#2 Mississippi St vs #1 South Carolina - 3/08/20

[sharris952]

I agree with that. I do expect for us to take a slight step back next year if Amihere doesn't make a significant jump. I expect for MSU to take a step forward because you don't lose much and you have Cook eligible. It will probably be a 2 team race with Kentucky close behind.

Remember Destiny Littleton McDAA will be eligible and she broke all of Diana Taurasi scoring records in California and also Eniya Russell a McDAA 6'0 PG will be coming in. The bench and depth will be as strong as ever..

 

[nwhoopfan]

Okay, citing someone's high school stats after they've had 2 seasons in college? Not relevant anymore. Littleton averaged 7.1 ppg in her time at Texas. Not exactly comparable to Taurasi I would say.

 

[SimpleDawg]

I agree with that. I do expect for us to take a slight step back next year if Amihere doesn't make a significant jump. I expect for MSU to take a step forward because you don't lose much and you have Cook eligible. It will probably be a 2 team race with Kentucky close behind.

We should both be top 5 teams.

Arkansas and Kentucky should be #3 and #4 in the SEC. Don't trust A&M at all, and I don't think Chennedy Carter has anything to play for any more, nor would A&M drastically improve.

But I'm feeling good about Arkansas next year. Ramirez, Daniels, and Dungee is quite a backcourt. I don't think they need any more backcourt players. Don't think Tolefree's loss is that huge given their issue is the frontcourt not the loss of one backcourt player. But if they can recruit someone over 6'3 that'll be nice because that's the tallest player they have. Neighbors has Arkansas improving every year though.... they might be top 12 next year.

 

[sharris952]

Okay, citing someone's high school stats after they've had 2 seasons in college? Not relevant anymore. Littleton averaged 7.1 ppg in her time at Texas. Not exactly comparable to Taurasi I would say.

Same could have been said about Megan Walker but nobody on this board had a problem doing it though. Just saying. New environment can help a players maximize their potential as with a number of transfers. We all know the strange ora that Texas has on talented players.

 

[SCspur]

I agree with that. I do expect for us to take a slight step back next year if Amihere doesn't make a significant jump. I expect for MSU to take a step forward because you don't lose much and you have Cook eligible. It will probably be a 2 team race with Kentucky close behind.

Amihere will play in the Olympics this summer with Team Canada. Forbidding any more injuries that experience will be invaluable for her and I expect she will be a totally different player next year. As will all our freshman, I think they all will raise their individual games and be even better next year which is scary!

 

[Dognusty]

Amihere will play in the Olympics this summer with Team Canada. Forbidding any more injuries that experience will be invaluable for her and I expect she will be a totally different player next year. As will all our freshman, I think they all will raise their individual games and be even better next year which is scary!

I really want to see Amihere do well, however I have reservations about her game. She has some really bad habits for a big. She brings the ball down far to much. Also another thing is she has to get much stronger. Hopefully as time progresses she gets much better.

 

[Jmsdawg]

The latest bracket also has Miss St in Fort Wayne as the 3 seed. If it plays out that way that would be a favorable draw for the Bulldogs IMO! Hope we get to see another matchup in the FF!

I would love another shot, do not believe we have the team to beat you guys but last game was definitely not our best. We will have to have an A+ game to beat South Carolina.

 

[ReadR00ster]

South Carolina has been elite for 7 years. Mississippi State has been elite for 4 years. Dawn came 4 years before Vic. If Vic was hired at the same time as Dawn or within a year of her, I'm guessing he would've gotten MSU on the map sooner as well.

You can't compare results of 2013-2014 SC vs MSU. We were 13th in the SEC that year and SC was #1. Saying that SC owned MSU 2014 or before is like saying we own a totally weak and hapless Ole Miss team.

2 years after that, MSU was still not elite but we played well enough to where we were keeping toes with SC - not getting blown out anymore, and that has been the persistant case ever since.

Since we've both been on the same playing field (2016-2017), SC does have the advantage winning 6 out of the last 9. But 5 of those games were played to the tune of a heavily Pro-Gamecock crowd. Only 2 were played in Starkville. Dawn has owned Vic on a neutral site 2-0 and I give her props for that. However, the game in Columbia this year if you remember - one less breakaway foul gets called, MSU could've won that tightly fought match, and the series would be 5-4 in the last 4 years (even with the huge homecourt advantage going to SC) and nobody would have anything to brag about.

I wouldn't say MSU was ever "Elite." SC became elite when they won the National Championship which was MSU's chance. But I do think they have been "power programs" about #10 in the country consistently for a while. For SC since Coates joined the team and for MSU since Vivians. I give MSU a lot of credit for the game earlier for making a plethora of circus shots in that game. But if SC would play more zonish sagging defense like they did in the tournament in that game it wouldn't have been close either. MSU basically had 1 year last year where they had the advantage with an elite post player and SC did not, which is not going to usually be the case. And I can stand when people use Crowd as an excuse. It's overrated. At the highest level it shouldn't effect how you play one tiny bit.

