Well, here we are at 34-0. Yes, we are still beatable (as are all teams). Indiana could do it tonight. If not, Notre Dame or the Beavers could knock off the 'Cocks in the Elite Eight. Final Four if we are lucky enough to go that far? Who knows, but they will all be talented teams.
If SCar makes it, it will be because of its small but talented bench.The Gamecocks roster has 12 players, but one has already entered the portal after a half-season suspension and another is an injured, early enrollee who is redshirting. Thus, it is an actual roster of only ten players.
MEET THE GAMECOCK BENCH
GUARDS: the two guards substitutes are freshmen, MiLaysia Fulwiley (a 1/2) and Tessa Johnson (a 2/3) . Both were McDonald's All Americans ranked in Hoopgurlz Top 25.
----- "Lay Lay" Fulwiley, a Columbia native, was benched in the regular season game against UNC after 3 only 3 minutes for not giving enough defensive effort. She learned! In the tournament rematch, she had 3 steals and 3 blocked shots on defense to go with her 20 point offensive production. She is the Gamecocks second leading scorer with an average of 12.2 ppg on only 18.9 minutes per game. She backs up the pint guards and shooting guard positions.
-----Tessa started in the tournament opening game against Presbyterian and scored 0 points. The next game, she came off the bench and scored 11 points mostly on 3 pointers. She shoots 43% from long range and averages 5.8 ppg on a 17 minute average. She often has the ball in her hands during the final minutes because she is the team's best free throw shooter hitting at an average of 85%.
BIGS: Contrary to a popular misconception, Dawn rarely utilizes a 3-big lineup. The Gamecocks have three bigs on the bench and one of them, senior JUCO transfer Sakima Walker (6-5), sees limited, mostly mop-up action. The other two, sophomore Ashlyn Watkins (6-3) and junior Saniah Feagan can backup either the 4 or 5 position. Both were McDonald All Americans ranked in Hoopgurlz Top 15.
------Ashlyn is the first off the bench and has started at post/center when Kamilla has been absent. She is a phenomenal leaper with several dunks to her credit and who averages 2.4 blocks per game while playing only 20.3 minutes per game. Her offensive game improved greatly since her freshman year and she averages 9.7 ppg and 7.3 rpg in her "half game minutes. She will start at center next year. She is equally effective at the SF positions to start or backup Chloe Kitts who has almost identical offensive stats.
-----Saniah (15.1 mpg) has always had the offensive skills with her soft touch and nice midrange. Her defensive game has improved this year with the departure of the 2019 "freshies." There is little drop off from Kitts/Kamilla to Watkins/Feagan.
Gamecock stats at
South Carolina Gamecocks 2023-24 Women's College Basketball Stats - ESPN
But, one game at a time. Go Gamecocks.
Beat the Hoosiers!