As the No. 3 South Carolina Gamecocks prepared for their SEC showdown against LSU, head coach Dawn Staley had to juggle availability and recent injury developments — especially with the return of freshman guard Agot Makeer to the rotation.
Expected Starting Lineup
With multiple lineup shifts this season due to injuries, Staley’s projected starting five for the LSU game reflected both experience and necessity against one of the toughest offensive teams in the conference:
- Raven Johnson (G) – The seasoned senior point guard and floor general continued to anchor the backcourt.
- Ta’Niya Latson (G) – The explosive scorer and veteran leader on the wing.
- Tessa Johnson (G) – A versatile guard who helps with ball movement, spacing, and perimeter defense.
- Joyce Edwards (F) – The Gamecocks’ leading scorer, providing consistent offense and rebounding.
- Madina Okot (C) – The strong interior presence who helps anchor post defense and the paint.
This core five blends South Carolina’s veteran leadership with its offensive and defensive identity — ball control, physicality, and efficient scoring. Johnson’s assist numbers and raven Johnson’s playmaking are key components of how Staley has balanced the backcourt. (ESPN.com)
Agot Makeer’s Return From Injury: Role and Impact
One of the biggest developments for South Carolina heading into this LSU matchup was the possible return of freshman guard Agot Makeer. Makeer had been sidelined for multiple games due to a lower-leg injury, missing action in recent contests. (On3)
Staley hinted earlier in the week that Makeer was progressing well:
“Agot is getting better,” Staley said. “She tried to get out there and do warm-ups… started to do some things, some drills in practice. Haven’t really gotten an entire practice down. Hopefully we can get her back.” (EssentiallySports)
Ultimately, Makeer was cleared off the official injury list, indicating she was available for the LSU game — a significant boost for the Gamecocks. Her 6-foot-1 size, defense, and two-way potential add depth to South Carolina’s guard rotation. If she did take the floor, Staley was expected to deploy her off the bench as a spark — providing quality minutes to help maintain tempo or give a scoring punch without disrupting the rhythm of the starters. (EssentiallySports)
Reserve Rotation and Injuries
South Carolina’s bench rotation has been tested all season with several players missing time, and heading into LSU, the reserve landscape looked like this:
Unavailable Players
- Maddy McDaniel (G) — Listed as OUT with a lower-foot issue. She had been a key playmaker, ranking high in assists when available. (On3)
- Adhel Tac (F) — Also listed as out, removing another depth piece from the frontcourt rotation. (On3)
Bench Contributors
With McDaniel and Tac unavailable, primary bench options included:
- Ayla McDowell (G) – Young sharpshooter providing spacing.
- Maryam Dauda (F) – Senior forward adding strength and rebounding off the bench.
- Alicia Tournebize (F) – The 6-foot-7 freshman who brings size and defensive presence.
- Agot Makeer (G) – If her status held, she would be a key reserve sub in the guard rotation.
South Carolina has dealt with constant turnover in availability this season — missing key players at various points — but still managed to maintain a competitive edge due to coaching depth and contributions from its bench. (On3)
Why the Rotation Matters Against LSU
Against a high-paced LSU offense, Staley’s lineup decisions were shaped by:
- Ball security and point-of-attack defense — With Raven Johnson and Tessa Johnson directing the offense.
- Mixing scoring and rebounding — Edwards and Okot provide two consistent big-game performers.
- Depth preservation — With McDaniel out, bringing Makeer back helps keep fresh legs in the backcourt late in games.
The guards’ ability to handle pressure and create their own shots gives South Carolina flexibility, while the forwards and bigs maintain interior strength against LSU’s varied scoring threats.
In sum, Staley’s starting five reflected a mix of veteran leadership and balanced offense, while the bench — now bolstered by Makeer’s return — added depth and tactical flexibility. Despite injuries depleting parts of the roster throughout the season, the Gamecocks continued to adapt and compete at a high level, a testament to the coaching and talent around them. (On3)
