If you’re scrambling to figure out what time is the ut game today, you aren't alone. It’s a massive day for the Forty Acres.
The No. 4 Texas Longhorns women's basketball team is heading into the lions' den. They face the No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks tonight, Thursday, January 15, 2026. This isn't just another conference game; it’s a heavyweight fight for SEC dominance and a rematch of the Players Era Championship.
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Tip-Off and Broadcast Details
The game is set to tip off at 6:00 p.m. Central Time (7:00 p.m. Eastern).
Basically, if you’re in Austin, you need to be parked on your couch by 6. If you're looking for it on the dial, it’s being nationally televised on ESPN2. Ryan Ruocco and Rebecca Lobo are handling the call, which usually means we're in for some high-level analysis.
For those who still love the radio experience or are stuck in I-35 traffic, you can catch Craig Way and Kathy Harston on AM 1300 The Zone or via the Longhorn Radio Network. Honestly, Craig Way’s voice is the soundtrack of Texas sports, so that's never a bad backup plan.
Why This Game is Massive
The stakes? Huge.
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Texas (18-1, 3-1 SEC) is trying to prove they belong at the absolute top of the heap. They already beat South Carolina earlier this season in Las Vegas to take the Players Era title. Doing it again in Columbia? That’s a whole different animal. Colonial Life Arena is famously loud, and Dawn Staley’s squad doesn't lose at home often.
Keep an eye on Rori Harmon. She is currently sitting on 335 career steals. She needs just 12 more to break the all-time Texas record set by Linda Waggoner way back in 1980. While getting 12 steals in one game against the No. 2 team in the country is a tall order, every possession matters.
Then there’s Madison Booker. She’s been playing out of her mind lately, recently becoming the fifth player in program history to record a triple-double. Between her and the emergence of Jordan Lee, who is already outscoring her entire freshman season totals, the Longhorns have the firepower to keep up with the Gamecocks.
Other UT Sports Today
Wait, what about the men?
If you were looking for the men's basketball team, they actually played last night. They had a tough battle against Vanderbilt at the Moody Center on January 14. Their next big one is the Lone Star Showdown against Texas A&M this Saturday, January 17, at 5:00 p.m. CT. That one is already sold out, so hopefully you've got your tickets.
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If you are a fan of Olympic sports, the TYR Pro Swim Series is happening right now at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin. Both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams are competing throughout the day today.
Quick Reference for Tonight
- Matchup: No. 4 Texas vs. No. 2 South Carolina (Women's Basketball)
- Time: 6:00 p.m. CT
- Location: Colonial Life Arena | Columbia, S.C.
- TV: ESPN2
- Stream: ESPN App (requires cable login)
One thing to keep in mind—parking and security at these top-tier SEC matchups can be a mess if you're attending in person. If you're watching from home, make sure your ESPN+ or cable authentication is actually working before tip-off. There is nothing worse than missing the first five minutes because of a password reset.
Check your local listings if you're outside the Austin area, but since this is a national ESPN2 broadcast, you're usually good to go across the country.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Sync your calendar: Set a reminder for 5:50 p.m. CT to ensure you don't miss the starting lineups.
- Verify your stream: Open the ESPN app now to ensure you are logged in to your provider.
- Check the standings: Look at the updated SEC Women's Basketball standings to see how a win tonight would shift the Longhorns' path to the regular-season title.