LSU vs South Carolina Prediction 1/31/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The LSU Tigers and the South Carolina Gamecocks meet Saturday in college basketball action from Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. Here’s an LSU vs South Carolina prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best LSU vs South Carolina pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

LSU Tigers Betting Preview

The Tigers were looking good in the first part of the season, but they’ve since faltered amid some tough matchups. LSU hit a nice 12-1 record over their first 13 games with a lone loss to Texas Tech. Losses to Texas A&M, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Florida and Arkansas came in the next seven games, giving the Tigers a 13-7 run over their first 20 games of the season.

On Wednesday versus Mississippi State, LSU got demolished in the first half by a deficit of 44-21. The Tigers got better from there on a 45-36 advantage in the second but didn’t come close to making the comeback complete in an 80-66 loss. Max Mackinnon was tops on the team with 15 points, while both Dedan Thomas (four assists) and Rashad King (two rebounds) added 14 points each.

South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Preview

Over on the South Carolina side, they won their first four games before taking a 1-3 stretch that featured a lone win over Charleston Southern. The Gamecocks won four of the next five but then hit the skids on a 1-4 run with losses to Vanderbilt, Georgia, Arkansas and Auburn. After a win over Oklahoma and a loss to Texas A&M, the Gamecocks would finish the first 20 games at 11-9 overall.

Matched up against Florida on Wednesday the Gamecocks were in major trouble by the break, sitting in the locker room on a 48-20 deficit. South Carolina got blasted 47-28 in the second half and ended up losing at home in a blowout 95-48 in the end. Eli Ellis posted 13 points with two rebounds to lead the team in the losing effort while Meechie Johnson had 10 points and two assists.

LSU Tigers @ South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Trends: January 31, 2026

Why the South Carolina Gamecocks will win

• LSU has lost 13 of its last 14 games against the Southeastern Conference.
• South Carolina has won 12 of its last 13 day games at Colonial Life Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• LSU has lost the first half in three of its last four road games.

Why the LSU Tigers will win

• South Carolina has lost 13 of its last 14 day games against the Southeastern Conference.
• The road team has won three of the last four games between LSU and South Carolina.

LSU vs South Carolina Prediction

I’ll lean toward LSU but it’s a coin flip with both teams coming off rough home losses. The Tigers didn’t shoot terribly from the field (43.1 percent) in their loss to Mississippi State but went just 20 percent (4-of-20) from 3-point range and 52.2 percent (12-of-23) from the line along with an ugly 39-18 deficit on the boards. LSU has just one win in their last eight games and they’ve been below 67 points in two of the last three outings (all losses).

These teams last met up on January 6 in a 78-68 home loss for LSU. In that one the Tigers were doubled up 50-25 in the first half and never recovered. LSU ended up shooting just 38.7 percent from the field with 14 turnovers but didn’t play too badly otherwise. The Gamecocks’ 57.1 percent (12-of-21) effort from 3-point range didn’t help matters. The Tigers have a lot to clean up in the road rematch but I think they’ve got a good shot if all goes well.

Andrew Jett's Pick: LSU Tigers -2.5