South Carolina has already shown that its offensive production does not depend on one player. That could become a significant advantage when Dawn Staley’s No. 1-ranked Gamecocks meet No. 12 North Carolina on Sunday in Charlotte.
The Gamecocks opened their 2026–27 campaign with a 101–93 victory over No. 20 Maryland in Paris. Although the final score reflected a much closer contest than South Carolina would have preferred, the performance offered several encouraging signs about the team’s offensive potential.
Five players reached double figures. Joyce Edwards led the way with 23 points and eight rebounds, while Agot Makeer delivered a career-high 20 points. Tessa Johnson and freshman Jerzy Robinson each contributed 15 points, and Jordan Lee added 13 in her first appearance for the program.
That distribution of scoring is worth examining ahead of the North Carolina matchup. South Carolina has several players capable of creating offense, and opponents cannot concentrate their defensive attention on Edwards alone.
Joyce Edwards Gives South Carolina a Reliable Scoring Option
Edwards remains one of the most important players in South Carolina’s offensive structure. Her performance against Maryland demonstrated how quickly she can become a problem for opposing defenses when she establishes herself in the scoring areas.
After a quiet opening quarter, she found her rhythm in the second period, scoring 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting. She finished with 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Her value extends beyond scoring. Edwards can attack the basket, finish through contact and contribute on the boards. She also has the ability to create opportunities for teammates when defenses collapse around her.
North Carolina will need to account for her presence in the paint. Achol Akot and Ciera Toomey provide the Tar Heels with frontcourt options, but limiting Edwards will require consistent defensive positioning and help from the perimeter.
If Edwards receives sufficient opportunities near the basket, she could force North Carolina to adjust its defensive approach.
Agot Makeer’s Emergence Adds Another Dimension
One of the most encouraging developments from the Maryland game was Makeer’s performance.
The Gamecock forward finished with 20 points and made all four of her three-point attempts. She also recorded two steals and two blocks, demonstrating her ability to contribute in several areas.
Her perimeter shooting creates an interesting challenge for opposing defenses. Teams that devote too much attention to Edwards risk leaving other players with opportunities to score. Makeer’s ability to convert from beyond the arc gives South Carolina another way to punish defensive mistakes.
Her performance against Maryland was particularly valuable because it showed that she can provide substantial offensive production alongside the team’s established players.
North Carolina will have to identify her shooting opportunities early rather than allow her to settle into a comfortable rhythm.
Tessa Johnson and Jordan Lee Strengthen the Backcourt
South Carolina also has important contributions to consider from its guards.
Johnson finished the Maryland game with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists. Her perimeter shooting and ability to create opportunities make her an important part of the team’s offensive balance.
Lee also made a positive first impression. She scored 13 points and converted all seven of her free-throw attempts. Her ability to contribute without needing an unusually high number of possessions could become valuable as the season develops.
Freshman Jerzy Robinson deserves attention as well. Her 15-point debut, which included two three-pointers, gave South Carolina another productive perimeter option.
These performances provide Staley with several ways to organize the offense. Johnson can facilitate and score, Lee offers another capable scoring guard, and Robinson has already demonstrated that she can contribute against ranked competition.
North Carolina will need to defend the entire backcourt rather than focus exclusively on one player.
Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts Provide Important Frontcourt Contributions
The return of Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts is another significant development for South Carolina.
Watkins collected a team-high 10 rebounds against Maryland and added two blocks. Her athleticism, defensive instincts and ability to protect the rim give the Gamecocks an important presence around the basket.
Kitts also made a productive return from injury, finishing with eight points, seven rebounds and five assists. Her passing ability adds another dimension to the frontcourt because she can help South Carolina maintain offensive movement rather than rely exclusively on individual scoring.
Their contributions could become particularly important against a North Carolina team that will attempt to compete physically and create opportunities around the basket.
South Carolina’s frontcourt has different skill sets available. Edwards provides scoring, Watkins offers defensive presence and rebounding, while Kitts brings versatility and playmaking.
That combination gives Staley several options when deciding how to approach different stretches of the game.
South Carolina Must Turn Its Defensive Pressure Into Consistent Offense
One of the clearest strengths from the Maryland victory was South Carolina’s ability to create opportunities through defensive pressure.
The Gamecocks generated 21 points off turnovers and scored 27 fast-break points in the first half alone. Their aggressive approach helped produce a 61–33 halftime advantage.
That style could be particularly useful against North Carolina.
The Tar Heels opened their season with a 91–79 defeat against No. 21 Oklahoma in Paris. They struggled to contain Oklahoma’s offense after halftime, while the Sooners used their scoring efficiency to establish control.
North Carolina committed 17 turnovers in the game, although it also produced 16 steals. The Tar Heels demonstrated that they can create defensive opportunities, but their offensive execution and ability to protect the ball will need attention.
South Carolina should look to apply pressure, disrupt passing lanes and convert defensive stops into transition opportunities. However, the Gamecocks must also avoid unnecessary turnovers of their own.
The Maryland game offered a reminder that an early advantage does not guarantee an easy finish. South Carolina built a 31-point lead before allowing the Terrapins to make a serious second-half comeback. Maintaining defensive discipline for all four quarters will be essential.
North Carolina Has Its Own Talented Players to Consider
Despite the opening defeat, North Carolina has enough talent to make this a competitive matchup.
Freshman Kate Harpring led the Tar Heels against Oklahoma with 21 points, six rebounds and five assists. Nyla Brooks added 13 points, while Achol Akot and senior guard Reniya Kelly each scored 11.
Akot also contributed eight rebounds, and Sophie Burrows collected eight boards of her own.
Harpring’s performance deserves particular attention. She showed that she can handle a demanding offensive role against ranked opposition, and South Carolina cannot afford to give her unnecessary scoring opportunities.
The Tar Heels also have experience under head coach Courtney Banghart and are coming off consecutive Sweet 16 appearances. Their opening loss does not eliminate their ability to compete against an elite opponent.
Nevertheless, South Carolina has several offensive options that could place considerable pressure on North Carolina’s defensive organization.
Dawn Staley’s Team Has an Opportunity to Make Another Statement
The matchup carries additional significance because of the history between these programs. North Carolina leads the all-time series 7–6, but South Carolina has won the last four meetings.
Their most recent encounter came in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, when the Gamecocks defeated the Tar Heels 88–41.
The circumstances have changed, and neither team should rely on previous results to determine what happens in Charlotte. However, South Carolina enters this meeting with the No. 1 national ranking and an impressive collection of offensive options.
Edwards has already demonstrated her scoring ability. Makeer’s performance against Maryland introduced another significant threat, while Johnson, Lee and Robinson give the Gamecocks additional perimeter production. Watkins and Kitts also provide valuable contributions in the frontcourt.
The challenge for Staley will be to maintain that balance while ensuring the team improves its defensive consistency after the Maryland comeback.
South Carolina has the personnel to control the tempo, attack different areas of the floor and create problems for North Carolina’s defense. If the Gamecocks combine their offensive production with the defensive intensity they displayed early against Maryland, they will have a strong opportunity to secure another important victory.
Game information: South Carolina vs. North Carolina
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
Broadcast: ESPN
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