If you’re scrambling to find what channel are the longhorns playing on tonight, take a breath. You aren't alone. Between the chaos of the SEC’s new television deals and the sheer number of sports the University of Texas dominates, figuring out where to point your remote is a whole chore.
Tonight, January 15, 2026, the spotlight is firmly on Columbia, South Carolina. The #4 Texas Longhorns women’s basketball team is stepping into a literal hornets' nest at Colonial Life Arena. They’re facing the #2 South Carolina Gamecocks. This isn’t just another conference game; it’s a heavyweight bout with massive seeding implications.
Where to Watch the Longhorns Tonight
The game is airing nationally on ESPN2.
If you're looking for the broadcast team, you'll hear Ryan Ruocco on the play-by-play. Rebecca Lobo is providing the expert analysis, and Holly Rowe is handling the reporting from the sidelines. Basically, the A-team.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM Central Time (7:00 PM Eastern).
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Don't go looking for this on the SEC Network or ABC. It’s a dedicated ESPN2 window. If you’re a cord-cutter, you can stream it through the ESPN app—provided you have a cable login—or via services like Fubo, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV.
Why This Specific Matchup is a Big Deal
This game is basically a rematch of the Players Era Championship where Rori Harmon and Madison Booker absolutely went off. Texas won that one. Now, South Carolina wants blood.
Madison Booker has been playing like a woman possessed. She recently dropped a triple-double against UTRGV (28 points, 10 boards, 10 assists). Watching her go up against South Carolina's Joyce Edwards is worth the price of admission alone.
Rori Harmon is also chasing history tonight. She’s only 12 steals away from breaking the all-time Texas record held by Linda Waggoner. While she might not get twelve in one night against a team as disciplined as the Gamecocks, every defensive stop brings her closer to that 1980 milestone.
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The SEC Landscape in 2026
Since Texas joined the SEC, things have changed for fans. Remember the Longhorn Network? Yeah, that's a ghost now. Everything is consolidated under the ESPN/ABC/SEC Network umbrella.
For the men’s side, their next big game is the "Lone Star Showdown" against Texas A&M this Saturday, January 17. That one is going to be on ESPN at 5:00 PM Central. If you’re trying to plan your weekend, keep that channel locked.
2026 Texas Longhorns Football: Looking Ahead
I know, it’s January. But people are already asking about the 2026 football schedule. The Horns just finished a solid run, capped off by a 41-27 win over Michigan in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on New Year's Eve.
The 2026 season opener is set for September 5 against Texas State.
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Most of these high-profile games will land on ABC or ESPN. The massive Week 2 home game against Ohio State (September 12) is almost guaranteed to be a national "Big Noon" or primetime broadcast.
How to Never Miss a Game Again
Honestly, the best way to keep track of what channel are the longhorns playing on is to download the official Texas Sports app or keep the SEC composite calendar bookmarked.
Here is a quick cheat sheet for the different "homes" of Longhorn sports right now:
- ABC/ESPN: Reserved for the biggest football games and top-tier basketball matchups.
- ESPN2/ESPNU: Often where you’ll find mid-week conference basketball or baseball.
- SEC Network: The primary home for most Texas athletics, including volleyball and softball.
- SEC Network+: This is the digital-only overflow. You need the ESPN app and a subscription that includes the SEC Network to see these.
If you see a game listed on "SECN+," don't go looking for a channel number on your cable box. It doesn't exist. It's a stream.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
To make sure you're ready for tonight and the rest of the season, do these three things:
- Check your ESPN2 access now. Don’t wait until 6:01 PM to find out your subscription lapsed or your app needs an update.
- Sync your calendar. Use the "Add to Calendar" feature on the TexasSports.com website. It automatically updates with TV channels and time changes.
- Prepare for the A&M game. Saturday’s game against the Aggies will be high-demand. If you’re streaming, expect higher-than-usual latency, so maybe stay off social media to avoid spoilers.
The Longhorns are currently 18-1 for a reason. They play fast, they defend even faster, and tonight’s game on ESPN2 is going to be a classic.