As No. 3 South Carolina continues its quest for another SEC title and deep postseason run, one key game on the schedule is its matchup with Florida — a rivalry that has grown increasingly one-sided in recent seasons but still carries significance for both programs.
A History of Dominance
South Carolina has long been the class of the SEC, and its series with Florida reflects that dominance. The Gamecocks hold a commanding advantage in the all-time series and have won the last 17 meetings dating back to the beginning of head coach Dawn Staley’s tenure. South Carolina’s success over the Gators has been built on superior talent, athleticism, and execution on both ends of the floor. (University of South Carolina Athletics)
In their most recent matchup last February 13, 2025, South Carolina delivered a 101-63 blowout win over Florida in Columbia, powered by a career-high 28 points from freshman forward Joyce Edwards and efficient play all over the court. (dailygamecock.com)
“We got up and down the floor and made them work in transition,” said Dawn Staley after that win, emphasizing her team’s pace and defensive pressure that kept Florida off balance throughout the game. (dailygamecock.com)
For Florida, breaking through against the Gamecocks has been rare — their last win over South Carolina came well before this stretch of dominance — but the matchups remain valuable benchmarks for progress within the SEC.
Style of Play: Contrasting Approaches
South Carolina’s Identity
South Carolina’s women’s basketball team plays with a signature blend of physicality, balance, and tempo. Under Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks emphasize:
- Fast-break offense: South Carolina ranks among the nation’s top teams in scoring in transition, often forcing turnovers and quickly converting them into easy points. (University of South Carolina Athletics)
- Paint dominance: The Gamecocks attack the rim aggressively, taking over 60 percent of their shots from the paint and close range, which disrupts defenses and creates foul opportunities. (University of South Carolina Athletics)
- Rebounding & defense: Strong rebounding — especially on the defensive glass — fuels transition and limits second-chance points for opponents. (dailygamecock.com)
Freshman Joyce Edwards emerged as a breakout force in the recent Florida game, showing scoring prowess and confidence that could anchor South Carolina’s offensive balance going forward. (dailygamecock.com)
Florida’s Approach
Florida, on the other hand, typically relies on disciplined half-court sets and effort play, trying to leverage ball movement and perimeter shooting to keep pressure on opponents. While not as consistently dominant as South Carolina, the Gators seek to maximize opportunities through efficient possessions and tenacious defense.
However, against elite teams like South Carolina, Florida has struggled to keep pace with the Gamecocks’ athleticism and depth, leading to lopsided results in recent history. (dailygamecock.com)
Players to Watch
South Carolina
Madina Okot (Center): The starting center has been South Carolina’s most consistent player with 11+ double-doubles this season. Her ability to dominate the paint on both ends—scoring around the basket, controlling the glass, and protecting the rim—gives the Gamecocks their most reliable offensive weapon. Against Florida’s frontcourt, Okot must establish early dominance to set the tone.
Tessa Johnson (Guard): With Ta’Niya Latson’s status uncertain, Johnson’s scoring becomes even more critical. Her 18-point performance against Alabama demonstrated her capability as a primary offensive option. Against Florida, she must provide perimeter shooting to prevent the Gators from packing the paint while also creating off the dribble when opportunities present themselves.
Raven Johnson (Point Guard): The floor general’s responsibilities expand in road environments where communication becomes more difficult and composure more essential. Her decision-making, pace control, and defensive intensity set the tone for how South Carolina executes. Against Florida’s pressure, she must handle the ball cleanly while orchestrating offense and pushing transition when opportunities arise.
Joyce Edwards (Forward): The versatile forward provides scoring in multiple ways and defensive flexibility. Her ability to impact games in transition, score in the post, and contribute on the boards makes her difficult to game-plan against. Watch for her second-half assertiveness, which has become a pattern this season.
Agot Makeer (Guard/Forward): The freshman’s emergence in Ta’Niya Latson’s absence has been impressive. Her 9-point, 4-rebound performance while shooting 2-for-2 from three against Alabama validated Dawn Staley’s confidence in her. Against Florida, Makeer must provide the defensive energy and occasional offensive contributions that keep South Carolina’s rotation effective.
