Dawn Staley's Unhappiness With The Media

[oldude]

So where does this luck end and how far are you willing to stretch these so called "breaks"? I'm asking because some University of Maryland fans that I work with were swearing up and down that UCONN were the lucky ones because they did not have to face Maryland in their region. The missed UCONN foul shots were good luck for SC? Saniya impatience on the final possession? Where does luck end and excuses begin?

Call it luck, breaks, whatever you will. The point of my original post is that Dawn is PO’d that SC is heading to Albany where she’ll likely have to go through a team she can’t beat to get back to the FF. Last year, everything opened up for Dawn like the parting of the Red Sea.

Last year the tournament was good to the Gamecocks. This year, not so much.

 

[CocoHusky]

She shot 10% (1-10). That is her worse at SC

Yea but she was chucking for two years at Georgia Tech before she got to SC.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Call it luck, breaks, whatever you will. The point of my original post is that Dawn is PO’d that SC is heading to Albany where she’ll likely have to go through a team she can’t beat to get back to the FF. Last year, everything opened up for Dawn like the parting of the Red Sea.

Last year the tournament was good to the Gamecocks. This year, not so much.

Let's just wait to see who wins the title before we decide how lucky they got.

 

[CocoHusky]

Call it luck, breaks, whatever you will. The point of my original post is that Dawn is PO’d that SC is heading to Albany where she’ll likely have to go through a team she can’t beat to get back to the FF. Last year, everything opened up for Dawn like the parting of the Red Sea.
Last year the tournament was good to the Gamecocks. This year, not so much.

And what region did South Carolina play in last year? and the year before that? Too bad this parting of red sea did not include an opportunity for the most voluminous fans in the NCAA to actually travel and support their team.

 

[shiverz45]

Call it luck, breaks, whatever you will. The point of my original post is that Dawn is PO’d that SC is heading to Albany where she’ll likely have to go through a team she can’t beat to get back to the FF. Last year, everything opened up for Dawn like the parting of the Red Sea.

Last year the tournament was good to the Gamecocks. This year, not so much.

It has nothing to do with who it is where. She complained about getting sent to Stockton and South Dakota. It is more about our fans than playing UConn.

 

[oldude]

It has nothing to do with who it is where. She complained about getting sent to Stockton and South Dakota. It is more about our fans than playing UConn.

If that’s the case, then Dawn’s really not going to be happy once she learns how very few tickets are available in Albany.

While I know that this was a tough year for SC with all of the injuries the Gamecocks had to deal with, if SC really believes they should have been in the Lexington Regional, they just didn’t do enough to earn it. The early season loss to ND, 4 conference losses, and a rather bad loss at home vs UConn left them as the 8th seed, despite playing really well in the conference tournament.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

If that’s the case, then Dawn’s really not going to be happy once she learns how very few tickets are available in Albany.

While I know that this was a tough year for SC with all of the injuries the Gamecocks had to deal with, if SC really believes they should have been in the Lexington Regional, they just didn’t do enough to earn it. The early season loss to ND, 4 conference losses, and a rather bad loss at home vs UConn left them as the 8th seed, despite playing really well in the conference tournament.

What makes you think there is anything we could have done to "earn it?" These slots aren't "earned" they are selected.

 

[oldude]

What makes you think there is anything we could have done to "earn it?" These slots aren't "earned" they are selected.

Certainly, if SC had a better season, they would have earned a better seeding than being the 8th overall seed and #2 in the Albany region.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Certainly, if SC had a better season, they would have earned a better seeding than being the 8th overall seed and #2 in the Albany region.

Sure, we could have been a #1 seed and we've seen that always works out well for us. It's silly. you're acting like the NCAA has hard and fast rules about where it places teams. That couldn't be further from the truth. It does what it likes to achieve several different objectives only some of which are related to how good it thinks teams are.

