Gamecocks 2025-2026 Season

[USMC(ret)]

Lost a close one tonight that we could have won. Congrats to Texas… Booker and Harmon played clutch. We pissed away an 8 point lead in the second half, missed four free throws late, and our big girl fouled out. Texas’ bench scored 17 points, while our bench scored 2.
Gotta put it behind us, learn, and get back on track. Texas is legit, and we’ll get chances to return the favor.

 

[SCGamecock]

Well. I wasn't expecting an undefeated season again. I'll take a meaningless loss in November to a SEC team that we're probably going to have to play multiple times this season.

 

[jumpstart]

This loss is a nothing loss. This team has been playing together through 7 games before tonight. They are still adjusting to playing together and by seasons end (when it counts) they will be a team to reckoned with. Texas won in a "anyone with the last shot' game and they have vets playing that have been together for a while. This should be the solid answer to how this Gamecock team's season will play out. They are a final four team and that says a lot considering we knew there would be growing pains. I thought they were ranked too high until they played some tough competition. They will slip in the poll behind Texas, but Texas wants no part of this team moving forward. South Carolina will continue to get better, and I think Texas is as good as they are going to be. That's my take on the situation anyway.

 

[visitingcock]

The offense is still halter skelter and we showed little organization last night . Next notable opponent is Louisville. Let’s hope we show more organization against them.

Gotta start hitting the 3s and longer mods to open up the paint some

 

[JDuro]

My two biggest concerns about this team coming into the season, shooting and bench depth deficiency. Both were well on display these two games in Vegas.

Does Latson have a midrange game? Seems over reliant on driving to the basket which works fine against short mid major rosters, not so much against teams w/ bigs.

Tessa’s been a roller coaster so far. Very streaky. I’m confident in her improvement as the season progresses.

Tac and Maddy showed some glimpses defensively. Enjoyed watching Maddy guard up Rori Harmon.

I am heartened they only lost by two to one of the top teams even though they played pretty, let’s say, sub par.

I don’t believe UConn showed anything for them to lose the #1 ranking. I would put UT-A #2 but I have no objection if they’re leaped to the top spot.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

They went after Tessa last night and had a lot of success.

The Texas defense was more effective than the SCar defense I thought.

There is a lot of upside for SCar left to develop.

 

[Geew1992]

Does okot have another year?? Cuz twitter talkin bout her coming back

 

[GamecockFam]

Does okot have another year?? Cuz twitter talkin bout her coming back

Technically, she is out of eligibility after this season. She only has two years (including this year) of NCAA experience, so I think we're going to petition to the NCAA for another 1-2 years since her first two years were played outside of the US (Africa, I believe).

It's kind of crazy to think that she only has been playing basketball since her junior year of high school with only a little more than one year of NCAA experience. She was such a steal in the portal.

 

[southie]

This loss is a nothing loss. This team has been playing together through 7 games before tonight. They are still adjusting to playing together and by seasons end (when it counts) they will be a team to reckoned with. Texas won in a "anyone with the last shot' game and they have vets playing that have been together for a while. This should be the solid answer to how this Gamecock team's season will play out. They are a final four team and that says a lot considering we knew there would be growing pains. I thought they were ranked too high until they played some tough competition. They will slip in the poll behind Texas, but Texas wants no part of this team moving forward. South Carolina will continue to get better, and I think Texas is as good as they are going to be. That's my take on the situation anyway.

If my team had lost, I'd say the same thing. This win is one for the resume' come March. And, it was important for Texas to get it was we have to play SC in Columbia and don't get a home game this season. We all know playing in the SEC tourney in Greenville is also a home game for SC.

That being said, it doesn't sound like you were aware Texas was down 3 players last night due to injuries, one of them being a starter in freshman, Aaliyah Crump. The other two are backup PG Bryanna Preston, and Mizzou senior transfer, Ashton Judd. So, the Texas team last night will not be the same team (health-wise) which continues forward in the season once those players return to the court; the depth will get better, and hopefully so will the team's play. As far as I know, SC won't be gaining any additional players who weren't already in full uniform last night.

