It’s been the story of South Carolina’s 2024-25 season. Close, but not enough. The Gamecocks (12-19, 2-16 SEC) were in a tight-knit battle with No. 4 Tennessee in Knoxville on Saturday. But the Vols’ strong second-half shooting helped them outlast South Carolina in a 75-65 win to close out the regular season.

It’s Tennessee vs South Carolina in an SEC game this college basketball season. Follow for live score updates, game highlights for the Vols.

Tennessee's Chaz Lanier scored 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, and the No. 4 Volunteers celebrated Senior Day with a 75-65 victory over South Carolina on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, Tenn.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Chaz Lanier scored 23 points to lead No. 4 Tennessee to a 75-65 victory over South Carolina on Saturday. The Volunteers (25-6, 12-6 SEC) wrapped up a double bye for the SEC Tournament. Cade Phillips came off the bench to score 15 points, Igor Milicic had 13 and Jordan Gainey added 10 points.

South Carolina dropped both games remaining on their regular season schedule against Georgia and Tennessee to sit at 12-19 overall, as well as 2-16 in SEC play. The Gamecocks are now the conference's No. 16 seed, and will face Arkansas on Mar. 12 in the first round.

As is, the SEC looks solid with 12 bids, which would beat the Big East record of 11 set in 2011. Arkansas locked itself in — and sent warning signals that this has become a dangerous team — with wins at Vanderbilt and in thrilling fashion over Mississippi State. Georgia won at South Carolina, then outlasted Vanderbilt on Saturday at home.

The SEC Tournament's bracket is set and Auburn basketball now knows now how it'll start postseason play. Here's who the Tigers will face in Nashville.

Copyright © 2025 Bleacher Report, Inc. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.

Tennessee basketball is the No. 4 seed in the SEC Tournament after earning a double-bye. The Vols will pay Friday.