Another Late Blow: Maddy McDaniel Ruled Out as South Carolina’s Backcourt Takes on Tennessee Test
COLUMBIA — Just minutes before tipoff in one of the SEC’s marquee matchups, South Carolina women’s basketball was hit with another unexpected personnel setback.
Sophomore point guard Maddy McDaniel was listed as out on the SEC injury report ahead of the No. 3 Gamecocks’ clash with No. 17 Tennessee, adding fresh uncertainty to a backcourt that has already endured weeks of disruption.
The timing made the news even more jarring. Earlier in the week, South Carolina appeared to be trending in a positive direction. Ta’Niya Latson and Tessa Johnson, both dealing with recent ailments, were cleared to return, while Agot Makeer remained the lone guard officially sidelined. McDaniel, notably, was not among those previously flagged — until Sunday.
Instead, Dawn Staley entered the Tennessee game down yet another ball-handler, a particularly difficult challenge against a Lady Vols team that thrives on pace, pressure, and constant defensive harassment.
Why McDaniel’s Absence Looms Large
Against Tennessee’s aggressive, press-heavy approach, guard depth is often the deciding factor. The Lady Vols (15-5, 7-1 SEC) force opponents to make quick decisions, punish sloppy ball-handling, and turn tempo into a weapon. Losing McDaniel removes a calming presence who had quietly taken on more responsibility as injuries mounted.
With Makeer unavailable since exiting early in the first quarter of the Jan. 29 win over Auburn, McDaniel’s role had expanded naturally. Her minutes increased over the past two games, and she responded with efficient production — 17 points and nine assists combined — while continuing to serve as a reliable organizer in the offense.
On the season, McDaniel is averaging 4.5 points and three assists per game, numbers that reflect her role as a facilitator more than a scorer. Against Tennessee, that skill set would have been especially valuable in helping Raven Johnson shoulder the burden of ball control under pressure.
A Season of Constant Shuffling
McDaniel’s sudden absence fits a broader theme for South Carolina this season: adaptation through attrition.
Injuries have forced Staley to deploy seven different starting lineups, a rarity for a program built on consistency and depth. The carousel began early, when standout forward Chloe Kitts suffered a torn ACL in September, and has continued into conference play.
The Feb. 2 win over Texas A&M marked South Carolina’s sixth unique starting lineup, followed by a seventh in the 88-45 rout of Mississippi State on Feb. 5. McDaniel started against Texas A&M but came off the bench against Mississippi State, where freshman Ayla McDowell earned the nod instead.
That flexibility has helped the Gamecocks survive, but it has also tested continuity — particularly in the backcourt.
Looking Ahead Against Tennessee
Without McDaniel, Staley could lean on the same starting group used against Mississippi State, especially if the strategy centers on attacking the paint through Joyce Edwards and Madina Okot to minimize exposure to Tennessee’s perimeter pressure.
Still, the margin for error shrinks. Every missing guard amplifies the difficulty of handling Tennessee’s tempo, and every possession becomes more demanding.
McDaniel’s situation also underscores how fragile South Carolina’s rotation has been all season. She herself missed four games earlier in the year after suffering a knee injury in the season opener and later serving a suspension.
Now, once again, the Gamecocks are forced to adjust on the fly.
Against Tennessee, it won’t just be about execution or effort — it will be another test of resilience, depth, and the ability to withstand adversity at the worst possible moment.
