COLUMBIA, S.C. — The wait is finally over. No. 2 South Carolina women’s basketball takes the floor Friday night at Colonial Life Arena for its first exhibition game of the 2025-26 season, facing Anderson University at 7 p.m. Admission is free, and fans are expected to pack the arena to get an early look at Dawn Staley’s newest powerhouse squad.
Here are five things to watch as the Gamecocks tip off a new season filled with high expectations.
1. Will South Carolina Look Sharper Than Last Season?
Exhibitions can sometimes be deceptive — they might reveal everything, or nothing at all.
In 2023, the Gamecocks’ exhibition win over Rutgers offered the first glimpse that something special was brewing. Last year’s tune-up told a different story — the team looked fine, but not fully in sync, which turned out to be a theme throughout the season.
Head coach Dawn Staley says her expectations remain simple but demanding.
“My expectation is to play like you’ve been coached,” Staley said. “Play like you’ve been practicing. It’s not hard, (but) it may be a little difficult for some. There’ll be some people in here — a lot of people, hopefully — seeing them play for the first time, and it takes a while to make that transition.”
Fans will be watching closely to see if Raven Johnson can knock down shots from deep, if Tessa Johnson shows aggression on both ends, and if freshman Joyce Edwards continues to evolve. The big question: does this year’s offense flow more efficiently than last year’s?
2. The Rotation Without Chloe Kitts
With Chloe Kitts sidelined due to injury, South Carolina’s lineup is a bit more predictable — at least for now. Expect a starting five of Raven Johnson, Ta’Niya Latson, Tessa Johnson, Joyce Edwards, and Madina Okot.
But how Staley manages the minutes behind them will be key.
“Chloe Kitts is a dog,” Staley said. “We just have to do it a different way.”
Every preseason, Staley reminds fans that exhibition rotations don’t necessarily reflect what’s to come. Friday’s lineups will likely feature plenty of experimentation as the coaching staff evaluates chemistry and substitution patterns.
3. Debuts for the Transfers
The spotlight will shine bright on newcomers Ta’Niya Latson and Madina Okot, who make their Gamecock debuts in front of the home crowd.
Latson, the NCAA’s leading scorer last season at Florida State (25.2 PPG), brings a lethal scoring touch and electric pace. But under Staley, she’s being asked to expand her game.
“This is my first time in CLA so I’m a little nervous,” Latson admitted. “I’m just working through things. She has me seeing things that I haven’t seen on both ends of the floor. I feel like I can integrate what I do and also be a better player, a better playmaker, and a better teammate.”
Meanwhile, Madina Okot adds a new dimension in the paint — the kind of physical presence South Carolina missed last season. Coaches and teammates have raved about her dominance in practice. The big test now: can she translate that energy into real game action?
4. The Freshmen Factor
Highly touted freshmen Agot Makeer and Ayla McDowell have impressed early, and their development just became even more crucial after Kitts’ injury left South Carolina with only 10 active players.
Both are listed as 6-foot-1 guards, but their size and versatility could allow them to fill gaps at multiple positions. The question is: can they stretch the floor and defend at an SEC-ready level?
Staley has been careful not to heap too much pressure on the young duo.
“I want them to be them,” Staley said. “I don’t want to put pressure on them because they put enough pressure on themselves. They’re super talented. They are confident. They’ve been holding their own.”
Makeer’s defensive energy and McDowell’s outside shooting will be two storylines worth monitoring.
5. Adjusting to the New Rule Changes
The 2025-26 season brings a few notable rule changes — most minor, but one particularly interesting.
Officials have new guidelines for traveling and “hot stove” touches, and there are small administrative tweaks, but the biggest difference is the introduction of coaches’ challenges. While fouls can’t be reviewed, coaches can now challenge calls such as out-of-bounds plays or backcourt violations.
“If I’m Staley, I challenge the first out-of-bounds call of the season just to break the ice,” one staff member joked.
Fans might not notice most of the new tweaks, but the ability to challenge could add drama — especially in close games.
Game Details
- Who: No. 2 South Carolina vs. Anderson
- When: Friday, October 24, 7:00 p.m. ET
- Where: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, S.C.
- Admission: Free, general seating (no TV or radio broadcast)
- Coverage: GamecockCentral’s new Women’s Basketball Forum will provide live updates.
The Gamecocks have gone 16-0 in exhibitions since 2009-10, winning by an average of 56.2 points per game. Fans may not see perfection on Friday, but they’ll get a glimpse of a team built to make another run at a national championship — and perhaps something even more special.
