Availability Report Confirms Two Key Absences as Depth Challenges Mount for No. 3 South Carolina
The No. 3 South Carolina Gamecocks will travel to face Texas A&M on Monday night significantly shorthanded, as the team’s official availability report released Sunday night confirmed that two key players will be unavailable for the crucial SEC road matchup at Reed Arena.
Official Injury Report: Two Players Ruled Out
South Carolina finished the Auburn game on Thursday without Ta’Niya Latson and Agot Makeer, and both are listed as OUT for Monday’s 8:00 PM ET contest against the Aggies.
The confirmation of these absences forces head coach Dawn Staley to make significant adjustments to her rotation and gameplan as the Gamecocks (21-2, 7-1 SEC) seek to maintain their position atop the SEC standings against a Texas A&M team that did not list anyone on its availability report, giving the Aggies a significant health advantage.
Ta’Niya Latson: Illness Sidelines Star Guard
What Happened Against Auburn
Ta’Niya Latson had five points and two rebounds in 16 minutes during the first half of Thursday’s 81-51 victory over Auburn, but did not play in the second half, raising immediate concerns about her availability for upcoming games.
Coach Staley’s Explanation
Dawn Staley said Latson was not feeling well, and they decided to hold her out as a precautionary measure. The decision reflected Staley’s long-standing philosophy of prioritizing player health over individual game results, particularly with the team holding a comfortable lead against the Tigers.
Impact on South Carolina’s Lineup
Latson’s absence is particularly significant given her status as the team’s second-leading scorer at 17.4 points per game. The Florida State transfer has been one of the nation’s most efficient scorers this season, shooting 51.9% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range. Her ability to create her own shot and provide secondary ball-handling has been crucial to South Carolina’s offensive balance throughout the season.
This marks another setback in what has been an injury-interrupted season for Latson, who previously missed time due to an ankle sprain suffered in late December. While the current absence is illness-related rather than the ankle issue that plagued her earlier, the timing is unfortunate as South Carolina enters a critical stretch of SEC games.
Agot Makeer: Hip Injury Continues Freshman’s Difficult Season
The Injury Sequence
Agot Makeer made her second consecutive start in place of Madina Okot against Auburn, a significant opportunity for the talented Canadian freshman to establish herself in the rotation. However, her night ended abruptly and painfully early in the contest.
Makeer converted a three-point play early in the game, showcasing the offensive skills that made her a highly-touted recruit, but appeared to fall on her left hip during the sequence. The visible discomfort was immediately apparent to those watching.
She stayed in the game for a few minutes, but her movement became increasingly hampered with each trip down the court, clearly struggling with pain and limited mobility as she attempted to continue playing through the injury.
The Extent of the Injury
Makeer went to the locker room area when she checked out, never to return to game action. She later returned to the bench with some sort of wrap on her hip, sitting out the remainder of South Carolina’s dominant victory.
Following the game, Staley said she would be evaluated when the team returned to Columbia, indicating the coaching staff’s concern about the severity of the injury and their desire to get a comprehensive medical assessment before determining a timeline for her return.
A Season of Setbacks
This latest injury compounds what has been a frustrating rookie campaign for Makeer. Earlier this season, Makeer missed five games while in concussion protocol, limiting her ability to build consistency and chemistry within South Carolina’s system.
The talented guard had shown flashes of her potential when healthy, earning starts and contributing meaningful minutes off the bench. Her basketball IQ, defensive versatility, and ability to play multiple positions made her an intriguing piece in Staley’s rotation. These injury setbacks have prevented her from reaching the impact many expected when she arrived in Columbia.
Limited Communication Due to Weather
South Carolina did not have normal media availability in advance of the Texas A&M game due to the weather in Columbia, so Sunday’s availability report was the first update since postgame on Thursday.
The unusual circumstances meant that fans, media, and even opponents had limited information about South Carolina’s health status heading into this important road game. The weather-related disruptions in Columbia created logistical challenges for the program’s normal game week preparation and communication routines.
The Bigger Picture: Roster Availability Crisis
Perhaps the most striking statistic regarding South Carolina’s season is the lack of roster stability due to various injuries and health issues throughout the campaign.
Out of 23 games this season, South Carolina has started just nine games with its full roster, and finished just six games with everyone available.
These numbers are staggering for a program with national championship aspirations. The constant rotation changes, lineup adjustments, and need for different players to step into expanded roles has tested South Carolina’s depth and coaching staff’s adaptability throughout the season.
Season-Long Absences
The availability challenges extend beyond the current injury situation with Latson and Makeer:
- Ashlyn Watkins remains out for the entire 2025-2026 season as she continues recovery from a torn ACL injury sustained in January 2025.
