Kentucky Wildcats Defeat South Carolina Gamecocks 72-63
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Colonial Life Arena
Kentucky Wildcats 72, South Carolina Gamecocks 63, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Kentucky Wildcats vs South Carolina Gamecocks?
Kentucky Wildcats beat South Carolina Gamecocks 72-63 at Colonial Life Arena on February 24, 2026.
Who was favored in Kentucky Wildcats vs South Carolina Gamecocks?
Kentucky Wildcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -340 (about 77% implied). The favorite won.
In a matchup between the Kentucky Wildcats and South Carolina Gamecocks, the Wildcats emerged victorious with a final score of 72-63 at the Colonial Life Arena. This game was significant as it highlighted the contrasting fortunes of both teams in the NCAAB season. Kentucky, with an away record of 18-10, was favored by a spread of 7.5 points according to DraftKings, while South Carolina struggled with a home record of 12-16.
Kentucky entered the game with a record of 6-4 over their last ten games, but they were on a three-game losing streak, averaging 78.0 points scored and 78.0 points allowed during this stretch. Their recent form included a narrow loss to Auburn, where they fell 74-75, and a defeat against Georgia, losing 78-86. Despite this recent slump, they had shown resilience earlier in the season, including a notable win against Oklahoma.
On the other hand, South Carolina had a record of 2-8 in their last ten games, with their most recent outing being a victory against Mississippi State, where they won 97-89. This win snapped a five-game losing streak, but their overall performance had been inconsistent, allowing an average of 84.2 points during this stretch, while scoring an average of 72.4 points.
The Gamecocks had been particularly poor on the road, with an away record of 0-5. However, they managed to retain a decent home record of 2-3 in their last five games. Their previous meeting with Kentucky earlier in the 2025 season ended in a loss for South Carolina, where they fell 57-80. This history weighed heavily as they faced a Kentucky team that had shown they could dominate in previous encounters.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details about player availability, but injuries can often play a crucial role in a team's performance, especially in high-stakes games like this one.
The conditions in the Colonial Life Arena were typical for a late February basketball game, with both teams keen to secure a win as they approached the end of the season. The game unfolded as a battle of wills, with Kentucky leveraging their experience and depth to maintain control over the match.
As the game progressed, key moments defined the outcome. Denzel Aberdeen's free throws and Mouhamed Dioubate's dunk helped Kentucky extend their lead in the second half. South Carolina fought back with Meechie Johnson's layup and a three-pointer, but it was not enough to close the gap. The Wildcats' ability to execute crucial plays down the stretch ultimately sealed their victory.
The final score of 72-63 reflects the competitive nature of the game, but also underscores the challenges South Carolina faces as they continue to navigate a tough season. For Kentucky, this win provides a much-needed boost as they look to regain their form heading into the final stretch of the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UK -7.5 | 151.5 o -108 / u -112 | Kentucky Wildcats -340 · South Carolina Gamecocks +270 |
Leaders
- PointsMeechie Johnson18South Carolina Gamecocks
- AssistsMeechie Johnson6South Carolina Gamecocks
- ReboundsMike Sharavjamts5South Carolina Gamecocks
- PointsDenzel Aberdeen19Kentucky Wildcats
- AssistsDenzel Aberdeen5Kentucky Wildcats
- ReboundsMalachi Moreno11Kentucky Wildcats
Recent form
South Carolina Gamecocks
Last 10: 2-8Streak W172.4 scored · 84.2 allowed per game2-3 at home
- W97-89vs Mississippi State BulldogsFeb 21
- L62-76at Florida GatorsFeb 18
- L75-89at Alabama Crimson TideFeb 15
- L59-78vs Missouri TigersFeb 7
- L75-84at Texas LonghornsFeb 4
- L87-92vs LSU TigersJan 31
- L48-95vs Florida GatorsJan 29
- L69-92at Texas A&M AggiesJan 24
- W85-76vs Oklahoma SoonersJan 21
- L67-71at Auburn TigersJan 17
Kentucky Wildcats
Last 10: 6-4Streak L378 scored · 78 allowed per game2-3 away
- L74-75at Auburn TigersFeb 22
- L78-86vs Georgia BulldogsFeb 18
- L83-92at Florida GatorsFeb 14
- W74-71vs Tennessee VolunteersFeb 8
- W94-78vs Oklahoma SoonersFeb 5
- W85-77at Arkansas RazorbacksJan 31
- L55-80at Vanderbilt CommodoresJan 28
- W72-63vs Ole Miss RebelsJan 24
- W85-80vs Texas LonghornsJan 22
- W80-78at Tennessee VolunteersJan 17
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 27-8 | - | 16-2 |
