Gamecocks Ready to Tackle Hokies in ACC/SEC Showdown
South Carolina (5-2) returns to Colonial Life Arena to host Virginia Tech (6-2) in the annual ACC/SEC Challenge. After snapping a two-game skid with a 72-64 win over Charleston Southern—led by Elijah Strong’s 22 points and Eli Ellis’s near double-double—the Gamecocks aim to build momentum under coach Lamont Paris. The Hokies enter cold, having dropped back-to-back contests in the Battle 4 Atlantis. Paris is 2-0 in ACC/SEC Challenge games, and South Carolina holds a three-game winning streak over VT dating to 1997, though the teams haven’t met in Columbia since 1991. Tip-off is at 7:00 pm ET on SEC Network, with broadcasts on 107.5 The Game.
Nothing says “prime-time hoops” like two teams desperately seeking relevance. The Gamecocks, fresh off proving they can beat a mid-major that sounds a bit like a dessert topping, now face Virginia Tech—a squad still reeling from its own taste of sweet defeat. Meanwhile, coach Lamont Paris is polishing his perfect ACC/SEC record like it’s the Vince Lombardi Trophy, blissfully unaware that fans care more about mercy than bragging rights. Tune in as South Carolina attempts to remind everyone what basketball looks like, and Virginia Tech tries to remember why they signed up for this circus.
Four Gamecocks Perched for a Portal Escape
Following a disappointing 4-8 season capped by a loss to Clemson, South Carolina could lose key contributors in the January 2-16 transfer window. Wideout Mazeo Bennett Jr. vanished after a solid freshman year and vented on social media. Edge rusher Dylan Stewart flashed brilliance but battled injuries, reduced sack totals, and sidestepped team songs in frustration. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers, once a draft prospect, regressed and may chase a new system, potentially dragging his brother Jayden along. Defensive back Jalon Kilgore, the team’s standout in the battered secondary, hinted he’ll “do what’s best for family,” risking another portal departure.
Behold the transfer portal: college football’s reality-TV reunion where every benchwarmer dreams of stardom and every superstar craves a simpler offense. Mazeo Bennett Jr. is ghosting Columbia for greener grass, proving social media hissy fits pay dividends. Dylan Stewart, football’s equivalent of “tortured artist,” is sulking because his highlight reel got too much play. LaNorris Sellers, the QB with the “best year of my career” in 2024, is now auditioning for Indiana State. And Jalon Kilgore, Mr. Steady, may bail because “family comes first,” which has a weird ring when your family’s a roster full of teammates. Grab your popcorn—this portal parade makes college football feel like a hedge-fund managers’ mixer.
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