 

[Bonpland]

Of course it is possible that we would have beaten Baylor in '13 but at the time I considered our having to face Louisville and not Griner to have been a "lucky break". Also I agree with those who point out that our Championship Games have lately (Louisville twice and Syracuse in '16) not always been against Notre Dame or (in the distant past) Rocky Top.

When we win by beating teams that are not considered to have been our toughest potential opponent we say "We played who they put in front of us." That's what SC did last year and frankly after Miss. St. beat us I thought they would roll to the National Crown. I give SC credit for putting together the run that led to the title, especially after having to reinvent their offense without Coates.

For the next few weeks I will hold my breath every time we play (as do the fans of every other team) no matter who the opponent is. And.....despite the prevelent attitude that has been expressed here on the Boneyard I think SC with a motivated NPOY could be a very tough opponent. South Carolina didn't win the Championship last year because they were "lucky". They were crowned because they won their last six games.

 

[Bigboote]

When South Carolina beat Mississippi State in the 2017 Championship game it was for the third time that season. That is not luck!

View attachment 29347

I'm a firm believer that you make your own luck. I consider myself a very lucky person, but I've also done things that have led to that luck. I've known a few very unlucky people, and they've to some extent brought the bad luck upon themselves. I'm not strictly talking about life's breaks, but even things like getting good or bad hands playing cards.

Did South Carolina benefit from Mississippi State beating UConn? Sure, but they put themselves into the position to benefit from it. They didn't luck out into the championship, they earned it.

 

[Bronxjeff]

That championship really offends UConn fans for some reason.

I am not offended. I say good on you! I’ve always been an A’ja fan and I think Dawn has done a good job.
(I think people over play the loss we had in the ff last year. For crying out loud, everyone projected multiple losses for us, and a possible elite eight exit. Instead we had one loss by a bucket in OT. I think Geno said at the chamber breakfast yesterday, something to the effect of even his Mom thinks we should lose sometimes!)

 

[oldude]

Sure, we could have been a #1 seed and we've seen that always works out well for us. It's silly. you're acting like the NCAA has hard and fast rules about where it places teams. That couldn't be further from the truth. It does what it likes to achieve several different objectives only some of which are related to how good it thinks teams are.

Look I’m sorry that SC’s fan base, which is clearly among the best in WBB, doesn’t have a nearby regional tournament that they can drive to to watch their beloved Gamecocks. But it still comes down to earning it by winning.

When Geno and CD started out at UConn 32 years ago, the Huskies were nobodies. They fought just to get into the Big Dance and went wherever they were told to go. Let me explain how UConn’s consistent excellence (winning) has them playing in the East regional year after year in front of a packed house in either Albany, NY or Bridgeport, CT.

First of all, arenas/cities bid on hosting regionals. The goal is to make money. You make money by getting a lot of fans to buy tickets to the games, stay at local hotels and eat in local restaurants. With UConn's incredible success, Husky fans start purchasing tickets to regional venues very early on. I purchased my Albany tickets back in October, before UConn played it's first game. So did thousands of other Husky fans.

There's a certain amount of faith involved in that process. UConn has to earn a #1 seed and they have to win their two opening round games. But UConn has made 10 FF's in a row, so it's not like UConn fans need to pray for divine intervention, and cities like Bridgeport and Albany don't have to go out on a limb hoping that fans will show up for the tournament.

So here's my point about winning. If Dawn and SC can reach the level close to UConn, to the point where surrounding cities like Greensboro, Charleston, Greenville, etc. can count on the Gamecocks being the #1 seed in the Region year after year, and showing up with 10-15,000 fans, SC fans would not have to fly to Stockton, CA or Albany, NY for the regional tournament.

I know that's a heavy lift, but that's what it takes to control your team's destiny.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Dawn often uses the "us against the world" motivational technique and it's worked out well for her.

