The stage is set for a heavyweight championship clash in the 2026 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Women’s Basketball Tournament as the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball and the Texas Longhorns women’s basketball meet in the title game. The matchup brings together two of the most dominant programs in the conference this season, each coming off impressive semifinal victories over strong rivals.
The championship game will be played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, where South Carolina is seeking another SEC Tournament crown after winning the title last year.
How to Watch: South Carolina vs Texas
Here are the key broadcast and viewing details for the SEC Tournament championship.
Game: South Carolina vs Texas
Event: SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship
Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Bon Secours Wellness Arena — Greenville, South Carolina
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app / ESPN.com with TV provider login
Radio: Local team radio networks and SiriusXM coverage
The SEC Tournament has been broadcast across ESPN, ESPN2, and SEC Network, with the championship airing on ESPN.
Expected Announcers
While the network lineup may vary, ESPN typically assigns its top women’s basketball crew for championship coverage. A typical broadcast crew includes:
- Play-by-Play: Ryan Ruocco
- Analyst: Rebecca Lobo
- Sideline Reporter: Holly Rowe
These commentators are regular voices for major women’s college basketball broadcasts and championship coverage.
Projected Starters
South Carolina Gamecocks
Head coach Dawn Staley has relied on a balanced lineup throughout the tournament.
Projected starters
- Raven Johnson — Guard
- Tessa Johnson — Guard
- Ta’Niya Latson— Guard/Wing
- Madina Okot — Forward
- Joyce Edwards — Forward
South Carolina’s depth and defense have been key factors during the tournament run.
Texas Longhorns
Under coach Vic Schaefer, Texas has leaned on star power and physical defense.
Projected starters
- Rori Harmon — Guard
- Jordan Lee — Guard
- Madison Booker — Forward
- Aaliyah Moore — Forward
- Kyla Oldacre — Center
The Longhorns feature one of the most balanced scoring attacks in the SEC.
THE SERIES HISTORY — AND THE REVENGE FACTOR
This final carries significant emotional weight because of what happened between these programs over the past year. South Carolina defeated Texas in last year’s tournament finale, and the Longhorns have been seeking revenge ever since.
The Longhorns actually drew first blood this season. In the Players Era Tournament on November 27, Rori Harmon’s last-second jumper gave Texas a 66-64 victory over South Carolina in what was technically a non-conference matchup (NCAA) — handing the Gamecocks one of just two losses on their résumé.
South Carolina responded decisively in the regular season rematch. The Gamecocks edged Texas 68-65 in January at Colonial Life Arena, controlling the final minutes behind a poised defense, with Edwards, Johnson, and Okot delivering key buckets down the stretch. (NCAA) As Tessa Johnson put it afterward: “We’re starting to play together, learn each other, and staying disciplined.”
Now, with the conference title on the line, a third and decisive chapter gets written Sunday.
South Carolina’s Latest Victory: LSU
South Carolina (30-2)
The Gamecocks enter as winners of three consecutive SEC Tournament titles and the No. 1 overall seed after finishing the regular season 29-2 with a 15-1 conference record. (On3) Dawn Staley’s program has won nine of the last 11 SEC Tournaments since 2015 (Yahoo!) — a standard of dominance virtually unmatched in the modern era of women’s basketball.
Their engine in this tournament has been a collective one: Raven Johnson delivered a career-high 22 points against LSU, MiLaysia Fulwiley has been a consistent spark off the bench, Joyce Edwards has provided steady scoring in crucial moments, and Madina Okot continues to convert at the rim when it matters most.
South Carolina punched its ticket to the championship game with a hard-fought 83–77 victory over the LSU Tigers women’s basketball in the semifinal.
- Raven Johnson led the Gamecocks with 22 points.
- Freshman Joyce Edwards recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
- The Gamecocks extended their winning streak to 12 games with the victory.
LSU attempted a late fourth-quarter comeback but could not regain the lead as South Carolina held firm in the closing minutes.
Earlier in the tournament, South Carolina dominated Kentucky Wildcats women’s basketball 87–64 in the quarterfinals, with Edwards and Tessa Johnson powering a decisive early run.
Texas’ Latest Victory: Ole Miss
The Longhorns finished 28-3 in the regular season, with their only losses coming against the other elite programs at the top of the SEC. Under Vic Schaefer, Texas has been one of the most well-rounded teams in the country all season.
Their identity is defined by two players above all others. Madison Booker, an All-American last season, has elevated her scoring to 18.8 points per game this year, steadying the offense with her silky mid-range jumper. At point guard, fifth-year senior Rori Harmon is the program’s all-time assists leader with 932, also ranking among the national leaders with 2.7 steals per game. When both Booker and Harmon are in the lineup together, Texas is a staggering 74-7.
Defensively, Texas leads the SEC in scoring defense and gives up the fewest turnovers in the conference — a combination that makes them extremely difficult to exploit in a single-elimination setting.
Texas advanced to the championship after defeating the Ole Miss Rebels women’s basketball 85–68 in the semifinal.
- Madison Booker delivered a standout performance with 31 points and 11 rebounds.
- Kyla Oldacre added 19 points to anchor the paint.
- Texas pulled away in the fourth quarter after Ole Miss briefly cut the lead to two earlier in the game.
The Longhorns also impressed in the quarterfinal round with an 83–60 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide women’s basketball, showcasing their defensive pressure and efficient offense.
What Makes This Final So Intriguing
The championship game brings together two programs that have built a budding rivalry in recent seasons.
- Texas previously defeated South Carolina 66–64 earlier in the season on a last-second shot by Rori Harmon.
- South Carolina, however, enters the final with momentum and a chance to defend its SEC Tournament crown.
The matchup will feature elite guard play from Raven Johnson and Rori Harmon, while forwards Joyce Edwards and Madison Booker could decide the game inside.
✅ Bottom line:
The SEC Tournament final between South Carolina and Texas is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated women’s basketball games of the season. With both teams entering on strong runs and loaded with star talent, the championship could preview another showdown in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
