- Joined
- Feb 8, 2016
- Messages
- 7,049
- Reaction Score
- 25,064
We had snow in South Georgia this morning! About 1-32nd inch accumulation
Gamecocks 2025-2026 Season
- Thread starter visitingcock
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2016
- Messages
- 7,049
- Reaction Score
- 25,064
Yeah. Rest Okot some but give her a three point attempt. I would like to see a bit more of z Okot at the top of the key to open up the paint some for Edwards and the driving guards. Work on a bit of give and go back door with Latson and Raven
No surprises today… there was enough of a talent surplus for our bench to get a lot of minutes. Don’t think Raven even played the 4th qtr. Tournebize scored her first points (8 total) as a Gamecock, and Maddie played more than her usual minutes at point. Tessa was cooking beyond the arc, and Edwards and Latson were their usual productive selves.
Big week ahead… a good test for us.
Big week ahead… a good test for us.
cockhrnleghrn
Crowing rooster
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2014
- Messages
- 4,541
- Reaction Score
- 8,654
Because I don't like the south and various things have kept me from moving where I want to live. Retirement is one's last chance for fulfilling their dreams - right?
cockhrnleghrn
Crowing rooster
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2014
- Messages
- 4,541
- Reaction Score
- 8,654
It was a good win for them. It's looking pretty likely that we're going to have an ice storm in Columbia this weekend. I hope it doesn't cancel the game. As long as the game is played, I'll be there. I'm only a 9 block walk from basketball games.
.-.
I am still not sold on this team. I think UCONN is still a double-digit loss and UCLA is probably also a double-digit loss. I see Texas winning in the tournament and maybe a Tennessee or a Louisville loss. This team is good but not elite. Good news? I am wrong most of the times on this.. 🤣
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2016
- Messages
- 7,049
- Reaction Score
- 25,064
Unfortunately, I’m not the guy to bring you good vibes. I ‘m not quite as pessimistic about Texas winning the tournament if , as I assume, you mean the SEC tournament. We both play a rather ugly brand of basketball that makes us pretty even but may leave us a “home away from home” advantage.
I also see us suffering more than one regular season loss. LSU on the road and maybe another one or even two. Tennessee at home I don’t see yet. Same with Vandy. It’s the road that I fear- including this Thursday. Louisville? We’ll put thoughts of that off til the NCAA tournament.
Dawn and a number of our players have a wealth of tournament experience and we do have Elite 8 talent. I still have reasonable hopes of making that level if we can cure certain problems like turnovers and foul shooting. We have room to improve and can so I haven’t given up hope of making the Final Four but I don’t consider the hope realistic for the first time this decade. I don’t see us winning a game in the Final Four and making the championship game.
I hope I’m wrong about the regular season though. For now, I’m worried about Thursday.
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2020
- Messages
- 1,931
- Reaction Score
- 7,514
I honestly find it hard to evaluate UConn. They scheduled a bunch of teams who ended up being not as good as expected, so I don't think they're as battle tested as Texas/South Carolina/UCLA. Like I don't think they've played any teams that will be in the final 4 (and possibly elite 8). In retrospect, Louisville and Michigan are the best two teams on their schedule and both were played in November. UConn started out the season as a well oiled machine, whereas those teams were building more of their chemistry, especially Louisville, at the time of competition. I think thinks would look very different if there was a rematch now. Anyways, just my $0.02.
This team's ceiling is so much higher than last years. With the size, shooting, and point guard play. I don't see team winning the SEC reg season. They maybe drop a game in the SEC tournament.
UConn is good. But they are Stewie, Tuck, and Jefferson good. They are beatable for sure. Have faith!
It was a good win for Vandy, but they blew a 17 point lead at halftime. I watched the game expecting the Mikayla Blake’s’ show, but was way more impressed by their freshman point guard (Galvan?). She played all 40 minutes and was exceptional. As a team, they are physical (had four players in foul trouble) and are more than willing to shoot 3’s. Only seven players saw the floor.
It will be a tough game. Vandy wants to be considered in the same tier as South Carolina, Texas, and LSU. Beating us helps get them there.
