South Carolina vs. USC: Joyce Edwards, Agot Makeer and Tessa Johnson Face JuJu Watkins, Jazzy Davidson and Saniyah Hall
The countdown to The Real SC is underway, and the November 15 meeting between the No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks and No. 3 Southern California Trojans is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing early-season matchups in women’s college basketball.
Both programs have started the 2026–27 season with impressive performances. South Carolina has defeated Maryland and North Carolina, while USC has opened with victories over UNLV and Utah State.
One of the biggest storylines is the battle between the teams’ leading players. Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks will rely on Joyce Edwards, Agot Makeer and Tessa Johnson, while Lindsay Gottlieb’s Trojans have an exciting trio in JuJu Watkins, Jazzy Davidson and freshman Saniyah Hall.
The comparison is particularly interesting because USC’s three featured players have combined for impressive scoring numbers, while South Carolina offers a balanced attack with multiple players capable of changing the game.
South Carolina’s Top Three: What Edwards, Makeer and Johnson Bring
1. Joyce Edwards: South Carolina’s Leading Scorer
Joyce Edwards has quickly established herself as one of the most important players in South Carolina’s offense.
Through the first two games, Edwards is averaging:
- 19.0 points
- 6.0 rebounds
- 2.5 assists
- 53.1% field-goal shooting
Her ability to score around the basket, attack defenders and create opportunities makes her a major offensive threat.
Against North Carolina on November 8, Edwards finished with 15 points, four rebounds and one assist while shooting 7-of-13 from the field.
Against USC, her ability to score against a defense featuring Watkins, Davidson and Hall will be particularly important.
2. Agot Makeer: An Efficient Scoring Option
Agot Makeer has also made an impressive start to the season.
Her first-two-game averages include:
- 14.5 points
- 2.5 rebounds
- 2.0 assists
- 66.7% field-goal shooting
Makeer’s efficiency gives South Carolina another dependable scoring option. She has also demonstrated the ability to contribute from beyond the three-point line.
She scored nine points against North Carolina, adding four rebounds and one assist.
Her ability to take advantage of defensive attention directed toward Edwards could become an important factor against USC.
3. Tessa Johnson: Perimeter Scoring and Experience
Tessa Johnson provides South Carolina with another important offensive weapon.
Through two games, she is averaging:
- 13.5 points
- 4.0 rebounds
- 2.5 assists
- 50.0% field-goal shooting
- 50.0% three-point shooting
Johnson’s perimeter shooting could be especially valuable against a USC team capable of producing points in bunches.
Against North Carolina, she scored 12 points, shooting 5-of-10 from the field and 2-of-4 from three-point range.
If Johnson finds her rhythm from the perimeter, USC could face additional pressure defending the Gamecocks’ offense.
Chloe Kitts: The Important Fourth Factor
Although Agot Makeer ranks ahead of Chloe Kitts in South Carolina’s scoring averages, Kitts deserves special attention heading into this matchup.
Kitts is averaging 12.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists through two games.
Her performance against North Carolina was particularly impressive: 17 points, 10 rebounds and two assists in just 18 minutes.
Her rebounding, passing and ability to score inside give Staley another major weapon against USC’s frontcourt.
USC’s Top Three: The Watkins, Davidson and Hall Combination
1. JuJu Watkins: The Offensive Leader
JuJu Watkins has made a remarkable return to the court after missing the 2025–26 season.
Through USC’s first two games, Watkins is averaging:
- 26.5 points
- 10.5 rebounds
- 4.0 assists
- 3.5 steals
- 1.0 block
She earned Big Ten Player of the Week recognition on November 9 after helping USC defeat UNLV and Utah State.
Her opening performance against UNLV produced 21 points, five rebounds and two assists.
She followed that with a spectacular performance against Utah State, recording 32 points, 16 rebounds, six assists and five steals.
Watkins brings scoring, rebounding, playmaking and defensive activity. Her ability to influence several areas of the game makes her one of the biggest challenges for South Carolina.
2. Jazzy Davidson: The Playmaker and Versatile Scorer
Jazzy Davidson has also been an important part of USC’s early-season success.
