Honestly, trying to pin down exactly what time does gamecocks play can feel like a part-time job some weeks. Between the SEC network shuffling times for television slots and the overlap of winter and spring sports, your calendar can get messy fast.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you're looking for the immediate answer for right now, the South Carolina Women’s Basketball team is tipping off against Coppin State at 12:00 PM ET. They’re playing up in Baltimore at the Physical Education Complex. If you aren't there in person (and let's face it, most of us aren't), you're looking at a stream on ESPN+.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg for Gamecock fans this month.
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When to Catch the Basketball Action
The men's and women's hoops schedules are in the thick of conference play, which means the stakes are high and the tip-off times are all over the place. Dawn Staley’s squad is currently ranked #2 in the nation, so basically every game is an event.
Women’s Basketball Upcoming Times
After today’s road trip to Baltimore, the women return to a more standard SEC rhythm.
- Thursday, Jan 22: They head to Norman to face Oklahoma at 7:30 PM ET.
- Sunday, Jan 25: Back home at Colonial Life Arena against Vanderbilt. That one starts at 3:00 PM ET.
- Thursday, Jan 29: A late one. They play Auburn on the road at 9:00 PM ET.
Men’s Basketball Slotted Times
The men’s team just came off a tough road loss at Auburn last night. They don't have a game today, but you'll want to clear your Tuesday night.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: The Gamecocks host Oklahoma at home. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM ET.
- Saturday, Jan 24: An afternoon showdown at Texas A&M. You can catch that at 3:30 PM ET.
- Wednesday, Jan 28: Back in Columbia to face Mississippi State at 9:00 PM ET.
What Time Does Gamecocks Play Other Sports Today?
It’s a big day for the "country club" sports, too. If you’re a fan of tennis, the courts are busy.
The Women’s Tennis team has a doubleheader at home today in Columbia. They played Charleston Southern at 10:00 AM, and they’ve got Coastal Carolina coming up at 1:30 PM ET. Meanwhile, the Men’s Tennis team is up in New York facing Columbia University right now (noon start).
It's easy to forget these programs, but the Gamecocks are consistently top-tier in tennis and track. Speaking of track, the team is gearing up for the Orange & Purple Invitational in Clemson on January 23rd. That's an all-day affair, so there isn't one specific "start time" to circle, but the main events usually heat up in the afternoon.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Football Schedule
Look, I know it’s January. We’re deep into roundball season. But in South Carolina, football is a 365-day conversation. The school recently finalized the 2026 football schedule, and while we don't have kickoff times for the fall yet (those usually come out 12 days before the game), we do have the dates.
The season starts September 5, 2026, against Kent State at Williams-Brice.
The schedule is, quite frankly, a gauntlet. We've got Alabama on the road on September 26th and the Palmetto Bowl against Clemson to close things out on November 28th. Most of these home games will likely fall into that 12:00 PM, 3:30 PM, or 7:30 PM window we’ve grown accustomed to on the SEC Network and ABC.
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Baseball is Right Around the Corner
If you’re tired of the cold, just wait a few weeks. Gamecock Baseball starts in February. Mark your calendars for Friday, February 13, 2026.
The Gamecocks open at home against Northern Kentucky. The first pitch for opening day is scheduled for 4:00 PM ET. They follow that up with a 2:00 PM start on Saturday and a 1:30 PM start on Sunday.
Founders Park is going to be rocking, especially since the team just announced a massive "Military Appreciation Weekend" for the following week (Feb 20-22) where they’ll host Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Staying Updated Without the Stress
Times change. TV networks like to mess with us. If you want to make sure you never miss a tip-off or a first pitch, here is what you should actually do:
- Sync your calendar: Go to the official GamecocksOnline site and use their "Add to Calendar" feature. It updates automatically when a TBA time finally gets assigned.
- Watch the "TV Windows": For SEC play, games usually fall into specific blocks. If it’s a Saturday basketball game, it’s almost always 1:00, 3:30, or 6:00.
- Check the Weather: Especially for baseball and tennis. A 4:00 PM start time means nothing if a thunderstorm rolls through Columbia.
Basically, if you're asking what time does gamecocks play today, you’ve got basketball at noon and tennis at 1:30. Grab your gear and get ready—it's a busy Sunday in Gamecock Nation.
Your next step for today: Head over to the ESPN+ app or the SEC Network+ digital platform to catch the Women's Basketball game vs. Coppin State before the second half gets too far along.