 

[cbraarj]

This narrative is so bore some. Every team wins a championship with a lot of skill and a "LITTLE" luck. If luck is Miss. ST beating UConn so they didn't have to play them then I will take that. For those of you that only watch SC when something negative occurs for them, Last year Dawn experimented throughout the year with the 4 guard 1 big lineup. She utilized it when Aja went out in the middle of the year with an ankle injury. During that stretch Coates went three straight games of scoring 20pts or more, and the team beat those opponents by double digits. She also utilized during games when she had the availability of both, to change things up. This was not pot luck of Coates injury. As for their region, any slight against FSU and other teams in their region, was offset by playing in Siberia away from any fan base possible. The "Turner" less ND is a tired excuse as they did not use "Coates" as their excuse for a late season loss. Yes a little "luck" is always involved, but to make the entire thing about luck is ludicrous.

Wrong! She never experimented with that lineup until injuries! Coates injury helped the offense open up the middle. I saw Ajas freshmen year that playing them together wasnt good for SCs offense! Dawn couldnt see it until the injury!

 

[cbraarj]

I am sure during the championships UConn have won they, also had some luck involved if you go back and dissect them. SC probably man for man was the most talented team last year. UConn beat them by 11 0r 12 on their home court. Kaela Davis had her worse shooting night of the year. Who is to say if you would have got by MS. State you'll would have won.

Kia Nurse hardly played, Collier foul trouble and Lou a bad shooting night! Gabby just dominated the paint all night! Did I mention they lost Morgan, Moriah and Stewie to the WNBA.

 

[cbraarj]

In 2013 Stewie played 7 minutes against Baylor. Uconn lost by about 9. The way Stewie was playing in the NCAA.Uconn would have won the rematch.

 

[cbraarj]

If it was just about SCs fans having to travel. Then why even say it is not about Uconn!

 

[sharris952]

Wrong! She never experimented with that lineup until injuries! Coates injury helped the offense open up the middle. I saw Ajas freshmen year that playing them together wasnt good for SCs offense! Dawn couldnt see it until the injury!

Wrong, I am a season ticket holder and did not miss a game home and away that year. She most definitely utilized that line up throughout the year. It was never highlighted until Coates was out for good but she used it normally in her first substitutions in the middle to latter part of the regular season prepping for a return match with UConn if they were successful enough. She even spoke about it on call in shows. Now as for her freshman year, I don't know what you saw coach, Welch played the 4 most of that year with Alaina being Alternated with Elem Ebiam. They played together coming off the bench and usually stretched the league.

 

[sharris952]

Wrong, I am a season ticket holder and did not miss a game home and away that year. She most definitely utilized that line up throughout the year. It was never highlighted until Coates was out for good but she used it normally in her first substitutions in the middle to latter part of the regular season prepping for a return match with UConn if they were successful enough. She even spoke about it on call in shows. Now as for her freshman year, I don't know what you saw coach, Welch played the 4 most of that year with Alaina being Alternated with Elem Ebiam. They played together coming off the bench and usually stretched the league.

Stretched the lead from the starters. (sorry for the typo).

 

[RPM101370]

Oh boo hoo for Dawn. If they had a better year they’d have a better placement. Period.

That said, they have great opportunities coming up. Greensboro, NC in 2019 and Greenville, SC in 2020. But heads up to Miss Pissy Pants: if a team from the Southeast/Mid-Atlantic has a better year and are higher seeded they will have first dibs on those slots.

2020 is especially interesting since there’s no regional in the Northeast. So a certain team we love will have to go SOMEWHERE. Wouldn’t that be a kick in her pants? (Calling it now: Notre Dame/Ft. Wayne...Oregon/Portland...Baylor/Dallas...UConn/Greenville. Warm up the whining...)

Also. Anyone want to break it to Dawn that the Olympics are in Tokyo: i.e. not in driving distance for the U.S. fans? Wahhhhhh! Not fair!

