On Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, the No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks welcomed the No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores in one of the SEC’s most anticipated regular-season games — a matchup with implications for conference positioning, national rankings, and NCAA Tournament seeding.
Recent History & Series Background
Over the past decade, South Carolina has dominated this series. In February 2025, the Gamecocks posted an 82-54 road win over Vanderbilt, extending their streak in the matchup to 17 straight victories dating back to 2011, a trend rooted in South Carolina’s defensive strength and balanced scoring.
South Carolina also eliminated Vanderbilt in the 2025 SEC Tournament quarterfinals, winning 84-63 as higher seeds typically have. (ESPN.com) Yet Vanderbilt’s rise this season has added new intrigue — changing this from a predictable game into one of genuine unpredictability.
2025-26 Season Snapshot & Current Form
Heading into the Jan. 25 matchup:
- South Carolina stood at about 19-2 overall and 5-1 in SEC play, ranked No. 2 nationally.
- Vanderbilt remained unbeaten at 20-0 with a 6-0 SEC record, tied atop the league standings.
Vanderbilt’s perfect record is historic — the best start in program history — and one of the longest active win streaks in women’s Division I hoops. (vucommodores.com)
Meanwhile, South Carolina had just suffered a rare setback, losing 94-82 in overtime to No. 16 Oklahoma on Jan. 22 — a result that sharpened focus ahead of the Vanderbilt game. (Swish Appeal)
Team Strengths & Playing Styles
South Carolina:
Under Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks feature disciplined defense, strong rebounding, and balanced scoring. Their ability to limit opponents’ efficiency and force turnovers is a hallmark of their identity — a strategy that powered their win against Vanderbilt last season. (https://www.wsmv.com)
South Carolina also excels in transition defense and paint scoring, often controlling tempo to disrupt opposing rhythm.
Vanderbilt:
The Commodores have turned heads with explosive offensive balance and resilience. Their scoring attack isn’t reliant on one player; multiple double-digit scorers have helped Vanderbilt dominate the stat sheet consistently. (vucommodores.com)
Vandy’s offense thrives on ball movement, spacing, and timely three-point shooting, giving them the ability to capitalize when defenses sag or overcommit.
Players to Watch
South Carolina:
- Joyce Edwards – A versatile scorer and rebounder with offensive efficiency.
- Raven Johnson – Recent contributors who’ve shown they can carry significant scoring load, especially when South Carolina faces pressure. (Swish Appeal)
- Alicia Tournebize (Forward): The freshman demonstrated surprising effectiveness against Oklahoma’s Raegan Beers before being benched in overtime. Her energy, defensive disruption, and fearless offensive approach could provide valuable minutes if Staley trusts her in another hostile road environment.
- Tessa Johnson (Guard): Her early foul trouble against Oklahoma disrupted South Carolina’s offensive rhythm. If she stays on the floor, her perimeter shooting provides essential spacing for Edwards and Latson to operate inside.
Despite their recent loss to Oklahoma, these leaders illustrate South Carolina’s depth.
Vanderbilt:
- Mikayla Blakes – Team leader and dynamic scorer, pivotal in Vanderbilt’s undefeated run. (vucommodores.com)
- Aubrey Galvan / Sacha Washington – Consistent secondary scorers who provide offensive firepower and complement Vanderbilt’s balanced attack. (vucommodores.com)
Their collective depth makes Vanderbilt difficult to scout and defend.
Tactical Offsets & Matchup Dynamics
This matchup comes down to tempo and execution:
- South Carolina’s strength lies in controlling pace and limiting Vanderbilt’s transition opportunities. Their defense is geared to force low-percentage shots and create rebounds that fuel their own offense.
- Vanderbilt counters with fluid motion offense and quick scoring bursts. If the Commodores can generate rhythm early and keep trading baskets, they force South Carolina out of its preferred half-court sets and into a freer-flowing game.
The outcome often hinges on which team dictates tempo early and forces the other into uncomfortable possessions.
Lapses & Concerns
South Carolina:
Their recent loss to Oklahoma exposed occasional inconsistency on offense and rebounding lapses, with key players struggling to hit shots at critical moments. (Swish Appeal) Such lapses could be costly against an undefeated Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt:
While strong, Vanderbilt’s perfect record includes a tight margin against high-level opposition at times, suggesting they can be pushed on defense late. Keeping focus for all 40 minutes — particularly in pressure moments at South Carolina — will be crucial.
Critical Lapses & Vulnerabilities
South Carolina:
Free throw shooting (69.1%) could prove decisive in close game
Offensive inconsistency when stars struggle simultaneously
Overtime execution after 2-for-9 shooting against Oklahoma
Psychological challenge of responding to first SEC loss in hostile road environment
Vanderbilt:
Depth limitations against South Carolina’s relentless substitution patterns
Transition defense must be nearly perfect—easy South Carolina baskets will prove fatal
Handling full-court pressure without turnovers
Inexperience against elite competition at this intensity level
The Verdict
This represents South Carolina’s first true test after adversity. Can they respond with championship composure, or will Vanderbilt capitalize on their vulnerability? Vanderbilt’s undefeated SEC start and home-court advantage create legitimate upset potential, but South Carolina’s talent and experience make them favorites.
Prediction: South Carolina escapes with a hard-fought 76-72 victory, demonstrating resilience while revealing continued vulnerabilities that could haunt them later in SEC play.
Looking Ahead
This SEC clash isn’t just another regular-season game — it’s a test of wills between two Top 5 programs. Vanderbilt’s historic unbeaten run meets South Carolina’s championship pedigree, and the winner stands to greatly strengthen its resume in the SEC and national landscape.
Whether South Carolina reasserts its defensive control or Vanderbilt’s offensive balance continues to overwhelm opponents, this game is poised to be one of the season’s defining SEC battles.
