Gamecocks 2022

[SCGamecock]

I’m most interested to see what kind of minutes and role Cardoso fills. She’s incredibly gifted and Dawn will know exactly how to develop her. I fear she and Boston may suffer from the same effect that Wilson and Cambage do on the floor together — worse off because of poor spacing.

Cardoso and Boston will not play on the floor a lot together next year. Boston desperately needed relief last year, and when she got tired that usually resulted in her making really bad fouls or missing point blank layups. That’s no longer an issue with Cardoso. They will rotate and it’ll be a sight to behold.

 

[JDuro]

Congrats to Aliyah and Henry! NaLyssa Smith had a family matter and didn’t attend the camp so the 12 person roster set itself.

 

[shiverz45]

I also think LA will start. With our depth we can always bring Saxton on a number of people off the bench if she's not having a good game. Saxton has reached her ceiling (IMO). LA is no where near. If she doesn't start she'd be crazy NOT to transfer. She's not going to get a whole lot better on the bench for 3 years.

Why would someone transfer just because they do not start? If I am coming off the bench and getting just as much or more playing time as the starter what difference does it make? Wilson and Coates came off the bench but they played more minutes than Ibiam. People transfer because of playing time not whether they are a starter or not.

 

[GamecockFam]

This conversation has me thinking about the 3-deep at each position and the general spread of minutes between the players. This mental exercise made it clear to me that the backups at PG, SG, and W are wide open.

Of the starters from this past season I think Saxton and Beal are in the greatest danger to lose their starting roles. Saxton will lose out to LA if LA's offensive trajectory continues upward. If Beal's offense continues to be a liability I could see a number of scenarios that push her out of her starting role. Either Dawn would move to a big lineup with Amihere at the wing or Rivers/Russell will slowly eat away at her minutes until one of them is named starter. My hot take is that Rivers shows out and possibly becomes the starter mid SEC play.

As far as Guards, I think we have a lot of bodies but Zia and Denstanni are the only proven playmakers. Backing up those two players will be a dogfight that I think Raven, Eniya, and Destiny will rise to fill. Even so, I think Zia will have the most minutes of all players on the team.

I've got a feeling Aubryanna Hall will redshirt.

PG:
1) Denstanni Henderson: 25
2) Raven Johnson: 10
3) Destiny Littleton: 5

SG:
1) Zia Cooke: 25
2) Eniya Russell: 10
3) Destiny Littleton: 5

W:
1) Brea Beal: 20
2) Sanyia Rivers: 15
3) Lele Grissett: 5

F:
1) Laeticia Amihere: 18
2) Victaria Saxton: 10
3) Sania Feagin: 10
4) Lele Grissett: 2

P:
1) Aliyah Boston: 21
2) Kamila Cardoso: 18
3) Laeticia Amihere: 1

 

[TC22]

Why would someone transfer just because they do not start? If I am coming off the bench and getting just as much or more playing time as the starter what difference does it make? Wilson and Coates came off the bench but they played more minutes than Ibiam. People transfer because of playing time not whether they are a starter or not.

Don’t take this the wrong way. LA is very young in playing age. Because of her injuries she didn’t play for 2 whole years She needs game time. Wilson and Coates didn’t come off the bench for 3 years. She’s just getting started but needs that kind of experience. It’s just my opinion.

 

[shiverz45]

Don’t take this the wrong way. LA is very young in playing age. Because of her injuries she didn’t play for 2 whole years She needs game time. Wilson and Coates didn’t come off the bench for 3 years. She’s just getting started but needs that kind of experience. It’s just my opinion.

That is fine but game time and starting is two different things. You can get plenty of game time without starting. Would you prefer to start and get 15 minutes or come off the bench and get 25? I just took issue with the fact you think she should transfer if she does not start. I don't think the fact that LA does not get her name called in the introductions is a big deal to her.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Don’t take this the wrong way. LA is very young in playing age. Because of her injuries she didn’t play for 2 whole years She needs game time. Wilson and Coates didn’t come off the bench for 3 years. She’s just getting started but needs that kind of experience. It’s just my opinion.

personally, I do not think Amihere has earned starter minutes.

