Okay, let’s get real for a second—February is about to be nothing short of electric if you’ve got any skin in women’s college hoops. South Carolina’s women’s basketball squad isn’t just getting a little TV love. Nah. They’re headlining on ABC. Not once, but twice. That’s national, baby. No more watching in some sketchy stream window or buried in the cable lineup—this is prime, living room America stuff. And it’s not just any old matchups. We’re talking SEC royalty: Tennessee and LSU. Both with enough history and drama to fill a Netflix docuseries.
South Carolina vs. Tennessee: February 8 at Colonial Life Arena
Let’s start with the Tennessee game. Sunday, February 8, 3 p.m. at Colonial Life Arena. Mark it, set an alarm, do whatever you gotta do. This isn’t just a “game.” This is a generational rivalry that’s been flipped on its head.
Remember when Tennessee was the absolute gold standard? Pat Summitt, all those banners, the Lady Vols aura—it was a dynasty. But times change. South Carolina’s not just knocking on the door anymore; they’re living in the penthouse. Nine SEC regular-season titles in the last dozen years, nine tourney crowns out of eleven. That’s a legit dynasty. Tennessee? They’re still dangerous, but those title years are looking pretty dusty at this point.
And the numbers… yikes. Since Tennessee last made the Final Four, South Carolina’s won THREE national championships. It’s like the universe switched scripts, and now Dawn Staley’s running things. Every time these teams meet, there’s this weird mix of old-school respect and new-school energy. You can feel it in the air.
The crowd in Columbia? Forget polite golf claps. When the Vols come to town, it’s a madhouse. I’ve been there. People show up loud, early, and ready to lose their minds. And with ABC cameras rolling, you know the players are gonna feed off that. Sunday afternoon time slot? Perfect for some backyard grilling and then parking it in front of the TV.
But don’t sleep on Tennessee. They’re hungry, tired of being the underdog in a rivalry they literally built. They want to make a statement, and what better place to do it than in South Carolina’s house, on national TV? You can almost smell the tension already.
South Carolina vs. LSU: Valentine’s Day in Baton Rouge
Fast-forward six days. Valentine’s Day, 8:30 p.m., and forget the rom-coms—this is the main event. South Carolina heads to LSU for what’s basically an SEC soap opera, and ABC’s got the front-row seats.
Let’s talk streaks: the Gamecocks have beaten LSU SEVENTEEN times in a row. Seventeen! That’s not a rivalry, that’s a full-on ownership. LSU and Kim Mulkey, with her wild sideline fits and championship pedigree, are desperate to flip that script. LSU fans have been waiting forever to break that streak. Sure, they bagged a national title a couple years ago (props where it’s due), but SEC glory? Not since 2008. That was ages ago, back before TikTok was a thing, and before Dawn Staley turned Columbia into a basketball mecca.
And this year, there’s another twist. MiLaysia Fulwiley, local hero turned transfer portal headline, left Columbia for the bright lights (and sequins) of Baton Rouge. Now she’s suiting up for LSU, facing her old team on national TV, in her hometown colors but on the other side. If you don’t think that’s going to light a fire under both squads, you haven’t been paying attention. It’s got all the makings of an ESPN 30 for 30 episode.
LSU’s home atmosphere? Loud, rowdy, and a little hostile. Those fans live for this stuff. They see South Carolina as the final boss, and Mulkey’s probably got a whole playbook just for this night. Plus, with so much on the line—bragging rights, national rankings, SEC standings, and yeah, a little bit of personal revenge? This could easily end up as the most-watched women’s college hoops game of the year.
The Big Picture: SEC Power Shift and National Attention
Zoom out for a second—these aren’t just must-see games, they’re a sign of how the women’s game has blown up. South Carolina isn’t just the best in the SEC, they’re THE team everyone’s chasing. Tennessee and LSU, two programs that used to set the bar, are now on the hunt. The roles have flipped, and honestly, it makes for way better TV.
The fact that ABC is airing both games? That’s not just a scheduling quirk, it’s a statement. Women’s basketball is finally getting the platform and respect it deserves. People are tuning in for the personalities, the rivalries, and the actual product on the court—which, let’s be honest, has been fire the last few years. This isn’t the “little sister” to men’s hoops anymore. These athletes are stars in their own right, and the storylines are just as juicy.
For Dawn Staley and her squad, February is a chance to flex, to show off th
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