| Arkansas | 28-9 | 3 | 13-5 |
| Alabama | 25-10 | 3 | 13-5 |
| Vanderbilt | 27-9 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Tennessee | 25-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Texas A&M | 22-12 | 5 | 11-7 |
| Georgia | 22-11 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Kentucky | 22-14 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Missouri | 20-13 | 6 | 10-8 |
| Texas | 21-15 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Auburn | 22-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Oklahoma | 21-16 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Mississippi State | 13-19 | 11 | 5-13 |
| Ole Miss | 15-20 | 12 | 4-14 |
| South Carolina | 13-19 | 12 | 4-14 |
| LSU | 15-17 | 13 | 3-15 |
Box score
| Stat | Kentucky Wildcats | South Carolina Gamecocks |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 26-66 | 21-57 |
| Field goal % | 39 | 37 |
| Three-pointers | 7-25 | 8-29 |
| Three-point % | 28 | 28 |
| Free throws | 13-18 | 13-17 |
| Free throw % | 72 | 76 |
| Rebounds | 48 | 28 |
| Offensive rebounds | 18 | 5 |
| Defensive rebounds | 30 | 23 |
| Assists | 15 | 9 |
| Steals | 8 | 8 |
| Blocks | 3 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 15 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 18 | 13 |
| Fast-break points | 26 | 7 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 20 |
| Fouls | 17 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 12 | 7 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 67 | 27 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half38-33Meechie Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half38-34Meechie Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half38-36EJ Walker makes layup (Eli Ellis assists)
- 2nd Half38-37Meechie Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half38-38Meechie Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half40-38Brandon Garrison makes layup
- 2nd Half41-38Brandon Garrison makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half41-41Kobe Knox makes 27-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half43-41Mouhamed Dioubate makes driving layup
- 2nd Half44-41Mouhamed Dioubate makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half46-41Mouhamed Dioubate makes driving layup
- 2nd Half46-43Elijah Strong makes 6-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half48-43Malachi Moreno makes 0-foot tip in dunk
- 2nd Half48-45Elijah Strong makes 7-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half48-46Elijah Strong makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half48-48Elijah Strong makes 7-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half50-48Otega Oweh makes driving layup
- 2nd Half51-48Malachi Moreno makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-48Malachi Moreno makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-50Elijah Strong makes 11-foot jumper (Meechie Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half54-50Denzel Aberdeen makes 6-foot jumper
- 2nd Half55-50Mouhamed Dioubate makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-50Collin Chandler makes 2-foot dunk (Otega Oweh assists)
- 2nd Half57-51Eli Ellis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-52Eli Ellis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-52Mouhamed Dioubate makes layup (Collin Chandler assists)
- 2nd Half59-53Eli Ellis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-54Eli Ellis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-57Mike Sharavjamts makes 23-foot three point jumper (Meechie Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half61-57Malachi Moreno makes layup (Collin Chandler assists)
- 2nd Half64-57Collin Chandler makes 29-foot three point jumper (Denzel Aberdeen assists)
- 2nd Half65-57Denzel Aberdeen makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-57Denzel Aberdeen makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-57Mouhamed Dioubate makes 3-foot dunk (Collin Chandler assists)
- 2nd Half69-57Brandon Garrison makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-59Meechie Johnson makes layup
- 2nd Half70-59Denzel Aberdeen makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-62Meechie Johnson makes 28-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half72-62Collin Chandler makes 3-foot dunk (Denzel Aberdeen assists)
- 2nd Half72-63Meechie Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours South Carolina Gamecocks, below favours Kentucky Wildcats.
Venue
- Colonial Life ArenaColumbia, SC
- Attendance11318
- OfficialsJeb Hartness, Olandis Poole, Owen Shortt
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond