Dawn Staley gave an optimistic update on Maddy McDaniel's comeback on Sunday as the South Carolina Gamecocks prepared for Monday's game against No. 17 Tennessee. McDaniel was sidelined from Dec. 29 contest against Wofford due to a concussion. Since the team had just returned from the Christmas holidays, it was uncertain when the energizing point guard suffered the setback.
She made a return against Alamaba and Oklahoma, playing seven minutes in each outing. However, McDaniel did not suit up for Friday's LSU game. Staley spoke about the reason for this and hinted at her return to the rotation against the Lady Volunteers.
"I think Maddie is right now getting her footing back from where she was. I don't think she was practicing as well as she needed to and we needed to in order for us to make that call (against LSU)," Staley said (Timestamp: 5:35).
"I think she's fighting through it. Good two days of practice. So, I think she'll play, do think she'll play her speed - her ability to be a little bit different than all of our guards - will play big dividends. And we going to need that against Tennessee."
Freshman Maddy McDaniel has acted as the spark plug for Dawn Staley in 12 games this season, playing 15.3 minutes and averaging 4.4 points, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals on 51.4% shooting.
The five-star recruit's consistency, ability to handle the ball, avoid turnovers and play within South Carolina's system has impressed Staley in her young college career.
Dawn Staley previews the contest against Tennessee
Dawn Staley talked about South Carolina's (19-1, 7-0 SEC) game against Tennessee (15-4, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) during the courtside interview.
She expects a tough contest from Kim Caldwell's team, which aims to shake off its two-game losing streak.
"I got to think it's going to be a close game. It's at their place, hard to win on the road, different style, will probably take a little bit to adjust to," she said (Timestamp: 0:44).
"But I mean we got to make them adjust to us and the whole objective is for us to adjust to them. Then somewhere in the middle, a team is going to have a run. I just hope it's us."
Tennessee has mounted a 7-2 home-court record so far. Both of its losses have occurred in the conference play. Dawn Staley's crew will enter the contest after handing the LSU Tigers its first loss on Friday.
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