Gamecocks Face Arkansas in Crucial No. 3 Ranking Match Thursday

The South Carolina Gamecocks, currently ranked No. 3 in the nation, are set to face the Arkansas Razorbacks on Thursday, January 8. The match will take place at Bud Walton Arena, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET, and will be available for streaming on SECN+.

Key Performances by the Gamecocks

This season, defense remains a cornerstone of South Carolina’s strategy. They rank fifth nationally in field goal percentage defense at 32.1% and 16th in scoring defense, allowing just 53.9 points per game. Their rebounding capabilities are also impressive, grabbing 43.3% of their missed shots, placing them eighth in the nation.

• Defensive Statistics: 5th in field goal percentage defense, 16th in scoring defense.
• Rebounding: 43.3% offensive rebounds, 40.5% in SEC play.

Madina Okot stands out with an average of 4.2 offensive rebounds per game, ranking 15th in the nation and leading the SEC with 7.0 in conference games. South Carolina leads the nation with a remarkable 52.7% field goal percentage and is particularly effective at both ends of the game.

Leading Scorers

Senior point guard Raven Johnson has been exceptional, averaging 17.0 points per game in SEC play and shooting 52.4% overall. She is equally adept at playmaking, tying for the team lead with 3.5 assists per game in league competition.

• Raven Johnson: 17.0 points, 52.4% shooting in SEC play.
• Field Goal Percentages: Team-wide 52.7%, 55.9% in the first quarter.

Other key contributors include Tessa Johnson, who has reached career highs with 13.4 points per game and 2.9 assists. Additionally, Madina Okot and Joyce Edwards have both ranked highly in field goal percentage within the SEC.

Statistical Highlights

• Double-Doubles: Five games have seen two Gamecocks achieve double-doubles, with Okot featured in each.
• Blocks: South Carolina averages 6.6 blocks per game, ranking fifth nationally.

History Against Arkansas

The Gamecocks lead the overall series against Arkansas 28-18, boasting a 21-4 record during Coach Dawn Staley’s tenure. They have secured victories in their last ten encounters, sweeping the previous season’s meetings, including a decisive 95-55 win on February 20, 2025, at home.

South Carolina’s last visit to Fayetteville was on February 29, 2024, where they claimed a convincing 98-61 victory, highlighted by Tessa Johnson’s key contributions.

Fast Break Dominance

This season, the Gamecocks have excelled in fast-break situations, ranking second nationally with an average of 25.2 fast break points per game. This performance surpasses last year’s average of 17.1 and establishes a new program record. Against Queens, they achieved a remarkable 56 fast break points.

With a strong performance expected against the Razorbacks, fans are eager to see if the Gamecocks will continue their impressive winning streak.