 

[jumpstart]

If my team had lost, I'd say the same thing. This win is one for the resume' come March. And, it was important for Texas to get it was we have to play SC in Columbia and don't get a home game this season. We all know playing in the SEC tourney in Greenville is also a home game for SC.

That being said, it doesn't sound like you were aware Texas was down 3 players last night due to injuries, one of them being a starter in freshman, Aaliyah Crump. The other two are backup PG Bryanna Preston, and Mizzou senior transfer, Ashton Judd. So, the Texas team last night will not be the same team (health-wise) which continues forward in the season once those players return to the court; the depth will get better, and hopefully so will the team's play. As far as I know, SC won't be gaining any additional players who weren't already in full uniform last night.

The fact is.. If Kitts and Watkins were playing, I would put South Carolina above any team. This is a team trying to find its footing with four new starters. They lost but it proved that the team has much potential to mesh and that's different from having a player out for a game or two. You were down one starter, and the facts are that Kitts and Watkins would be starters. This team has much more growth potential than a team down one starter. Texas is a very good team, and my point was that South Carolina needs to mesh and figure out who they are, and Texas already knows who they are.

 

[southie]

The fact is.. If Kitts and Watkins were playing, I would put South Carolina above any team. This is a team trying to find its footing with four new starters. They lost but it proved that the team has much potential to mesh and that's different from having a player out for a game or two. You were down one starter, and the facts are that Kitts and Watkins would be starters. This team has much more growth potential than a team down one starter. Texas is a very good team, and my point was that South Carolina needs to mesh and figure out who they are, and Texas already knows who they are.

The fact is, SC is not getting Kitts or Watkins back this season, or any other (injured) player. Texas is getting 3 players back, one who was a starter the first several games of the season, and one who was injured prior to the first game and has not yet played.

So, if we discuss what could occur going forward, it's really not worth bringing up Kitts or Watkins as they are irrelevant to SC's growth and upside in the continuing season.

 

[JstVisiting]

Lost a close one tonight that we could have won. Congrats to Texas… Booker and Harmon played clutch. We pissed away an 8 point lead in the second half, missed four free throws late, and our big girl fouled out. Texas’ bench scored 17 points, while our bench scored 2.
Gotta put it behind us, learn, and get back on track. Texas is legit, and we’ll get chances to return the favor.

I feel like I did before the game (and how I felt about Texas last year) - we are a better team, and the range of options in any matchup is anything from a narrow Texas win to a blowout South Carolina win, with the typical result being about an 8 to 12 point Carolina victory.

Hopefully our players new to high stakes ball will learn from it.

I have given up hope on Dawn Staley learning there is no rule requiring you to sit players before their 5th foul

 

[USMC(ret)]

I feel like I did before the game (and how I felt about Texas last year) - we are a better team, and the range of options in any matchup is anything from a narrow Texas win to a blowout South Carolina win, with the typical result being about an 8 to 12 point Carolina victory.

Hopefully our players new to high stakes ball will learn from it.

I have given up hope on Dawn Staley learning there is no rule requiring you to sit players before their 5th foul

Several things stand out as different from last year:

• Last year, we had a bench that contributed significant minutes and points. This year, it’s pretty much the starting five. Other teams will no doubt try to get us in foul trouble. We’re gonna need Tac and the two freshmen to pick up the pace in their respective learning curves.
• Last year, Kitts was pushed around in the paint… really just overpowered, because she simply lacked the physique (like Boston) that many other bigs had, and it affected her put-back shots. This year, nobody is pushing Okot around.
• We shot more three pointers last year, but we have not shown the same inclination so far this year. Tessa seems to be the only one really willing to shoot them.
• Edwards had a nice year last year, but is even better this year.

 

[JDuro]

I hope Allisha Gray playing 3x3 for Team USA, and winning the FIBA Americup tournament this weekend, is not a sign she’s given up being a member of the 5x5 team in the next Olympics. Perhaps she’s pulling double duty, if possible, to keep her options open just in case and avoid another repeat catastrophe when she wasn’t added to the ‘24 3x team after not making the 5x team. USA might have done better than bronze if she had been on that team. Will have to see if Allisha participates in any of the future, more veteran attended training camps for Team USA. I know she won’t be a part of the camp this month in Durham.