3 things to watch for in South Carolina WBB’s rivalry matchup with Clemson
South Carolina women’s basketball is welcoming a familiar foe to Colonial Life Arena on Tuesday
Dawn Staley and the No. 2 Gamecocks (2-0) will play arch-rival Clemson (2-0) at home before hitting the road later this week.
South Carolina started its season with big wins over Grand Canyon and Bowling Green, while the Tigers earned victories over USC Upstate and Mercer.
Here are few things to watch for in Tuesday’s rivalry game (6 p.m., ESPN2):
Injury report
South Carolina’s depth at guard is up in the air going into the Clemson game, with two players battling injuries.
Freshman Agot Makeer left in the third quarter of South Carolina’s win over Bowling Green on Friday with an apparent injury. She came up limping and holding her lower back after a missed layup.
Staley did not share injury specifics Monday, but said Makeer practiced “a little bit” when asked if she would play. Makeer looked fine and was putting up shots alongside her teammates during the period of post-practice that local media was permitted to watch Monday.
Sophomore Maddy McDaniel did not play against Bowling Green State after she was hurt in USC’s season opener against Grand Canyon. McDaniel wore a brace on her right knee during Bowling Green warmups and watched that game from the bench.
On Monday, Staley said McDaniel will “probably not” play against Clemson. She was not seen in the portion of practice the media was permitted to watch. Staley said McDaniel was rehabbing her injury.
If South Carolina is missing McDaniel and/or Makeer, it means USC’s trio of starting guards — Raven Johnson, Ta’Niya Latson and Tessa Johnson — will have to carry more weight. It puts more pressure on freshman Ayla McDowell, who would likely receive extra minutes.
Need a fast start
South Carolina has had no trouble starting fast in its two games this season. The Gamecocks have outscored their opponents 56-17 in the first quarter this year.
Starting fast was a problem at times for USC last year. That was especially the case against Clemson last season.
South Carolina trailed Clemson 11-10 at the end of the first quarter in last season’s matchup. Sure, USC went on to win 77-45, but starting fast against an up-and-coming, high-major opponent would be a good sign for the Gamecocks.
“Took a little while for us to separate ourselves the last time we played them,” Staley said. “So we’ll be ready to rock and roll.”
Can USC extend the streak?
South Carolina is currently riding a 14-game win streak over Clemson.
Dawn Staley has only lost to the Tigers twice since taking over as South Carolina’s head coach in 2008. South Carolina leads the all-time series 36-33.
“I think my first two years losing to them was a big deal, like a real big deal,” Staley said. “So that’s always etched in my brain and my heart when it comes to this rivalry game.”
Clemson has lost by an average of 32 points in the last 14 games. The closest the Tigers have ever come to beating South Carolina was when they lost 69-57 in 2018.
Clemson second-year coach Shawn Poppie said in a radio appearance Monday that Clemson hopes to limit South Carolina’s transition game, adding that nearly half the Gamecocks’ total points have come in transition and on free throws.
“It’s eye-opening,” Poppie said Monday night on 105.5 FM The Roar. “It can be intimidating. But for our program, our kids in that locker room, it gives you hope, right? If you can cut that number down to 15, which is normal, you force them to play a game that they’ve not had to play this year.”
South Carolina vs Clemson: How to watch
- Who: No. 2 South Carolina (2-0) vs. Clemson (2-0)
- When: 6 p.m.
- Where: Colonial Life Arena
- TV: ESPN2 (Beth Mowins, Debbie Antonelli)
- Radio: 107.5 FM, Sirium XM 117 or 190 (Brad Muller)
This story was originally published November 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM.
