Gamecocks 2025-2026 Season

[visitingcock]

Compare the two states and their economic strengths. South Carolina = tourism and agriculture. Louisiana = oil, gas, and petrochemical (same as Texas and Oklahoma). In terms of economic clout, there is no comparison. And the big donors in Louisiana are a LOT richer than the big donors in South Carolina.

Steve Spurier once admitted that before he got there, only one donor had contributed a million or more to the football program. That number increased to seven during his tenure. And football will always get the lion’s share of big donors.

Face it… players want to come to South Carolina to play for Dawn, just like players come to UConn to play for Geno. At a school like Texas, Madison Booker probably makes more in NIL than all the Gamecock players combined. They just have more money, and the’re going to spend it.

Both schools can pay a maximum of 20.5 million in direct pay. Both schools spend about 5% to 6% of that amount on direct pay for wbb. Roughly 1 million. It’s pretty standard in the SEC.

Now let’s look at 3rd party pay. Sure, Fleujai makes a killing off her music and internet stuff. I haven’t heard of any other LSU players making anything other than the small endorsements like Malaysia already had at SC. Plus, the SC players were able to share another million they got from the player’s era tournament as 3rd party pay. LSU players had no such pay.

Now, if you show me that Boudreaux’s Butt Paste pays Malaysia, I’ll believe you but I don’t think there is any such evidence.

There is nothing to support the belief that LSU has all this money to throw around for MOL that other SEC (or Big ten) schools don’t have. Yes, they have more money than we do, but the House Settlement limited what they can pay as NIL

 

[GamecockFam]

Both schools can pay a maximum of 20.5 million in direct pay. Both schools spend about 5% to 6% on direct pay for wbb. Roughly 1 million. It’s pretty standard in the SEC.

Now let’s look at 3rd party pay. Sure, Fleujai makes a killing off her music and internet stuff. I haven’t heard of any other LSU players making anything other than the small endorsements like Malaysia already had at SC. Plus, the SC players were able to share another million they got from the player’s era tournament as 3rd party pay. LSU players had no such pay.

Now, if you show me that Boudreaux’s Butt Paste pays Malaysia, I’ll believe you but I don’t think there is any such evidence.

There is nothing to support the belief that LSU has all this money to throw around for MOL that other SEC (or Big ten) schools don’t have. Yes, they have more money than we do, but the House Settlement limited what they can pay as NIL

There was a mention yesterday during the game that Flau'jae has like 40+ NIL sponsorships and I can really only think of a few commercials where she probably brings in enough money to justify what they're probably paying her. Really, the game has just changed to exchanging money through companies run by donors and calling it NIL. I bet places like LSU have plenty of them that skirt around the rules like that.

Dawn also has her industry connections that also help her bring NIL opportunities to her players but those seem more legit than some of the stuff I have seen. Like she provides NIL opportunities through her fame and through the South Carolina brand being a national brand in WBB.

 

[GoChips20]

Has anyone heard the latest on whether Watkins is still planning to return next year? I would love to have her back, but she’s not enrolled or with the team and plays the same position as Edwards

 

[CockyMecha]

Has anyone heard the latest on whether Watkins is still planning to return next year? I would love to have her back, but she’s not enrolled or with the team and plays the same position as Edwards

The latest word is that she is returning. If so, that will make the front court battles interesting (great problem to have I know) since Chloe will also be back and Alicia will have a full offseason under her belt. I know because of her height everyone considers Alicia a 5, but she seems more natural front facing.

 

[CockyMecha]

Is there any reason why Raven Johnson isn't in the first round of most mock drafts I've seen? The guard who was famously waved off by Caitlin Clark has shooting splits of 50/37/85 this year, is averaging double digits and has a 3:1 A/TO ratio. Not to mention she's one of the best defensive guards in the nation and is balling out in big games. Her shot mechanics are much improved and she's become the go to playmaker down the stretch for South Carolina. Also her collegiate record is 134-7. What am I missing here?

Love Raven. This also begs the question (I have seen it touched on, but not discussed at length), who is our PG next year? Likely we will have a young one. I think Tessa stays at the 2.

 

[Geew1992]

Love Raven. This also begs the question (I have seen it touched on, but not discussed at length), who is our PG next year? Likely we will have a young one. I think Tessa stays at the 2.

Wouldn’t it be Maddie? Or do you think Jerzy will start?

 

[GamecockFam]

Love Raven. This also begs the question (I have seen it touched on, but not discussed at length), who is our PG next year? Likely we will have a young one. I think Tessa stays at the 2.

Wouldn’t it be Maddie? Or do you think Jerzy will start?

