Dawn Staley is at it again. Just when you think the South Carolina Gamecocks might finally hit a "rebuilding" year, they go out and dismantle the competition. Honestly, watching this team in 2026 is like watching a well-oiled machine that occasionally decides to sprout wings and fly.
The big buzz right now? The Gamecocks just wrapped up their non-conference schedule with a dominant 90-48 win over Coppin State on January 18. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Joyce Edwards, who is basically a walking bucket at this point, put up 26 points like it was a casual Sunday morning shootaround.
The Revenge Factor: Why Lady Gamecock Basketball News is Trending
If you've been following the headlines, you know the only blemish on this season was that earlier loss to Texas. But the Gamecocks got their revenge on January 15 in a 68-65 nail-biter at Colonial Life Arena.
It was intense.
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The stadium was packed with over 17,000 fans, and the energy was electric. Raven Johnson proved why she’s the floor general this team needs, hitting a clutch shot in the paint with under 30 seconds left to seal the deal. It’s those moments—the ones where the game is on the line and the crowd is screaming—that remind everyone why South Carolina is still the gold standard in women's hoops.
What's really interesting is the "feud" between Staley and Texas coach Vic Schaefer. Schaefer went on a bit of a rant about SEC scheduling, calling out a "vendetta" against the Longhorns. Staley, in her classic cool-as-ice fashion, basically shrugged it off. She told the media, "It's the SEC... don't give us anything. We expect nothing, because the road is hard."
The Roster: A Mix of Vets and New Blood
You can't talk about lady gamecock basketball news without mentioning the roster construction. Staley has managed to blend veteran leadership with some absolutely terrifying young talent.
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Take Joyce Edwards. She’s only a sophomore, but she’s 14th in the nation in scoring, averaging 20.3 points per game. Then you have the 6-foot-7 French sensation, Alicia Tournebize, who joined the squad as a mid-season addition. Adding a literal tower with FIBA experience in the middle of a season is just an unfair "rich get richer" scenario.
- Raven Johnson: The heartbeat. Her assist-to-turnover ratio remains elite.
- Chloe Kitts: Senior leadership and a double-double threat every single night.
- Madina Okot: The 6-foot-6 center who makes life a nightmare for anyone entering the paint.
- Maddy McDaniel: They call her "Mouse," and she’s been a spark plug off the bench as conference play heats up.
What's Next for the Gamecocks?
The easy part of the schedule is officially over. Now, the Gamecocks (19-1, 5-0 SEC) are diving headfirst into the meat of the SEC schedule. They’ve got a tough road ahead, literally. Three of their next four games are away from the friendly confines of Columbia.
First up is a trip to Norman to face No. 13 Oklahoma on January 22. After that, they come back home for a massive showdown against No. 5 Vanderbilt. The SEC is deeper than it's been in years, with teams like LSU and Tennessee lurking, but this South Carolina team seems to thrive on the pressure.
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People kept wondering if they'd miss the players who graduated or jumped to the WNBA. But Staley doesn't rebuild; she reloads. Between the 23.4 fast-break points per game and a defense that ranks 3rd in the country for field goal percentage defense, they aren't just winning—they're suffocating teams.
If you're looking for an actionable way to keep up, keep an eye on the January 22nd matchup against Oklahoma on ESPN. It’ll be the ultimate litmus test for whether this team can maintain their No. 2 ranking on the road. Also, make sure to follow Dawn Staley’s social media; she often drops hints about the team's mindset that you won't find in the standard box scores.
Keep an eye on the defensive rotations in the next few games. If they can keep opponents under 35% shooting while Edwards continues her tear, this team is looking at another deep March run.