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
South-Carolina
Dozens of rescuers search for a grandmother and 3 grandchildren missing on a hike in South Carolina
CLEVELAND, S.C. (AP) — Dozens of rescuers scoured rugged terrain on Tuesday using drones, helicopters, offroad vehicles and dogs to search for a grandmother and three grandchildren who authorities believe got lost while hiking in a South Carolina state park.
The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said a boy called 911 on Monday evening saying he and three family members had been lost for about three hours in the area of Caesars Head State Park near Cleveland, South Carolina. A vehicle matching one described by the boy was found at the Raven Cliff Falls trailhead, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
The sheriff’s office identified the missing hikers as Tonda Michelin, 53; Melody Bangs, 14; Michael Lawton, 11; and Dale Moser, 9. Authorities have not said whether they live locally, or why the grandmother did not place the call.
During the 911 call, the child said his phone battery had almost run out, Lt. Ryan Flood of the sheriff’s office told WHNS-TV.
The search began Monday and at least 50 people from half a dozen agencies including the National Guard are involved in the search.
Caesars Head State Park is about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northwest of Greenville, South Carolina, and is a protected environment for rare animals and plants. The Ravens Cliff Falls trail is a 4-mile (5.6-kilometer) round trip, leading to Caesars Head, a dramatic granite overlook atop the Blue Ridge Escarpment that provides views of many waterfalls.
Another popular trail — a 6.6-mile (10.6-kilometer) round trip — leads to a suspension bridge that crosses the creek above the 420-foot (130-meter) tall Raven Cliff Falls, according to the state park’s website. All the Caesars Head trails are rated as advanced and are in a wilderness setting, according to the website.
Caesars Head connects to Jones Gap State Park in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, which includes 17,000 acres (7,000 hectares) of mountainous forest, the website says.
South-Carolina
South Carolina gas prices stable at $2.71, offering relief before Thanksgiving travel
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Gas prices in South Carolina held steady over the past week, averaging $2.71 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s latest survey of more than 3,000 stations statewide.
The average is down nearly a penny from a month ago and sits 3 cents lower than at this time last year. Diesel prices nationwide rose slightly, up 0.8 cents to $3.78 per gallon.
GasBuddy reported that the lowest price in the state Sunday was $2.36 per gallon, while the most expensive reached $3.49: a spread of $1.13.
Nationally, the average price of gasoline was unchanged from last week at $3.03 per gallon. The national average is 2 cents lower than a month ago but 2.5 cents higher than a year earlier.
READ MORE | “South Carolina gas prices rise 3.1 cents, but experts predict holiday stability.”
In neighboring cities, prices varied: Spartanburg rose to $2.73 per gallon, up 2.3 cents; Augusta climbed to $2.77, up more than 9 cents; and Columbia held steady at $2.71.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said prices have stabilized heading into Thanksgiving travel but could fall further as refinery maintenance winds down.
“With refinery maintenance wrapping up, we’re likely to see more relief soon, particularly in the Great Lakes and West Coast regions,” De Haan said in a statement. He noted that while some Northwestern states may still be affected by a pipeline shutdown, lower oil prices could bring broader declines heading into the holidays.
Historical data show South Carolina drivers are paying far less than they did in 2022, when the average on Nov. 24 was $3.11 per gallon. The cheapest level recorded in the past decade for that date was $1.83 in 2015.
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 Nov. 23, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Nov. 23 drawing
Evening: 1-0-2, FB: 9
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Nov. 23 drawing
Evening: 5-9-8-7, FB: 9
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Nov. 23 drawing
Evening: 14
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Nov. 23 drawing
12-15-25-36-37
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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