Maddie will probably get the first look. I think she'll be ready but Dawn may want some insurance so I bet she'll grab a PG out of the portal.

Jerzy isn't a PG. She is a natural 2 guard. Personally, I think Makeer could make a good PG in our system and hope she becomes the backup with Tessa as the emergency PG. I think she and Tessa are going to be the Swiss army knives on next year's team where they roam between playing 1-3 based on matchups, injuries, fouls, etc. Without speculating anyone coming in our out, this is how I see things shaping up at the guard positions...

PG: McDaniel/Makeer/Johnson
SG: Makeer/Robinson/Johnson
W: Johnson/McDowell/Makeer

Basically McDaniel will be primarily be a 1, Robinson a 2 and McDowell a 3 with Johnson and Makeer roaming between the three roles.

 

[cancontent]

There was a mention yesterday during the game that Flau'jae has like 40+ NIL sponsorships and I can really only think of a few commercials where she probably brings in enough money to justify what they're probably paying her. Really, the game has just changed to exchanging money through companies run by donors and calling it NIL. I bet places like LSU have plenty of them that skirt around the rules like that.

Dawn also has her industry connections that also help her bring NIL opportunities to her players but those seem more legit than some of the stuff I have seen. Like she provides NIL opportunities through her fame and through the South Carolina brand being a national brand in WBB.

Commercials are one component. I'm sure there are other forms of media campaigns that are part of these deals.

And some of these deals have provided benefits to others through these partnerships, including paying off debts for some families, the introduction of financial literacy programs to educate people about how important managing credit is. For all the chatter about how NIL has been disruptive, Johnson deserves some credit for thinking about others when she negotiates some of these deals.

 

[azfan]

Speaking of foul calls, if Kanter is going to be part of these announcing crews, give her access to the same footage the refs would have. Hearing her say she didn't have the same angle several times last night was disappointing.

Ikr.. I was thinking the same thing. Also is it just me or is it clear that Ryan and Rebecca don't much care for her.

The bee suit spoke volumes

 

[Bone Dog]

Maddie will probably get the first look. I think she'll be ready but Dawn may want some insurance so I bet she'll grab a PG out of the portal.

Jerzy isn't a PG. She is a natural 2 guard. Personally, I think Makeer could make a good PG in our system and hope she becomes the backup with Tessa as the emergency PG. I think she and Tessa are going to be the Swiss army knives on next year's team where they roam between playing 1-3 based on matchups, injuries, fouls, etc. Without speculating anyone coming in our out, this is how I see things shaping up at the guard positions...

PG: McDaniel/Makeer/Johnson
SG: Makeer/Robinson/Johnson
W: Johnson/McDowell/Makeer

Basically McDaniel will be primarily be a 1, Robinson a 2 and McDowell a 3 with Johnson and Makeer roaming between the three roles.

Not a bad forecast. But as good as she is, Maddie is not ready to run a top 5 team yet. Unless Dawn brings in a transfer, there will be some fall off after Raven. She was just that masterful at PG, maybe the best since… well since a long time ago. Her rebounding and defense alone makes her great. Her improved scoring is just icing on the cake.

Jerzy will not start at PG or even at SG. That’s Tessa’s spot to lose, one of the best SGs in the nation. And Agot and Ayla will back her up in one fashion or another. Jerzy is pretty far down the depth chart by my forecast.

Without a transfer, can some platoon of Maddie Agot and Tessa somehow cover the PG spot? I expect that’s exactly what we’ll see, and it may be awkward at first. But they’ll figure it out. Dawn has a lot of excellent ball handlers and passers at her disposal and she may downplay the PG position on offense to take better advantage of that.

As for Raven, she’ll find a place in the W because she’s a great rebounding guard and a tough-minded defender. She also knows how to run a major program. She’s improved her shooting, and that helps. But what GMs will want is the rest of the package she brings.

 

[cancontent]

Ikr.. I was thinking the same thing. Also is it just me or is it clear that Ryan and Rebecca don't much care for her.

The bee suit spoke volumes

1). Re: Ryan and Rebecca, I don't know. Integrating Kanter has worked in some games. Yesterday, not so much.

2). Oh, I wish you hadn't mentioned the bee keeping. It was a discussion I didn't understand at all. 😂

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I think that will change soon. Her stock out of HS was of course, very high. But, after CC waved her off it took a massive hit. Dawn knew it and even her constant praise campaign wasn’t enough. She probably told her privately come back to SC and let’s reload. The road to recovery was to prove she could call her own number offensively and consistently and shed the label that she was a pass first PG. It’s a label with a double edged sword because sometimes it’s a nice way of saying that you can’t shoot. She gave LSU …THE BUSINESS last night on both ends of the floor and the entire game.

