Gamecocks are set to host Georgia this Sunday afternoon in what promises to be an emotional and pivotal SEC matchup. Here are five key points to watch as the Gamecocks head into this game.
Player Status Updates
The availability report drops Saturday night, and we could see some significant changes to the roster for the first time this year.
Ta’Niya Latson has been sidelined for nearly four games with a sprained left ankle, but sources indicate she’s close to returning. I watched her participate in Friday’s open practice session, moving well on that injured leg.
Head coach Dawn Staley told reporters they’re taking a cautious approach. “We’re going to see how she feels (Saturday). Every day is just, we’re ramping her up,” Staley explained. “If that lower leg doesn’t feel good (Saturday), then we’ll have to pull back. If it does, then we’ll continue to push through.”
There’s also buzz about Alicia Tournebize, who wasn’t at Friday’s practice due to freshman orientation commitments. Staley remained tight-lipped about whether the freshman might make her debut Sunday.
Fatigue Factor Becoming a Concern
From my vantage point at the Florida game last Sunday, you could see the exhaustion setting in during that 74-63 victory. With only nine active players, the starters are being pushed to their limits.
The numbers tell the story: Joyce Edwards, Raven Johnson, and Tessa Johnson each logged over 31 minutes against Alabama. Maddy McDaniel played a career-high 26 minutes in that contest. Against Florida, both Johnsons played 35 minutes, with *McDaniel* contributing 33.
Before her injury, Latson was averaging nearly 30 minutes per game. Redistributing those minutes has created a significant burden on the remaining roster.
Staley admitted she’s even resorted to using timeouts strategically for rest—something she typically avoids. “We’ve been playing our starters 35, 36 minutes,” she noted. “We’d like for that to be around 30, not even 30. 28 is where I think we can have peak performance with everybody. Everybody doesn’t have to conserve because they’re trying to make it through the game.”
The blowout victory over Arkansas provided some relief. Edwards played 25 minutes, while Madina Okot and the Johnsons each got 21 minutes. Only freshman Agot Makeer exceeded 30 minutes in that game.
The Tournebize Factor
Getting Latson back would obviously be huge for balancing the backcourt minutes. But getting Tournebize into game shape—even for limited minutes—could provide critical relief for Edwards in the frontcourt.
From what I’m hearing, the coaching staff believes Tournebize brings unique elements this team currently lacks. She’s got more height than Edwards, better mobility than Okot, and a more consistent shooting stroke (though Okot did drain another three-pointer against Arkansas).
Staley is particularly excited about reviving the high-low offensive system that was a cornerstone during the A’ja Wilson and Alaina Coates era.
“It’s needed,” Staley emphasized. “Her ability to shoot from the outside, her ability just to kind of see over defenses. Our high-low game has been nonexistent. We’ve been really good at high-low game for a long time, and maybe we get one a game, maybe. But I think bringing Ali into the fold, we’ll get a lot more opportunities. And sometimes when players see other players doing it, it becomes contagious, so she’ll be a threat out there for high-low passes, for scoring on the outside, whether it’s outside the three or mid-range.”
Honoring Legends
This Sunday’s contest carries special significance as South Carolina’s annual We Back Pat game, honoring legendary Tennessee coach Pat Summitt, who battled early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Staley reflected on Summitt’s lasting impact: “Champion coach, champion individual, champions for women’s basketball. Always has looked out for women’s basketball, has set the example of how we should be by being inclusive. Yes, she had dynasty teams throughout her tenure as the Tennessee coach, but it never felt like it was all about Tennessee. It always felt like it was about all of us. She made us believe there was a little bit of Tennessee in all of us, meaning a little bit of dominance, a little bit of success.”
The program will also host its Play4Kay game on February 5 against Mississippi State, honoring late NC State coach Kay Yow.
On a personal note, Maddy McDaniel earned recognition as one of 65 players nationwide to receive the Kay Yow Servant Leader Award, which celebrates athletes demonstrating leadership and service in the fight against cancers affecting women. She’s wearing a commemorative patch on her jersey this season.
This honor holds deep personal meaning—McDaniel’s mother is an ovarian cancer survivor.
“It means a lot,” McDaniel shared. “Just to be able to honor my mom and what she went through, it means a lot to be able to go on the floor and play for her every game.”
Georgia Scouting Report
The Lady Dawgs entered conference play unbeaten but have stumbled to a 1-2 SEC record, sandwiching a win over Texas A&M between losses to Ole Miss and LSU.
Dani Carnegie has been their standout performer, putting up 18.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. She’s provided the scoring punch that’s translated into more victories this season.
Carnegie has scored at least 23 points in every SEC game, though her shooting efficiency has dipped. She’s connecting on just 33% from the field against Texas A&M and LSU, and only 24% from beyond the arc.
Trinity Turner, Mia Woolfolk, and Rylie Theuerkauf are also contributing double-digit scoring, but Georgia’s identity remains rooted in defense.
The Lady Dawgs are surrendering just 55.2 points per game on 35.1% shooting. Their vulnerability appears to be on the glass—they’re averaging 39.6 rebounds per game with a margin of plus-6.4. Their lack of size at most positions and limited rebounding from their bigger players could be exploited.
Game Details
Matchup: #3 South Carolina (16-1, 3-0 SEC) vs Georgia (15-2, 1-2 SEC)
Tipoff: 2:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 11
Venue: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, South Carolina
Television: SEC Network
I’ll be courtside bringing you all the action. Stay tuned for updates as we get closer to tipoff.
