Vanderbilt vs South Carolina Prediction 1/3/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Vanderbilt Commodores and the South Carolina Gamecocks meet Saturday in college basketball action from the Colonial Life Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Vanderbilt Commodores vs. South Carolina Gamecocks prediction.

Vanderbilt Commodores Recap

The Vanderbilt Commodores come into this game looking to add on to their 96-53 win over New Haven last time out to sit at 13-0 this season. After this game, Vanderbilt will head home for a game against Alabama.

Commodores Looking To Stay Unbeaten

Duke Miles leads the Commodores in scoring with 17.1 PPG and 4.7 APG while Tyler Tanner has 16 PPG with 4.8 APG and 2.7 SPG. Tyler Nickel has 14.8 PPG with 3.3 RPG and Devin McGlockton has 10.6 PPG with 7.3 RPG to lead Vanderbilt in rebounding to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Vanderbilt so far this season. Tyler Harris has 9.2 PPG with 3.5 RPG and AK Okereke has 7.8 PPG with 3.5 RPG. Jalen Washington has 9.9 PPG with 4.9 RPG. As a team, Vanderbilt is averaging 94.2 PPG on 51.2% shooting from the field, 37.6% from three and 76.6% from the foul line this season.

South Carolina Gamecocks Recap

The South Carolina Gamecocks come into this game looking to add on to their 96-67 win over Albany last time out to sit at 9-4 this season. After this game, South Carolina will head on the road for a game against LSU.

Gamecocks Win Back-To-Back Games

Meechie Johnson leads the Gamecocks in scoring and assists with 13.9 PPG and 3.6 APG along with 3.6 RPG while Eli Ellis has 10.1 PPG with 2.8 RPG and 2.6 APG of his own this season. Mike Sharavjamts has 12 PPG with a team-high 6.2 RPG and Elijah Strong has 10 PPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for South Carolina so far this season. Kobe Knox has 9.8 PPG with 2.9 APG this season. As a team, South Carolina is averaging 79.8 PPG on 46% shooting from the field, 29.9% from three and 78.6% from the foul line this season.

Vanderbilt Commodores @ South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Trends: January 3, 2026

Why the South Carolina Gamecocks will win

• South Carolina has won each of its last 12 day games at Colonial Life Arena following a home win.
• Vanderbilt has lost seven of its last eight road games against Conference opponents.
• South Carolina has won the first half in nine of its last 10 home games.

Why the Vanderbilt Commodores will win

• Vanderbilt has won each of its last 13 games.
• South Carolina has lost each of its last 11 games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Vanderbilt has won the first half in each of its last 14 games.

Total Points Facts

• Each of South Carolina’s last 11 day games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 146 or fewer points.
• Each of Vanderbilt’s last six day games have produced a total of 161+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• South Carolina ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for free throw percentage this season (79.5%).
• South Carolina ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (5.2).
• Vanderbilt ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (1.7).
• Vanderbilt is one of four teams to rank in the top-10 for both points and assists per game this season.

Vanderbilt Commodores vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Prediction

I’m on Vanderbilt here. I get the case to be made for South Carolina as a home underdog in some spots, but the thing is that the Commodores have given nobody any reason to fade them right now and the Commodores have proven themselves to be reliable on the road against solid competition so far this season. The Gamecocks are live on the money line as dogs in some spots at home, but this for me isn’t one of them. Give me Vandy.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Vanderbilt -10.5