South Carolina’s women’s basketball team takes on North Carolina on Thursday evening in Atlanta for their final warm-up before the regular season begins. Here are five storylines to monitor.
1. Can They Replicate Success?
The exhibition victory over Anderson showcased plenty of positives: Madina Okot demonstrated versatility, Agot Makeer excelled defensively while facilitating plays, Joyce Edwards showed her dominance, and Adhel Tac nearly recorded a double-double.
However, the performance requires context – the opponent was a Division II school that South Carolina was expected to overwhelm.
The matchup with the Tar Heels offers a more legitimate test. While both squads will keep portions of their game plans under wraps, the talent levels will be more comparable.
Okot and Makeer will be particularly intriguing to observe, following their impressive showing against Anderson. Can they maintain similar production against stronger competition?
According to Dawn Staley, “I want us as aggressive because some of us were aggressive shooting the basketball. I don’t want to take away from them.”
2. Return to Georgia
The Atlanta exhibition serves as a homecoming for seniors Raven Johnson and Ta’Niya Latson, both Westlake High School national championship winners. Johnson hails from Atlanta, while Latson relocated to Westlake from Florida.
Beyond providing this special opportunity, the exhibition capitalizes on updated NCAA regulations for preseason games. The previous system limited teams to one public exhibition against non-D-I opponents and one closed scrimmage against D-I opponents, with waivers required for public D-I exhibitions.
Current rules permit two exhibitions—public or private—against any division without waivers. The Gamecocks chose two public exhibitions, while the Tar Heels maintained their traditional closed scrimmage format, facing Tennessee.
The public exhibition also creates NIL opportunities for players, which Staley has prioritized in scheduling decisions.
3. Three-Point Shooting
The Gamecocks connected on just 4 of 18 three-point attempts against Anderson. Staley wasn’t overly concerned, explaining they executed only limited offensive sets and therefore didn’t generate three-pointers through their usual offensive rhythm.
Nevertheless, Tessa Johnson made just 1 of 5 attempts, Ta’Niya Latson went 0-for-2, and reserve players collectively missed all five of their three-point shots.
Staley noted, “I’d like to see Tessa be a little bit more aggressive offensively. If we could just bring our practice habits to games, we’ll be all right offensively.”
Improving perimeter shooting before games become official would be beneficial.
4. Extended Minutes for Maryam
Against Anderson, Staley prioritized giving Edwards and Okot extended playing time, which limited Maryam Dauda’s opportunities.
Though Dauda logged 19 minutes total, only six came in the first half. Second-half minutes lack intensity when leading by 60-plus points. Expect Dauda to see more early action on Thursday.
5. North Carolina’s Roster Transformation
North Carolina’s roster has undergone major changes since these programs last met two years ago. The Tar Heels lost their top three scorers from last season to graduation, creating a rebuilt frontcourt.
Louisville transfer Nyla Harris (senior) averaged 9.5 points and 6.0 rebounds over her past two seasons. Sophomore Blanca Thomas, who averaged just 2.4 points and 3.5 rebounds while playing under 11 minutes per game as a freshman, should see expanded responsibilities.
Junior point guard Reniya Kelly, last season’s second-team All-ACC selection, averaged 9.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists as North Carolina’s top returning scorer. Senior guard Indya Nivar (8.3 points, 4.5 rebounds) is the leading returning rebounder.
Sophomore Lanie Grant, an ACC All-Freshman team member, posted 7.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. McDonald’s All-American and Virginia Player of the Year Nyla Brooks, ranked 13th nationally in her recruiting class, joins as a freshman.
Despite its exhibition status and South Carolina’s incomplete game plan, the Gamecocks are competing to win.
“We’re playing it in public and playing another D1 school to win, to see where we are, to see where some pieces can help us throughout the year,” Staley explained. “We need to see some chemistry, see some players play well together.”
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