I think her shooting was obviously the hesitation for mockers but I always think it goes undersold that Raven was 3/6 from three in that game.

 

[JstVisiting]

Is there any reason why Raven Johnson isn't in the first round of most mock drafts I've seen? The guard who was famously waved off by Caitlin Clark has shooting splits of 50/37/85 this year, is averaging double digits and has a 3:1 A/TO ratio. Not to mention she's one of the best defensive guards in the nation and is balling out in big games. Her shot mechanics are much improved and she's become the go to playmaker down the stretch for South Carolina. Also her collegiate record is 134-7. What am I missing here?

I just don’t think anyone who puts those mocks together is actually working full time on the WNBA. They might have contacts for the first two or three picks, but past that, they’re just slapping names on a list.

I saw a multi-round draft that had Harmon 10 spots ahead of her, which is just… no. That’s not happening. But Harmon is a bigger name.

 

[BRS24]

I suspect Milaysia is close to being uncoachable. She is an awesome talent. But she doesn’t appear to be much changed since she arrived in college. Superstars are sometimes like this.

My post from the LSU season thread - "I'm also gonna post this in the SC season thread. NGL, I originally expected more of Fulwiley this season, with the understanding that CKM may have let her be more freewheeling than CDS, however the post above may indicate that her consistency may be a part of Kim's comment about Hines' playing time. I also made a comment online to a former SC player that Fulwiley would have benefitted by staying at SC to be mentored and coached both in personal and professional ways by CDS.

NB - I don't watch every LSU game, so my view might be biased based on what I've seen in those few games."

 

[VAUConnFan]

Maddie will probably get the first look. I think she'll be ready but Dawn may want some insurance so I bet she'll grab a PG out of the portal.

Jerzy isn't a PG. She is a natural 2 guard. Personally, I think Makeer could make a good PG in our system and hope she becomes the backup with Tessa as the emergency PG. I think she and Tessa are going to be the Swiss army knives on next year's team where they roam between playing 1-3 based on matchups, injuries, fouls, etc. Without speculating anyone coming in our out, this is how I see things shaping up at the guard positions...

PG: McDaniel/Makeer/Johnson
SG: Makeer/Robinson/Johnson
W: Johnson/McDowell/Makeer

Basically McDaniel will be primarily be a 1, Robinson a 2 and McDowell a 3 with Johnson and Makeer roaming between the three roles.

You might have to add and even start with Kitts at the wing if Edwards and Watkins are in the starting lineup.

 

[Bone Dog]

I just finished rewatching the game and it is a great game. Hard fought. Super competitive. One thing that struck me this time was a few fast breaks where SCar could not manage to break away. One in the first quarter that looked like a sure thing, 2 on 1. But it ended up being 5 on 5.

I guess I’m wondering if SCar has lost some team quickness. It’s clearly not across the board. Joyce is a very quick big. Agot is quick for a big too, but slow as a guard. However, the main guard group of Raven Tessa and Latson are not as quick as a group as Raven Tessa Bree Milaysia and Tehina were last year. McDaniel is super quick, but she doesn’t get consistently major minutes to change this factor.

Some of it may be the after-effect of injuries on Raven and Taniya. As freshmen, those two were absolute fire. In the halfcourt, they each change speeds really well, which is like quickness and can break down defenders. But in transition they just don’t move fast enough to outpace a team like LSU. That seemed like what mainly kept LSU in the game, and fortunately for SCar, in the halfcourt LSU mainly uses isolation plays and elbow screens out of an otherwise stagnant scheme. If LSU had more motion in their offense, it might have been a different outcome, not to mention if they could have generated breaks off rebounds. But that is not what Kim coaches these days.

 

[WBBTakeover]

The draft boards are not made up of great coaches. Therefore they teams to focus on players with great measurable stats like scoring and rebounding. Professional coach look to needs. If a coach needs a point who can back up a top level, aging PG and learn to start down the road, she’s the one.

This. I don't think these mock drafts matter. Most teams don't even have a dedicated scouting department. Ask me how I know! 😑

 

[SCGamecock]

Is there any reason why Raven Johnson isn't in the first round of most mock drafts I've seen? The guard who was famously waved off by Caitlin Clark has shooting splits of 50/37/85 this year, is averaging double digits and has a 3:1 A/TO ratio. Not to mention she's one of the best defensive guards in the nation and is balling out in big games. Her shot mechanics are much improved and she's become the go to playmaker down the stretch for South Carolina. Also her collegiate record is 134-7. What am I missing here?

She doesn’t score 20 PPG, and that’s somehow a negative in this era of basketball. Even though WNBA players that are considered to be the "GOAT" hardly ever scored the ball at that clip during their careers.

