South-Carolina
Vanderbilt basketball vs. South Carolina: Score prediction, scouting report in SEC game
South Carolina has been where Vanderbilt basketball is.
Just a year ago, the Gamecocks (20-3, 8-2 SEC) were outside the top 200 in KenPom, had losses to George Washington and East Carolina and won just 11 total games.
A year later, South Carolina is likely to make the NCAA Tournament.
Entering the matchup between the two at Colonial Life Arena on Saturday (12 p.m. CT, SEC Network), the Gamecocks are projected a No. 5 seed in Joe Lunardi’s latest bracketology. It’s the kind of leap that many hoped for from Vanderbilt after just missing out on the tournament a season ago. Instead, the Commodores (6-16, 1-8) have fallen into the conference basement.
Here’s what to know about the matchup:
Most improved team
South Carolina is the SEC’s most improved team, going from KenPom No. 221 a year ago to No. 45 entering this matchup. The Gamecocks are a success story of a quick turnaround in coach Lamont Paris’ second season.
Of South Carolina’s five most common starters, three were transfers brought in this offseason and one is a freshman. Only Meechie Johnson, who transferred from Ohio State in 2022, is a returning starter.
Johnson leads the team in scoring, followed by Wofford transfer BJ Mack (who scored 19 against Vanderbilt last season) and Minnesota transfer Ta’Lon Cooper.
Reunited with Myles Stute
One of the transfers the Gamecocks added in the offseason was Myles Stute from the Commodores. Stute left the team before the NIT a year ago and Jerry Stackhouse stated that one reason for the departure was that Stute wanted a different role on the team and to play more on the perimeter.
At South Carolina, Stute has averaged 9.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game and is shooting 40% from three. However, he has recently dealt with a shoulder injury that cost him three games and has kept him out of the starting lineup since returning. Just how much that injury affects Stute remains to be seen.
Can Evan Taylor continue his hot streak?
Evan Taylor started out the season ice cold from three, struggling in his transition from Lehigh to Vanderbilt. But he’s come on as of late, scoring in the double digits in three of his past five games. Against Kentucky, he led the team with 20 points and five 3-pointers.
This performance came despite Taylor playing through a sprained ACL, an injury he suffered against Missouri. Termed a “game time decision” for the Kentucky game, Taylor suited up with a brace on his knee and played 21 minutes.
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Score prediction
South Carolina 68, Vanderbilt 59: The Gamecocks generally play grind-it-out, low-scoring games, and Vanderbilt lacks enough firepower to win that type of game.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on Twitter @aria_gerson.
South-Carolina
SC invests nearly $1M into Darlington pump station upgrade
DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — The City of Darlington received a $957,000 grant from the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) to upgrade the Woodcreek Pump Station.
The project eliminates the current station on Country Club Road and will flow to the Woodcreek pump station while it is being renovated.
The city said that this will better serve those who live within the Darlington County Club by utilizing newer technology.
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“This project has been on the City’s radar for quite some time now,” said City of Darlington Public Utilities Director Michael Morris. “The City is very thankful to receive this grant funding. It will be impactful to the residents in the Darlington Country Club, and it will enhance the service in the area.”
The funding is a part of a $23 million investment by the SC RIA to upgrade the state’s capital improvement.
The Woodcreek Pump Station Upgrade project is set to begin construction in 2026.
South-Carolina
South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Jan. 4, 2026
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. 4, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 4 drawing
Evening: 4-3-2, FB: 3
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 4 drawing
Evening: 5-0-6-8, FB: 3
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 4 drawing
Evening: 06
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 4 drawing
03-15-21-28-31
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 Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Jan. 3, 2026
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.
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