South-Carolina
Texas travels to face South Carolina for another must-win game
After playing 13 games in 42 days to start SEC play, the Texas Longhorns received some respite from the conference’s brutal physicality with no midweek game prior to Saturday’s contest against the South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia.
Not only did the break come after an important home victory over then-No. 15 Kentucky, 82-78, the chance for players to heal banged-up bodies sets Texas up for a more healthy finish to the final five SEC games prior to the conference tournament.
To that end, the Longhorns received two full days off after beating the Wildcats before participating in a short practice on Tuesday.
“For us, this bye week couldn’t come at a better time for us — we’re still in the process of mending,” Texas head coach Rodney Terry said on Tuesday.
Senior forward Arthur Kaluma only played 11 minutes in the blowout loss to Alabama on Feb. 11, then missed the win over Kentucky with a knee injury.
Sophomore wing Devon Pryor didn’t play against the Crimson Tide due to a calf strain sustained against the Razorbacks before returning last weekend.
And junior guard Chendall Weaver still hasn’t played since Jan. 7 due to his hip injury and still hasn’t gone through a full practice, instead doing individual work on the side, but is nearing a return, the Texas medical staff believes.
“We’re hoping we’re getting close to having him back on the floor,” Terry said.
Senior wing Tramon Mark also missed the Vanderbilt game with a shoulder injury.
In the initial injury report released on Friday, Weaver remains out with Kaluma and Pryor listed as probable.
A rolling series of injuries that began during preseason practice have impacted how the Horns prepare for games and impacted performances in those games in positive or negative ways depending on the team’s health.
“I think you play your best basketball when you have everybody every day in practice and you even have competitive practices that simulate game situations. We’ve had a few opportunities this year we’ve had very competitive practices and I thought they carried over into our games,” Terry said.
Last year, Texas played its best basketball when it got healthier and positive practice habits produced better results on the court.
“I think this team here over the next couple of weeks is going to get a chance to have competitive practices as we continue to get bodies back into practices, so that way we’ll be able to really stimulate the way we have to play in games with a lot of our main guys going against the main guys. So I think that always helps to raise the level of play this time of year, when you’re able to do that, not for a long period of time, but for an hour at a time, we should be able to get in and have really good execution,” Terry said.
The hope is that the practice time can help the Horns play together better as a team, not only in regards to ball and player movement, but also the team’s overall execution level offensively — over the last 10 games, Texas has the No. 45 offense in adjusted efficiency, but frequent and extended scoring droughts have been a problem.
In fact, of the top 50 teams in the country in the EvanMiya.com rankings, only two teams have suffered more scoring droughts of four minutes or longer than the Horns.
“When guys get into the mindset where you’re reading and reacting and you’re just flowing with one another, everything falls into place,” Texas senior forward Jayson Kent said on Tuesday.
But with a season assist rate that ranks No. 255 nationally, the Longhorns are in the 29th percentile in the country. The trend line isn’t necessarily positive, either — of the last five games, the only one with an assist rate higher than the season average was the blowout win over LSU in Baton Rouge.
Playing isolation-heavy basketball that relies on mid-range jump shots thanks to a three-point rate even lower in the rankings than the team’s assist rate means that Texas has a reduced margin for error compounded by inconsistent effort.
“Just playing the whole 40 minutes, competing at a high level,” Kent said of where the Horns have to improve. “We are a very competitive team. We are a hungry team and we just want to win at the end of the day, so just maintaining that focus, that concentration on those little details we need to get over the hump, because we’re right there. It’s just those little details to get over the hump that we need.”
Five of the eight conference losses by Texas have come by eight points or less, including three at home.
It’s the difference between playing 32 or 36 minutes of good basketball and playing a complete game that avoids those scoring droughts or critical missed shots in crunch time or lapses in defensive intensity that allow easy baskets or cheap trips to the foul line.
It’s the vast difference between teetering on the bubble and playing well enough to land a No. 6 seed to avoid a second-round matchup with a No. 1 or No. 2 seed.
As it is, the No. 10 seed that Bracket Matrix projects based on the Horns appearing in 107 of the 108 brackets the site tracks is a reflection of what Texas is as a team — worth of appearing in the NCAA Tournament, but needing to beat a closely-matched team to have a chance at the type of upset Terry’s team hasn’t been able to pull off.
As it is, wins over projected No. 2 seed Texas A&M, No. 3 seed Kentucky, and No. 5 seed Missouri, all coming at the Moody Center, are merely worth avoiding a play-in game.
