Gamecocks 2025-2026 Season

[Coburn]

 

[GamecockFam]

I think the Kitts statement was pretty much already known, but that Watkins statement sounds very hopeful. It sounds very direct, like a foregone conclusion, but I'll have to hear the interview first. Anyone have a recording?

 

[Coburn]

I think the Kitts statement was pretty much already known, but that Watkins statement sounds very hopeful. It sounds very direct, like a foregone conclusion, but I'll have to hear the interview first. Anyone have a recording?

5:30 mark

 

[WBBTakeover]

Hmm, so that would be Raven, Ta'Niya, Maryam, and Madina. Madina was always the wildcard here because of the possibility at pursuing another year of eligibility, but she's done enough to elevate her WNBA stock and feel pretty good about where she lands.

With three starters gone, Chloe will definitely be needed.

And speaking of Madina, "Big Mama" was named co-SEC Player of the Week AND USBWA Player of the Week!!!!!!

 

[jumpstart]

Can you imagine Watkins guarding Strong and Raven guarding Fudd?

 

[WBBTakeover]

Can you imagine Watkins guarding Strong and Raven guarding Fudd?

I'd like to see what UConn has for an Edwards-Okot-Tournebize lineup instead. I already know that Raven can more than hold her own against Fudd.

 

[USMC(ret)]

Any idea how long Adhel Tac will be out?

 

[WBBTakeover]

Next year's frontcourt will be STACKED! The backcourt will be a little thin, however. I don't know how we address that. Mouse has earned a shot at starting, but it's going to take a superstar type of talent to replace what Raven brings (and while I love Mouse, she's not a superstar PG at this stage in her career). Maybe we could start two PGs--Mouse and a portal PG (who may be more of a scorer)? It'll be interesting to see how things shake out and to see what's ACCessible.

 

[donalddoowop]

I remember reading how displeased SC fans were with Raven. They complained about her defense and lack of offense. It surprised me because I saw her play in high school and thought she was going to be super in college. After watching her play I thought the complaints were valid. However, she is now playing as well as thought she would. As far as holding her own against Fudd, did she do that last season?

 

[visitingcock]

Next year's frontcourt will be STACKED! The backcourt will be a little thin, however. I don't know how we address that. Mouse has earned a shot at starting, but it's going to take a superstar type of talent to replace what Raven brings (and while I love Mouse, she's not a superstar PG at this stage in her career). Maybe we could start two PGs--Mouse and a portal PG (who may be more of a scorer)? It'll be interesting to see how things shake out and to see what's ACCessible.

No. Don’t start two pgs. Find one more on the portal (I still dream of Jaloni Cambridge whose sister graduated this year) or an international. Tessa splits time at wing and shooting guard with our two sophs next year.occasionally move Chloe to wing in a big lineup.

 

[JstVisiting]

I remember reading how displeased SC fans were with Raven. They complained about her defense and lack of offense. It surprised me because I saw her play in high school and thought she was going to be super in college.

I think the injury took away a bit of her explosiveness and forced her to change her style of play. It took a couple years for her to figure it out.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I remember reading how displeased SC fans were with Raven. They complained about her defense and lack of offense. It surprised me because I saw her play in high school and thought she was going to be super in college. After watching her play I thought the complaints were valid. However, she is now playing as well as thought she would. As far as holding her own against Fudd, did she do that last season?

That's not at all what happened.

 

[WBBTakeover]

No. Don’t start two pgs. Find one more on the portal (I still dream of Jaloni Cambridge whose sister graduated this year) or an international. Tessa splits time at wing and shooting guard with our two sophs next year.occasionally move Chloe to wing in a big lineup.

Raven and Ta'Niya, a quasi PG, started together this year. What's the problem?

Ideally, you'd like to have continuity at the PG position at a program like this one. Mouse provides that. Whoever comes in the portal should complement, not replace, her (unless she leaves first).

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I remember reading how displeased SC fans were with Raven. They complained about her defense and lack of offense. It surprised me because I saw her play in high school and thought she was going to be super in college. After watching her play I thought the complaints were valid. However, she is now playing as well as thought she would. As far as holding her own against Fudd, did she do that last season?

I do not recall anyone ever criticizing her defense.

Where her offense struggled, her ballhandking, defense, and rebounding more than made up for it.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

maddy
tessa
Makeer
Mcdowell
Jerzy.

Not quite thin so much as maybe missing a second pg.

Keep in the mind the post depth is going to require forwards to play wing at
times in big lineups.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I do not recall anyone ever criticizing her defense.

Where her offense struggled, her ballhandking, defense, and rebounding more than made up for it.

Her offense, outside of her shooting, wasn't really criticized by the fanbase, either (it was our rivals who routinely made fun of Raven and are now desperately pretending it never happened). Fans knew that she was an excellent distributor whose shot was coming around. She had a down year last season.

 

[donalddoowop]

That's not at all what happened.

Maybe not but that IS what I read.

 

[donalddoowop]

I do not recall anyone ever criticizing her defense.

