South-Carolina
Arkansas basketball vs. South Carolina: Scouting report, prediction for SEC matchup
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas basketball returns to Bud Walton Arena this weekend seeking an SEC winning streak that could kickstart a late-season turnaround.
The Razorbacks (10-7, 1-3 SEC) will host South Carolina (14-3, 2-2) Saturday at noon. Arkansas is coming off a dramatic win Tuesday night over Texas A&M, with Tramon Mark’s game-winner giving the Hogs their first league victory of the season.
Before that win over the Aggies, Arkansas had lost its first three SEC games by an average margin of 21.3 points. However, Musselman reverted to an early-season starting lineup and shrunk his rotation to provide a spark and knock off Texas A&M.
South Carolina is coming off a home loss to Georgia in its most recent game. The Gamecocks’ other SEC loss came at the hands of Alabama, but they do have wins over Missouri and Mississippi State. Lamont Paris’ squad went 12-1 in non-conference play.
Here is a look at three things to watch and a score prediction for the Hogs’ fifth game of the SEC season.
Can Arkansas basketball slow down Meechie Johnson?
The primary target for Eric Musselman’s defense will be the opposing team’s point guard for a second straight game.
Texas A&M’s Wade Taylor IV dropped 41 points on the Hogs Tuesday night, but he did so on 13-for-32 shooting. Musselman was overall pleased with his team’s defensive effort.
More: El Ellis’ revival shows high ceiling and frustrations of Arkansas basketball season
More: Tramon Mark saves Arkansas basketball with game-winner against Texas A&M
Saturday’s challenge will be Johnson, who ranks seventh in the SEC averaging 17.3 points per game. He shoots 36.1% from three and has scored at least 20 points in six games this season.
Outside of a loss to Georgia, Arkansas has fared well this season when it has thwarted the opposing team’s best player throughout 40 minutes. Stopping Johnson will be the focal point.
Which Hogs’ offense shows up?
Arkansas shot 53.8% overall and 50% from three in the first half of its win over Texas A&M Tuesday. Those numbers tumbled down to 24% and 22% in the second half, with the Hogs scoring 14 more points across the opening 20 minutes.
The second-half struggles were a combination of simply missing shots and poor offense, especially over the final five minutes of action. The Razorbacks got away from their high pick-and-roll attack and missed plenty of open threes.
The Jekyll and Hyde nature of Arkansas’ offense has been prevalent throughout the season. The offense must be at its best against South Carolina, who ranks 21st in the country allowing just 64.6 points per game.
Watch the turnovers
Neither team forces many turnovers. The Arkansas defense ranks 301st in the country (10.6), while South Carolina is 279th (10.9).
However, the Razorbacks have been prone to sloppy play all season, and the Gamecocks have done a terrific job taking care of the basketball. South Carolina commits nearly two fewer turnovers per game than Arkansas.
The Hogs will need to take care of the basketball and find some way to speed up the Gamecocks when they’re in possession. Extra shots on goal could be a deciding factor for two teams that have gone through offensive lulls at times this season.
Prediction: Arkansas 73, South Carolina 65
The win over Texas A&M was massive for Arkansas. It showed Coach Musselman who he can trust and gave the team some added life with the season hanging in the balance. Tramon Mark has ascended as the unquestionable best player and a pecking order is now set for the Hogs. Nothing will be easy in the SEC this season, but Arkansas will protect Bud Walton Arena and create some momentum heading into a tricky road game at No. 22 Ole Miss.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 10 drawing
05-19-21-28-64, Powerball: 14, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 10 drawing
Midday: 3-5-2, FB: 0
Evening: 8-2-9, FB: 7
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 10 drawing
Midday: 6-2-7-3, FB: 0
Evening: 9-6-9-4, FB: 7
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 10 drawing
Midday: 05
Evening: 13
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 10 drawing
02-04-31-38-40
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 10 drawing
10-19-39-47-67, Powerball: 18
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Nearly three years after disgraced lawyer Alex Murdaugh was convicted of slaughtering his wife and son, he is keeping his head down and nose clean while his lawyers craft an appeal.
The imprisoned scion of a South Carolina legal dynasty is working a prison job, staying largely out of trouble, and pressing forward with his case, according to a report.
Murdaugh, 57, is serving two life sentences without parole for the June 2021 killings of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.
He is also serving concurrent 40-year federal and 27-year state sentences for financial crimes.
South Carolina Department of Corrections records show Murdaugh has worked as a wardkeeper’s assistant since August 2023.
A wardkeeper’s assistant is responsible for day-to-day operations at a prison, such as helping manage the housing unit where inmates live.
That same month, he was disciplined for feeding information to a documentary crew and barred from phone use and canteen purchases for 30 days, according to his inmate record. He has remained infraction-free since.
His attorney, Dick Harpootlian, said Murdaugh spends much of his time focused on his appeal.
“You can talk to him, unlike normal clients who have no concept of the appellate process or how all this works,” Harpootlian told the Daily Mail. “He is interested because he is a lawyer, so we talk about where we’re at and what we think the grave issues are with the case and what our weaknesses are.”
Harpootlian said they speak weekly and described his client as being in good spirits.
“I think Alex understands he did a bad thing in stealing all that money,” Harpootlian said. “He is adamant he didn’t kill Paul and Maggie. He always has been … and when we get a fair trial, I think the jury will determine he didn’t do it.”
Murdaugh is hopeful about a new trial, his attorney said, but cautioned the inmate is “not confident of anything.”
Behind the scenes, the family dynamic appears far more strained.
Murdaugh’s surviving son, Buster, and daughter-in-law, Brooklynn, have stayed away, a source told the outlet.
The insider said Buster carries “a lot of anger about the loss of his mom and brother” and avoids discussing the case.
“Whether or not Alex killed them, he definitely did enough to tarnish Buster’s name forever, and he’s angry about that,” the source said.
Murdaugh’s appeal heads back to court Feb. 11, when his legal team and the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office will argue before the state Supreme Court in Columbia.
The appeal centers largely on allegations that former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill tampered with the jury during Murdaugh’s murder trial.
Hill pleaded guilty in December to obstruction of justice, perjury, and two counts of misconduct in office after admitting she showed sealed crime scene photos to a reporter and lied about it.
She also admitted to promoting her book about the trial through her public office.
Hill was sentenced to probation. Prosecutors said they found insufficient evidence to prove jury tampering.
Attorneys for Murdaugh argue that Hill’s conduct tainted the trial and jurors should not have heard extensive testimony about his financial crimes.
“By the time the jury heard two-and-a-half weeks of testimony about him stealing $12 million from invalids and orphans, he was so vilified it didn’t matter what [Murdaugh] said on the stand,” Harpootlian said.
Prosecutors maintain the verdict was sound.
Former South Carolina Supreme Court Justice Jean Toal previously ruled Hill’s conduct did not affect the outcome.
Harpootlian said he still believes two shooters carried out the killings.
“There is strategic evidence to indicate that’s correct,” he said. “Two different guns shooting two different people … The forensics supports two people [committing the crime].”
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 9, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Jan. 9 drawing
12-30-36-42-47, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 9 drawing
Midday: 0-6-7, FB: 8
Evening: 2-9-5, FB: 0
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 9 drawing
Midday: 6-2-1-1, FB: 8
Evening: 7-6-1-0, FB: 0
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 9 drawing
Midday: 02
Evening: 12
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 9 drawing
04-11-26-33-37
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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