No. 2 Auburn Faces South Carolina in SEC Showdown

COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 2 Auburn (14-1, 2-0 SEC) will face South Carolina (10-5, 0-2 SEC) in a highly anticipated SEC matchup at Colonial Life Arena on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. ET, with doors opening at noon. The game will be broadcast live on the SEC Network, with Kevin Fitzgerald and Pat Bradley providing commentary.

The Tigers, riding a seven-game winning streak, are looking to extend their dominance over the Gamecocks, having won the last seven meetings dating back to January 2020. Auburn’s last victory over South Carolina was a decisive 86-55 win in the SEC Quarterfinals on March 15, 2024.

South Carolina, meanwhile, is seeking its first SEC win of the season. The Gamecocks have faced a challenging schedule, including a 91-88 overtime victory over No. 25 Clemson on Dec. 17. However, they have struggled in conference play, losing their first two games by significant margins.

Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl emphasized the unpredictability of college basketball, referencing his ‘slippery rock theory’ to illustrate how any team can win on any given day. ‘South Carolina beat Clemson. Clemson beat Kentucky. Kentucky beat Duke. Duke beat Auburn,’ Pearl said. ‘That’s why you can’t take any game for granted.’

The Tigers’ backcourt will be a key factor in this matchup. South Carolina has struggled defensively against guards, with Mississippi State‘s Josh Hubbard and Alabama‘s Mark Sears each scoring 22 points in recent games. Auburn’s guards will look to capitalize on this weakness.

Fans attending the game will receive rally towels, and the first 1,000 students will get free t-shirts. A halftime baby race and a special promo for first responders offering discounted tickets are also part of the event.

After Saturday’s game, South Carolina will hit the road for matchups against Vanderbilt and No. 17 Oklahoma, while Auburn continues its quest for another strong SEC season.