Adhel Tac Sidelined vs Coppin State, Forcing South Carolina to Adjust Frontcourt Rotation
South Carolina women’s basketball will be without one of its key reserve post players Sunday, as Adhel Tac has been ruled out of the matchup against Coppin State while she continues to recover from a nasal injury.
The program confirmed Tac’s absence shortly before tipoff, posting a photo of the sophomore forward/center on social media roughly an hour before the game. The caption read: “Always smiling, but Adhel is not playing today as she recovers from a nasal injury.”
Tac’s injury had not been publicly addressed in detail prior to Sunday. During South Carolina’s win over Texas on January 15, she played while wearing a protective mask around her eyes, though head coach Dawn Staley did not comment on it after the game.
Tac’s Role and Production This Season
At 6-foot-5, Tac has been an important piece off the bench for Staley, providing size, rim protection, and energy in limited minutes. Against Texas, she logged a modest stat line — one point, one block, and three rebounds — but her presence helped give South Carolina valuable relief in the paint during a physically demanding contest.
On the season, Tac is averaging 3.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 11.8 minutes per game, serving as part of a frontcourt rotation designed to keep starters fresh while maintaining defensive pressure inside.
Her absence removes one of South Carolina’s more reliable depth options in the post, even if only temporarily.
Frontcourt Depth Put to the Test
With Tac unavailable, South Carolina’s interior rotation becomes thinner. Maryam Dauda and Alicia Tournebize are now Staley’s primary options to spell starters Madina Okot and Joyce Edwards in the paint.
Tournebize, a recent arrival from France, made her Gamecock debut against Texas, appearing for five minutes. She did not score and did not attempt a shot or record a rebound in her first collegiate action, as her minutes were clearly focused on acclimation rather than production.
Dauda, meanwhile, brings more experience within the system and is currently averaging 2.9 points per game. While neither player fully replicates Tac’s combination of length and familiarity with Staley’s rotations, both are expected to see increased responsibility as the Gamecocks navigate the game without her.
Bigger Picture Impact
While South Carolina remains heavily favored against Coppin State, Tac’s absence highlights how closely the Gamecocks are managing health and depth as the season progresses. Staley has consistently emphasized player availability and long-term readiness over short-term risk — especially in nonconference matchups.
Tac’s injury does not appear to be season-threatening, but her status will be worth monitoring moving forward, particularly as South Carolina enters more demanding stretches of SEC play where frontcourt depth becomes critical.
For now, the Gamecocks will lean on their remaining post options — trusting preparation, rotation discipline, and defensive identity to carry them through.