Her first-two-game averages are:
- 17.5 points
- 4.0 rebounds
- 5.0 assists
- 75.0% field-goal shooting
Davidson’s biggest strength is her ability to contribute beyond scoring.
She can create opportunities for Watkins and Hall while also taking advantage of scoring opportunities herself.
Against UNLV, Davidson led USC with 23 points, five rebounds and four assists.
She added 12 points and six assists against Utah State.
Her playmaking will be especially important if South Carolina focuses its defensive attention on Watkins.
3. Saniyah Hall: A Freshman Making an Immediate Impact
Saniyah Hall has made an impressive entrance into college basketball.
The freshman is averaging:
- 21.0 points
- 6.0 rebounds
- 2.0 assists
- 2.0 blocks
- 66.7% field-goal shooting
Hall opened her college career with 22 points and seven rebounds against UNLV.
She followed that performance with 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks against Utah State.
Her scoring efficiency and ability to contribute defensively have already made her an important part of Gottlieb’s rotation.
Hall also earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week recognition on November 9.
For South Carolina, limiting Hall’s opportunities will be another important defensive assignment.
The Statistical Comparison
The following figures are season averages through each team’s first two games.
| Category | South Carolina trio | USC trio |
|---|---|---|
| Leading scorer | Joyce Edwards: 19.0 PPG | JuJu Watkins: 26.5 PPG |
| Second scorer | Agot Makeer: 14.5 PPG | Saniyah Hall: 21.0 PPG |
| Third scorer | Tessa Johnson: 13.5 PPG | Jazzy Davidson: 17.5 PPG |
| Combined scoring | 47.0 PPG | 65.0 PPG |
| Combined rebounds | 12.5 RPG | 20.5 RPG |
| Combined assists | 7.0 APG | 11.0 APG |
The numbers give USC’s featured trio an early statistical advantage in scoring, rebounding and assists.
However, the comparison does not tell the entire story. South Carolina has additional contributors, including Kitts, who has already demonstrated her ability to produce a major rebounding and scoring performance.
Three Matchups That Could Decide the Game
1. Joyce Edwards vs. JuJu Watkins
This is arguably the most exciting individual storyline. Edwards will need to establish herself offensively, while Watkins enters the contest as USC’s leading scorer and rebounder.
2. Tessa Johnson vs. Jazzy Davidson
Johnson’s perimeter shooting will be important against Davidson’s playmaking and efficient scoring. Whichever player makes the bigger impact could give her team an important advantage.
3. South Carolina’s Frontcourt vs. USC’s Scoring Depth
Kitts and the Gamecocks’ frontcourt could play a major role in controlling rebounds and creating second-chance opportunities. USC, meanwhile, will look to Watkins and Hall to provide scoring and physical presence.
Who Has the Advantage?
USC’s featured trio currently has the stronger combined statistical production, particularly because Watkins and Hall have started the season scoring at a high level.
But South Carolina has a different kind of advantage: experience playing against highly ranked competition, defensive pressure and a deeper collection of contributors.
The Gamecocks also demonstrated their defensive potential against North Carolina, holding the Tar Heels to just 39 points in an 84–39 victory.
For USC, the challenge will be maintaining its offensive efficiency against a much more demanding defensive opponent.
For South Carolina, the priority will be limiting Watkins’ influence, making Hall work for her scoring opportunities and preventing Davidson from comfortably controlling the offense.
Final Takeaway
The November 15 matchup is more than a meeting between two highly ranked programs. It is an opportunity to see how two talented groups of players respond to elite competition.
Watkins, Davidson and Hall bring scoring, playmaking and versatility to USC. Edwards, Makeer and Johnson provide South Carolina with three important offensive options, while Chloe Kitts adds another major dimension through rebounding and inside scoring.
The statistical advantage currently belongs to USC’s featured trio, but the overall outcome could depend on defense, rebounding, bench production and which team handles the pressure better.
One thing is certain: this is a matchup with plenty of star power on both sides.
South Carolina vs. Southern California — November 15, 2026. The Real SC.
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