2023 SC Gamecocks Basketball, Part II (merged)

[visitingcock]

Really? Are you a Gamecock fan? You come to another board and talk about your own players like that? Wow.

“Garbage time” IS a bit harsh but yes @Gamecockfan77 is a fan.

Latecia had a fine showing today but has frequently played out of control during her career . Make a good play with a steal, a rebound or blocked shot - then run over somebody. She has always needed patience to temper her enthusiasm.

Today she was THE gal.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

South Carolina is playing their best basketball of the year right now. Don’t see them having a game closer than 15 points from now until the Final Four and maybe even until November/December.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

I think we're peaking at the right time. UT will come out fired up on Sunday, but the Vols had 3 starters play over 30 minutes on Friday and 4 play over 35 on Saturday. I don't think we had a single player log 30 minutes on either day. Look for the blowout to begin by the middle of the 2nd quarter.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

“Garbage time” IS a bit harsh but yes @Gamecockfan77 is a fan.

Latecia had a fine showing today but has frequently played out of control during her career . Make a good play with a steal, a rebound or blocked shot - then run over somebody. She has always needed patience to temper her enthusiasm.

Today she was THE gal.

I didn't mean she is a garbage time player. That came out sounding harsher than it was intended.

I meant that's she's been playing fairly selfishly on the floor the last month. Including how she started that game.

She was much better connected in the second half.

 

[visitingcock]

I think we're peaking at the right time. UT will come out fired up on Sunday, but the Vols had 3 starters play over 30 minutes on Friday and 4 play over 35 on Saturday. I don't think we had a single player log 30 minutes on either day. Look for the blowout to begin by the middle of the 2nd quarter.

Oh how talk like that makes me cringe.

We Cocky but it makes me nervous.

South Carolina is playing their best basketball of the year right now. Don’t see them having a game closer than 15 points from now until the Final Four and maybe even until November/December.

Please don’t hang the Boneyard jinx on us!

 

[blandnick]

Oh how talk like that makes me cringe.

We Cocky but it makes me nervous.

Yep! That was the same story a year ago! I am sure though that the player remember!

 

[GamecockFam]

I think we're peaking at the right time. UT will come out fired up on Sunday, but the Vols had 3 starters play over 30 minutes on Friday and 4 play over 35 on Saturday. I don't think we had a single player log 30 minutes on either day. Look for the blowout to begin by the middle of the 2nd quarter.

This is kind of my sentiment as well. Our depth has helped us keep fresher legs than our opponents.

 

[JDuro]

 

[SCGamecock]

Raven will do her thing as usual. But we'll need a steady and controlled game from LA as well today.

 

[SCGamecock]

Amihere with 16.5 ppg in 40 minutes while shooting 13-23 (.565) with 5.5 rpb and 1.5 bpg, and Saxton with 12.5 ppg in 39 minutes, while shooting 11-18 (.611), in the first 2 rounds of the SECT. Beal also with 9.5 ppg in 45 minutes while shooting 7-9 (.778). Not too shabby at all from 3 Gamecocks that are not usually looked towards to for offense. This team seems to be running at a high level of efficiency right now, which is a good time for it.....

I love seeing the switch in mentality that occurs this time of year. Dawn's teams always turn the intensity up a notch and it translates on the court. Seeing that light bulb switch on in real time is always fascinating.

 

[visitingcock]

I expect to see a lot of Bree Hall today.

 

[JellyBean]

Great win, South Carolina!! That chemistry. They are playing loose and carefree.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

That was a big effort from a team with two pros.

Entertaining game.

 

[SCGamecock]

Great win! Good luck to the Lady Vols in the tournament. Definitely won't be an easy out for most if Horston and Jackson continue playing at their current level.

 

[shiverz45]

Great win! Good luck to the Lady Vols in the tournament. Definitely won't be an easy out for most if Horston and Jackson continue playing at their current level.

I think Tennesse can make a serious run in the tournament.

