Lady Vols Set to Challenge South Carolina in WBB Showdown

Avery K. Bristow

Published: February 8, 2026 3:20 PM ET

Lady Vols Set to Challenge South Carolina in WBB Showdown

The Tennessee Lady Vols are set for a thrilling WBB showdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks this Sunday. This matchup features two storied programs that have dominating histories in women’s basketball.

Game Overview

No. 19/17 Tennessee (15-5, 7-1 SEC) will take on No. 3/3 South Carolina (23-2, 9-1 SEC) at Colonial Life Arena, with the game scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m. ET. Fans can watch it live on ABC or listen via the Lady Vol Radio Network and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (ch. 138 or 191).

Previous Performances

Tennessee recently secured an exciting 82-77 overtime victory against Georgia.
The Lady Vols rallied from an eight-point deficit in the second quarter.
UT went 14 of 16 on free throws in the fourth quarter and overtime.
South Carolina defeated Mississippi State decisively, 88-45, shooting 55% from the field.

Team Statistics and Rankings

The Lady Vols are ranked 19th in the NET and AP Poll, while holding a 7-1 record in SEC play, making them one of the top teams in the conference. They are currently tied with South Carolina as the only two teams with a single loss in league play.

Leading Players for Tennessee

Talaysia Cooper: 14.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, and 36 three-pointers.
Janiah Barker: 13.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg, with 24 three-pointers.
Mia Pauldo: 12.2 ppg and 51 assists.
Zee Spearman: 11.9 ppg, closing in on 1,000 career points.

Defensive and Offensive Strengths

The Lady Vols boast impressive stats, including:

No. 8 in three-pointers made per game (9.6)
No. 10 in offensive rebounds (16.2 per game)
No. 31 in steals per game (11.3)
Leading bench scoring in the nation (25.5 points per game)

Recent Trends and Key Players

Tennessee’s schedule includes challenging matchups, with six of their remaining games against ranked teams. Six players, like Mia Pauldo and Talaysia Cooper, are making major impacts in scoring and defense. Pauldo currently averages 16.4 ppg in SEC play.

Historical Context

The Lady Vols lead the all-time series against South Carolina, 51-17. However, the Gamecocks have captured victories in the last eight meetings. Tennessee is eager to break this streak, especially after narrow losses in recent encounters.

South Carolina’s Key Players

The Gamecocks are led by:

Joyce Edwards: 20.4 ppg, a standout player in SEC action.
Ta’Niya Latson: Averaging 15.2 ppg.
Balanced scoring with multiple players contributing double digits.

Upcoming Challenges

With Tennessee contending strongly in the SEC, they must focus on teamwork and resilience against a powerful South Carolina squad. This matchup represents more than just a game; it reflects both teams’ aspirations for conference supremacy.

As the Lady Vols prepare to tackle the Gamecocks, fans can expect an engaging showdown full of intense competition and stellar performances. The outcome could be pivotal for both teams in their pursuit of a successful season.