.m. tipoff represents more than conference positioning—it’s a statement game for both programs. South Carolina seeks to assert continued SEC dominance despite injury adversity. Tennessee aims to prove their resurgence under Kim Caldwell can challenge the sport’s established hierarchy.
The injury report released Saturday evening will provide critical clarity, but regardless of available personnel, expect a fiercely competitive battle befitting this rivalry’s rich history. ABC’s national platform ensures the women’s game receives the spotlight it deserves, showcasing elite basketball between two programs committed to excellence.
For South Carolina, the formula remains clear: control the paint (averaging 47.1 paint points per game nationally), protect possessions against Tennessee’s pressure, and leverage championship experience in crucial moments. For Tennessee, creating chaos through full-court pressure and maintaining frenetic pace offers the best path to an upset.
The answers arrive Sunday afternoon in Columbia, where “The House That Dawn Staley Built” will test whether its foundation remains strong enough to withstand one of the season’s stiffest challenges.