 

[Jmsdawg]

Issue with MSU currently is Carter is inconsistent lately, they need better post presence. Then you have Taylor and Bibby in the game at the same time who are black holes offensively. That is too many holes for Miss St and a big reason for a lot of slow starts. If Danberry and Jackson aren't scoring at will, there are big problems.

Bibby really needs another offseason. She plays hard but the mobility and shooting is no where where it needs to be right now.

PG play has to able to knock down open jumpers from the perimeter. It becomes much easier for better teams to defend not having a deep threat to open up the inside. Mingo Young use to take those shots but it seems Vic has instructed her not to do so anymore. Those shots are open but are never taken.

Agree, Vic seem to discourage outside shooting. Results is most team leave us open outside and clog the lane. Open shooters must take those shots or we must be much more physical inside. Carter is not a physical player, Morris appears to be more physical but less talented. I have hope Vic will solve those problems but it is likely to be next season before we really see results. Bibby was physical last year but she is slower and more wary this season, I think she is not fully recovered mentally or physically from her ACL injury.

 

[SCspur]

I really want to see Amihere do well, however I have reservations about her game. She has some really bad habits for a big. She brings the ball down far to much. Also another thing is she has to get much stronger. Hopefully as time progresses she gets much better.

Those are areas that can actually be improved and likely will this offseason. She will no doubt be stronger next season for sure. Unlike her freshman counterparts Amihere didn’t have a chance to really work out like them because she was rehabbing last summer. Dawn says she has the highest ceiling of all the freshman and I can’t wait to see it. She has three point range and can handle the ball in transition. Once she gets that on court experience she’s going to be a matchup nightmare.

 

[Jmsdawg]

I wouldn't say MSU was ever "Elite." SC bcaem Elite when they won the National Championship which was MSU's chance. But I do think they have been "power programs" about #10 in the country consistently for a while. For SC since Coates was joined the team and for MSU since Vivians. I give MSU a lot of credit for the game earlier for making a plethora of circus shots in that game. But if SC would play more zonish sagging defense like they did in the tournament in that game it wouldn't have been close either. MSU basically had 1 year last year where they had the advantage with an elite post player and SC did not, which is not going to usually be the case. And I can stand when people use Crowd as an excuse. It's overrated. At the highest level it shouldn't effect how you play one tiny bit.

Home court has always been an advantage even for Pro teams.

 

[ReadR00ster]

Here is the line up I would got with next year. Boston, Henderson, Cooke, Beal, Grissette. It's a fast line up. Maybe smallish but still good rebounding with Boston protecting the rim.

I think Dawn will go with this though, Boston, Saxton, Beal, Littleton, Henderson

 

[ReadR00ster]

Home court has always been an advantage even for Pro teams.

So are you going to claim that as the reason why SC won? Come on. It's BS.

 

[ReadR00ster]

I really want to see Amihere do well, however I have reservations about her game. She has some really bad habits for a big. She brings the ball down far to much. Also another thing is she has to get much stronger. Hopefully as time progresses she gets much better.

That is true. I noticed that she brings the ball down too much and plays like she is more of a guard and is not comfortable banging on the inside. Now that these issues are identified they can be worked on. Think about this. LA has hit a few threes this year in her first year in a lot less minutes. Freshman A'ja can't claim that. I'm not really worried about her tbh.

 

[ReadR00ster]

Remember Destiny Littleton McDAA will be eligible and she broke all of Diana Taurasi scoring records in California and also Eniya Russell a McDAA 6'0 PG will be coming in. The bench and depth will be as strong as ever..

Yep and still room to add a few transfers.

 

[Jmsdawg]

So are you going to claim that as the reason why SC won? Come on. It's BS.

No, as I have stated South Carolina is superior team, I actually believe they are the favorite for the NC. But you comment as to home court not being an advantage at the highest level is BS!

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I really want to see Amihere do well, however I have reservations about her game. She has some really bad habits for a big. She brings the ball down far to much. Also another thing is she has to get much stronger. Hopefully as time progresses she gets much better.

Yes. She brings the ball too low, she forces shots when well defended, doesn't seem to have a grasp of the offense.

In fairness she is largely getting spot minutes and garbage time where players often do that kind of thing. And she's a freshman. But she's not nearly as advanced a player as the other three freshmen.

 

[Dognusty]

Yes. She brings the ball too low, she forces shots when well defended, doesn't seem to have a grasp of the offense.

In fairness she is largely getting spot minutes and garbage time where players often do that kind of thing. And she's a freshman. But she's not nearly as advanced a player as the other three freshmen.

Totally agree.

 

[militarydog]

I wouldn't say MSU was ever "Elite." SC became elite when they won the National Championship which was MSU's chance. But I do think they have been "power programs" about #10 in the country consistently for a while. For SC since Coates joined the team and for MSU since Vivians. I give MSU a lot of credit for the game earlier for making a plethora of circus shots in that game. But if SC would play more zonish sagging defense like they did in the tournament in that game it wouldn't have been close either. MSU basically had 1 year last year where they had the advantage with an elite post player and SC did not, which is not going to usually be the case. And I can stand when people use Crowd as an excuse. It's overrated. At the highest level it shouldn't effect how you play one tiny bit.

