Honestly, trying to keep up with the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball schedule is a full-time job these days. Dawn Staley doesn't just build a team; she builds a traveling circus of elite talent that everyone wants a piece of. If you’re a fan, you’ve probably realized by now that the "easy" part of the season is long gone. We are deep into the 2025-26 grind, and the stakes are getting absurdly high.
Coming off a massive 68-65 win over Texas on January 15th—which felt like a revenge dish served ice cold after that November loss in Vegas—the Gamecocks are sitting at 13-1. But looking at the calendar, there is zero room for a letdown. Staley’s squad is currently ranked No. 2 in the country, and every single team remaining on the schedule has January 18th or February 8th circled in red ink.
The Road Ahead: Key Dates and Matchups
The immediate future takes the team to Baltimore today, January 18th, for a noon tip-off against Coppin State. It’s one of those "trap" games people talk about. You’ve got a high-profile win in the rearview and a massive SEC road trip to Oklahoma looming on Thursday, January 22nd.
If you aren't watching the Sooners game at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN, you're missing out. Oklahoma is a Top-15 team this year, and Norman is never a friendly place for visitors.
Late January and February Madness
Once the team gets back from Oklahoma, the Colonial Life Arena is going to be rocking.
- January 25: Vanderbilt comes to Columbia at 3:00 PM. Vandy has been a surprise this year, hovering around the Top 25, so don't expect a blowout.
- January 29: A late-night flight to Auburn for a 9:00 PM tip on SEC Network.
- February 2: Monday night lights at Texas A&M. This one’s on ESPN2 at 8:00 PM.
- February 8: The one everyone is talking about. Tennessee. 3:00 PM on ABC.
The Tennessee game is basically a national holiday in South Carolina. It’s the "We Back Pat" game, and with the Lady Vols ranked in the Top 20, the atmosphere will be suffocating.
🔗 Read more: Caitlin Clark GPA Iowa: The Truth About Her Tippie College Grades
Why This South Carolina Gamecocks Women's Basketball Schedule is Different
Most people look at a schedule and see wins and losses. But this year? It’s about the rotation. Dawn Staley is integrating 6-foot-7 French sensation Alicia Tournebize mid-season. Think about that. You’re already the deepest team in the nation, and you add a FIBA All-Star who can shoot the three and protect the rim at 6'7".
Tournebize joined the roster after the holiday break, and her minutes are steadily climbing. We saw glimpses of her impact against Texas, where her size forced the Longhorns to rethink their interior passing lanes.
Then you have Joyce Edwards. The sophomore forward is basically a walking double-double at this point. She led the team with 14 points and 8 rebounds in the Texas win. While the veterans like Raven Johnson and Chloe Kitts provide the leadership, it’s the young core—Edwards, Tessa Johnson, and the freshman Agot Makeer—that makes this schedule so terrifying for opponents.
The Brutal February Stretch
If you think the early SEC slate is tough, look at the back half of February.
On February 14th, the Gamecocks head to Baton Rouge to face LSU. It’s a Saturday night battle at 8:30 PM. Kim Mulkey and Dawn Staley? That’s 40 minutes of high-intensity chess. Following that, there’s a road trip to Alabama on February 19th before returning home for Ole Miss (Feb 22) and Missouri (Feb 26).
💡 You might also like: Barry Sanders Shoes Nike: What Most People Get Wrong
The regular season wraps up in Lexington against Kentucky on March 1st.
TV Channels and How to Watch
Keeping track of where to watch is sort of a mess because the games are scattered across four different networks.
Most of the big-time SEC games are on ESPN or ESPN2. The Coppin State game today is an ESPN+ exclusive, which always trips up some of the older fans who just want to turn on the TV and see the game. The Tennessee matchup is the crown jewel on ABC, while a chunk of the midweek games live on SEC Network.
Basically, if it’s a Thursday night, check SEC Network. If it’s a Sunday afternoon, it’s a toss-up between ESPN and ABC.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Team
There’s this weird narrative that South Carolina is "down" because they lost one game to Texas back in November. People forgot that this team lost five players to the WNBA and the portal over the summer. Replacing Te-Hina Paopao’s shooting and MiLaysia Fulwiley’s spark isn't something that happens overnight.
📖 Related: Arizona Cardinals Depth Chart: Why the Roster Flip is More Than Just Kyler Murray
But look at the stats. The Gamecocks are still 4th in the nation in scoring (92.6 PPG) and 12th in defense. They aren't just winning; they are systematically dismantling teams.
The real secret to the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball schedule success isn't just the starters. It's the fact that Staley can go 10 deep without the quality dropping off. When Chloe Kitts needs a breather, Adhel Tac or Maryam Dauda steps in. When Raven Johnson needs a rest, Maddy McDaniel or Ta'Niya Latson takes over.
Actionable Steps for Gamecock Fans
If you're planning on catching the rest of the season, here is how you should handle it.
First, get your tickets for the Tennessee (Feb 8) and Ole Miss (Feb 22) games now. Colonial Life Arena is selling out faster than ever, and secondary market prices for the Tennessee game are already creeping into the triple digits.
Second, download the Gamecock Gameday app. It’s the only way to keep the TV times straight since they shift based on network flex scheduling.
Finally, keep an eye on the injury report for Ashlyn Watkins. Her return from the ACL injury has been gradual, but if she hits her stride by the SEC Tournament in Nashville (March 4-8), this team becomes nearly impossible to beat in the paint.
The road to the Final Four in 2026 clearly goes through Columbia. Whether you're watching from the stands or screaming at your TV on a Thursday night, the next six weeks are going to define exactly how high this team can fly.