COLUMBIA — South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley is hoping an extended break between games will provide the healing time her injured players need before the No. 3 Gamecocks face their biggest test of the season against LSU.
Despite missing two key guards over their past three games, South Carolina (24-2, 10-1 SEC) navigated an undefeated three-game week, capped by a historic 93-50 demolition of Tennessee on February 8. Now, with no game until February 14 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) at LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the Gamecocks have precious time to get healthier.
Injury Updates: Makeer Progressing, McDaniel Day-to-Day
Freshman guard Agot Makeer has been sidelined since the first quarter of South Carolina’s January 29 game against Auburn with an unspecified lower leg injury. However, Staley provided encouraging news about her recovery.
“Agot is getting better,” Staley said on February 9 during the “Carolina Calls” radio show. “She tried to get out there and do warm-ups yesterday. She started to do some things, some drills in practice. Haven’t really gotten an entire practice down . . . hopefully by Saturday we can get her back. If not, we’ll just keep on, keeping on.”
Sophomore point guard Maddy McDaniel’s injury came more suddenly. She was healthy entering the Tennessee game but appeared on the injury report as out just an hour before tipoff, then was seen wearing a boot on her left ankle. Staley classified her status as day-to-day.
“We’ll see what the rest does for her the next two days, and see how she’s feeling on Wednesday,” Staley said.
Immediately following the Tennessee victory, Staley didn’t have a detailed status update on McDaniel but remained optimistic about the extended break. “It’s good we have somewhat of a bye week. Maddy wants to play, I know that, when you have the mindset you want to play, it helps the body heal quicker,” she said.
Medical Staff Working Overtime
Staley credited her medical and performance staff for their tireless efforts in rehabilitating injured players. She specifically praised athletic trainer Craig Oates and sports performance coach Molly Binetti for working to get Makeer more comfortable playing longer stretches in practice.
During the team’s February 6 practice, Makeer was spotted off to the side using exercise equipment while the rest of the team broke down final drills—a sign of her gradual progression back to full participation.
Latson’s Successful Return Provides Blueprint
The Gamecocks received a major boost when starting senior guard Ta’Niya Latson returned against Tennessee after missing two games. Latson, who also went down in the first half of the Auburn game, came back wearing a large brace on her left knee and delivered a team-high 21 points in the rout of the Lady Vols.
Latson’s successful return demonstrates the effectiveness of Staley’s patient approach to injury management and the quality of care provided by the training staff.
Next Woman Up Philosophy Continues to Deliver
The injury situation has been a recurring theme throughout South Carolina’s season. In 17 games this year, Staley has started or finished a contest down at least one player, not including Chloe Kitts, who tore her ACL in September before the season even began.
Yet the Gamecocks have continued to dominate, maintaining their position as the No. 3 team in the country and sitting alone atop the SEC standings at 10-1 in conference play.
The LSU Challenge Looms
The extended break before facing No. 6 LSU (22-3, 8-3 SEC) couldn’t come at a better time. The primetime ABC matchup in one of college basketball’s most hostile environments will test South Carolina’s depth and resilience once again.
Having Makeer and McDaniel back in the rotation would provide valuable depth, particularly if foul trouble or another injury strikes during the high-intensity SEC showdown. The game also features the return of former Gamecock star MiLaysia Fulwiley, now suiting up for the Tigers.
A Season-Defining Week Ahead
As South Carolina’s medical staff works around the clock to get players healthy, the Gamecocks’ championship aspirations may hinge on their ability to weather this latest injury challenge. With the “next woman up” mentality firmly established and a proven track record of success despite adversity, Staley remains confident her team will be ready for whatever LSU throws at them—regardless of who’s available to play.
The coming days of rest, treatment, and preparation will determine whether South Carolina can face the Tigers at full strength or continue relying on the depth and resilience that has defined their season thus far.