I’m on record here as saying we make the Elite 8, but go home after that. UConn remains the standard, especially after our last two games last year against them ( both beatdowns by them). I’d feel better if Okot was a more dominant presence in the paint for us, and maybe she’ll get there. Two wins this week would show me we’re making progress.
.-.
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2015
- Messages
- 4,582
- Reaction Score
- 10,655
Our primary issue with UCLA last season was we could not deal with their size and were in constant scramble mode that resulted in a lot of threes.
And we struggled in half court.
I think the Okot/Tac/Tournebize trio probably eliminates the scramble problem.
We may still struggle in half court though.
I don't think we would be able to get any separation from them and on the wrong day we could lose by double digits, but I don't think the gap is there.
UConn just had us on roller skates. I don't have a good sense of what that looks like but we hopefully would not be completely destroyed on the boards again.
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2016
- Messages
- 7,049
- Reaction Score
- 25,064
SEC road test tonight at Oklahoma. They had 11,000 in their house in the last game vs LSU.
Interesting matchup. Freshman sensation Aaliyah Chavez (19 pts per game) vs defensive specialist senior Raven Johnson.
Two of the nation’s double/double machines meet in Reagin Beers and Marina Okote.
Interesting matchup. Freshman sensation Aaliyah Chavez (19 pts per game) vs defensive specialist senior Raven Johnson.
Two of the nation’s double/double machines meet in Reagin Beers and Marina Okote.
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2017
- Messages
- 2,972
- Reaction Score
- 14,222
Good interview with Lisa Welch. To me, the linchpin (in-state) player in Dawn’s building of this program. Part of that second wave of locals, along with Tiffany, Alaina, and Khadijah that made this program attractive for A’ja to stay home and Allisha Gray to transfer to and all the rest that has come through Columbia up to the present. Players the Johnny and Janey come lately Gamecocks fans you see on SM probably know little about.
Unfortunately she was born into a 6’0 body. I feel she would have been a star in the W if she had 3 or 4 more inches on her. Such a smart, hard working player in her day. A tremendous mentor for then freshman A’ja. I always felt she would be a great coach if she went that route.
Unfortunately she was born into a 6’0 body. I feel she would have been a star in the W if she had 3 or 4 more inches on her. Such a smart, hard working player in her day. A tremendous mentor for then freshman A’ja. I always felt she would be a great coach if she went that route.
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2018
- Messages
- 819
- Reaction Score
- 1,951
Coaching loss.
Well, that was embarrassing… plenty of blame to go around, but most of it has to go to Edwards, Latson, and Okot, who usually combine for 50 points collectively, but could total only 24 tonight. At one point, Latson was 0 for 9. Without Johnson & Johnson, this would have been a massacre. Almost pulled it out in regulation, then fell apart like a cheap suit in overtime.
Sorry to say that Okot has regressed as competition has ramped up in conference play. She got into foul trouble fast, and played four (4) minutes in the first half. Missed easy points down low, played defense like a cardboard cutout. I think Tac is actually a threat to play more as a result.
And next we get Vandy, who would love to get a statement win. Dawn needs to rally the troops.
Sorry to say that Okot has regressed as competition has ramped up in conference play. She got into foul trouble fast, and played four (4) minutes in the first half. Missed easy points down low, played defense like a cardboard cutout. I think Tac is actually a threat to play more as a result.
And next we get Vandy, who would love to get a statement win. Dawn needs to rally the troops.
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2020
- Messages
- 1,931
- Reaction Score
- 7,514
Our Gamecocks have lots to learn from this game but I was most disappointed by our lack of mental toughness. I haven't seen us this flustered since the title game last year. Only Raven seemed to have the ability to take her game to the next level when it mattered most.
I was deeply disappointed in Edwards. She needs to work on finding the open man and passing out of the post when she is double teamed. Also, I didn't like how she shied away from contact -- she let the defense dictate her shots too many times.
Okot was also an issue but she was matched up against Beers so I'll give her some grace this go around.
I was deeply disappointed in Edwards. She needs to work on finding the open man and passing out of the post when she is double teamed. Also, I didn't like how she shied away from contact -- she let the defense dictate her shots too many times.
Okot was also an issue but she was matched up against Beers so I'll give her some grace this go around.