Florida
- Liv McGill — Led Florida with 15 points in the last matchup, showing she can be a spark for the Gators’ offense. (KSL)
- Team Unit Play — Florida often distributes scoring, meaning multiple contributors could influence the pace and flow when they can string together stops.
Possible Advantage & Weaknesses
South Carolina
Advantages
- Depth: South Carolina’s rotation is deeper and more versatile than most SEC opponents, allowing sustained pressure late in games. (University of South Carolina Athletics)
- Athleticism: The ability to score in transition and dominate the paint makes the Gamecocks difficult to defend. (University of South Carolina Athletics)
Weaknesses
- Handling pressure defenses: Against elite half-court schemes like from teams such as Texas or UConn, South Carolina has shown some scoring dips, though Florida isn’t typically at that level. (Swish Appeal)
Florida
Advantages
- Team cohesion: Florida’s balanced scoring and ball movement can keep them competitive if they knock down perimeter shots and limit turnovers. (Reddit)
Weaknesses
- Mismatch challenges: Florida often struggles with interior defense against bigger, more athletic lineups — as South Carolina has exploited. (dailygamecock.com)
- Depth gap: South Carolina’s bench runs deeper, giving them a late-game edge, particularly in back-to-back contests or extended minutes. (University of South Carolina Athletics)
Possible Outcomes and Scenarios
South Carolina Dominant Victory
The most likely scenario features South Carolina imposing its will through:
Defensive Suffocation: Forcing 15+ turnovers and holding Florida to under 35% shooting
Okot Dominance: 20+ points, 12+ rebounds, controlling the paint completely
Transition Points: Converting turnovers into 20+ fast-break points
Second-Half Surge: Following the season-long pattern of overwhelming opponents after halftime adjustments
Depth Advantage: Wearing down Florida with fresh legs and sustained intensity
Expected Margin: South Carolina by 18-25 points if executing their game plan effectively.
Competitive Game Scenario
Florida keeps it close by:
Hot Three-Point Shooting: Connecting on 40%+ from beyond the arc to offset interior disadvantage
Home Court Energy: Feeding off crowd support and comfort level
Limiting Turnovers: Taking care of the ball against South Carolina’s pressure
Controlling Pace: Preventing the Gamecocks from pushing tempo excessively
First-Half Success: Building confidence before South Carolina’s typical second-half surge
This scenario could result in a single-digit game late, though South Carolina’s depth and experience typically prevail in close situations.
Upset Scenario (Highly Unlikely)
For Florida to pull off a stunning upset, they would need:
Everything from the competitive scenario
South Carolina to have an uncharacteristically poor shooting performance
Multiple South Carolina key players in foul trouble
Career games from multiple Gators
Overcoming South Carolina’s inevitable second-half adjustments and surge
This outcome appears extremely improbable given the talent and experience disparity.
Prediction
Despite the road environment and uncertainty about Ta’Niya Latson’s status, South Carolina’s depth, talent, championship experience, and consistent second-half excellence should prove too much for Florida. The Gamecocks may show early adjustment struggles—typical of their season-long pattern—but should pull away decisively in the second half.
Projected Final Score: South Carolina 73, Florida 56
Expect Madina Okot to dominate inside, South Carolina’s defense to create turnovers and transition opportunities, and the typical second-half surge to turn a competitive game into a comfortable victory.
Looking Ahead
While South Carolina remains a clear favorite in this rivalry, every matchup presents an opportunity for narrative twists and breakout performances. For Florida, narrowing the gap — even slightly — against a top-ranked opponent like the Gamecocks could become a milestone moment for the Gators’ program.
South Carolina will aim to maintain its dominant run and leverage its athleticism and depth as it continues its SEC slate — with eyes on another conference crown and deep NCAA Tournament run. Meanwhile, Florida will try to tighten its defense, find consistent scoring sources, and make the Gamecocks earn every possession.