 

[JDuro]

 

[JDuro]

 

[TC22]

I love watching Dawn switch the pieces in and out until she finds the right combos. Kamilla has been killing it lately. How about Aliyah guarding Rickea and Raven assigned to Horston. Slowed them way down…

 

[bballnut90]

I will say for all the flack SC gets about their lack of offense, they're currently 7th in the nation in scoring and 11th in FG% while playing the #3 SOS. Against the stronger teams they've kept up their scoring as well:
81 points vs Maryland
81 points vs UCONN
88 points vs LSU
76 points vs Stanford
73 points vs UCLA

Also interesting SC rankings of stat differentials:
#1 in point differential (30.3)
#1 in FG% differential (15.6%)
#1 in rebound differential (20.6) (biggest differential of any team since at least 2009-10, which is as far as stats go back on ESPN)
#2 in assist differential (8.7)
#1 in block differential (5.0)
#3 in foul differential (-4.7)

 

[MSSportsGuy]

SC is on a mission that I suspect they will accomplish. I don't think they are unbeatable but I've not seen many chinks in the armor this season beyond being cold from the outside sometimes. If Cooke is on, they will be almost impossible to defeat. Their depth, experience, leadership and overall skill put them over the top.

 

[GamecockFam]

SC is on a mission that I suspect they will accomplish. I don't think they are unbeatable but I've not seen many chinks in the armor this season beyond being cold from the outside sometimes. If Cooke is on, they will be almost impossible to defeat. Their depth, experience, leadership and overall skill put them over the top.

Did you watch any of the post-tournament player interviews? They are LOCKED IN right now. There wasn't a lot of celebration because they're already mentally preparing for the NCAA tournament. You could just see it in their eyes and mannerisms. Winning the SEC tournament was great, but there's still business to accomplish.

 

[Bone Dog]

I watched one of the courtside interviews with the "former freshmen." it was sweet. Brea at one point said other teams are just in their way, which sounds about right. It also got me thinking if they all move on, what will Dawn have in store for next year. She's been on a recruiting tear the past couple of years. Could they be even better than this year?

I'm predicting a starting 5 of Cardoso, Feagin, Watkins, Hall, Johnson. That squad can run with anyone, block shots and muscle the boards with anyone. And on the bench, Dawn has Kitts and Jah, Fulwiley and Tessa.

It's a lot of turnover, but it looks like Dawn has prepared for it really well. Next year the team will belong to Cardoso, Hall and Feagin, the veterans. After that, it looks like it will be Raven Johnson and Ashlyn Watkins who lead the team.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

I will say for all the flack SC gets about their lack of offense, they're currently 7th in the nation in scoring and 11th in FG% while playing the #3 SOS. Against the stronger teams they've kept up their scoring as well:
81 points vs Maryland
81 points vs UCONN
88 points vs LSU
76 points vs Stanford
73 points vs UCLA

Also interesting SC rankings of stat differentials:
#1 in point differential (30.3)
#1 in FG% differential (15.6%)
#1 in rebound differential (20.6) (biggest differential of any team since at least 2009-10, which is as far as stats go back on ESPN)
#2 in assist differential (8.7)
#1 in block differential (5.0)
#3 in foul differential (-4.7)

I have never understood the offense argument from some this season. It makes me think that many aren't watching the game. We're not a 3 point shooting team and many teams clog up the paint with janky defenses but we still manage to find ways to score no matter the circumstances.

I have said this since December, but I think this is our best team since Dawn's arrival. The defense is tough and the offense is pretty good and depth is strong
as well. We're not your typical blowout dominant team like many other great teams but more of a poised team that is willing to get in the trenches and battle if that's where the game takes them.

 

[JstVisiting]

I watched one of the courtside interviews with the "former freshmen." it was sweet. Brea at one point said other teams are just in their way, which sounds about right. It also got me thinking if they all move on, what will Dawn have in store for next year. She's been on a recruiting tear the past couple of years. Could they be even better than this year?

