#5 South Carolina @ #10 Kentucky - 1/10/21

[ConwayGmck]

Just when I think Boston has been underwhelming this season, she absolutely dominates for SC. Wow what a 2nd half.

2019-20:
MPG: 23.8
PPG: 12.5
RPG: 9.4
APG: 1.0
BPG: 2.6
SPG: 1.3
FG C/A: 5.27/8.67
FG %: .608
3PTFG C/A: 0.06/0.36
3PTFG %: .167
FT %: .738

2020-21:
MPG: 29.3
PPG: 13.6
RPG: 10.7
APG: 1.2
BPG: 2.2
SPG: 1.7
FG C/A: 5.56/11.67
FG %: .476
3PTFG C/A: 0.67/1.67
3PTFG %: .400
FT %: .667

Boston has been a little shaky on layups thus far this season, when last season she was almost automatic in the paint. I'm thinking all the stop-and-go practicing due to covid-19 precautions is playing a role there for the entire team as well as her. Otherwise pretty much every statistical category thus far she's improving on her stats from last season - the only exception is blocked shots, and she's right on her last-season numbers' heels....

 

[Sched234]

2019-20:
MPG: 23.8
PPG: 12.5
RPG: 9.4
APG: 1.0
BPG: 2.6
SPG: 1.3
FG C/A: 5.27/8.67
FG %: .608
3PTFG C/A: 0.06/0.36
3PTFG %: .167
FT %: .738

2020-21:
MPG: 29.3
PPG: 13.6
RPG: 10.7
APG: 1.2
BPG: 2.2
SPG: 1.7
FG C/A: 5.56/11.67
FG %: .476
3PTFG C/A: 0.67/1.67
3PTFG %: .400
FT %: .667

Boston has been a little shaky on layups thus far this season, when last season she was almost automatic in the paint. I'm thinking all the stop-and-go practicing due to covid-19 precautions is playing a role there for the entire team as well as her. Otherwise pretty much every statistical category thus far she's improving on her stats from last season - the only exception is blocked shots, and she's right on her last-season numbers' heels....

I think this comparison highlights an excellent point and misconception in Boston’s sophomore campaign thus far. As noted above, Boston isn’t playing worse than last year, but she’s more inconsistent. SC has played, I believe, nine games. In two of those, Boston has scored 28 and 20 points, performances which feed into her 13.6 ppg figure. That’s balanced by a few games this year where she hasn’t been a scoring factor. It didn’t seem like that was an issue last year, but maybe my memory is glossing over those games simply because Carolina didn’t need her to be a dominant scorer every night and she, frankly, never looked a freshman to me.

I don’t have an issue with Boston’s lower FG% as she is taking a hefty number of jump shots both inside and outside the arc per game. I’d take that over a post who shoots layups at 65%. Give me Boston’s skillset. She will need to bring that number above 50% in order to compete for SEC POY, in my opinion.

 

[bballnut90]

2019-20:
MPG: 23.8
PPG: 12.5
RPG: 9.4
APG: 1.0
BPG: 2.6
SPG: 1.3
FG C/A: 5.27/8.67
FG %: .608
3PTFG C/A: 0.06/0.36
3PTFG %: .167
FT %: .738

2020-21:
MPG: 29.3
PPG: 13.6
RPG: 10.7
APG: 1.2
BPG: 2.2
SPG: 1.7
FG C/A: 5.56/11.67
FG %: .476
3PTFG C/A: 0.67/1.67
3PTFG %: .400
FT %: .667

Boston has been a little shaky on layups thus far this season, when last season she was almost automatic in the paint. I'm thinking all the stop-and-go practicing due to covid-19 precautions is playing a role there for the entire team as well as her. Otherwise pretty much every statistical category thus far she's improving on her stats from last season - the only exception is blocked shots, and she's right on her last-season numbers' heels....

This game boosted some stats significantly. Entering the game she was averaging 12.8 points, 10.5 boards, and 1.6 blocks while shooting 46% from the field which are not bad numbers, but they're underwhelming for someone who was listed as a top favorite for POY. We'll see how the rest of the season pans out, I'd love for her to assert herself and dominate like she did today. Hopefully teams can stay healthy.

 

[TC22]

It's a tough one for sure with Cooper.

I agree about the shooter. That's kind of what Kiki became, in a way. P

Would hate to lose Cooper too, but even more important is keeping Fulwiley the following year. We CANNOT let that one get away.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I think this comparison highlights an excellent point and misconception in Boston’s sophomore campaign thus far. As noted above, Boston isn’t playing worse than last year, but she’s more inconsistent. SC has played, I believe, nine games. In two of those, Boston has scored 28 and 20 points, performances which feed into her 13.6 ppg figure. That’s balanced by a few games this year where she hasn’t been a scoring factor. It didn’t seem like that was an issue last year, but maybe my memory is glossing over those games simply because Carolina didn’t need her to be a dominant scorer every night and she, frankly, never looked a freshman to me.

I don’t have an issue with Boston’s lower FG% as she is taking a hefty number of jump shots both inside and outside the arc per game. I’d take that over a post who shoots layups at 65%. Give me Boston’s skillset. She will need to bring that number above 50% in order to compete for SEC POY, in my opinion.

I'd like to see what her percentages are on mid range jumpers out to the arc just to have a sense of how efficient that is for her.

