South Carolina will close out its week on Sunday when the Gamecocks host Queens, the final warm-up before a stretch of three straight Power Conference matchups. Here’s what to watch as Dawn Staley’s squad enters its last tune-up opportunity.
1. Preparing for Las Vegas — Without Looking Past Queens
With respect to Winthrop and Queens, this week’s games function as controlled prep sessions for next week’s Players Era Championship in Las Vegas. South Carolina isn’t overlooking either opponent, but the coaching staff is clearly in forward-thinking mode, using these matchups to shape the team for the long haul.
To mimic the demands of next week’s schedule, Staley altered the typical practice rhythm. The Gamecocks worked on Thursday instead of taking the usual post-game day off.
After the Winthrop victory, Staley explained the approach:
“This team is trying to find their identity,” she said. “I do think playing in the USC game really was taxing, just mentally, physically. But we had two pretty good days of practice to get ready for this game. And then, we’ll practice again tomorrow, just to get them moving a little bit. We got to try to simulate some of what playing back-to-back next week and see how their bodies feel. But I’m proud of this team. This team hasn’t really reached its potential yet. I think we’re getting a little bit closer to finding our identity, and it’s coming. It’s just not there yet.”
2. Tessa Johnson Is Fine — Even Without a Double-Digit Night
For the first time this season, Tessa Johnson didn’t reach double-figure scoring on Wednesday and finished with just one rebound — only the second time she failed to grab at least four boards.
Consistency was the major point of emphasis for Johnson entering her junior year. But Staley isn’t concerned about Wednesday’s stat line.
“I think Tessa‘s stat line doesn’t really show her playing the right way,” Staley said. “She’s not pressing. And, obviously, we want her to shoot a little bit more than what she’s shooting. But she’s not forcing things. She’s playing really good basketball.”
Johnson still posted nine points and shot 3-for-7 from behind the arc. With three Gamecocks scoring 20+ points, someone’s production was bound to dip — this time, it was hers.
3. Progress From the Bench
Against Southern Cal, South Carolina’s bench saw just 28 total minutes. Staley emphasized the limited rotation came from the starters’ strong play, not poor reserve performance. Still, she knows the Gamecocks need more depth production moving forward.
Wednesday’s showing against Winthrop was a strong step.
- Agot Makeer delivered 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals — continuing to look like one of the program’s emerging stars.
- Adhel Tac added six points and five boards.
- Ayla McDowell chipped in seven points and four rebounds, settling comfortably into her role as the lone forward in a four-guard look.
Staley was pleased with the young contributors:
“I was really proud of our young players, who are giving it what they’ve got,” she said. “Ayla‘s coming along. Ayla’s doing the intangible things. She knows what we want, and she plays to that. And I like that.”
But the biggest development comes next…
4. Reinforcements Arrive — Maddy McDaniel Returns
Although not quite a hero-moment, the return of Maddy “Mouse” McDaniel is a major boost.
McDaniel had missed the last four games due to injury and suspension, leaving South Carolina piecing together backup point guard minutes by committee. Ta’Niya Latson, Tessa Johnson, and Agot Makeer all filled in, but the brunt of the workload fell on Raven Johnson, who played an exhausting 38 minutes against Southern Cal.
McDaniel brings more than depth — she brings quality. Before her absence, she was South Carolina’s first player off the bench. With a multi-game gauntlet awaiting in Las Vegas, Sunday’s matchup is a crucial chance for her to regain rhythm.
5. Scouting Queens
South Carolina and Queens last met in 1979, when the Gamecocks rolled to a 103–55 win — not much relevance for Sunday’s clash.
Queens, which moved to Division I in 2022, has spent its brief tenure near the bottom of the A-SUN standings. The Royals were picked last by the media and next-to-last by the coaches in this year’s preseason poll, and they had no players on the preseason all-league team.
The two teams share one opponent this season: Winthrop. South Carolina defeated Winthrop 106–56. Queens lost to Winthrop 75–69. (Using transitive math, that makes South Carolina 56 points better.)
Queens enters Sunday coming off a confidence-building win over SC State.
Forward Brenae Jones-Grant posted 28 points and seven rebounds in that victory and leads the Royals with 13.8 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.
Guard Ana Barreto follows at 13.2 points per game, launching nearly nine threes per outing and connecting on 36% of them.
The Essentials
Who: #2 South Carolina (5-0) vs Queens (3-2)
When: Sunday, November 23 — 2:00 p.m. ET
Where: Colonial Life Arena — Columbia, SC
Watch: SEC Network+