If a frog had wings it wouldn’t bump its rear end when it jumps.
Also, don’t forget in 2017-2018 USC had a pretty decent post player when MSU went 16-0 in the SEC. She even lead USC to the SEC Tournament title that year against MSU.

 

[SimpleDawg]

I wouldn't say MSU was ever "Elite." SC became elite when they won the National Championship which was MSU's chance. But I do think they have been "power programs" about #10 in the country consistently for a while. For SC since Coates joined the team and for MSU since Vivians. I give MSU a lot of credit for the game earlier for making a plethora of circus shots in that game. But if SC would play more zonish sagging defense like they did in the tournament in that game it wouldn't have been close either. MSU basically had 1 year last year where they had the advantage with an elite post player and SC did not, which is not going to usually be the case. And I can stand when people use Crowd as an excuse. It's overrated. At the highest level it shouldn't effect how you play one tiny bit.

Lol.....what a remarkable set of takes.

You're extremely one-sided with your imaginings, but ok..... keep going.

 

[JDuro]

Here is the line up I would got with next year. Boston, Henderson, Cooke, Beal, Grissette. It's a fast line up. Maybe smallish but still good rebounding with Boston protecting the rim.

I think Dawn will go with this though, Boston, Saxton, Beal, Littleton, Henderson

I don’t see any reason for Dawn to remove Zia out of her starting spot.
Destanni will be a more than capable replacement for Ty among the starters. Quite an embarrassment of riches having her to move up.
Destiny Littleton will come off the bench and eventually average 15-20+ mins playing at the 2 and 3 and possibly at times find herself on the court in a 4 guard lineup.
I see returning captain Saxton starting but Amihere will definitely see increased minutes as she will fill in for both her and Boston.
I don’t see much change to Lele’s role other than more minutes. Question is if she will ever develop and feel comfortable shooting a mid range jumper.

It wii be interesting to see what the staff can attract off the transfer market. We know they will be looking at front court players. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them look for an experienced PG to fill Destanni’s spot off the bench.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Okay, citing someone's high school stats after they've had 2 seasons in college? Not relevant anymore. Littleton averaged 7.1 ppg in her time at Texas. Not exactly comparable to Taurasi I would say.

Unfortunately, she played for Karen Aston.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Unfortunately, she played for Karen Aston.

I certainly believe Dawn can get more out of her, but Texas has still had a number of productive players in spite of the deficiencies in coaching.

 

[JDuro]

Unfortunately, she played for Karen Aston.

Whom Littleton is absolutely no fan of. Told a small group of us sitting in front of her before one of this season’s Chalk Talks that she should be fired.

 

[Plebe]

Whom Littleton is absolutely no fan of. Told a small group of us sitting in front of her before one of this season’s Chalk Talks that she should be fired.

Well, she's in agreement with 99.9% of Texas fans on that one.

(Actually, it's 100% of the ones I've heard from. I'm just making a 0.1 percentage point allowance for error.)

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Big nothing burger all around, but should put to bed the idea that Boston threw any elbows.

Not sure where that came from. Just tangled arms and high spirits. maybe an elbow shove from Morris.

 

[SCspur]

Big nothing burger all around, but should put to bed the idea that Boston threw any elbows.

Not sure where that came from. Just tangled arms and high spirits. maybe an elbow shove from Morris.

After watching the tournament recap last night you could see that they got tangled and then Morris pushed off with her elbow. Didn’t see much of anything g from Aliyah but I loved the feistiness from HH for defending her freshman.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

After watching the tournament recap last night you could see that they got tangled and then Morris pushed off with her elbow. Didn’t see much of anything g from Aliyah but I loved the feistiness from HH for defending her freshman.

I think it probably should have been called a reach-in foul on Boston rather than a jump ball.

I'm not sure what got Morris going. Maybe something in the tangled arms hurt, maybe it was just that Boston was being so aggressive going for the tie up. That can piss you off.

Boston wanted no part of it and backed off about 6 feet and Kiki pretty quickly stepped in and apparently landed some pretty good words, because Morris continued to talk and need restraint well after Kiki walked away and South Carolina was in its huddle.

I probably like chippy play too much. I think it shows two teams that are competing.

 

[GoDawgs4]

The game can get heated sometimes and emotions can boil over. Not really a big deal.It happens. It is easy to criticize players as fans but we all know a lot of crap goes on through out the game. Generally speaking I am glad when the officials err on the side of letting the players play. Sadly on the mens side of the ledger if you breathe on a player it is whistled a foul.
Jack Cristil used to call the physical hacking defense “karate defense “ but they have finally stopped the hand checking that used to be so prevalent.
Being an official is very difficult in basketball, somewhat similar to calling holding on an OL in football. Tough line to balance between letting them play and not over calling fouls either.

 

[Plebe]

Big nothing burger all around, but should put to bed the idea that Boston threw any elbows.

Not sure where that came from. Just tangled arms and high spirits. maybe an elbow shove from Morris.

Good grief. We had to revisit this huh.

Boston clearly gives an extra shove with the left arm as the two start to separate, well after the whistle. Without that the rest doesn't happen. Kiki is always looking for any excuse to act a fool.