Joyce Edwards and Agot Makeer Reveal South Carolina’s Mindset, Conditioning and Expectations Ahead of Maryland Showdown

As South Carolina women’s basketball prepares to open its 2026–27 season against Maryland in Paris, Joyce Edwards and Agot Makeer have offered insight into the team’s preparation, the importance of mental toughness and the standards Dawn Staley expects from her players.

The Gamecocks enter the season with championship ambitions and a demanding schedule that will challenge their depth, consistency and ability to perform under pressure. Speaking with reporters ahead of the matchup, Edwards and Makeer discussed the differences in preseason preparation, lessons from last season, the importance of rebounding and how younger players can adjust to competing for one of the nation’s most prominent programs.

Their comments point to a team focused on improving its conditioning, maintaining consistent intensity and making every possession count as it prepares for an early test against a ranked opponent.

Joyce Edwards Highlights the Importance of Conditioning and Mental Toughness

One of the central themes of South Carolina’s preparation has been improving the players’ physical readiness and mental resilience. Asked what has changed compared with last season’s practices, Edwards pointed to the increased workload and emphasis on conditioning.

“I feel like a lot longer practices. I feel like we’ve been getting up and down a little bit more as well… just, you know, building our conditioning… yeah, just trying to mentally prepare for the [season] that we have.”

Edwards’ response suggests that South Carolina has approached preseason with an understanding of what lies ahead. The Gamecocks face a demanding schedule, and sustaining their performance throughout the season will require more than talent alone.

Longer practices and additional up-and-down play can help players prepare for the pace of competitive basketball. Just as importantly, the emphasis on mental preparation reflects the need to remain focused when fatigue sets in and games become increasingly difficult.

The conversation also turned to last season’s challenges, including injuries, lineup changes and the physical and emotional demands of a long campaign.

Edwards acknowledged how those circumstances affected the team.

“Yeah, that’s a lot. And people were in or out, people were injured, so we kind of had a short bench… but I feel like it definitely plays into it, especially when you’re playing from November all the way to April. So, I mean, it goes through…”

Her comments highlight the difficulties of maintaining consistency across an entire college basketball season. Injuries can reduce rotation options, place greater responsibility on available players and make it harder to preserve energy over several months.

South Carolina’s increased focus on conditioning and mental strength appears designed to help the team handle those challenges more effectively this season.

Agot Makeer Identifies Rebounding as a Major Priority

While Edwards discussed preparation and endurance, Makeer identified rebounding and effort as important areas of emphasis during preseason.

“Actually, rebounding is a big one. That’s the emphasis, like, all season or all preseason. So I think doing that, playing hard through every possession… A lot of people got to be in during Benedict, so it was really good for everyone to get the feel of the court and like play…”

Rebounding can influence both ends of the floor. Securing defensive rebounds limits opponents’ second-chance opportunities, while offensive rebounds can create additional possessions and scoring chances.

Makeer’s comments suggest the coaching staff wants South Carolina to approach every possession with urgency rather than relying solely on its offensive talent.

The exhibition against Benedict also provided valuable opportunities for players throughout the roster to gain experience. Allowing more players to see the floor can help them become comfortable with the pace of competition and prepare them for different responsibilities during the regular season.

For a team with championship expectations, that experience could prove important when injuries, foul trouble or matchup decisions require adjustments to the rotation.

Makeer’s Summer Experience Helped Shape Her Approach

Makeer also reflected on her summer experience with Team Canada’s women’s national team and how she adjusted to the demands of South Carolina’s preseason.

“I’d say summer I had experience with Team Canada. I played with the women’s national team for the first time, so that was a different experience. And then when I got here, I think I was slower at the start of preseason, and I was talking to myself a lot. I was like, I can’t be like this anymore. It was kind of a switch, and I feel like I’ve just been the same intensity. I don’t get too high or too low, so it’s been really consistent for me.”

Her remarks reveal a period of self-evaluation and adjustment. Rather than allowing a difficult start to define her preparation, Makeer recognized the need to change her approach and bring greater consistency to her performances.

Her experience with the Canadian national team also gave her an opportunity to compete in a different environment before returning to South Carolina.

Maintaining a consistent level of intensity, regardless of circumstances, could be especially valuable against Maryland, where the Gamecocks will need to remain composed while facing a talented opponent early in the season.

Paris Provides a Special Opportunity for Edwards

The season opener will also carry personal significance for Edwards, who is looking forward to seeing former teammates while experiencing the opportunity to compete in Paris.

“I’m very excited. Some of my former teammates are going to be there. Miriam’s going to be there, so I’m excited to see her. But obviously, Paris is a great place to be… just an honor to have the opportunity to play there, and we’re just going to give it our all.”

Edwards’ excitement reflects the unique nature of opening a season overseas. Beyond the basketball matchup, the trip offers players an opportunity to experience a different setting and reconnect with familiar faces.

However, her final remarks also reinforced the team’s competitive mindset. South Carolina intends to make the most of the opportunity by preparing seriously and giving its full effort when the game begins.

A Message for South Carolina’s Younger Players

Another important topic was how experienced players can help younger teammates adjust to the expectations of playing for South Carolina.

With a talented roster, competition for minutes is likely to be intense. Not every player will receive the same opportunities in every game, and those who enter the rotation must be ready to contribute immediately.

Makeer explained the importance of patience, understanding individual responsibilities and remaining prepared.

“Yeah, I think we talk about it a lot in practices, but an emphasis to just understand your role and understand that you will get in the game at some point and you have to execute when you’re in the game… just being patient and just being ready when your name is called.

“…I have to bring this [intensity] the whole season, so I just have to be ready.”

That message reflects a team-first approach. Players must understand that their contributions may differ, but every role can influence the outcome of a game.

For younger players, learning to stay engaged even when minutes are limited can be just as important as developing their individual skills. When opportunities arrive, execution and readiness become essential.

Makeer’s emphasis on patience also aligns with the broader focus on consistency. South Carolina will need players who can maintain their effort, accept their responsibilities and respond positively to changing circumstances.

Edwards Welcomes the Challenge of Facing Maryland

The Gamecocks will begin their campaign against a ranked Maryland team, giving them an immediate opportunity to measure their preparation against quality competition.

Edwards welcomed the challenge and acknowledged the difficulty of South Carolina’s schedule.

“I mean, it’s great. I mean, in a sense… we’re going to play hard opponents. We have probably one of the toughest schedules in the nation, and we know that… we all know that we’re a great place and a great team, and we want to compete against the best… so we just can’t wait to get out there and just perform.”

Edwards’ comments capture the confidence and expectations surrounding the program. South Carolina understands that its schedule will demand strong performances against high-level opponents, but the team is embracing that challenge rather than avoiding it.

The Maryland matchup will test the Gamecocks’ conditioning, rebounding, discipline and ability to execute under pressure. It will also provide an early indication of how effectively the team has translated its preseason work into game performance.

Final Analysis: South Carolina Is Focused on Consistency

The key takeaway from Edwards and Makeer’s comments is that South Carolina’s preparation extends beyond individual talent. The Gamecocks are emphasizing physical readiness, mental toughness, rebounding, effort and a clear understanding of each player’s role.

Edwards’ reflections on last season underline the importance of managing a long campaign, while Makeer’s discussion of consistency and readiness highlights the standards required to contribute to a championship-caliber team.

Against Maryland, South Carolina will have an early opportunity to demonstrate whether those priorities are translating into results. The season opener will not determine the Gamecocks’ entire campaign, but it will provide a meaningful first test of their preparation and their ability to compete against one of the nation’s ranked programs.

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