Winter Storm Enzo hit the Southeast, bringing snow, ice, and very cold temperatures to regions that are usually warm in winter. This storm impacted college basketball, leading to a change in the schedule for Thursday’s game between No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks and No. 5 LSU Tigers. The game was moved to Friday.
Originally planned to be one of many top-25 games on Thursday, the South Carolina vs. LSU matchup will now be the only ranked game on Friday night. All attention will be on Columbia, South Carolina, where one of the best rivalries in basketball will take place. The game will begin at 5 p.m. ET and will be shown on ESPN.
A Heated Rivalry
The last time South Carolina and LSU played each other, things got heated. A fight broke out on the court in the final two minutes, resulting in suspensions, apologies, and even a team member being arrested. While it’s easy to focus on that fight, the rivalry between these two teams is more than just that moment.
This game will feature the last three national champions and two of the best teams in the country, with both coaches having multiple Division I titles.
This season, the two teams will play each other only once, making this the only chance for the top-five teams to meet. With an expanded SEC conference, fewer teams play home-and-home games, so this matchup is even more special.
South Carolina’s Dominance
South Carolina comes into this rivalry with 16 straight wins over LSU. While this might seem to diminish the rivalry for some, the games have been close recently. Under head coach Kim Mulkey, LSU has played close games with South Carolina, with three of the last four matchups being decided by fewer than seven points. South Carolina has dominated LSU in the past, but their games are still competitive.
Both teams have seen key players graduate or move on to the professional ranks. For LSU, this includes Angel Reese, and for South Carolina, players like Aaliyah Boston and Kamila Cardoso have left. Despite these changes, both teams remain at the top of college basketball year after year.
South Carolina’s head coach Dawn Staley praised Kim Mulkey’s ability to keep LSU competitive, even as players come and go. Mulkey maintains a consistent style of play that has brought her success, and Staley believes South Carolina’s success depends on sticking to their own strengths.
South Carolina’s Defensive Power
South Carolina has one of the best defenses in the country. The team, with a record of 18-1, is ranked second in the AP rankings and No. 1 in the NET rankings. They allow just 55.1 points per game and have kept high-scoring teams like the No. 5 Texas Longhorns to their lowest points of the season.
The Gamecocks use a nine-player rotation, where everyone plays at least 15 minutes per game. This rotation keeps the players fresh, and only senior Te-Hina Paopao plays more than 25 minutes per game. This approach means the players can give maximum effort while they’re on the court and get a break more quickly.
LSU is one of only two undefeated teams left in the country. The Tigers have several standout players, including guard Flau’Jae Johnson and forward Aneesah Morrow, who can take over games. They have won many close games, thanks to strong individual performances and teamwork.
LSU’s Clutch Performances
LSU has had several dramatic wins this season. In a game against Tennessee, junior guard Kailyn Gilbert hit a game-winning layup in the final seconds. Earlier, sophomore guard Mikaylah Williams scored five points in the last 33 seconds to send a game into overtime, then led LSU in the overtime period to secure a victory.
South Carolina’s coach, Dawn Staley, knows that LSU will come to play. She expects them to challenge her team and try to stay undefeated. This rivalry game is not just about the past fights—it’s about the fierce competition between two of the best teams in the country.
Despite the change in the game schedule, fans will still be watching. ESPN’s “College Gameday” had to cancel its trip to Columbia, but the game remains highly anticipated. This matchup could have big implications for the SEC regular season title and make the path to the SEC Tournament easier for the winner.
While there might not be extra coverage, fans will be watching this game for the basketball, not for the past fights. This is a chance to see two of the best teams in the country battle it out on the court.
