BATON ROUGE, LA — The No. 3 South Carolina Gamecocks (24-2, 10-1 SEC) are navigating significant injury concerns as they prepare to face No. 6 LSU (22-3, 8-3) on February 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
According to the SEC injury report released on February 13, guards Maddy McDaniel, Chloe Kitts, and Adhel Tac were all listed as out for the Gamecocks. Notably, guard Agot Makeer was absent from the injury report entirely, suggesting potential availability after missing recent action.
Depth Concerns Against High-Scoring LSU Bench
For South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, maintaining roster depth is particularly crucial in this matchup. LSU leads the nation in bench scoring, averaging 40.6 points per game from their reserves, making the Gamecocks’ injury situation even more challenging.
Staley emphasized the importance of having healthy bodies available, noting “the healthier the better in terms of depth” when facing a team that gets such substantial production from non-starters.
Agot Makeer’s Recovery Progress
Makeer hasn’t seen game action since the first quarter of South Carolina’s January 29 contest against Auburn, when she suffered an unspecified lower leg injury. However, there are encouraging signs regarding her status.
On February 13, Makeer was observed at practice wearing the same gear as her teammates, shooting alongside Ayla McDowell while Staley addressed the media. This marks a positive development in her recovery process.
The 6-foot-1 guard has been a vital defensive asset for the Gamecocks, particularly in their top-five victory over Texas on January 15. Her length and court vision have contributed to averages of 6.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season.
This isn’t Makeer’s first absence of the season—she previously spent December 6-28 in concussion protocol before returning just ahead of SEC conference play. She started against both Vanderbilt and Auburn before exiting early in the first quarter against the Tigers.
Maddy McDaniel’s Ongoing Struggles
McDaniel’s availability remains uncertain after she was unexpectedly listed as out just one hour before tipoff against Tennessee on February 8. The sophomore guard was subsequently seen wearing a boot on her left ankle, and Staley indicated she would be “day to day” on February 9.
McDaniel was not visible at the conclusion of practice on February 13, though she could have been receiving treatment in the training room.
The sophomore has seen increased playing time recently, stepping up when Staley was without two of her three starting guards for matchups against Texas A&M on February 2 and Mississippi State on February 5. During that stretch, McDaniel started against the Aggies and delivered solid production, combining for 17 points and nine assists over those two games while averaging 4.5 points and three assists on the season.
McDaniel’s season has been disrupted by multiple setbacks. She suffered a knee injury in the season opener, and while recovering from that ailment, she was suspended. She missed a total of four complete games during that period, with the Tennessee game marking a fifth absence.
Season-Long Injury Battle
The injury challenges have been a persistent theme throughout South Carolina’s campaign. In 17 games this season, Staley has either started or finished a contest with at least one player unavailable—a testament to the roster management challenges the coaching staff has faced.
The situation improved slightly when starting senior guard Ta’Niya Latson returned against Tennessee after missing two games. Latson, who had stopped playing in the first half of the Auburn contest, came back wearing a substantial brace on her left knee and delivered a team-high 21 points in the victory.
As South Carolina prepares for one of its most significant conference battles of the season, the health and availability of these key rotation players could prove decisive against an LSU team that has demonstrated the ability to overwhelm opponents with fresh legs off the bench.
