Hoops: Texas at South Carolina Game Thread

The Texas Longhorns are in Columbia, S.C. today to take on South Carolina. While this game isn't officially labeled as a must-win game due to having four more SEC games remaining after today, it's looked at as a must-win game by those in the program. 

Texas currently sits at 5-8 in SEC play with the number needed to be a lock for the NCAA Tournament (without a play-in game) at eight. A win today over a SEC winless Gamecocks team would provide a little breathing room with contest remaining at Arkansas, Georgia, at Mississippi State and Oklahoma. A loss, and the pressure is truly on having to win three of four, which would include a road win against a quality opponent.

The game ...
Texas (16-10, 5-8) at South Carolina (10-16, 0-12)
Where: Colonial Life Arena (Columbia, S.C.)
When: 7:30 p.m. CST
TV: SEC Network

Texas NCAA Tournament resume ...

NCAA NET: No. 35
Quad 1: 4-8
Quad 2: 3-2
Quad 3: 2-0
Quad 4: 7-0

The game at South Carolina is a Quad 2 contest for the Horns. 

Every game remaining is a Quad 1 or Quad 2. 

ESPN Bracketology February 21 

https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/bracketology/ncaa-bracketology-2025-march-madness-men-field-predictions

Bart Torvik ranking - No. 35

https://barttorvik.com/#

Texas No. 35 in KenPom 

https://kenpom.com/

CMB going to have 25 and 18 against our make shift front line.

If we can slow down Alex English, we have a chance.

Only -3.5

Chendall Weaver - still out

Kaluma - probable

https://www.secsports.com/mbbreports

15 minutes ago, TarrantCoHorn said:

Only -3.5

South Carolina moneyline, gusto. 

2 hours ago, TarrantCoHorn said:

Only -3.5

I'll repeat.

SC's last 5 home games have all been losses, but all have been by four points or less to ranked teams, except a 5 point OT loss to current #21 Mississippi State.

Texas is rested and healthier. No excuses for Texas in this "must win" game but you should not assume it will happen just because SC is 0-13 in the SEC.

South Carolina has lost 13 straight but at home...

#18 Clemson lost by 3 @ South Carolina
SC at home has played ranked SEC teams close...
lost by 3 vs #1 Auby
lost by 1 vs #2 FL
lost by 4 vs #7 Ags
lost by 5 vs #21 MSST
lost by 4 vs #24 Ole Miss

SC is 10-3 out of conference.

 

 

 

4 hours ago, HenryJames said:

If we can slow down Alex English, we have a chance.

Need to make sure BJ McKie doesn't go off.

Kaluma not starting.

I’d love a blowout performance by us like we did against LSU. 

Pryor in before Kaluma. 

6 minutes ago, bierce said:

Kaluma not starting.

It’s a guess, but maybe they are trying to get him another game off. Guess we will see. 

Edited February 23, 20251 yr by Jordan91

What was that shot?

Kaluma in

Kent with his extraordinary ability to not finish in the paint.  Shedrick with his ability to lose the ball in the post.  Larry with his ability to refuse a shot and instead twist for a hopeless one with the clock expiring. 

Offense looking grim.

But we do have a Kaluma sighting.

Pope makes too much money to come off the bench. 
 

 

Only thing this teams seems to be good at is playing sloppy

Getting beat 75-61 would be a perfect nail in this team’s (and RT’s) coffin. 

3 minutes ago, tylerlindsey2111 said:

Pope makes too much money to come off the bench. 
 

 

He can’t get past anybody though. He’s struggled with his shooting too. 

Kaluma keeps driving into trouble and has nowhere to go with the ball. 

I would describe the offense, but I don’t think it’s possible. They had Onyema rolling to the basket, but who knows if he can even catch the pass.