.-.
bballnut90
LV Adherent. Topic Crafter
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2011
- Messages
- 8,186
- Reaction Score
- 38,137
Dawn's decision to go with Okot over Tournebize down the stretch was a bad one. Yeah she probably would've fouled out but she made such an impact with her length, tipping rebounds and hitting shots.
Also not calling a time out during the Chavez onslaught made no sense. It was like she conceded defeat early in OT.
That said, this was not a good game for SC's top 3 scorers and they still came within OT of beating a very respectable Oklahoma team on the road in front of a raucous crowd. Add in Tessa Johnson being ice cold in the 2nd half, and it's now your top 4 scorers producing very little in the 2nd but still nearly won the game. SC will learn from it. I don't think this is a bad loss at all and might pave way for Makeer/Tournebize to get more playing time. I thought both were excellent tonight. Also props to Raven for balling out. If she can consistently stick those midrange jumpers she has a long WNBA career ahead of her.
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2020
- Messages
- 1,931
- Reaction Score
- 7,514
One thing I noticed is that Coach Staley didn't really substitute anyone in the last five minutes plus OT (until we wove the white flag). I know Coach Staley likes to coach for March, and we're not in many games where we are down by multiple buckets late in games, so I feel like she was:
1) giving our starters some experience under pressure while mentally and physically fatigued and
2) gauging how they performed in that situation
We forget that in previous seasons only Raven has been battle tested like this, and it showed, as she was the only player who found that next level when her back was against the wall. Coach Staley was basically sending our starters / team leaders a message and I think we'll be better because of that choice. Our starters have the talent to win it all and this was the first push towards getting them tournament ready.
1) giving our starters some experience under pressure while mentally and physically fatigued and
2) gauging how they performed in that situation
We forget that in previous seasons only Raven has been battle tested like this, and it showed, as she was the only player who found that next level when her back was against the wall. Coach Staley was basically sending our starters / team leaders a message and I think we'll be better because of that choice. Our starters have the talent to win it all and this was the first push towards getting them tournament ready.
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2021
- Messages
- 3,334
- Reaction Score
- 16,428
Sometimes you have to lose so you can win. Think she was sending a message to her team that if you get yourself in a pickle, then you will have to be a part of the solution to get yourself out of it. In other words…I can show you better than I can tell you. The stats showed what my eyes already knew…a team that wasn’t in synch and that was doing just enough to get a win, but didn’t. I stopped watching at the half and finished this morning. Never been a big fan of Raven (thought she didn’t call her own number enough and in critical game moments), but I can see why Dawn toots her horn. Mea culpa. Hat tip, Miss Raven. Not a bad loss, but an important one.
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2020
- Messages
- 1,931
- Reaction Score
- 7,514
Raven is rising up my All-time favorites list. She plays with so much heart and passion. I really think the trials she has been though (ACL tear, Caitlin Clark wave off, etc.) have turned her into a very people-first minded personality and given her great wisdom/perspective for someone her age. Like she takes the game seriously and is passionate to win but she also realizes that her competitor is a human too. It's fun to watch her before games. She is always talking to players on the other team and lifting up others in interviews. She also is the type who will put out a hand to pick up the fallen opponent. She is just a very well-rounded human being who I cannot help but root for. I think she'll make a great coach one day if she doesn't make it in the W but something tells me that if she spends a few years in the "lab" reworking her shot (a la Jackie Young) that she could become a solid PG at the next level.
SCGamecock
Carolina Sandlapper
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2015
- Messages
- 3,204
- Reaction Score
- 11,928
Man if Raven finds some offensive consistency she is going to be such a good pro. We already know what she brings as a PG. I’ve been very impressed with her lately.
And I co-sign a lot of what’s already been said. This wasn’t a bad loss, but the team did play badly. It’ll help them going forward. I’ll go player by player.
Raven. Baller. She doesn’t wilt under pressure. You can really see her mental toughness shine in games like last night when compared to her teammates. Shes not perfect, but I’m a fan and she’s so smart on the court. She knows her deficiencies and a big part of getting better is just knowing where you lack to begin with. That alone is reason enough of why I think she’ll be a good pro.
