South-Carolina
South Carolina basketball score prediction, scouting report vs. Florida in Top 25 SEC game
Last season, the late-January matchup between South Carolina and Florida didn’t exactly draw the interest of many SEC basketball fans as both were bound for losing seasons.
What a difference a year makes.
The Gamecocks will host the Gators on Saturday (noon, ESPN) at Colonial Life Arena with plenty at stake.
South Carolina (23-5, 10-4 SEC) and Florida (20-8, 10-5) remain in contention not only for double byes in the SEC Tournament but for the regular-season crown as well after being tabbed for 14th- and eighth-place finishes, respectively, in the league’s preseason poll.
Instead Saturday’s game will be a Top 25 matchup what with South Carolina ranked No. 18 in the latest USA TODAY Coaches Poll and Florida No. 24.
The Gamecocks are alone in third place in the SEC standings, one game behind Alabama and Tennessee, while the Gators are tied for fourth with Auburn and Kentucky.
Here are three storylines to follow on Saturday as well as a score prediction:
The ‘return’ of South Carolina’s Meechie Johnson looms large
The Gamecocks need Meechie Johnson to be his old self to fully realize their potential down the season’s home stretch. Johnson scored just five points and made only 1-of-15 shots against LSU and Ole Miss, but snapped back Wednesday night at Texas A&M, pacing the Gamecocks with 22 points on a 7-of-14 touch.
“He made some big plays,” South Carolina coach Lamont Paris said. “Meechie did some incredible stuff, made some incredible plays, made some incredible passes. He attacked the rim like he was shot out of a cannon on one (play), and I thought that was important.”
Johnson has scored 20 or more points in eight games and finished in double figures in 18 of the team’s 28 games.
South Carolina, Florida have distinctly contrasting styles
Florida likes to play an up-tempo style, as evidenced by an average of 84.7 points per game.
South Carolina prefers to play at a considerably more measured, deliberate pace, as evidenced by its 71.8 scoring average and the Gamecocks lead the SEC in scoring defense at 65.1.
“They have an identity – they come out, they’re physical, they guard you, they make you earn everything offensively,” Florida coach Todd Golden said. “If we can do a good job of pushing tempo and keeping pace up, that would benefit us. If we get stuck in a halfcourt, grind-it-out game, that’s going to benefit them.”
Zach Davis epitomizes Gamecocks’ team concept
Davis is a prime example of Paris’ team-first philosophy.
The sophomore guard from Orangeburg has emerged as a late-season gem for the Gamecocks. After scoring in double figures in only two games in his first 25 games, Davis has been a major contributor the past two games. He scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a win at Ole Miss, then established in a new career high with 16 points Wednesday night at Texas A&M.
South Carolina score prediction vs Florida
South Carolina 73, Florida 70: The Gamecocks are 13-2 at Colonial Life Arena while the Gators are 3-4 at SEC road venues. That calculates to a victory that will keep South Carolina in the hunt for the top spot in the league.
ON THE ROAD: South Carolina basketball holds off Texas A&M for seventh SEC road victory of the season
Scott Keepfer covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at skeepfer@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ScottKeepfer
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. 3, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
18-21-40-53-60, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
Midday: 1-8-9, FB: 9
Evening: 0-5-1, FB: 0
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
Midday: 2-5-1-7, FB: 9
Evening: 3-9-5-0, FB: 0
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
Midday: 12
Evening: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
02-06-23-25-33
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
28-40-52-53-54, Powerball: 12
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.
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 Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
Evening: 8-4-9, FB: 2
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
Evening: 5-6-2-0, FB: 2
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
Evening: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
03-10-14-21-34
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.
EDGEFIELD COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) officer was involved in a shooting early Sunday morning in Edgefield County.
SCDNR said their officer was shot at repeatedly but sustained no injuries.
Preliminary reports indicate a possible silver or light blue four-door sedan was the subject vehicle involved in the shooting, according to SCDNR.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating.
Anyone with information in this incident is asked to call (866)472-8477.
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