“You Can Never Count Out Dawn Staley”: South Carolina Eyes Another Title Despite Key Injuries
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Dawn Staley era at South Carolina continues Monday night as the Gamecocks tip off their 2025–26 season, still holding themselves to championship standards — even with two major players sidelined.
With Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins out for the year due to knee injuries, some analysts believe the Gamecocks’ path to another SEC and national title just got tougher. Though still ranked inside the top five nationally, South Carolina has slipped a few spots in several preseason polls — sparking doubts from some corners of the college basketball world.
But as others have learned before, overlooking a Dawn Staley team is a mistake.
On the Beyond the Arc podcast from Field of 68 and On3, analysts Talia Goodman and Genesis Bryant broke down the upcoming season’s biggest storylines — and South Carolina was front and center.
“You can never count out Dawn Staley and her team,” Bryant insisted, pushing back on the notion that USC’s injuries would derail its title hopes.
Goodman, while agreeing with Bryant’s respect for the program, questioned whether South Carolina’s depth could withstand the loss of two starters. “There is no question about the talent they have,” she said. “My question is about the depth that they have. Ashlyn Watkins won’t be playing basketball this year. Chloe Kitts recently announced she tore her ACL and will be out for the year.”
New Faces and Familiar Resolve
South Carolina enters the season with just 10 healthy players, including four newcomers — two freshmen and two transfers. Only one returning player has significant starting experience in a Gamecock uniform.
Still, Goodman praised Staley’s roster moves, highlighting transfers Ta’Niya Latson and Madina Okot as impact additions. She also pointed to Joyce Edwards, a freshman forward expected to take on an expanded role in the absence of Kitts and Watkins.
Bryant added that point guard Raven Johnson could be the team’s emotional leader this season. “She’s ready for her get-back season,” Bryant said. “She’s playing with a different level of competitiveness, chasing her third ring.”
History Says: Don’t Doubt the Gamecocks
If history is any guide, South Carolina tends to thrive when underestimated. The last two times the Gamecocks were ranked outside the preseason top five, they responded with dominance.
In 2019–20, the Gamecocks opened at No. 8 and rose to No. 1 with a 32–1 record before the COVID-19 pandemic cut the postseason short. In 2023–24, they began at No. 6 and went on to complete a perfect, undefeated national championship season.
Since the 2016–17 season, South Carolina has claimed three national championships — more than any other program in that span. Each title run has featured adversity, from A’ja Wilson’s squad losing Alaina Coates before the 2017 NCAA Tournament to Staley’s 2024 team overcoming the loss of five WNBA Draft picks.
Now, the 2025–26 Gamecocks face another test — one that could demand Staley’s most masterful coaching yet.
Next Up
The Gamecocks open the season Monday night at 7:00 p.m. against Grand Canyon University, led by former South Carolina assistant Winston Gandy. The game will stream live on SEC Network+.
Once again, the message from Columbia is clear: Never count out Dawn Staley and her Gamecocks.