Dauda. I’m not sure why we keep trying to make her a 5. I will take this to my grave… she’s not a 5. I hope with Ali here now that we get rid of this idea. Against most elite teams their 5 is going to eat her lunch, as Beers did. But honestly, Beers ate everyone’s lunch last night.. so what do I know.
Latson. I know she didn’t come to SC to be the national scoring leader again. That’s just hard to accomplish at a school like SC.. but she has to score at least. She’s a scorer, that’s where she gets her juice. I admired her ability to attempt to lock in last night considering she was ignored most of the 1st quarter. She had an abysmal game last overall though, and it’s only half her fault.. she missed a lot, but Dawn also never runs sets for her, which I think is a missed opportunity. She needs to be better, but out coaching staff also needs to find ways to utilize her better… AND EARLIER in games.
Okot. I don’t know what last night was. Dawn alluded to it weeks ago, but it’s now obvious she’s struggling in some aspect of her life. She’s regressed and you can see it in her face and in her play. As bad as last night was, her opponent was Beers, so I’ll give her some grace. Beers is really good, SC has played her a bunch, even when she was at Oregon State. But it’s also obvious that Okot is not WNBA ready yet and the staff needs to continue fighting for that extra year.
Tessa. She’s growing. She started off very hot and disappeared in the 2nd half, but she also had a hellish time defending Verhulst. OU sets A LOT of hard screens and Tessa was getting bumped and bruised all night chasing Verhulst around them. Cumulative effect wore her down. I like that she’s attacking more and she needs to become even more aggressive.
Maddie. Everybody deserves at least one "WTF" game per season and I think hers was that Texas game when she kept bowling into the paint like a bull in a china shop and throwing up some of the ugliest bricks I’ve ever seen. I can’t remember whether or not she did it again last night due to the fact that almost everybody was doing it. Young players force their game a lot and Maddie still does at times.
Joyce. Terrible game last night. I have a lot on my mind when it comes to Edwards. But I’m also reminding myself that she’s a sophomore. I feel like I’m watching her become increasingly more selfish on the court and that is not how you play the 4 at SC.. we run everything through the 4, pass the ball out.. I guarantee you’re going to get it back. She’s so cerebral that I think a lot of the time she misses the obvious and easier play. Becoming more of playmaker will determine where her game goes long term.
Adhel. I thought she was fine last night. She didn’t do too much, but she rarely ever does. She comes in and does what is asked of her.
Agot and Ayla. Continued their climb last night. Both are textbook Staley players. Long, lean, no drama. I like the progress I’ve seen in both. Ayla will have a great SC career as a scoring 3. Agot looks like our next great wing defender, but she’s different from most of our past wings in that she can score in many ways.
Ali. I’ve seen enough. She’s an 18 year old freshman. But I think she probably has the highest ceiling we’ve ever had in a 5. Wilson spent most of her SC career as a 4, so she’s not included in this argument. Aliyah was dominant in her time and very brilliant on the court. A true paint anchor. But Ali is a completely different player. A true stretch 5. She’s young and maybe I’m too excited, but can anybody else see the vision here?
Lastly, shoutout to Chavez. She gets a lot of flack (mostly for the $1m price tag). But she stepped up when it mattered. She was a star before last night, but she’ll be even more of a star going forward.. and that tends to happen when a player goes off versus SC, especially in an upset. It’s like "ohhhh, NOW we believe it".. 😂
And I co-sign a lot of what’s already been said. This wasn’t a bad loss, but the team did play badly. It’ll help them going forward. I’ll go player by player.
Raven. Baller. She doesn’t wilt under pressure. You can really see her mental toughness shine in games like last night when compared to her teammates. Shes not perfect, but I’m a fan and she’s so smart on the court. She knows her deficiencies and a big part of getting better is just knowing where you lack to begin with. That alone is reason enough of why I think she’ll be a good pro.
Dauda. I’m not sure why we keep trying to make her a 5. I will take this to my grave… she’s not a 5. I hope with Ali here now that we get rid of this idea. Against most elite teams their 5 is going to eat her lunch, as Beers did. But honestly, Beers ate everyone’s lunch last night.. so what do I know.
