COLUMBIA — After South Carolina’s dominant 106–42 victory over NC Central, head coach Dawn Staley met with reporters to discuss her short-handed roster, creative lineup decisions, and what she’s learning about her team through these unusual early-season challenges.
Below is a full breakdown of her comments and what they reveal about the state of the No. 3 Gamecocks.
Illness Hits the Team Again
South Carolina played without multiple key contributors, including Tessa Johnson and Agot Makeer, and saw Madina Okot exit mid-game due to illness.
When asked about Okot not returning after halftime, Staley said simply:
“She didn’t come back in. She was feeling a little sick. What’s going around?”
The ongoing wave of sickness has repeatedly altered South Carolina’s rotations—and Sunday was no different.
Why Adhel Tac Earned the Start
Staley surprised many by starting Adhel Tac, and she explained that the choice came down to performance and roster balance.
“She earned it. That’s one,” Staley said. She added that with guards out, she wanted a “big” in the starting lineup, noting she hoped to see how Tac and Joyce Edwards looked together on the floor.
Finding Cohesion: The Message Behind the Third-Quarter Surge
The Gamecocks opened the third quarter with a massive run, looking far more unified than in the first half. Staley said her message at the break was about teamwork:
“We’re still trying to find out our identity… I probably said we got our own little islands. We gotta make a continent.”
She pointed to Edwards as the catalyst for the shift, praising her willingness to kick out passes and generate open shots for teammates.
Ta’Niya Latson Learning to Score Within a System
Latson, last season’s national scoring leader at Florida State, is still adjusting to South Carolina’s system. Staley said balancing her natural scoring instincts with team play is a challenge:
“Scorers are hard. They have a different mindset.”
Staley emphasized that Latson is growing as a passer and defender, highlighting that her development will ultimately make her “a better pro.”
Navigating a Varied Non-Conference Schedule
Staley said the mix of elite opponents and lighter matchups provides valuable teaching moments:
“They’re all lessons… Can we play disciplined? Can we just play together?”
She also noted how lower-pressure games allow the team to experiment without the consequences that come in matchups like Texas or Louisville.
Ayla McDowell’s Green Light From Deep
Freshman Ayla McDowell delivered one of her best performances yet, and Staley explained that it was her reaction to struggling in the Texas game that changed everything:
“She didn’t like the way she played… and she went right to the gym after we got back.”
Staley said McDowell can “shoot them off” and is finally positioning herself to get open looks.
Mutual Respect Between USC Football and Basketball
A South Carolina football signee recently praised Staley publicly. When asked about it, she said:
“It’s just what we do… we do help each other out.”
She credited Shane Beamer for fostering a unified athletic culture on campus.
Could Freshmen Enroll Early to Help Depth?
With just 10 players on the roster and multiple injuries, Staley was asked about possible mid-year additions. She shut it down:
“No, not the ones that we signed. No, they’re all committed to their high school.”
Does Health Delay Team Chemistry?
Staley admitted that constant absences make building identity harder, but she refuses to dwell on unavailable players:
“We had eight today… we’re just gonna play the hand that we’re dealt.”
She acknowledged fans are frustrated but reminded them that this team is being tested:
“We are at our very best when we’re challenged.”
Tessa Johnson’s Growth and Aggression
Staley praised Johnson’s maturity and natural instincts, saying her aggressiveness comes from playing the right way:
“Sometimes playing the right way is an aggressive Tessa.”
Even Raven Johnson joked mid-game, telling Staley, “I miss Tessa.”
Staley agreed.
