South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball vs. Ole Miss Rebels women’s basketball: Five Things to WatchSouth Carolina returns home Sunday with more than just another SEC matchup on the line. With ESPN’s College GameDay in town and a conference title within reach, the Gamecocks face Ole Miss in a high-stakes showdown. Here are five key storylines to follow.1. Injury Updates and Player AvailabilityAll eyes will be on the Gamecocks’ backcourt. Raven Johnson battled illness earlier in the week and logged 19 minutes against Alabama. After sitting out Friday’s practice for rest, she is expected to be available Sunday.The outlook is less certain for Adhel Tac. She missed recent games against Tennessee, LSU, and Alabama and had been seen in a walking boot due to a left foot issue. Though the boot is off, she was using a scooter Friday. Head coach Dawn Staley has labeled her day-to-day.Ole Miss may also be shorthanded. Starting guard Sira Thienou, who averages 9.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, is dealing with a bone bruise suffered against Tennessee. She sat out the LSU game, and head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin has indicated caution with the postseason approaching.An official availability report is expected Saturday night.2. SEC Title ImplicationsThe stakes are clear: with a win, South Carolina clinches its fifth consecutive SEC regular-season championship. The Gamecocks have already secured a top-four seed in the SEC Tournament, but Sunday presents an opportunity to wrap up the title in front of a home crowd.3. The Fatigue FactorBoth teams are navigating a demanding stretch, but Ole Miss may be feeling it more. The Rebels are playing their fourth game in eight days and are coming off a collapse against LSU, where they squandered a 13-point third-quarter lead and went scoreless from the field (0-for-16) in the fourth quarter.“Not taking anything away from LSU,” McPhee-McCuin said, “but we ran out of gas.”Ole Miss finally had a day off Friday before preparing for South Carolina, but with limited turnaround time and potential injuries, fatigue could again play a decisive role.4. College GameDay AtmosphereSouth Carolina will make its eighth appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay and its fourth as host. The broadcast begins at 11:00 a.m. ET, adding to what is already expected to be an electric environment.Early doors, special access for Fast Break Pass holders, and pregame programming will create a postseason-like atmosphere well before tipoff. For Ole Miss, it marks the program’s first-ever GameDay appearance.5. Scouting the RebelsUnder McPhee-McCuin, Ole Miss has built its identity on defensive toughness, relentless rebounding, and grit. Offense has sometimes been inconsistent — particularly without Thienou — but this year’s Rebels feature a true go-to scorer in Cotie McMahon.McMahon is averaging 20.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, and she has elevated her play down the stretch. Over the past month, she’s averaging 24.6 points and has topped 20 points in six of her last seven games, including a 39-point, 10-rebound, five-assist explosion against Tennessee.“She’s a focal point, and I think some people like Cotie thrive in that position, thriving in the driver’s seat,” Staley said. “Coach Yo puts her in the position of being that person, and everybody else is just playing around her, and they don’t mind. It looks like everybody loves the role that they play for their team, and when you have that kind of situation, I mean, your play elevates, and you do some historical things.”Supporting McMahon are Christeen Iwuala (13.4 points, 8.6 rebounds) and Latasha Lattimore (10.7 points, 6.8 rebounds), who anchor the Rebels’ interior presence. Meanwhile, Debreasha Powe — shooting 27.3% from three this season — remains a perimeter threat despite a down year, having ranked among the SEC’s top shooters the past two seasons.—With championship implications, national spotlight, and potential injury concerns shaping the narrative, Sunday’s matchup promises intensity. For South Carolina, it’s a chance to secure another SEC crown. For Ole Miss, it’s an opportunity to spoil the celebration and make a statement on the national stage.
About the Author