Compared to how the SEC schedule set up for the Longhorns early, the closing stretch of five games represents some opportunities to pick up important wins — a road game at Mississippi State marks the only ranked opponent for Texas. And although the Longhorns aren’t favored against the Razorbacks in Fayetteville, that’s a potentially winnable game.
The immediate challenge is to avoid becoming the first SEC team to lose to South Carolina with the Gamecocks off to an 0-13 start in conference play this season. Six of those defeats have been by five points or less, and with the exception of a three-point loss to Vanderbilt in Nashville, five of those losses have been at home, including a three-point defeat by Auburn.
The Gamecocks are a poor offensive team that turns the ball over frequently, but does get to the free-throw line frequently. While the defense is better, in the 82nd percentile in adjusted efficiency, South Carolina doesn’t force turnovers, either, and struggles to defend the three-point line.
The leading scorer is Collin Murray-Boyles, a forward who can pass and handle the ball who scores 15.5 points per game, but isn’t a good shooter and has a turnover rate almost as high as his assist rate. Guard Jamarii Thomas has a similar usage rate and averages 13.3 points per game with a 3.2-to-2.3 assist-to-turnover rate. Thomas and guard Morris Ugusuk are the team’s primary three-point shooters, both hitting at a high rate.
Texas has a 63-percent win probability, according to BartTorvik.com, and favored by 2.5 points on FanDuel with tip set for 7:30 p.m. Central on SEC Network.
South-Carolina
South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Dec. 15, 2025
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. 15, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 15 drawing
23-35-59-63-68, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 15 drawing
Midday: 5-9-2, FB: 6
Evening: 1-3-7, FB: 2
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 15 drawing
Midday: 0-2-2-8, FB: 6
Evening: 7-5-9-6, FB: 2
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 15 drawing
Midday: 10
Evening: 15
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 15 drawing
04-07-16-25-35
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.
South-Carolina
South Carolina Football: Gamecocks Tight End Plans to Return for Sixth Season
After losing one tight end to the transfer portal and another from eligibility requirements South Carolina was thin coming into the 2026 offseason in that room. Now it appears they will at least get a veteran back as Brady Hunt plans to return to the Gamecocks for his sixth season of college football.
An ankle injury that required Hunt to miss all of 2023, has given him new life in 2026 as he will play his final season with the Garnet and Black next fall. The 6-foot-5 and 248 pound tight end from Muncie, Indiana, transferred to South Carolina in 2024 for his redshirt junior season. Hunt caught 23 passes for 190 yards while adding two rushing touchdowns in 22 games for the Gamecocks in his two seasons.
Over the weekend, Hunt took to Instagram to announce his decision. He posted a photo of himself before a game with the caption “One more go around.” On3 Sports’ first reported the news after getting confirmation that he will get his an extra season of eligibility.
Tight End Depth
With Hunt’s return to the Gamecocks, he is the leader in the room that is now without Michael Smith (transfer) and Jordan Dingle (eligibility). Mike Tyler, Maurice Brown II, Lukas Vozeh, and Reno Roehm make up the rest of the tight end room behind Hunt so far for next season. Hunt is the only one in the group that has seen significant snaps in a Gamecocks uniform.
This is one area the Gamecocks’ coaching staff will have to hit hard in the transfer portal once it opens on Jan. 2. The tight end spot has been a nice safety valve for quarterback LaNorris Sellers in his time as a starter, so getting a proven veteran to join the team will be near the top of the list during this transfer cycle.
Outside of tight end, Shane Beamer and company will look to fill holes at the wide receiver, running back, offensive line, defensive line, and secondary spots this offseason.
Join the community:
- Follow Alex Joyce on Twitter: @AlexJoyceSI
- Follow Joey Walraven on Twitter: @thejoeywalraven
You can follow us for future coverage by clicking “Follow” on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to follow us on X at @GamecocksDigest and on Facebook!
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South-Carolina
Everything Dawn Staley said after South Carolina’s win over Penn State
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley spoke to local media following a 95-55 victory over Penn State.
Here is everything she said.
NEW! Message board for South Carolina Women’s Basketball! 🏀
Dawn, you knew Madina Okot was gonna be out. What was the plan to try to limit Gracie Merkle in the paint?
“I mean, we wanted to just make sure that she didn’t get any direct passes in her direction. And in order for you to do that, you always have to have your feet higher than hers, you always have to be in front when you are one pass away. Feet above, two passes away. And then when the ball goes in the air, we don’t just go for the ball, we actually just maintain contact with her and crowding her space. So I think Maryam [Dauda] and Ahdel [Tac] didn’t perfect that until today.”
Joyce Edwards had three different career highs today. I know you expect this kind of play from her, but just how crucial was it to play the way she did without Madina?