Future Dates & Sites

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Discussion of last year's data and what future types of sites were being looked at. Grist for the mill. Regionals see lowest attendance in 20 years

 

[DefenseBB]

So to all my SC brethren, enlighten me on “how many fans” do they think would follow the Gamecocks to any area site that the team would play in. I gave the numbers from 2015 when SC was a #1 seed and were placed in Greensboro, a mere 183 miles from Columbia. During that season, the Gamecocks averaged 12,143 fans per home game. The Greensboro site is arguably the closest a venue would be for SC and yet only 6,000 fans went to that Final when SC earned its first FF trip. North Carolina with Diamond Deshields and Duke were in the regional as well. So I am sure some of their fans went also. So again I ask “How many fans do you and Dawn think would go if tickets were available- 1,000; 2,000; 3,000?” More than that I am highly skeptical as the past shows no indication of those numbers that would be proposed. If games are convenient and at home in Columbia, fans show up (like the 1st two rounds will be), however to whine and complain like Dawn is when no facts are evident is exactly that- whining.

I really do enjoy @SCspur @cockhrnleghrn @Gamecockfan77 @sharris952 and what they bring. I also think SC won last years title was won fair and square as they took care of business. UConn did not. Our fans here need to simply tip their hat to our brethren and own the fact we didn’t. Nuf ced.

Likewise, our colleagues need to get over the Albany issue, they own it and stop grasping at straws the fans can’t go as they didn’t even go whe then game was 3 hours away but now they want to say they would go to Lexington? Come one, just stop it no evidence is there to show that.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

So to all my SC brethren, enlighten me on “how many fans” do they think would follow the Gamecocks to any area site that the team would play in. I gave the numbers from 2015 when SC was a #1 seed and were placed in Greensboro, a mere 183 miles from Columbia. During that season, the Gamecocks averaged 12,143 fans per home game. The Greensboro site is arguably the closest a venue would be for SC and yet only 6,000 fans went to that Final when SC earned its first FF trip. North Carolina with Diamond Deshields and Duke were in the regional as well. So I am sure some of their fans went also. So again I ask “How many fans do you and Dawn think would go if tickets were available- 1,000; 2,000; 3,000?” More than that I am highly skeptical as the past shows no indication of those numbers that would be proposed. If games are convenient and at home in Columbia, fans show up (like the 1st two rounds will be), however to whine and complain like Dawn is when no facts are evident is exactly that- whining.

I really do enjoy @SCspur @cockhrnleghrn @Gamecockfan77 @sharris952 and what they bring. I also think SC won last years title was won fair and square as they took care of business. UConn did not. Our fans here need to simply tip their hat to our brethren and own the fact we didn’t. Nuf ced.

Likewise, our colleagues need to get over the Albany issue, they own it and stop grasping at straws the fans can’t go as they didn’t even go whe then game was 3 hours away but now they want to say they would go to Lexington? Come one, just stop it no evidence is there to show that.

We had about 6000 fans at the Regional Final in Greensboro; I was disappointed in the turnout though it isn't something I can control. How many would go to Lexington? I don't know; probably a few thousand. Kentucky is not an area where we have a lot of alumni. We have a lot in the tri-state area and Atlanta as far as outside SC. If there were more available tickets, I think we'd have a good crowd in Albany.

 

[SCGamecock]

Call it luck, breaks, whatever you will. The point of my original post is that Dawn is PO’d that SC is heading to Albany where she’ll likely have to go through a team she can’t beat to get back to the FF. Last year, everything opened up for Dawn like the parting of the Red Sea.

Last year the tournament was good to the Gamecocks. This year, not so much.

I recall Dawn making the same complaints last year that she’s making this year. Even with the “perceived” easier bracket Dawn had an issue with being sent across the country.. there were threads here about it. I’m sure you saw them.

She makes those same gripes this year and all of a sudden it’s about ducking UConn.

 

[SCGamecock]

Oh boo hoo for Dawn. If they had a better year they’d have a better placement. Period.

That said, they have great opportunities coming up. Greensboro, NC in 2019 and Greenville, SC in 2020. But heads up to Miss Pissy Pants: if a team from the Southeast/Mid-Atlantic has a better year and are higher seeded they will have first dibs on those slots.