I'm predicting a starting 5 of Cardoso, Feagin, Watkins, Hall, Johnson. That squad can run with anyone, block shots and muscle the boards with anyone. And on the bench, Dawn has Kitts and Jah, Fulwiley and Tessa.

It's a lot of turnover, but it looks like Dawn has prepared for it really well. Next year the team will belong to Cardoso, Hall and Feagin, the veterans. After that, it looks like it will be Raven Johnson and Ashlyn Watkins who lead the team.

I expect UConn to be preseason #1, but I think we will have a team capable of beating anyone.

 

[Bone Dog]

I expect UConn to be preseason #1, but I think we will have a team capable of beating anyone.

Barring injuries, I think it'll be neck and neck all season long. Sounds like a great year in store for everyone!

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Barring injuries, I think it'll be neck and neck all season long. Sounds like a great year in store for everyone!

We'll see who's healthy for UConn before even considering ranking them.

 

[Coburn]

I watched one of the courtside interviews with the "former freshmen." it was sweet. Brea at one point said other teams are just in their way, which sounds about right. It also got me thinking if they all move on, what will Dawn have in store for next year. She's been on a recruiting tear the past couple of years. Could they be even better than this year?

I'm predicting a starting 5 of Cardoso, Feagin, Watkins, Hall, Johnson. That squad can run with anyone, block shots and muscle the boards with anyone. And on the bench, Dawn has Kitts and Jah, Fulwiley and Tessa.

It's a lot of turnover, but it looks like Dawn has prepared for it really well. Next year the team will belong to Cardoso, Hall and Feagin, the veterans. After that, it looks like it will be Raven Johnson and Ashlyn Watkins who lead the team.

good take. I suspect Dawn will add a couple of quality transfer ‘fits‘ from the portal as well to augment what should be talented but somewhat ‘crunch time’ inexperienced team. I lean toward next year’s squad’s W/L record & player growth resembling the sophomore season of AB, Cooke, Beal, etc. - they’ll probably have some up & down type games against the stronger competition that will be on the schedule but could/should be a force by tourney time.

 

[SCGamecock]

I love watching Dawn switch the pieces in and out until she finds the right combos. Kamilla has been killing it lately. How about Aliyah guarding Rickea and Raven assigned to Horston. Slowed them way down…

One of my favorite adjustments from the entire tournament was Dawn putting LA on Angel Baker from Ole Miss.

Baker lit us up in the regular season matchup and Dawn put size and quickness on her in the rematch. Elite coaching adjustment.

 

[Bone Dog]

good take. I suspect Dawn will add a couple of quality transfer ‘fits‘ from the portal as well to augment what should be talented but somewhat ‘crunch time’ inexperienced team. I lean toward next year’s squad’s W/L record & player growth resembling the sophomore season of AB, Cooke, Beal, etc. - they’ll probably have some up & down type games against the stronger competition that will be on the schedule but could/should be a force by tourney time.

I like the way Cardoso has developed. And Watkins and a Raven Johnson have some fire in them. It looks like some really good chemistry could develop there.

 

[SCGamecock]

I will say for all the flack SC gets about their lack of offense, they're currently 7th in the nation in scoring and 11th in FG% while playing the #3 SOS. Against the stronger teams they've kept up their scoring as well:
81 points vs Maryland
81 points vs UCONN
88 points vs LSU
76 points vs Stanford
73 points vs UCLA

Also interesting SC rankings of stat differentials:
#1 in point differential (30.3)
#1 in FG% differential (15.6%)
#1 in rebound differential (20.6) (biggest differential of any team since at least 2009-10, which is as far as stats go back on ESPN)
#2 in assist differential (8.7)
#1 in block differential (5.0)
#3 in foul differential (-4.7)

SC gets flack because people only equate three point shooting with being a prolific offense. But if you look at the way SC passes the ball and scores where they are proficient you’d see that this is a smart team on that side of the ball.

We don’t beat ourselves offensively by trying to be something we are not.