South Carolina Looks to Snap Losing Streak Against Texas
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Gamecocks (10-16, 0-13 SEC) return home on Saturday night with one goal: end their 54-day winless streak. It won’t be easy, but an opportunity awaits when they host the Texas Longhorns (16-10, 5-8 SEC) at Colonial Life Arena. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
Here’s what to watch for in this SEC showdown, plus an injury update and scouting report on the Longhorns.
Can Jamarii Thomas Deliver a Full 40-Minute Performance?
Jamarii Thomas put on a show against LSU on Tuesday, finishing with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 3-of-6 from deep. The problem? He scored 19 of those points in the second half.
That’s been the story for Thomas all season. He tends to start slow but finds his rhythm after halftime. If South Carolina wants to finally secure a victory, the senior guard needs to come out firing from the opening tip and sustain that energy throughout the game. A strong first half could make him a game-changer.
Texas’ First SEC Season Has Been a Rollercoaster
After making the jump from the Big 12, Texas has experienced an up-and-down debut in SEC play. The Longhorns started strong in non-conference matchups but have struggled since January, enduring two separate three-game losing streaks.
At 5-8 in SEC play, Texas has had its share of road struggles, posting a 2-4 away record with wins over Oklahoma and LSU. However, the Longhorns are coming off a statement win against Kentucky last Saturday and have had a full week of rest. Whether that momentum carries into Saturday’s game will depend, in part, on the atmosphere inside Colonial Life Arena.
Expect a Three-Point Shootout
Texas has a clear recipe for success: knock down threes and limit opponents from doing the same. The Longhorns rank fourth in the SEC in three-point percentage (36.1%), while their perimeter defense ranks 12th, allowing opponents to shoot 33.6% from deep.
South Carolina is coming off a tough night against LSU, where the Tigers drained 13 three-pointers. The Gamecocks made seven of their own, but they’ll need to match Texas shot-for-shot from beyond the arc to stay competitive.
A major key? Sustaining offensive consistency. South Carolina shot 57.1% in the second half against LSU, but a sluggish first half put them in too deep of a hole. If the Gamecocks can find their rhythm for all 40 minutes, this could turn into a tightly contested battle.
Scouting Texas
For a detailed breakdown of the Longhorns, check out our Resume Check: South Carolina’s Next Opponent – Texas Longhorns.
Injury Report
South Carolina:
- Myles Stute – OUT (blood clot)
Texas:
- Chendall Weaver – OUT
- Arthur Kaluma – PROBABLE
- Devon Pryor – PROBABLE
Game Details
- Who: South Carolina (10-16, 0-13 SEC) vs. Texas (16-10, 5-8 SEC)
- When: Saturday, Feb. 22 | 8:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Colonial Life Arena (18,000 capacity)
- TV/Radio: SEC Network / 107.5 The Game
Can South Carolina Pull Off the Upset?
According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Gamecocks have a 32.9% chance of pulling off the win. While the odds aren’t in their favor, the right combination of a fast start, three-point efficiency, and a strong home crowd could put them in position to break the streak.
