Women’s Hoops: Texas at South Carolina

Thursday night in Columbia brings one of the biggest matchups of the women’s basketball season as Texas visits South Carolina in a rivalry that’s been building in fast forward. This will be the sixth time these teams have played in the last year-plus, and the familiarity is real. South Carolina holds a 3–2 edge in the recent series, but Texas already proved earlier this season that the gap is thin, knocking off the Gamecocks 66–64 in Las Vegas with strong late-game execution.

South Carolina doesn’t have the overwhelming bench wave it’s had in recent years, but don’t confuse that with weakness — the starting five is elite and capable of controlling a game on both ends. The Gamecocks also expect added depth going forward with the arrival of 6’7 French standout Alicia Tournebize, a rare size and skill profile that can help stabilize the rotation and strengthen the interior as conference play ramps up.

For Texas, this is a tough scheduling spot. The Longhorns just suffered their first loss of the season at LSU, and now they immediately step into another hostile environment where even a slight slippage in confidence or energy can get punished. South Carolina’s home intensity is different — the pressure is constant, the physicality ramps up, and every empty possession feels heavier.

Texas will lean heavily on point guard Rori Harmon to settle the game. Harmon doesn’t score a ton, but she’s an elite organizer with a fabulous assist-to-turnover ratio who makes everyone around her better. When Texas is playing its best, it’s because Harmon is controlling tempo, creating clean looks, and keeping the offense out of chaos. Leading scorer Madison Booker is the go-to option who can keep Texas afloat when possessions tighten and South Carolina forces tougher shots in the half court.

Coaching matters in games like this, and Dawn Staley has consistently had the upper hand in this matchup, holding a 16–5 career record against Vic Schaefer. Expect South Carolina to bring maximum intensity early, looking to set the tone, win the rebounding battle, and turn Texas’ post-LSU mindset into a problem.

Texas is talented enough to compete, but the combination of the venue, the schedule spot, and South Carolina’s urgency gives the Gamecocks the edge.

Pick: South Carolina 82, Texas 71.