You know how it is in Columbia. When Dawn Staley walks into the Colonial Life Arena, the atmosphere doesn't just change—it vibrates. People think they know the south carolina ladies basketball schedule inside and out, but the 2025-26 season has been a bit of a curveball. Honestly, if you’re just looking at the wins and losses, you’re missing the actual drama happening on the hardwood right now.
The Gamecocks are currently sitting at 17-1. That one "1" looks like a typo to most fans, but it’s real. It came back in November against Texas, a 66-64 heartbreaker in Las Vegas. But here’s the kicker: the schedule is about to get way more intense. We aren't just talking about local rivalries; we’re talking about a gauntlet that determines if this team can reclaim the throne after that 2025 title game loss to UConn.
The Immediate Future: Texas is Coming to Town
This Thursday, January 15, is the one everyone has circled. If you haven't cleared your night for the 7:00 PM ET tip-off on ESPN2, you're doing it wrong. Texas is visiting Columbia for a "We Back Pat" week matchup that feels like a heavyweight title fight.
It’s personal this time. Texas handed South Carolina their only loss of the season so far. Last year, the Gamecocks dominated them at home, shooting over 70% in the first half. Can they do it again? Dawn Staley’s squad has only had their full roster available for six games this season. Injuries have been a quiet, annoying ghost in the locker room. But with the Longhorns coming to the FAM, expect the "Birdies" to be louder than ever.
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Surviving the Road: Oklahoma and Beyond
Once the Texas dust settles, the team heads to Norman. On Thursday, January 22, the south carolina ladies basketball schedule takes them to Oklahoma for a 7:30 PM ET clash. This is one of those trap games. People overlook the Sooners, but playing in the Lloyd Noble Center is never a "walk in the park" kinda situation.
Shortly after, there’s a quick turnaround. The Gamecocks come back home for Vanderbilt on Sunday, January 25. Then, they hit the road again for Auburn on January 29. It’s a lot of travel in a short window. For a team that relies so heavily on the shot-blocking presence of Madina Okot and Joyce Edwards, those tired legs on the road are the only thing that might slow them down.
Why the February Slate is Terrifying
If you think January is tough, February is basically a marathon through a minefield. Look at these dates:
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- February 2: A Monday night fight at Texas A&M (ESPN2).
- February 5: Mississippi State comes to Columbia.
- February 8: Tennessee visits for a high-noon-ish showdown on ABC.
- February 14: A Valentine’s Day date with LSU in Baton Rouge.
That LSU game? It's on a Saturday night at 8:30 PM. The Pete Maravich Assembly Center is going to be a madhouse. Kim Mulkey vs. Dawn Staley is the rivalry that keeps women's basketball fans awake at night. Honestly, it’s probably the most anticipated regular-season game left on the calendar.
The Secret Weapons in the Rotation
Most people focus on Raven Johnson’s leadership or Chloe Kitts’ growth. They’re great, obviously. But have you seen the freshman Agot Makeer lately? She’s been a revelation in SEC play. In fact, she’s currently second on the team in blocks during league games.
Also, we have to talk about Alicia Tournebize. The 6-foot-7 French phenom joined the roster mid-season after the holiday break. Adding that kind of size to a team that already leads the SEC in blocks (averaging about 7.5 per game in conference play) is almost unfair. Staley is essentially "cooking" with a roster that has more depth than some WNBA teams.
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Understanding the 2026 UConn Factor
I’ve seen a lot of confusion online about when the Gamecocks play UConn. To be clear: they aren't playing in the 2025-26 regular season. They actually skipped a year. The next time these two giants meet is November 24, 2026, at the Mohegan Sun Arena. It’s a "neutral" site, though we all know Connecticut fans treat that place like a second home.
It’s a bit of a bummer for fans who wanted a rematch of the 2025 National Championship game sooner, but the SEC schedule is so bloated now with Texas and Oklahoma that something had to give.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the south carolina ladies basketball schedule, don't just rely on your memory. Things change fast with TV designations.
- **Check the SEC Network+: ** Not every game is on ESPN. Some of those mid-week games are streaming-only, so make sure your login is working.
- Watch the Block Party: Keep an eye on the "blocks" stat. South Carolina is 4th in the nation right now. If they keep that average above 7 per game in February, they're winning the SEC regular season easily.
- Tickets for the SEC Tournament: The tournament returns to Greenville, SC, this March at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. If you want to see them live, buy those tickets now because they will sell out.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Since the full roster has only been together for six games, the "availability" report is more important than the scouting report right now.
The path to another Final Four is laid out. It’s brutal, it’s fast, and it goes through some of the loudest arenas in the country. But as long as Dawn is on the sidelines, you've gotta like the Gamecocks' chances.