“You know, Joyce is gonna play that way with Madina, without Madina, with anybody. If it’s a game with a ball that’s being played, she’s gonna play to the best of her ability. I mean, she’s just playing really loose and just finding a way to impact the game through an entire stat line. Do we want the rebounding to be a little bit better? Yes, we do. But the other stuff, the five assists and no turnovers, you know, the six steals, four blocks, like, you know, that is who she is. And I do think we are working with her to just kind of be more than a scorer, because she is one thing that can pretty much fill a stat sheet. It wasn’t at times where she did that. Now she’s aware of it now. And she’s executed.”
Obviously, you don’t want to force any offense from anyone, but just your overall thoughts on the offensive bench production so far, nearing SEC play?
“Just improving. We want to just improve. What that looks like for us is taking good shots, okay? I mean, and that’s basically it. It’s not, you know, if we’re gonna get comfortable, I don’t think all of them are comfortable, and that’s okay to me. They don’t have to be comfortable. When you’re comfortable, you probably lend yourself to doing stuff that you’re not supposed to do. So there’s a little bit of fear of not doing the right thing, which keeps us a little more disciplined. But, you know, I like what we’re bringing to the table. I don’t think, you know, I think Maddy [McDaniel is] starting to get back into the swing of things. Ayla [McDowell] is holding her. I think we can get a little bit more out of Ahdel and Maryam, so we just continue to work with that. And I think it’s good that Madina didn’t play, you know, and they can build some confidence. Definitely defensively, offensively will get the go a little bit.”
Coach, huge discrepancy in the turnover margin, 26 to 5. What did you see and what did you like from your team in terms of taking care of the ball?
“I like the fact that we took care of the ball and we had great ball movement at times, like really good ball movement. We thought they were going to press us a little bit more, and they didn’t. So we just executed. We moved the ball; we had 20 assists on 37 field goals. I mean, we’re moving in the right direction. So I like the fact that we have single-digit turnovers.”
I know it’s been a tough season just with injuries and illnesses and things, but what are the positives for the healthy players, having to adjust, you know, maybe being a bit uncomfortable? What are the positives for them in those situations?
I mean, I think the positive is mentally they’re going to the games, that they’re gonna play a whole lot of minutes, and they haven’t conserved. Like, they haven’t conserved defensively. They surely aren’t going to conserve offensively. But I just like their mentality, which is the next woman of, like, whether we have eight to practice with, we’re just going to keep moving forward. If we can add another player to the mix in a day or two, the next game, be great. But I want us to always feel like we got a chance, we got enough in the room to win, no matter what the stakes are.”
What’s the prognosis for Madina and Agot [Makeer] to make the Florida trip?
“I mean this day to day. I mean, we’re not going to force them to make things worse. I think we’re very conscious. I think we’re super conservative. And I don’t have a say in it. I get a report every day, and the report is that we’re going to continue, but they’re not there yet. They do some things in practice, and they’re not there yet. So we’ll just, you know, adhere to what they’re telling us, and if we get them back, it’s going to help us. If we don’t, we just got to keep moving forward.”
The first nine points of the third quarter were all fast-break points. Was that a focus going into the second half to get out and transition before they could set their zone?
“Well, I would say it was probably a product of our defense and rebounding, like, I mean, we didn’t. We gave up 22 offensive rebounds. So, you know, a lot of times they were just getting their own rebound and making us playable a little bit longer. So I think we’ve got rebounds and we pushed, and we saw people up the floor.”
I guess it was the second game, Ta’Niya Latson got herself going in the second half. How do you kind of channel that to get it throughout the game?
“I don’t know, I mean, she’s getting looks. So, I mean, it is, you know, I think Ta’Niya does best when she gets off to a good start. I thought she got off to a good start because she got a lot of assists as well. Like, and you know, when I look at the stat sheet, and she’s got four assists, no field goals of like. You know, got to give her some touches. So we may try to manufacture some touches to where she’s in a comfort zone. Sometimes she makes it, sometimes she does it, but I don’t want her to get rattled because for someone that can score a lot of points in bunches, you know, as long as a lot of time is left in the game, there’s a lot of opportunity for her to just, you know, create some opportunities for the sport.”
When you got back from Vegas, you mentioned that free throws were kind of a takeaway that you had. I’m just curious, like, is that as simple as practice and kind of routine? What do you see there?
“I will say we practice every day. Every single day, there is not a day that goes by. It’s becoming a little mental now and we can’t just say, ‘Oh, it’s going to fix this stuff. We got to still do something. You can practice a little bit more over here to help us in this gym. But probably a little mental. I hope it turns to where it’s not even, it’s just routine at this point.”
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