- Chloe Kitts is also out for the season with a torn ACL, representing another significant loss to South Carolina’s frontcourt depth and versatility.
These long-term injuries have forced younger players and bench contributors into larger roles than initially anticipated, accelerating development timelines and requiring the coaching staff to manage rotations carefully.
Texas A&M’s Clean Bill of Health
In stark contrast to South Carolina’s injury woes, Texas A&M did not list anyone on its availability report, meaning the Aggies will have their full roster available for Monday night’s matchup.
This health advantage gives Texas A&M coach Joni Taylor the luxury of deploying her preferred lineups and rotations without restriction, while Staley must navigate the game with a reduced roster and adjusted gameplan. The contrast in roster availability could prove significant in what promises to be a competitive SEC contest.
Adjusted Rotation and Projected Impact
Expected Starting Lineup
With Latson unavailable, South Carolina’s likely starting five against Texas A&M will be:
- PG: Raven Johnson – The veteran floor general assumes even greater leadership responsibilities
- SG: Tessa Johnson – Must increase offensive output to compensate for Latson’s absence
- G/W: Maddy McDaniel – One will likely start in Latson’s spot
- PF: Joyce Edwards – The team’s leading scorer becomes even more crucial offensively
- C: Madina Okot – Returns to starting lineup after Makeer’s injury
Bench Contributors Step Up
The absences of Latson and Makeer place enormous importance on South Carolina’s bench production. Sophomore guard Maddy McDaniel, who has been exceptional in recent games with her efficient shooting and playmaking, will likely see extended minutes approaching 25-30 for the contest.
Freshman Ayla McDowell, who has provided energy and three-point shooting off the bench, will also be called upon for increased production. Her defensive intensity and ability to knock down open shots become even more valuable with reduced backcourt depth.
Strategic Adjustments
Dawn Staley will need to make several tactical adjustments to compensate for the missing personnel:
- Increased pace and transition opportunities – Utilizing speed and athleticism to create easier scoring chances rather than relying on half-court execution
- Greater emphasis on Joyce Edwards – The team’s most reliable scorer will see even more touches and scoring opportunities
- Extended minutes for starters – With less reliable depth, key players may need to play longer stretches
- Simplified offensive sets – Focusing on high-percentage looks rather than complex actions that require specific personnel
Historical Context and Resilience
Despite these challenges, South Carolina has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the season. The Gamecocks’ 21-2 record and 7-1 SEC mark reflect their ability to win games regardless of who’s available, a testament to both the program’s depth of talent and the coaching staff’s ability to adapt.
Staley’s championship pedigree and experience navigating adversity give South Carolina confidence that they can compete and win even in less-than-ideal circumstances. The program’s culture emphasizes “next player up” mentality, with every team member expected to be ready when their number is called.
Road Ahead: Implications Beyond Texas A&M
This game represents the first of three contests before South Carolina’s bye week leading into the February 14 showdown with LSU when ESPN’s College GameDay will be in Baton Rouge.
The Gamecocks must navigate:
- Texas A&M (February 2) – Monday’s road test without Latson and Makeer
- Mississippi State (February 5) – Home game on short rest
- Tennessee (February 8) – Major SEC rivalry matchup
The hope is that Latson’s illness is short-term and she can return for the Mississippi State or Tennessee games. Makeer’s timeline remains unclear pending the results of her medical evaluation in Columbia.
Conclusion: Next Player Up Mentality
As South Carolina prepares to face Texas A&M without two rotation players, the game will test the program’s depth, resilience, and championship mettle. While the absences of Ta’Niya Latson and Agot Makeer create genuine challenges, the Gamecocks have repeatedly proven their ability to overcome adversity throughout this injury-plagued season.
The performances of players like Maddy McDaniel and Ayla McDowell in recent games provide reason for optimism that South Carolina’s bench can step up when needed. Combined with the steady leadership of Raven Johnson and the scoring prowess of Joyce Edwards, the Gamecocks remain a formidable opponent even at less than full strength.
Monday night’s game will reveal whether South Carolina’s depth and coaching can overcome the disadvantage of missing key contributors against a healthy Texas A&M squad looking for a signature SEC victory at home.
Game Information:
- Date: Monday, February 2, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT
- Location: Reed Arena, Bryan-College Station, Texas
- TV: ESPN2 or ESPNU
- South Carolina Status: OUT – Ta’Niya Latson (illness), Agot Makeer (hip injury)
- Texas A&M Status: Full roster available
All information based on official availability reports released Sunday, February 1, 2026
