Cardozo doesn't even start for SC

[ConwayGmck]

I was a little bit disappointed with both Cardoso and Saxton: Cardoso played 16 minutes - she had several opportunities to score more, but when she was passed the ball, mostly she passed it back out. She had 2 pts on one shot attempt, a little sweet jumper at the high post. She had gotten the ball several times in that location, but passed it back out. She had 4 rebounds and a blocked shot or two, and impacted several other shot attempts.

Saxton wasn't very engaged offensively. She also took a jump shot towards the top of the key and scored 2 pts on 1-2 shooting, with 0 rebounds and 1 block. in 15 minutes. Contrast these with Littleton who took 7 shots in 11 minutes of court time, scoring 7 pts and 4 rebounds. IMO, ANY starter for as deep and talented as this team is, is going to have to put in extra work to engage offensively from the tip-off and attack the basket.

I know a Dawn Staley team is defense first, and this team will have boatloads of defense, and both Cardoso and Saxton will be very strong defenders this season, but I see this team being one of 8-10 players all scoring around 8,9,10 pts each game, instead of 1 or 2 players always carrying the team offensively. Of course, some players won't score that EVERY game, and some players WILL score upwards of 20 pts like Cooke was heading towards vs NC State, but on average the talent is there to spread the offense, and when 2 or 3 players have off games, there will be 3-4 more players who can step up and fill in the offense.

I liked the improved scoring efficiency. Last year both teams completed south of 30% of their shooting. The Gamecocks' worst shooting quarter was the 2nd Period, but overall shot above 50% for the half, and only fell below 50% for the game towards the end, and still ended up shooting 49% for the game which was much better. NC State shot 33% in the 1st half but improved substantially in the 2nd, and both teams shot fairly equally (around 47%) for the 2nd half.

Staley keeps saying she wants the team to play up-tempo and attack the basket. Kryptonite for a fast-paced offensive attack is poor shot conversion. Just ask Matt Mitchell during his days at Kentucky. NC State actually took more attempts (58) than SC did (51) for the game.

But the game was a highly hyped up game to open the season, with both teams ranked in the top 5 and it being a "response" game and all from last season. NC State will still be a top 10 team all season and will be in the Final Four discussions at the end of the season, I have no doubt.....

 

[SCGamecock]

rofl

It used to be equal here (maybe slightly leaning SC fans) between SC and MSU fans, but since Vic left some of our guys have jumped ship while Dawn's army kept multiplying.

Lol tell me about it.. when I first started posting here there were maybe three of us that posted consistently.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

I know it's early, but the shooting percentages for both teams were pretty sad.

Those were two top flight defenses, of course the offense is going to look ugly.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Those are nice percentages..., but as a TEAM...SC only hit 33%. I think SC as a team has a strong mid range game and it's bolstered by more than a couple of players. Those are the shots that should replace not only some of those 3s, but as you pointed out forcing the ball inside.

I think the extended 3 point line this season will lower 3 point percentages across the board and mean that a mid-range game will be more important. Just my take.

 

[Mdoggie]

Hopefully in Colonial Life Arena, should Edwards hit Boston's arm with her own while Boston is trying to make game-winning layups, the officials there will call it this time....

Weak sauce. Human error (refs) have been part of the game since the beginning of time. Baylor should have made it so they weren’t in that position. Very very typical and weak for any ball fan to say. Game is so yesterday’s news. I respect your team and coach but not weak arse fans both UConns and SC. Be better.

 

[ucbart]

ONO is a good defender.

She's just a very average offensive player against comparable size.

Yup-

Olivia is an excellent defender. Where ONO will help us this year, is that she won't have to be a low post option for scoring as much. ONO is just such a great passer from the high post. I think she will be second on the team in assists because of her ability to hit cutters and dump perfect passes into Alliyah and Dorka. I mean, 6'5" Olivia being able to pass the ball over the defense to a 6"5" Dorka or a 6'3" Alliyah is not something a lot of other teams have, nor can they defend.

 

[triaddukefan]

rofl

It used to be equal here (maybe slightly leaning SC fans) between SC and MSU fans, but since Vic left some of our guys have jumped ship while Dawn's army kept multiplying.

I may be out of line, but you should tell those guys that jumped ship, that they are not welcome back... go kick rocks and root for Ole Miss or Southern Miss.

 

[Creature]

I was surprised that she couldn't crack the starting lineup. She replaced Boston with 3+ minutes left in the opening quarter.

I expected SC to develop a twin towers approach and seeing Dorka and Aliyah take it on.

Why are you concerned? Oh..you wanted her to go to a crappy team so she just can log starters minutes without improving her game..

 

[CL82]

She (Cardoso) is just not as talented as people think she is, she will be a back up her entire time at SC.

I don’t know, but last year she seems raw to me. I think playing under Staley is likely to make her a considerably better player as an upperclassman.

 

[uconnfan68]

Did you watch the 4th quarter? Amihere and Boston were dominate as SC pulled away. Forget about Cardosa, Amihere is the real deal.

And Amihere got most of the Olympic minutes before Edwards.

 

[JstVisiting]

100%
That's the only way NC St can score. That left handed wing is their best player.
Atrocious post play. This was first and second team AA post players. Uconn's post players were training to get better. AE was toiling with the Canadian olympic team. Holy crap. We're gunna smoke teams in the post too. This is gunna be nuts!
Sorry, gotta say it. Boston and Cuhane looked like two giant sea lions, like we have up here in Alaska, pushing on each other on the shoreline. Ugh.

Hope you enjoyed the sea lions in the Bahamas.