Latson. I know she didn’t come to SC to be the national scoring leader again. That’s just hard to accomplish at a school like SC.. but she has to score at least. She’s a scorer, that’s where she gets her juice. I admired her ability to attempt to lock in last night considering she was ignored most of the 1st quarter. She had an abysmal game last overall though, and it’s only half her fault.. she missed a lot, but Dawn also never runs sets for her, which I think is a missed opportunity. She needs to be better, but out coaching staff also needs to find ways to utilize her better… AND EARLIER in games.
Okot. I don’t know what last night was. Dawn alluded to it weeks ago, but it’s now obvious she’s struggling in some aspect of her life. She’s regressed and you can see it in her face and in her play. As bad as last night was, her opponent was Beers, so I’ll give her some grace. Beers is really good, SC has played her a bunch, even when she was at Oregon State. But it’s also obvious that Okot is not WNBA ready yet and the staff needs to continue fighting for that extra year.
Tessa. She’s growing. She started off very hot and disappeared in the 2nd half, but she also had a hellish time defending Verhulst. OU sets A LOT of hard screens and Tessa was getting bumped and bruised all night chasing Verhulst around them. Cumulative effect wore her down. I like that she’s attacking more and she needs to become even more aggressive.
Maddie. Everybody deserves at least one "WTF" game per season and I think hers was that Texas game when she kept bowling into the paint like a bull in a china shop and throwing up some of the ugliest bricks I’ve ever seen. I can’t remember whether or not she did it again last night due to the fact that almost everybody was doing it. Young players force their game a lot and Maddie still does at times.
Joyce. Terrible game last night. I have a lot on my mind when it comes to Edwards. But I’m also reminding myself that she’s a sophomore. I feel like I’m watching her become increasingly more selfish on the court and that is not how you play the 4 at SC.. we run everything through the 4, pass the ball out.. I guarantee you’re going to get it back. She’s so cerebral that I think a lot of the time she misses the obvious and easier play. Becoming more of playmaker will determine where her game goes long term.
Adhel. I thought she was fine last night. She didn’t do too much, but she rarely ever does. She comes in and does what is asked of her.
Agot and Ayla. Continued their climb last night. Both are textbook Staley players. Long, lean, no drama. I like the progress I’ve seen in both. Ayla will have a great SC career as a scoring 3. Agot looks like our next great wing defender, but she’s different from most of our past wings in that she can score in many ways.
Ali. I’ve seen enough. She’s an 18 year old freshman. But I think she probably has the highest ceiling we’ve ever had in a 5. Wilson spent most of her SC career as a 4, so she’s not included in this argument. Aliyah was dominant in her time and very brilliant on the court. A true paint anchor. But Ali is a completely different player. A true stretch 5. She’s young and maybe I’m too excited, but can anybody else see the vision here?
Lastly, shoutout to Chavez. She gets a lot of flack (mostly for the $1m price tag). But she stepped up when it mattered. She was a star before last night, but she’ll be even more of a star going forward.. and that tends to happen when a player goes off versus SC, especially in an upset. It’s like "ohhhh, NOW we believe it".. 😂
BRS24
LisaG
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
- Messages
- 5,870
- Reaction Score
- 37,976
We only caught the end of the SC/OK game, and I really thought SC was gonna win, as it looked like OK didn't know how to win or hold them off, so OT we go. Then Chavez drains a bunch of crazy threes, and wins. Although this is a SC thread, I'll just say this here and once - I'm still not sold on Chavez, as she looked out of control at times, but then again, sometimes freshman do.
.-.
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2020
- Messages
- 1,931
- Reaction Score
- 7,514
Quit stealing my notes! I don't think I disagree with anything you said. 😂
We sure have been on the receiving end of putting some names out there, which I guess is a testament to our brand, because we only tend to lose against the best of the best.
I don't think Caitlin Clark would be as famous without the infamous win vs South Carolina her junior year. Also we would have never gotten the Clark/Reece storylines if South Carolina won that game, so I'm taking credit for Reece's fame too.
Paige's winning bucket against us her freshman (?) year helped put her on the national map outside of women's basketball fans, and now I feel like Chavez's flag is rising because of her performance in OT against us last night.
I think we need to demand some royalty checks sent to our NIL fund from the millions they made off of beating us. 🤣