2020 is especially interesting since there’s no regional in the Northeast. So a certain team we love will have to go SOMEWHERE. Wouldn’t that be a kick in her pants? (Calling it now: Notre Dame/Ft. Wayne...Oregon/Portland...Baylor/Dallas...UConn/Greenville. Warm up the whining...)

Also. Anyone want to break it to Dawn that the Olympics are in Tokyo: i.e. not in driving distance for the U.S. fans? Wahhhhhh! Not fair!

Future Dates & Sites

Well, if UConn were a #1 seed that year it’s no guarantee they’d get Greenville, especially if SC is also a #1 but even without it.. It’s still not guaranteed. A strong Tennessee, Louisville etc. would get that regional before UConn.

UConn would be a plane ride away from Greenville, and any of those other regionals... so it’s only fair that the NCAA committee does what they do to every other team and send the Huskies to Alaska because.. wait for it... “it doesn’t matter, you’re a plane ride away”..

 

[RPM101370]

Well, if UConn were a #1 seed that year it’s no guarantee they’d get Greenville, especially if SC is also a #1 but even without it.. It’s still not guaranteed. A strong Tennessee, Louisville etc. would get that regional before UConn.

UConn would be a plane ride away from Greenville, and any of those other regionals... so it’s only fair that the NCAA committee does what they do to every other team and send the Huskies to Alaska because.. wait for it... “it doesn’t matter, you’re a plane ride away”..

Yes. But if I have my 2020 teams right then Uconn could be the top #1 and get Greenville. They could also be the worst #1 and STILL get Greenville.

 

[DaddyChoc]

Let's just wait to see who wins the title before we decide how lucky they got.

anybody besides UConn winning it all... is LUCK!

 

[DaddyChoc]

So to all my SC brethren, enlighten me on “how many fans” do they think would follow the Gamecocks to any area site that the team would play in. I gave the numbers from 2015 when SC was a #1 seed and were placed in Greensboro, a mere 183 miles from Columbia. During that season, the Gamecocks averaged 12,143 fans per home game. The Greensboro site is arguably the closest a venue would be for SC and yet only 6,000 fans went to that Final when SC earned its first FF trip. North Carolina with Diamond Deshields and Duke were in the regional as well. So I am sure some of their fans went also. So again I ask “How many fans do you and Dawn think would go if tickets were available- 1,000; 2,000; 3,000?” More than that I am highly skeptical as the past shows no indication of those numbers that would be proposed. If games are convenient and at home in Columbia, fans show up (like the 1st two rounds will be), however to whine and complain like Dawn is when no facts are evident is exactly that- whining.

I really do enjoy @SCspur @cockhrnleghrn @Gamecockfan77 @sharris952 and what they bring. I also think SC won last years title was won fair and square as they took care of business. UConn did not. Our fans here need to simply tip their hat to our brethren and own the fact we didn’t. Nuf ced.

Likewise, our colleagues need to get over the Albany issue, they own it and stop grasping at straws the fans can’t go as they didn’t even go whe then game was 3 hours away but now they want to say they would go to Lexington? Come one, just stop it no evidence is there to show that.

they are a CHAMPIONSHIP team now... things may have changed

 

[cbraarj]

Wrong, I am a season ticket holder and did not miss a game home and away that year. She most definitely utilized that line up throughout the year. It was never highlighted until Coates was out for good but she used it normally in her first substitutions in the middle to latter part of the regular season prepping for a return match with UConn if they were successful enough. She even spoke about it on call in shows. Now as for her freshman year, I don't know what you saw coach, Welch played the 4 most of that year with Alaina being Alternated with Elem Ebiam. They played together coming off the bench and usually stretched the league.

Say what you want but I am a WCBB fan and no Dawn didnt because if she did know like you said. That would have been her strategy most of the games because it opened up the offense!