- Matchup: Vanderbilt Commodores vs South Carolina Gamecocks
- Event Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026
- Venue: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC
- Broadcast: ESPNU
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The South Carolina Gamecocks (9-4) host the undefeated Vanderbilt Commodores (13-0) this Saturday at the Colonial Life Arena.
The Vanderbilt Commodores recently faced New Haven, securing a decisive victory with a score of 96-53. In this match, Vanderbilt achieved a shooting percentage of 57.8%, hitting 37 out of 64 field goal attempts, including 11 of 24 from beyond the arc. They also excelled at the free-throw line, converting 11 of 12 attempts for an impressive 91.7% success rate. The Commodores dominated the boards with a total of 38 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards. They accumulated 24 assists and forced their opponents into 12 turnovers, resulting in 10 steals. Defensively, Vanderbilt limited New Haven to a 39.7% shooting rate, enabling them to hit 23 of 58 attempts. New Haven recorded 10 assists and 4 steals but struggled with rebounds, collecting only 20 (4 offensive and 16 defensive). The team managed a free throw success rate of 71.4% from 5 of 7 attempts and struggled from long range, making just 2 of 15 three-point attempts. On the fouls front, the Commodores were assessed 7 while New Haven had 9.
Tyler Tanner was a standout performer in this game, scoring 23 points on 9 of 16 shooting. He played for 27 minutes, collected 5 rebounds, and contributed 7 assists, finishing with a shooting accuracy of 56.3%.
The Commodores enter this game boasting an unblemished 13-0 record for the season. They average 10.6 turnovers per game and commit approximately 19.8 fouls per contest. As a team, Vanderbilt is averaging 39.3 rebounds per game, with 259 assists throughout the season, placing them 18th in Division 1 for passing effectiveness. Vanderbilt’s three-point shooting stands at 37.6% (144 out of 383) and they convert 76.6% of free throws. On average, the Commodores score 94.2 points per game, ranking 10th nationally while shooting 51.2% overall from the field.
On the defensive side, Vanderbilt forces an average of 14.8 turnovers per game while committing about 18.9 personal fouls. The Commodores allow a mere 28.2% shooting from three-point range and currently rank 120th in points per game allowed (70.7). Their field goal percentage allowed sits at 39.0% (293 of 751), and they concede an average of 32.2 rebounds per game. Vanderbilt ranks 20th in college for assists allowed, giving up 132 this season.
In their last outing, the South Carolina Gamecocks triumphed over Albany, finishing with a score of 96-67. South Carolina secured 18 defensive and 8 offensive rebounds, totalling 26 for the game. They committed 9 turnovers while earning 8 steals. Albany’s 13 personal fouls led South Carolina to the free throw line 17 times, succeeding on 16 attempts for a 94.1% rate. From beyond the arc, the Gamecocks converted 14 of their 30 attempts (46.7%). Overall, South Carolina shot 33 of 55 from the field for a remarkable 60.0%. Albany managed to hit 27 of 62 attempts, achieving a 43.5% shooting rate against the Gamecocks. The Gamecocks also limited Albany to 35.3% from three, rattling in 6 of 17 attempts, and shot a sterling 7 of 8 from the free throw line (87.5%). On the boards, South Carolina allowed Albany to grab 25 rebounds, including 13 offensive boards.
Meechie Johnson Jr. played a vital role for South Carolina during this game, hitting 5 out of 8 attempts for a 62.5% shooting rate, registering 3 rebounds, and scoring 15 points in 26 minutes of play while dishing out 4 assists.
For the season, the Gamecocks stand at 9-4. They average 17.4 personal fouls per game while shooting 79.5% from the free throw line. South Carolina averages 15.3 assists per game (ranking 138th in college) and has a turnover rate of 10.3 per game. The Gamecocks have scored a total of 1,053 points this season, averaging 81.0 points per game, and securing 35.2 rebounds each outing. On offense, they are hitting 47.0% of their field goal attempts, ranking them 115th in college basketball.
On the defensive front, South Carolina ranks 72nd in Division 1 for points allowed per game with an average of 68.2. They force 10.3 turnovers each game and allow an opponent field goal percentage of 42.3% (126th in college). The Gamecocks permit 28.9% shooting from three-point range (67 of 232), while opponents convert 65.1% of their free throws. They concede an average of 12.8 assists and 32.6 rebounds per game, ranking them 143rd and 86th in those respective categories.
Which team will emerge victorious and cover the spread tonight?
Prediction: Pick Vanderbilt
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