The No. 5 South Carolina Gamecocks are ready to take their first step in the postseason, and all eyes are on them as they enter the SEC Tournament as the top seed in the conference.
The Gamecocks (27-3) will face 8-seed Vanderbilt (22-9) at noon ET on Friday in their tournament opener. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
South Carolina Set to Begin Postseason Play in SEC Tournament
This matchup is a rematch from Feb. 23, when South Carolina convincingly defeated Vanderbilt 82-54 in Nashville. When these two teams last met, South Carolina controlled the game from start to finish, forcing Vanderbilt into 17 turnovers and capitalizing on its defensive intensity.
The Gamecocks effectively neutralized Vanderbilt’s key players, holding senior guard Iyana Moore to just one point in that contest. However, Moore bounced back in the following games, scoring a total of 49 points over the next three matchups.
This includes an impressive 23-point performance against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament’s second round on Thursday.
South Carolina also had to prepare for the offensive threats of freshman Mikayla Blakes and sophomore Khamil Pierre, both of whom have been standout scorers for Vanderbilt.
Blakes finished the previous game against South Carolina with 19 points, while Pierre recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. If Vanderbilt hopes to compete, these two will need to deliver strong performances once again.
Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley knows that this Vanderbilt team has much improved since their last meeting, and she expects a tougher challenge in the SEC Tournament.
Since their loss to South Carolina, the Commodores have dramatically increased their offensive output, scoring 91, 101, and 84 points in their last three games. Their ability to score efficiently will be put to the test against South Carolina’s elite defense, which has been a cornerstone of their success all season.
The high-energy tournament atmosphere is also expected to affect Vanderbilt’s performance. On Thursday, the Commodores thrived off the crowd’s intensity and didn’t let Tennessee’s larger fan presence affect their play. If they bring the same mentality against South Carolina, they could make things interesting.
Vanderbilt’s Chance for Redemption
Following their victory over Tennessee, Vanderbilt’s head coach Shea Ralph and guard Iyana Moore addressed the challenge of facing South Carolina again. They were asked what the team needed to improve upon after the 28-point loss last month.
“Everything,” Ralph stated simply.
Moore echoed her coach’s sentiment. “Literally from top to bottom. Taking care of the ball, being very crisp in what we do, being really attentive to all the details and not taking a play off,” she said.
For Vanderbilt to keep the game close, it must reduce turnovers and execute with precision. In their win over Tennessee, the Commodores demonstrated their ability to handle pressure and sustain offensive momentum. The question is whether they can replicate that performance against South Carolina’s suffocating defense.
Keys to the Game
- Rebounding Battle: South Carolina must prevent Khamil Pierre from dominating the boards. Chloe Kitts and Sania Feagin will need to be aggressive in limiting Vanderbilt’s second-chance opportunities, as the Commodores scored 21 second-chance points in their last game.
- Turnover Margin: The Gamecocks’ defense forced 17 turnovers in the previous meeting, which disrupted Vanderbilt’s rhythm. A similar defensive effort will be crucial, especially if Vanderbilt starts gaining confidence on offense.
- Transition Defense: The Commodores handled Tennessee’s press well and played with a high motor. South Carolina must be disciplined in getting back on defense, particularly in transition, where it has struggled to defend three-pointers.
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- Joyce Edwards’ Impact: Edwards had a strong performance in the previous game against Vanderbilt, contributing 17 points and 12 rebounds. While Kitts has stepped up in the last two games, Edwards will be a key factor off the bench in controlling the paint and adding scoring depth.
While Vanderbilt is playing at a high level and will likely keep the game closer than their last meeting, South Carolina’s depth, fresh legs, and defensive intensity should ultimately be too much for the Commodores to handle. Expect the Gamecocks to pull away in the second half and continue their push toward another SEC Tournament title.
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