I'm not sure she will honestly.

 

[TC22]

This conversation has me thinking about the 3-deep at each position and the general spread of minutes between the players. This mental exercise made it clear to me that the backups at PG, SG, and W are wide open.

Of the starters from this past season I think Saxton and Beal are in the greatest danger to lose their starting roles. Saxton will lose out to LA if LA's offensive trajectory continues upward. If Beal's offense continues to be a liability I could see a number of scenarios that push her out of her starting role. Either Dawn would move to a big lineup with Amihere at the wing or Rivers/Russell will slowly eat away at her minutes until one of them is named starter. My hot take is that Rivers shows out and possibly becomes the starter mid SEC play.

As far as Guards, I think we have a lot of bodies but Zia and Denstanni are the only proven playmakers. Backing up those two players will be a dogfight that I think Raven, Eniya, and Destiny will rise to fill. Even so, I think Zia will have the most minutes of all players on the team.

I've got a feeling Aubryanna Hall will redshirt.

PG:
1) Denstanni Henderson: 25
2) Raven Johnson: 10
3) Destiny Littleton: 5

SG:
1) Zia Cooke: 25
2) Eniya Russell: 10
3) Destiny Littleton: 5

W:
1) Brea Beal: 20
2) Sanyia Rivers: 15
3) Lele Grissett: 5

F:
1) Laeticia Amihere: 18
2) Victaria Saxton: 10
3) Sania Feagin: 10
4) Lele Grissett: 2

P:
1) Aliyah Boston: 21
2) Kamila Cardoso: 18
3) Laeticia Amihere: 1

BB players don’t redshirt usually unless they get hurt.

 

[TC22]

That is fine but game time and starting is two different things. You can get plenty of game time without starting. Would you prefer to start and get 15 minutes or come off the bench and get 25? I just took issue with the fact you think she should transfer if she does not start. I don't think the fact that LA does not get her name called in the introductions is a big deal to her.

Again, it’s my opinion. I think it’s a big deal to LA although I do think it’s important for her to get a lot of minutes. We will see how it plays out. The practices are going to be intense - I do know that. We should all hope LA starts because that will mean she has gotten better over the summer.

 

[SCspur]

personally, I do not think Amihere has earned starter minutes.

I'm not sure she will honestly.

If not her then who? I love V but her skill set doesn’t fit well with what we need at that spot. LA is still improving and will be playing major competition this summer. Don’t think she will be able to earn them after that? Feagin of course could start and it wouldn’t surprise me. She’s going to be good from day 1. I just think we’re going to see a different LA come November.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Why would someone transfer just because they do not start? If I am coming off the bench and getting just as much or more playing time as the starter what difference does it make? Wilson and Coates came off the bench but they played more minutes than Ibiam. People transfer because of playing time not whether they are a starter or not.

I agree; it isn't a foregone conclusion that LA will start. I trust Dawn to know the chemistry best.

 

[Creature]

Again, it’s my opinion. I think it’s a big deal to LA although I do think it’s important for her to get a lot of minutes. We will see how it plays out. The practices are going to be intense - I do know that. We should all hope LA starts because that will mean she has gotten better over the summer.

Well she just made the Canadian Olympic team-Improvement , right ?

 

[GamecockFam]

BB players don’t redshirt usually unless they get hurt.

I understand that but I was having trouble finding her a role in my mock-up. So my first impression was that she would redshirt. But I guess she could come out and play during "crap time" in blowouts.

There is going to be a fierce battle between Grissett (PG, SG, W), Johnson (PG, SG), Littleton (PG, SG), Russell (PG, SG, W), Hall (SG, W), and Rivers (SG, W) for playing time at PG, SG and W. Let's say that Henderson, Cooke, and Beal average about 70 of the 120 available minutes at those positions per game. That leave 50 minutes to be split amongst 6 players. Someone in that group is going to lose out. Just based off rankings and experience, Hall would be my first guess. She could come in and shine for all I know, but then that would be at the expense of another player (probably Russell or Littleton).

