COLUMBIA — South Carolina women’s basketball has a quick turnaround from a road upset to a top-5 matchup.
The No. 2 Gamecocks (19-2, 5-1 SEC) lost 94-82 to No. 16 Oklahoma in Norman on Jan. 22 and now hosts No. 4 Vanderbilt in Colonial Life Arena on Jan. 25 (3 p.m. ET, ESPN).
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South Carolina lost one regular season SEC game last season but previously hadn’t lost one since the 2021-22 season.
The Commodores (20-0, 6-0) are one of two undefeated teams in Division I women’s basketball but the Gamecocks are looking for their second top-5 win this month.
Here’s what to know about Vanderbilt as coach Dawn Staley comes off her first loss to Oklahoma since 2007.
Mikayla Blakes leads DI basketball, Vanderbilt on offense
Mikayla Blakes is one of the most prolific scorers in women’s basketball, averaging 24.8 points per game (No. 2 in the country) to go with 4.5 assists. She is shooting 45.6% from the field and making 2.3 3-pointers per game.
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The 5-foot-8 sophomore has five 30-point games this season. In the two losses to South Carolina last year she scored 19 and 20 points, respectively.
Aaliyah Chavez scored 15 points in overtime to single-handedly win it for Oklahoma which heightens the concern level for Staley’s defense against Blakes.
Blakes attacks the basket with both versatility and discipline and is fast and shifty with the ball. She requires a lot of energy on defense which means South Carolina can’t depend on Raven Johnson on offense as it has been.
If Johnson is locked into Blakes, the Gamecocks offense has to step up outside of their point guard to create flow and momentum without asking Johnson to do everything.
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South Carolina’s guards have tall task with Vanderbilt
It isn’t just Blakes who South Carolina has to stop. Vandy freshman guard Aubrey Galvan is averaging 11.7 points and has scored 35 combined points across the last two games.
She has range from behind the arc and hit 3-of-6 in the win over Michigan to help Vanderbilt when Blakes was in foul trouble.
Vanderbilt deploys a guard heavy offense instead of playing through a center or forward like Oklahoma. Justine Pissott is a guard/forward also averaging 11.7 with 3.17 made 3-pointers per game (second in SEC).
All five Gamecocks have to defend, but this is a huge game for Tessa Johnson. If Raven Johnson has Blakes, Tessa Johnson will have to be on alert that Galvan can launch from deep.
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When Agot Makeer comes in off the bench, her length will be crucial if it’s disruptive like it was against Texas’ Madison Booker.
Vanderbilt leads the SEC with 10.17 made 3-pointers per game, another reason why South Carolina guards have to stay tight to their player.
Why Alicia Tournebize could be key vs Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt’s tallest player is 6-4 forward Aiyana Mitchell. South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards is 6-3 and plays with 6-6 Madina Okot.
Okot had six points and three turnovers in the Oklahoma loss, and the two starters went a combined 6-of-21 from the floor. South Carolina missed 16-of-31 layups.
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Against a team that runs through a guard, the point production has to have a rapid turnaround from the Oklahoma loss. Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph is smart and can make in-game adjustments but the height advantage for South Carolina has to be a reason to dominant inside.
Off the bench, Alicia Tournebize was arguably the best forward for Staley against Oklahoma, scoring nine points in 14 minutes on 4-of-6 shooting, but she’s still adjusting to how fouls are called at the college level. She sat for the fourth quarter and overtime with four.
Though it’s only her fourth game, the 6-7 player doesn’t just bring height but a creativity on offense and a versatile jump shot that could be a difference-maker if Okot and Edwards are struggling in the paint.
South Carolina vs Vanderbilt prediction
South Carolina 81, Vanderbilt 76: Gamecocks win with a quick turnaround and protect home court.
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Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina vs Vanderbilt prediction for Dawn Staley, Mikayla Blakes