 

[visitingcock]

It's a tough one for sure with Cooper.

I agree about the shooter. That's kind of what Kiki became, in a way. P

not sure what you mean by "it's a tough one for sure with Cooper."

Is there some recruiting news on her other than purported "offers?" I know here stock went up this Summer/Fall at events like the Wooden Camp. However, I have heard only crickets as to who she may or may not be favoring.

Edit Add-on: She had 21 points, 22 rebs, 10 assists, & 10 blocks last night

 

[SimpleDawg]

Why is Rhyne Howard the best player in this game, but Kentucky is still merely fringe Top 12 team.

 

[Sched234]

Why is Rhyne Howard the best player in this game, but Kentucky is still merely fringe Top 12 team.

I’m a fan of Howard, but as someone pointed out earlier in the thread, Howard’s impact is primarily as a scorer. You don’t always see her impact other areas of the game...or so you think. Check her stats and you’ll see she’s also averaging 7.1 boards and 3.7 assists on the season. I haven’t seen her enough to gauge her defensive play, but it’s clear to me that Howard is just one of those “quietly dominant” players.

Kentucky looked fantastic to start the year, but Edwards has vanished and Patterson looks more inconsistent than last year. Take those two out and there’s not a ton else with which to surround Howard. Kentucky is a S16 team but needs help to get further. Howard can get you 25, 30, 35, but she can’t ring up 70 points on her own.

 

[MSSportsGuy]

Boston is one of the few post players I've ever seen come ready to play as a freshman from day 1. I believe losing KHH and Harris have impacted her in some ways and she's having to learn to be a leader in a different way than before. Just like Howard she can take over a game and go from a borderline weak stat line to a dominant one before most realize it.

 

[Shades]

 

[bballnut90]

I’m a fan of Howard, but as someone pointed out earlier in the thread, Howard’s impact is primarily as a scorer. You don’t always see her impact other areas of the game...or so you think. Check her stats and you’ll see she’s also averaging 7.1 boards and 3.7 assists on the season. I haven’t seen her enough to gauge her defensive play, but it’s clear to me that Howard is just one of those “quietly dominant” players.

Kentucky looked fantastic to start the year, but Edwards has vanished and Patterson looks more inconsistent than last year. Take those two out and there’s not a ton else with which to surround Howard. Kentucky is a S16 team but needs help to get further. Howard can get you 25, 30, 35, but she can’t ring up 70 points on her own.

I think Edwards is the x-factor that separates Kentucky from being a Sweet 16 team to a real Final Four threat. She has completely disappeared in conference play and struggled big time in the second half yesterday. They need her or Owens to step up inside and provide a real presence in the paint, otherwise it's all guards.

 

[Plebe]

I’m a fan of Howard, but as someone pointed out earlier in the thread, Howard’s impact is primarily as a scorer. You don’t always see her impact other areas of the game...or so you think. Check her stats and you’ll see she’s also averaging 7.1 boards and 3.7 assists on the season. I haven’t seen her enough to gauge her defensive play, but it’s clear to me that Howard is just one of those “quietly dominant” players.

Kentucky looked fantastic to start the year, but Edwards has vanished and Patterson looks more inconsistent than last year. Take those two out and there’s not a ton else with which to surround Howard. Kentucky is a S16 team but needs help to get further. Howard can get you 25, 30, 35, but she can’t ring up 70 points on her own.

It's no coincidence that when Howard is "getting hers" her teammates tend to recede to spectator status. This is why Kentucky last year would've been no higher than a 6 seed, but the only thing Howard could talk about in the offseason is how she felt disrespected by not being named to one of the AA teams. Well, she's probably happy with how the game went because she certainly boosted her individual award profile.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

not sure what you mean by "it's a tough one for sure with Cooper."

Is there some recruiting news on her other than purported "offers?" I know here stock went up this Summer/Fall at events like the Wooden Camp. However, I have heard only crickets as to who she may or may not be favoring.

Edit Add-on: She had 21 points, 22 rebs, 10 assists, & 10 blocks last night

She and Rivers are pretty good friends / rivals who play a similar position.

It's unlikely we get them all, but it's possible.

 

[Sched234]

It's no coincidence that when Howard is "getting hers" her teammates tend to recede to spectator status. This is why Kentucky last year would've been no higher than a 6 seed, but the only thing Howard could talk about in the offseason is how she felt disrespected by not being named to one of the AA teams. Well, she's probably happy with how the game went because she certainly boosted her individual award profile.

That’s true as well, and why I would be surprised if Howard doesn’t exit UK for the draft assuming she can do so academically (I believe she’s ineligible by age/birthyear). More focused on individual than team performance, although I think shes quieter and less toxic about it then, say, a certain Dream player whose college team is all the better in her absence.

 

[Sched234]

I think Edwards is the x-factor that separates Kentucky from being a Sweet 16 team to a real Final Four threat. She has completely disappeared in conference play and struggled big time in the second half yesterday. They need her or Owens to step up inside and provide a real presence in the paint, otherwise it's all guards.

Totally agree. Edwards can play—this we know—so if she and Owens can combine for, say, 20 points and 15 rebounds a night, UK becomes a top ten team. Howard, Patterson, Green, and McKinney (with her defense and shooting range) are nothing you’re going to ignore.