South Carolina Set to Battle Rival Clemson as Dawn Staley’s Squad Closes Out Opening Homestand
The South Carolina Gamecocks wrap up their season-opening stretch at home with an in-state showdown against Clemson, and there’s plenty to watch when the two rivals tip off Tuesday night at Colonial Life Arena.
1. Johnson & Johnson Running the Show
Through two games, Ta’Niyah Latson and Joyce Edwards have delivered exactly what South Carolina expected, each averaging 18.5 points per game. But it’s been the Johnson duo — Raven and Tessa — who’ve really turned heads early.
After a rough 2024-25 season, Raven Johnson looks back to her old self. The junior guard is averaging 11.0 points, 9.0 assists, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.0 steals, with only three turnovers total. She’s also found her rhythm from deep, shooting 4-for-7 from three to start the year.
For perspective, last season it took Raven eight games — until November 30 against Purdue — to make her fourth three-pointer. By then, she was 4-for-23 and had just reached 18 assists, a mark she’s already hit this season.
Meanwhile, Tessa Johnson has taken her game to another level. After being a reliable role player her first two seasons, she’s evolved into a three-level scorer, averaging 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 45.5% from beyond the arc.
When Tessa told reporters after the North Carolina exhibition that she doesn’t worry about scoring, Dawn Staley quickly interrupted with a laugh: “I do!”
The new up-tempo, guard-oriented offense seems tailor-made for both Johnsons, and Tessa says it’s brought a fun new energy to the group.
“It’s very fun,” Tessa said. “You can see it out there. We’re all having fun with each other. I think this is just a different dynamic. We’re playing really fast.”
2. Injury Updates
Coach Staley provided updates Monday on two guards dealing with early-season injuries.
Maddy McDaniel, who collided knees with a defender in the season opener, is expected to miss her second straight game. Meanwhile, Agot Makeer, who exited the Bowling Green matchup in the third quarter, is expected to return to action against Clemson.
3. Staley Wants More Threes
Offensively, there’s little to complain about — South Carolina is averaging a massive 104 points per game through two contests. Still, Staley wants one thing improved: more three-point attempts.
The Gamecocks are shooting an efficient 45.5% (15-for-33) from deep, but Staley said on Carolina Calls that her goal was 10 made threes against Bowling Green. They only hit six.
“We’ll take the percentage,” she said, “but we’ve got to keep firing them up.”
Expect the Gamecocks to test their range again Tuesday to see if they can meet Staley’s challenge.
4. Recruiting Momentum Continues
The NCAA Early Signing Period officially begins Wednesday, but South Carolina is already rolling.
On Monday, five-star forward Kaeli Wynn from California committed to the Gamecocks, joining Kelsi Andrews in the 2026 class. Both are expected to sign in the coming week.
South Carolina remains in hot pursuit of other elite prospects, including Jerzy Robinson, Fope Ayo, Alicia Tournebize, and Sara Okeke.
5. Scouting the Tigers
Under second-year head coach Shawn Poppie, Clemson is trending upward but may still be a year away from SEC-level competition.
The Tigers are 2-0 with wins over USC Upstate (76–38) and Mercer (72–51), but both opponents were picked to finish near the bottom of their respective conferences.
Poppie’s squad loves to play fast and shoot threes, averaging 22.5 attempts per game at a 40% clip — slightly higher volume and accuracy than last year’s 34.5%.
“They spread you out, they like to play in transition, they like to play ahead in the possession so they can get spot-up threes,” Staley said. “Tough. They’ll pressure. They’ll play a little zone. So we’ve got to prepare.”
One possible weakness for Clemson is size. The Tigers have just one starter taller than 6-foot, and while they’re currently outrebounding opponents 40 to 22.5, they haven’t yet faced a team with South Carolina’s physicality and depth.
6. Rivalry History
South Carolina has dominated the series, winning 14 straight since a double-overtime loss in 2009. The two didn’t meet during the 2020–21 pandemic season.
Since 2011, Clemson has only kept the margin under 20 points once — a 69–57 loss in 2018. Most matchups have been blowouts, though Clemson pushed South Carolina harder last year before the Gamecocks used a 17–0 run to pull away for a 77–45 victory.
“It took a little while for us to separate ourselves the last time we played them,” Staley said. “So we’ll be ready to rock and roll.”
Game Details
- Who: No. 2 South Carolina (2–0) vs. Clemson (2–0)
- When: Tuesday, November 11 – 6:00 p.m. ET
- Where: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC
- Watch: ESPN2
South Carolina looks to keep its perfect start — and its long-running dominance over Clemson — alive in what promises to be another fiery rivalry clash.
