The South Carolina Gamecocks (9-4) will kick off their Southeastern Conference (SEC) play by hosting the No. 11 Vanderbilt Commodores (13-0) on Saturday. This match will take place at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, with a scheduled tip-off at 2 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU, featuring Kevin Fitzgerald as the play-by-play announcer and Rodney Terry as the analyst. Fans can enter the arena one hour before the game begins, and single-game tickets are still available for purchase.
Gamecocks’ Recent Performance
South Carolina comes into this matchup looking to extend its success from its last two non-conference games, where they recorded impressive offensive performances. The Gamecocks scored 95 points in a 25-point victory against SC State and followed that with 96 points in a 29-point win over UAlbany. Notably, this is the first time since the 1970-71 season that they have scored 95 or more points in consecutive games.
In these recent matches, ten players contributed double-digit scoring. The Gamecocks exhibited outstanding shooting accuracy, achieving 59.6% from the field, 39.2% from three-point range, and an impressive 88.7% from the free-throw line.
Team Statistics
- Free Throw Percentage: 79.5% (6th in the nation)
- 2-Point Field Goal Percentage: 62.0% (8th in the nation)
Player Spotlight
Graduate guard Myles Stute, in his third season at South Carolina after transferring from Vanderbilt, has been a key player. He recently scored 15 points with seven rebounds against SC State, followed by 12 points and five rebounds against UAlbany. Stute’s ability to hit multiple three-point shots has led to a strong record for the Gamecocks when he performs well.
Vanderbilt’s Strength
Vanderbilt, led by head coach Mark Byington, stands out as a formidable opponent this season. The Commodores have established themselves as a contender in the SEC, boasting a stellar non-conference record. They possess one of the most potent offenses in the nation, with five players averaging double figures, including guard Duke Miles from Oklahoma, who leads the team with 17.1 points per game.
- Scoring Offense: Ranked 10th nationally (94 points per game)
- Assists per Game: Ranked 10th nationally (19.9)
- Steals per Game: 10.6 (leading the SEC)
- Effective Field Goal Percentage: 59.9% (top 15 nationally)
Matchup History
Historically, the series between South Carolina and Vanderbilt reflects a competitive edge, with Vanderbilt leading 35-32 overall. In Columbia, the Gamecocks hold a slight advantage at 19-13. The last encounter was a tightly contested game resulting in a 66-63 win for Vanderbilt on January 15, 2025.
Upcoming Schedule
Following the matchup against Vanderbilt, South Carolina will travel to Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers (12-1) for their second true road game of the season. That game is set for Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.
This SEC showdown promises to be a captivating clash as the Gamecocks aim to secure a crucial victory at home against a strong Vanderbilt squad.