Where her offense struggled, her ballhandking, defense, and rebounding more than made up for it.

I do. It surprised me when I read it.

 

[visitingcock]

I do. It surprised me when I read it.

It would not surprise me if it came from the lunatic fringe of our fanbase during her rs freshman year when her knee had not completely healed. The same lunatic fans who considered Kamilla a “ wasted scholarship” that year,

 

[WBBTakeover]

Maybe not but that IS what I read.

Oh okay.

 

[WBBTakeover]

As the primary defender against the SEC’s top 10 scorers, she [R.Johnson] has allowed just 0.571 points per possession on 25.0 percent field goal shooting.

Easily the SEC DPOY and probably the NDPOY. Like--please do not overthink this!

DPOY awards watch list

 

[Gamecockfan77]

It would not surprise me if it came from the lunatic fringe of our fanbase during her rs freshman year when her knee had not completely healed. The same lunatic fans who considered Kamilla a “ wasted scholarship” that year,

Definitely remember folks saying Kamilla was slow and unathletic.

Have said the same about Okot.

To which I said, what?

 

[WBBTakeover]

Definitely remember folks saying Kamilka was slow and unathletic.

Have said the same about Okot.

To which I said, what?

🤨

Slow and unathletic WHERE?

Do these people know basketball?

 

[USMC(ret)]

South Carolina 112, Mizzou 71… a 41 point differential that was never closer than 18. Last home regular season game and Senior Night for the Gamecocks. Sole possession of the regular season championship clinched. As usual, a few observations:

• Tessa was held out due to an “upper body contusion”. Hoping she’ll return for our last game against UK.
• Nine players suited up, and all scored and got substantial playing time.
• Seemed like everybody had the green light to shoot treys
• A hard foul on Maddie, after she had picked the pocket of a Mizzou guard, had the fans fired up the entire game.
• I have been a fierce critic of Dauda the entire year, so let me acknowledge her much improved play the last few games. Certainly not the cardboard cutout she was earlier in the year. And kudos to staff for coaching her up.
• Maddie looks much improved, too, both offensively and defensively.
• Makeer and McDowell have proven themselves off the bench. On less talented teams, they would start every night.
• Tournebize looks more comfortable, and she might be next year’s biggest surprise after offseason conditioning and skill development.
• Joyce and Madina combined for 49 points in the paint… made it look easy. Mizzou had no answer.

YMMV… forever to thee.

 

[JstVisiting]

CW is Okot’s strong play since Norman has made her a lock to go pro, but wondering if the state of WNBA negotiations will lead her to return if we win the eligibility appeal.

A dream scenario of Kitts, Okot, AND Watkins back with Edwards, AT, and Tac would give us our deepest frontcourt yet.

 

[packwrap]

LOL actually too deep not everyone will get to play.

 

[USMC(ret)]

Are Kitts and Edwards compatible on the court together, or do they both essentially fill the same role… a “scoring” big (versus a rebounding big)? And if not, who starts… Edwards or Kitts?

I’ve always thought that one of Dawn’s biggest challenges is keeping everyone content.

 

[visitingcock]

Are Kitts and Edwards compatible on the court together, or do they both essentially fill the same role… a “scoring” big (versus a rebounding big)? And if not, who starts… Edwards or Kitts?

I’ve always thought that one of Dawn’s biggest challenges is keeping everyone content.

Kitts can rebound at a pretty high level and has done so in important games including SEC and NCAA tournament games.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Are Kitts and Edwards compatible on the court together, or do they both essentially fill the same role… a “scoring” big (versus a rebounding big)? And if not, who starts… Edwards or Kitts?

I’ve always thought that one of Dawn’s biggest challenges is keeping everyone content.

Kitts and Edwards co-existed on team USA and last season but throwing Watkins and Tournebize into the mix (haven't even talked about the incoming freshmen) would tax anyone.

Almost have to pay a lot of big lineups to make this work.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Are Kitts and Edwards compatible on the court together, or do they both essentially fill the same role… a “scoring” big (versus a rebounding big)?

Chloe is a better rebounder (at least per the numbers), but she never started alongside a rebounding machine like Madina Okot. Kamilla was not the rebounder that Madina is. She's not a scorer, which Joyce clearly is.

No matter how many bigs South Carolina has next season, only one of them will be a scoring big (Chloe has played two full seasons and isn't close to 1000 points while Joyce has 1100 points in nearly two full seasons).

And if not, who starts… Edwards or Kitts?

Joyce is likely to be named an All-American. With Ta'Niya gone, she's the only returning scorer. She will start. Chloe will either come off the bench in a sixth woman role or start in a big line-up scenario. She's going to have to get in where she fits in and do so while coming off a significant injury.

I’ve always thought that one of Dawn’s biggest challenges is keeping everyone content.

Dawn has chosen this path, so she's got to make it work. The game is changing (with NIL and the transfer portal), so I'm less convinced that it will work. The truth is that if a player misses significant time and isn't a JuJu-level player, that player will find herself fighting for minutes once she's healthy enough to return.