 

[GoChips20]

I understand that but I was having trouble finding her a role in my mock-up. So my first impression was that she would redshirt. But I guess she could come out and play during "crap time" in blowouts.

There is going to be a fierce battle between Grissett (PG, SG, W), Johnson (PG, SG), Littleton (PG, SG), Russell (PG, SG, W), Hall (SG, W), and Rivers (SG, W) for playing time at PG, SG and W. Let's say that Henderson, Cooke, and Beal average about 70 of the 120 available minutes at those positions per game. That leave 50 minutes to be split amongst 6 players. Someone in that group is going to lose out. Just based off rankings and experience, Hall would be my first guess. She could come in and shine for all I know, but then that would be at the expense of another player (probably Russell or Littleton).

Agree with you that someone has to lose given there are only so many minutes to go around.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Hall outplays Russell or Littleton — I believe she is higher-ranked than both out of high school. Obviously she is unproven as a freshman and so rankings may matter not; however, Littleton isn’t the most athletic player and Russell didn’t break through much last year despite a relative opening at the backup guard spots.

 

[SCspur]

Littleton might’ve lost out on her chance to be a contributor at SC. Russell will be given more opportunity but the freshman will get playing time and a lot of it. It’s just the truth. Dawn isn’t going to sit Rivers,Johnson, or Feagin lol. She might not even sit Hall. The pressure is on all the returning players because new blood and fresh bodies are here to get the job done.

 

[GoChips20]

Littleton might’ve lost out on her chance to be a contributor at SC. Russell will be given more opportunity but the freshman will get playing time and a lot of it. It’s just the truth. Dawn isn’t going to sit Rivers,Johnson, or Feagin lol. She might not even sit Hall. The pressure is on all the returning players because new blood and fresh bodies are here to get the job done.

I am with you.

I understand why many think Hall may be the odd woman out given the top-four rankings of each of her three classmates, but she is still the #14 recruit in the nation. Given the recruitment monopoly UConn/SC/Arkansas have on the top recruits, only 7 or 8 schools have a 2021 recruit ranked as high as Hall. She’s still a big-time player who shot 55% and 39% from the floor her senior year. I expect the other three freshmen to get more minutes but think Dawn will have a hard time keeping Hall off the floor prior to mop-up time.

Certainly UConn, Stanford, and other schools are worthy competitors fully capable of making title runs, but my goodness, it’s hard to imagine this roster not winning a national championship at least one of the next two years.

 

[GamecockFam]

Littleton might’ve lost out on her chance to be a contributor at SC. Russell will be given more opportunity but the freshman will get playing time and a lot of it. It’s just the truth. Dawn isn’t going to sit Rivers,Johnson, or Feagin lol. She might not even sit Hall. The pressure is on all the returning players because new blood and fresh bodies are here to get the job done.

Yeah I feel you with Littleton. Russell seems to have that attack mentality Dawn likes from the guard spot, so I have a feeling she'll be given the first opportunity to backup Zia.

I am with you.

I understand why many think Hall may be the odd woman out given the top-four rankings of each of her three classmates, but she is still the #14 recruit in the nation. Given the recruitment monopoly UConn/SC/Arkansas have on the top recruits, only 7 or 8 schools have a 2021 recruit ranked as high as Hall. She’s still a big-time player who shot 55% and 39% from the floor her senior year. I expect the other three freshmen to get more minutes but think Dawn will have a hard time keeping Hall off the floor prior to mop-up time.

Certainly UConn, Stanford, and other schools are worthy competitors fully capable of making title runs, but my goodness, it’s hard to imagine this roster not winning a national championship at least one of the next two years.

Without seeing practice, rankings are all I have to go off of, so that's why she was the odd woman out. I didn't realize she was that efficient from the 3. If that translates to college, I don't see how we can't keep her off the floor. We need more 3-point threats. I could see Dawn using her in offense/defense switches with Brea Beal.

 

[GamecockFam]

Part of me thinks we should keep the starters as they are -- they're proven final four contenders. A little more production from backups would tilt the scale in our favor. But then, messing with the proven grouping, could have good or bad effects with player chemistry.

