Gamecocks-Tigers Headlines WBB Betting Preview For Feb. 12, 2023

It’s Super Bowl Sunday and major women’s college basketball has delivered pre-game excitement worthy of the unofficial holiday. LSU vs South Carolina not only could decide the No. 1 overall seed in next month’s tournament but the SEC regular-season title, too.

This matchup of the only two undefeated teams remaining among majors for the 2022-23 season features a larger spread than most fans might expect. Whether that’s an opportunity depends on how you handicap the matchup, however.

LSU vs South Carolina details

Here are all the particulars for bettors and fans for this headlining matchup on Sunday, Feb. 12.

• Tip-off – 2 p.m. ET
• Venue – Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC
• Broadcast – ESPN
• Streaming – ESPN+ or live TV streaming products that carry ESPN (Hulu Live, Sling TV, YouTube TV, etc.)
• Previous matchup – Jan. 6, 2022, at LSU, 66-60 Gamecocks over Tigers
• Team records – LSU 23-0 (11-0 SEC), South Carolina 24-0 (11-0 SEC)
• Last games – LSU: 72-66 win at Texas A&M on Feb. 5. South Carolina: 83-48 win at Auburn on Feb. 9
• Series history – LSU 22, South Carolina 17. Gamecocks have won the past 13 consecutive meetings.
• Notable injuries – None

This game features two of the top three teams in the coaches and media polls. Sportsbooks don’t like the Tigers’ chances of ending the Gamecocks’ chances of at least sharing the SEC regular-season title for yet another season on Sunday, though.

The lines on Sunday morning

As of 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, four major legal sportsbooks have lines on this contest.

The best bets for LSU vs South Carolina

The rankings of these teams are fitting as they currently rank first and second in all of NCAA women’s basketball in terms of scoring margin. The difference in that statistic between them is a slim 1.5 point per game. While that might suggest an opportunity to take a flier on the Tigers on the moneyline, there could be better opportunities.

LSU averages scoring almost 87 points per game, outperforming South Carolina in that regard by 4.5 points. However, the Gamecocks average allowing six fewer points per game. Additionally, the venue carries some weight today.

LSU’s average offensive production drops off by 14 points on the road compared to playing at home. Additionally, the Tigers’ average points allowed rises by nearly four points when playing outside Baton Rouge. Furthermore, LSU’s scoring average over their past 10 games is down almost eight points compared to their overall season average.

In case you needed more convincing to consider the moneyline off-limits, South Carolina’s home losses over the last four seasons amount to one.

Whether South Carolina will cover the spread could come down to Gamecocks senior Aliyah Boston will thrive against Tigers sophomore Angel Reese. Reese is able to contend with Boston physically and it’s a given that LSU will try to deny her the ball as much as possible. Should they be able to limit Boston’s touches and other South Carolina scorers are unable to get hot, the Tigers could upset the spread.

As for the total, it depends on LSU overcoming its scoring troubles both recently and on the road. The Gamecocks are very comfortable with a total in the 90s. Unless the Tigers are hitting everything, the under seems the better play. The Under at 139 on FanDuel might actually be the best play of the day for this game.

Other top 25 matchups for Sunday

No. 19 Florida State travels to take on No. 11 Virginia Tech, also tipping at 2 p.m. ET. As of 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, these are the available lines on that contest.