Texas still without two contributors ahead of top 5 showdown with South Carolina
The Big Game is on Sunday. No, not the Super Bowl. Though the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will battle in Super Bowl LIX later in the day, there is another big game early on the Sunday docket, as well: South Carolina women’s basketball plays yet another top 5 opponent in the Texas Longhorns.
The Gamecocks’ road trip to Austin, Texas will mark the team’s second meeting with the Longhorns this season, and Vic Schaefer’s team will be out for revenge. USC handed UT their only loss so far in conference play. The stakes are high in this game as a Carolina win gives Dawn Staley’s squad a big leg up in the race for the SEC regular season crown. However, a loss muddies the waters.
Per the SEC-mandated availability report, three total players are expected to miss Sunday’s blockbuster matchup.
For South Carolina, the only name on the report is junior forward Ashlyn Watkins. Watkins had successful surgery last week to repair a torn ACL. She will miss the rest of the season as she rehabs.
Texas, though, will miss two contributors against South Carolina. Laila Phelia, a dynamic guard who has missed most of the season with an eye injury, remains out. Phelia is seeking a medical redshirt. Versatile wing Aaliyah Moore also will not play. Moore hasn’t played the past couple of weeks because of a knee issue but saw 18 minutes of action against the Gamecocks back in January.
Win tickets to the South Carolina-Florida women’s basketball game
During the offseason, the SEC approved a new policy that mandates availability reports for conference games. The reports will be required for football, men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball. For football, teams submit reports on Wednesday and then update them each day until a final report 90 minutes before game time. For basketball and baseball, reports will be submitted the evening before a game and then updated on game day.
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The availability reports will use designations such as “available,” “probable,” “questionable,” “doubtful,” and “out” to describe how likely it is that a particular player will suit up for the next conference game. On game day, those designations will shift to “out” or “game-time decision.” The reports model professional sports leagues’ injury reports.
Win tickets to Senior Day, South Carolina-Kentucky women’s basketball game
South Carolina and Texas will tip off at 2:00 p.m. at the Moody Center. ESPN will broadcast the contest, while the ESPN app will make it available for streaming.
The Gamecocks enter Sunday’s big game 22-1 on the season and a perfect 10-0 in SEC conference play. Texas comes in at 23-2 and 9-1 in league play. The ‘Horns also are undefeated at home this season.
