After gaining a top-10 win over then-No. 7 Michigan on a neutral court in Newark, New Jersey, No. 5 Vanderbilt women’s Basketball (20-0, 6-0 SEC) will face No. 2 South Carolina (19-2, 5-1 SEC) on the road in a battle between two SEC heavyweights.  

Vanderbilt’s narrow victory over Michigan solidified its position as a serious championship contender come March. Shea Ralph’s squad once again demonstrated its poise in the clutch, rising to the occasion down the stretch against one of the nation’s best. Despite superstar Mikayla Blakes’ slightly off night, Ralph’s ability to grind out a scrappy victory over Michigan was a microcosm of how elite teams get it done in the tournament.  

The Gamecocks are fresh off a 94-82 loss to No. 16 Oklahoma, where Dawn Staley’s team shot just 37% from the field. South Carolina has won 18 consecutive games against Vanderbilt, with the Gamecocks emerging victorious in the two matchups last season when they downed the ‘Dores 82-54 in conference play and again 84-63 in the SEC Tournament quarterfinal.    

One team carries all the momentum and a revenge narrative that’s been brewing for more than a decade. The other is looking to rebound following a shocking upset, but the Gamecocks must not underestimate a team that is unlike the Black and Gold they are accustomed to seeing.               

Post presence 

One of the game’s key matchups will be on the interior between each team’s primary post players: Sacha Washington and South Carolina’s Madina Okot and Joyce Edwards. In fact, it is not an exaggeration to say that Washington’s ability to stay in this matchup could in fact determine the trajectory of the game.  

Washington, a graduate senior, is averaging 9.5 points and 7.7 rebounds and is shooting 57.9% from the field. Although her stats do not immediately jump off the page, especially among other SEC players at the five position, her importance to the team cannot be understated. The Lawrenceville, Georgia, native averages 22.2 minutes per game for the ‘Dores during conference play and has elevated her scoring against better competition in the SEC, scoring in double figures in two of her past four games. Most recently against Auburn, the captain had a season-high 18 points while adding 12 boards.  

It will be a difficult contest for Washington, to say the least, as she is severely outmatched in size by Okot. The 6’6” senior is averaging 14.1 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, anchoring the paint for Staley. Ralph will likely have to get creative defensively in an effort to contain the Gamecocks’ frontcourt, despite not having a true center to match up with Okot. 

Edwards, a 6’3” sophomore, has turned heads since she arrived in the SEC. Last year, she averaged 12.7 points and 5 rebounds per game while coming off the bench for the Gamecocks. For her efforts, she was named an All-America honorable mention and NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team selection among several other SEC end-of-year awards. This year, though, she has elevated her game, becoming her team’s leading scorer, averaging an astounding 20.6 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting over 60% from the field. She has scored at least 11 points in every conference game, with a notable 14 points and 8 rebounds against then-No. 4 Texas at home.  

This battle is an interesting one because Washington has struggled against top 10 opponents thus far — combining for just 13 points across the LSU and Michigan games. Edwards, though, excels in the big games. Plain and simple, Vanderbilt will need Washington to be at her best to neutralize this size advantage, limiting either of Edwards’ or Okot’s looks while also producing offensively and giving her team second-chance opportunities. It will be a tall task, but if she is able to step up and perform, it is an indicator that this team is built to go the distance.  

Perimeter mismatch 

In modern-day college basketball, guards are often the most important position on the court. A team’s ability to shoot the deep ball, combined with its featured scorers’ knack for taking over a game, typically determines key matchups. Either side of this matchup is tremendously talented and well-coached, making it challenging to build and hold a lead.  

Both teams excel from beyond the arc, with the Commodores ranked No. 3 (36.7%) and South Carolina ranked No. 4 (36.4%) in the SEC in 3-point percentage. With such a narrow margin when it comes to 3-point shooting, this contest will likely be determined by pure star power.  

Unlike in the frontcourt, Vanderbilt holds a clear advantage in guard play. Blakes and Aubrey Galvan are arguably the best backcourt in women’s college basketball. Blakes leads the SEC in scoring, averaging 24.8 points per game and is perfectly complemented by Galvan. Blakes’ trust in her first-year point guard has allowed her to play more off the ball, focusing on what she does best — scoring. Galvan’s elite composure and playmaking in late-game situations, as seen against Michigan, are essential for Vanderbilt down the stretch.  

Conversely, South Carolina doesn’t have a guard who can score on the same level as Blakes and instead is led by its front court. Ta’Niya Latson is Staley’s leading guard and averages 15.4 points per game this season. The senior struggled against Oklahoma — posting just 6 points on 10% shooting in 32 minutes, a major factor in the upset. This is paired with Edwards, who, when not playing the five, plays the four. 

In what is expected to be a close game, Staley will lean on Latson to bounce back, but her team’s lack of a star guard could be detrimental. Crunch time features primarily isolation play between guards, and especially with Blakes on the other side, it will be difficult for South Carolina to keep pace.  

Homecourt advantage 

South Carolina has not lost at home in 13 games. If you thought that number was impressive, its streak before that was 71 straight wins at home — which was snapped by national champion UConn in 2025. The statistics speak for themselves: South Carolina is one of the best home environments in women’s college basketball. Colonial Life Arena holds 18,000 people, and the fans are almost sure to show up in droves, hoping to lead their team to a second top-five win in as many weeks. 

Records, however, and win streaks are meant to be broken. Vanderbilt can defeat the Gamecocks and walk away with a signature road win added to its resume. If Shea Ralph’s team wants to do that, however, it will have to play its best basketball. The ‘Dores must know that they are walking into a hostile environment and let it fuel them. The Commodores have frequently embraced a “we are here and we are not backing away” mentality this season — highlighted by Blakes after the ‘Dores defeated then-No.5 LSU at home earlier this month. It must keep that message close as it travels to Columbia.  

Vanderbilt will travel to South Carolina for its matchup with the Gamecocks in Columbia, Jan. 25, at 2 p.m. CST.