This past season didn't VanDerveer do whole team substitutions during games and setup a/b groupings that primarily practiced together and grew together? I wonder if Dawn will implement something to this effect.

Garnet team:
Henderson
Cooke
Beal
Amihere/Saxton
Boston

Black team:
Johnson
Russell
Rivers
Feagin
Cardoso

Role players: Hall (3-point specialist), Grissett (defensive intensity and rebounding), Littleton (offensive specialist)

IDK. I am just enjoying dreaming. Dawn has a problem on her hands but thankfully it's a good problem for all of us fans!

 

[Drew8]

Part of me thinks we should keep the starters as they are -- they're proven final four contenders. A little more production from backups would tilt the scale in our favor. But then, messing with the proven grouping, could have good or bad effects with player chemistry.

This past season didn't VanDerveer do whole team substitutions during games and setup a/b groupings that primarily practiced together and grew together? I wonder if Dawn will implement something to this effect.

Garnet team:
Henderson
Cooke
Beal
Amihere/Saxton
Boston

Black team:
Johnson
Russell
Rivers
Feagin
Cardoso

Role players: Hall (3-point specialist), Grissett (defensive intensity and rebounding), Littleton (offensive specialist)

IDK. I am just enjoying dreaming. Dawn has a problem on her hands but thankfully it's a good problem for all of us fans!

Uconn fans are having the same issues. This is an absorbing activity. I wonder what Stanford fans do?

 

[visitingcock]

Part of me thinks we should keep the starters as they are -- they're proven final four contenders. A little more production from backups would tilt the scale in our favor. But then, messing with the proven grouping, could have good or bad effects with player chemistry.

This past season didn't VanDerveer do whole team substitutions during games and setup a/b groupings that primarily practiced together and grew together? I wonder if Dawn will implement something to this effect.

Garnet team:
Henderson
Cooke
Beal
Amihere/Saxton
Boston

Black team:
Johnson
Russell
Rivers
Feagin
Cardoso

Role players: Hall (3-point specialist), Grissett (defensive intensity and rebounding), Littleton (offensive specialist)

IDK. I am just enjoying dreaming. Dawn has a problem on her hands but thankfully it's a good problem for all of us fans!

I have no doubt that Dawn will keep the starters as they are unless and until somebody else EARNS a starting role in practice AND in the minutes they get in games. That will not happen before February no matter how good the incoming 5 are.

We will probably see some "platooning" against weaker teams but doubtful against those who play NEAR our level.

 

[triaddukefan]

Uconn fans are having the same issues. This is an absorbing activity. I wonder what Stanford fans do?

Hopefully they have additional sports to follow.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Well she just made the Canadian Olympic team-Improvement , right ?

She’s made that team before.

I think she made good progress, but I still don’t see a must start player.

I’m not sure I see her ceiling or floor being quite as high as others do.

 

[GamecockFam]

She’s made that team before.

I think she made good progress, but I still don’t see a must start player.

I’m not sure I see her ceiling or floor being quite as high as others do.

She has a unique combo of size/wingspan and athleticism that should give her a leg up on the competition. Fans are waiting for that to translate into basketball skills. If she puts it all together, she would be almost unstoppable on offense and a complete terror on defense. A lot of us fans, myself included, think that she will finally turn that corner this season. I swear though, if she continues being a turnover machine, I will lose all my hair! Speaking of using her size, I nearly lost my mind on how often she would not protect the ball while searching for the basket. She would hold the ball around her knees staring up at the basket and some 5'7" PG would swipe the ball out of her hands. That drove me BONKERS last season! Hold the ball higher!

 

[GamecockFam]

I have no doubt that Dawn will keep the starters as they are unless and until somebody else EARNS a starting role in practice AND in the minutes they get in games. That will not happen before February no matter how good the incoming 5 are.

We will probably see some "platooning" against weaker teams but doubtful against those who play NEAR our level.

My thoughts exactly! I really expect Zia and Denstanni to play 32+ minutes in big games. All the other positions have alternates that Dawn already trusts.

 

[TC22]

Well she just made the Canadian Olympic team-Improvement , right ?

She’s been on the Canadian National team.