Honestly, if you aren't paying attention to South Carolina women's basketball right now, you’re missing the most calculated rebuilding project in modern sports. People see the number next to their name—usually a 1 or a 2—and just assume it's business as usual. It’s not. This isn’t the same team that ran the table a couple of years ago. It’s a completely different beast, built on the fly by Dawn Staley after some of the most chaotic roster shifts we’ve seen in Columbia.
Think about it. Ashlyn Watkins, basically the heart of the defense, had to sit out the entire 2025-2026 season. That’s a massive hole. Then you have MiLaysia Fulwiley transferring out to LSU of all places. Most programs would crater under that kind of pressure.
Instead? South Carolina just keeps winning.
They entered mid-January 2026 sitting at 17-1. Their only blemish was a heartbreaker against Texas. But look at who they’ve cleared out: Duke, USC, Louisville, and a 24th straight win over Alabama. They aren't just surviving; they’re evolving.
The Ta'Niya Latson Factor and a New Identity
The biggest shift in South Carolina women's basketball this year is the scoring. For years, the Gamecocks were known as a defensive "brick wall" team. They’d win games 55-40 and make you hate every second of it.
Now? They’re putting up 89.7 points per game.
A huge reason for that is Ta’Niya Latson. Bringing her in from Florida State was a masterstroke. She was the nation’s leading scorer last year, and she hasn't slowed down in the SEC. She gives Staley something she hasn't always had: a pure, "get me a bucket" closer who can score from all three levels.
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Pairing her with Raven Johnson has been fascinating to watch. Raven is the veteran "Point Gawd," the one who settles everyone down. She isn’t hunting shots; she’s hunting open teammates. It’s a weirdly perfect balance. You have one guard who wants to destroy you and another who just wants to out-think you.
Size Matters: The 6-foot-7 "Secret Weapon"
If you haven't heard the name Alicia Tournebize yet, you will. She’s a 6-foot-7 freshman from France who joined the squad mid-season.
Staley doesn't usually like throwing players into the fire in January, but Tournebize isn't your average freshman. She’s a "stretch-big." She can step out and hit the three, which, for a team that already has Madina Okot (6'6") and Adhel Tac (6'5") clogging the paint, is just unfair.
It changes the geometry of the court. You can't double-team the post anymore because the post player might just be standing 22 feet away from the basket.
Why the SEC Standings are Deceptive
If you look at the SEC standings right now, you’ll see Vanderbilt at the top. Yeah, Vanderbilt. They’re 17-0 overall and 4-0 in the conference. South Carolina is right there with them at 4-0, along with Tennessee.
There’s a lot of talk about Vandy being the "new power," but if you've followed South Carolina women's basketball for more than a week, you know the regular season is just a long dress rehearsal for Staley.
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The Gamecocks are currently No. 3 in the NET rankings. That’s the stat that actually matters for the NCAA Tournament. They’re 4-1 against Quad 1 opponents. They've played the hardest schedule in the country, while some of the teams above them are still feasting on mid-majors.
Honestly, the "scariest" part of this team isn't even the starters. It’s the bench.
- Joyce Edwards: The sophomore forward is already a Wooden Award candidate. She’s a local Camden kid who stayed home and is basically a walking double-double.
- Tessa Johnson: A deadeye shooter who doesn't care if she's starting or coming off the bench. She just hits big shots.
- Maddy McDaniel: The backup point guard who would start for 90% of the teams in the country.
What Most People Get Wrong About Dawn Staley
The common narrative is that Staley just "gets the best players." That’s lazy. Recruiting is part of it, sure, but look at the development.
Chloe Kitts is the perfect example. She came in as a high-potential prospect but was a bit raw. Now, as a senior, she’s the emotional leader. She’s versatile, tough, and understands the defensive rotations better than anyone on the floor.
Staley’s real magic is managing egos. She has a roster full of former No. 1 recruits and All-Americans, and yet you never hear about locker room drama. Everyone buys into the "DNA" of the program.
It's about "tough love." Staley is famous for it. She’ll bench a star for missing a defensive assignment in a 30-point blowout because she knows that one missed assignment is the difference between a Final Four and a National Championship.
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The Road Ahead: Can They Catch UConn?
As of mid-January 2026, the NET rankings have UConn and UCLA just ahead of the Gamecocks.
Can South Carolina bridge that gap?
Probably. The schedule only gets tougher, which is exactly how Staley likes it. They still have to navigate the gauntlet of the SEC, including a rejuvenated Tennessee and a Texas team that already proved they can beat the Gamecocks.
The key will be how quickly the freshmen, specifically Agot Makeer and Ayla McDowell, adjust to the physical play of the conference. Makeer is a 6-foot-1 guard with a massive ceiling, but the SEC is a different world than high school ball in Canada.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following South Carolina women's basketball this season, stop looking at the final score and start looking at these three specific metrics:
- Assist-to-Turnover Ratio: When Raven Johnson and Ta'Niya Latson are over 1.5, this team is unbeatable. When they get sloppy, teams like Texas can hang around.
- Point Differential in the Paint: Even with the new 3-point threats, South Carolina’s soul is at the rim. They need to outscore opponents in the paint by at least 15 to feel comfortable.
- Bench Minutes: Watch how many minutes Staley gives the "Freshies" in the second quarter. If they’re playing 6-8 minutes a half, she’s building their confidence for March.
Go watch a game at Colonial Life Arena if you can. The energy is different. It’s not just a basketball game; it’s a cultural event. The "FAMs" are the most loyal fanbase in the sport, and they’ve turned Columbia into the epicenter of the women's basketball world.
The 2026 season isn't a coronation—it’s a fight. And that’s exactly why South Carolina is so dangerous. They've been pushed, they've lost a game, they've lost players, and they're still standing at the top of the mountain looking down.
Don't bet against Dawn. Ever.