The South Carolina Gamecocks blew out their first exhibition game, winning 112-31, but coach Dawn Staley is far from satisfied. As the team heads to Atlanta for their next exhibition against the North Carolina Tar Heels, Staley is looking for quick growth from her star players like Ta’Niya Latson, Tessa Johnson, and Joyce Edwards.

When asked about what improvement the head coach wants to see in her team, post their dominating performance against Anderson, Staley emphasized that while she loves the aggressive mindset her players showed, she wants to see smarter reads and better recognition of opportunities on the floor. “I want us as aggressive, cause some of us were aggressive shooting the basketball. Don’t wanna take that away from them,” she said.

Well, that’s one box almost checked. As Staley had recently issued a urgent message to the Gamecocks, saying, “they’re probably a little too nice… so we need to add a little nasty to that”. However, of course, there is still a long path ahead.

“But just seeing the options on the floor. You know, we got somebody like Ta’Niya, who’s gonna always draw a crowd. Always! So we are going to try her to see what’s happening outside the crowd. Still, if you wanna make that same decision, make it. But if you wanna toss it, that’s available to you.”

Latson finished the game with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. While this was just a warm-up game for the upcoming 2025-26 NCAA season, her performance was well below the standard she set last season, where she averaged 25.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.

Top Stories

NASCAR to Cut Ties with NBC Network? Everything to Know About Versant

UFC Insider Predicts Tom Aspinall’s Relationship With Dana White Could Suffer Due to His Father’s Frankness

Caitlin Clark, 155 WNBA Players Face Uncertain Future After WNBPA’s CBA Decision — Report

Kyle Busch and Samantha Sue 157-Yo Insurance Company After Losing $8.5 Million

“RIP”: Swimming Community Mourns 21-Year-Old Found Dead After Six Days Missing

NASCAR’s Indefinite Suspension of Race Winner’s Father Left Fans Speculating

Furthermore, turning her attention toward junior guard Tessa Johnson, Staley made it clear that she wants more from her on the offensive end.

“So, just reading a little bit better. I like to see Tessa be a little more aggressive offensively,” Staley said. “I thought everybody else just pretty much hold serve. And if we can just bring out practice habits to games, we’ll be alright.”

However, now, with a far tougher opponent awaiting them in their second game, Staley’s insights are more than just feedback; it is the standard the South Carolina Gamecocks must meet before the regular season tips off.

Upcoming clash set to reveal Dawn Staley-led Gamecocks’ true readiness before the regular season

Taking on Anderson was a walk in the park for the Gamecocks, but still, that game didn’t reveal what to expect from Staley’s team in the upcoming season. North Carolina Tar Heels present a very different challenge, one that will test South Carolina’s chemistry and decision-making under pressure.

While the Tar Heels currently rank No. 11 in the AP preseason poll, they were No.3 seed last year. The Tar Heels had an impressive record of 29 wins and 8 losses before they had to kneel against their arch-nemesis, Duke, in the sweet 16.

With the game being just a few hours away, Dawn Staley opened up about her expectations from this game to local media, as per The State. She said, “We’re gonna play to win the game.. We’re playing it in public and playing another D-I school to win, to see where we are, to see where some pieces can help us out throughout the year. … We need to see some chemistry.”

As the fans are eager to see where the Gamecocks stand, one thing can be said for sure: the Tar Heels would definitely give them a reality check.

Do you think South Carolina will live up to the hype this year, or will UNC expose the cracks in their empire? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!