Textbook moving the goalpost.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I just finished rewatching the game and it is a great game. Hard fought. Super competitive. One thing that struck me this time was a few fast breaks where SCar could not manage to break away. One in the first quarter that looked like a sure thing, 2 on 1. But it ended up being 5 on 5.

I guess I’m wondering if SCar has lost some team quickness. It’s clearly not across the board. Joyce is a very quick big. Agot is quick for a big too, but slow as a guard. However, the main guard group of Raven Tessa and Latson are not as quick as a group as Raven Tessa Bree Milaysia and Tehina were last year. McDaniel is super quick, but she doesn’t get consistently major minutes to change this factor.

Some of it may be the after-effect of injuries on Raven and Taniya. As freshmen, those two were absolute fire. In the halfcourt, they each change speeds really well, which is like quickness and can break down defenders. But in transition they just don’t move fast enough to outpace a team like LSU. That seemed like what mainly kept LSU in the game, and fortunately for SCar, in the halfcourt LSU mainly uses isolation plays and elbow screens out of an otherwise stagnant scheme. If LSU had more motion in their offense, it might have been a different outcome, not to mention if they could have generated breaks off rebounds. But that is not what Kim coaches these days.

You think Bree Hall and Pao are faster than Latson?

I'm gonna disagree with that.

Fulwiley probably is though.

Edwards is probably faster than Kitts. Feagin might be slightly faster than OKot.

I think this is more LSU having a smaller lineup than anything else.

 

[Bone Dog]

You think Bree Hall and Pao are faster than Latson?

I'm gonna disagree with that.

Fulwiley probably is though.

Edwards is probably faster than Kitts. Feagin might be slightly faster than OKot.

I think this is more LSU having a smaller lineup than anything else.

Not what I meant. I think Raven and Taniya are quick enough in the half court setting. That’s different from speed in a transition offense. I’m just reporting what I saw. Didn’t you notice how the transition opportunities seemed slow and turned into 5 on 5 or 4 on 4 rather than 2 on 1 or 3 on 2 breaks?

And by the way, even Tessa can break down a defender in the half court, but this is mainly because the 3pt threat requires them to get too close to her.

And as you probably also know, the speed of a transition game is more a matter of quick outlet passes, and quick decisions at the other end than it is of pure foot speed.

 

[WBBTakeover]

She doesn’t score 20 PPG, and that’s somehow a negative in this era of basketball. Even though WNBA players that are considered to be the "GOAT" hardly ever scored the ball at that clip during their careers.

Textbook moving the goalpost.

Dawn scored close to 20 a game her first two seasons at UVA. She just changed her game (thanks to Debbie Ryan) and became legendary.

UVA's current PG is close to 20 a game and I don't thinks she's in the same stratosphere as Raven.

 

[triaddukefan]

Y'all a funny bunch down south of the border

This is gonna be in my head all afternoon 😟

 

[WBBTakeover]

Y'all a funny bunch down south of the border

This is gonna be in my head all afternoon 😟

AYE! Turn this all the way TF UP!!!!!!

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Not what I meant. I think Raven and Taniya are quick enough in the half court setting. That’s different from speed in a transition offense. I’m just reporting what I saw. Didn’t you notice how the transition opportunities seemed slow and turned into 5 on 5 or 4 on 4 rather than 2 on 1 or 3 on 2 breaks?

And by the way, even Tessa can break down a defender in the half court, but this is mainly because the 3pt threat requires them to get too close to her.

And as you probably also know, the speed of a transition game is more a matter of quick outlet passes, and quick decisions at the other end than it is of pure foot speed.

LSU plays small. Four guards and a forward at times. They want to run. That had something to do with it.

I think we are about good up and down the floor as we've been.

In general we aren't quite as focused and on point defensively and on boards as we've been in past years.

 

[IDWT]

LSU plays small. Four guards and a forward at times. They want to run. That had something to do with it.

I think we are about good up and down the floor as we've been.

In general we aren't quite as focused and on point defensively and on boards as we've been in past years.

I just finished rewatching the game and it is a great game. Hard fought. Super competitive. One thing that struck me this time was a few fast breaks where SCar could not manage to break away. One in the first quarter that looked like a sure thing, 2 on 1. But it ended up being 5 on 5.

I guess I’m wondering if SCar has lost some team quickness. It’s clearly not across the board. Joyce is a very quick big. Agot is quick for a big too, but slow as a guard. However, the main guard group of Raven Tessa and Latson are not as quick as a group as Raven Tessa Bree Milaysia and Tehina were last year. McDaniel is super quick, but she doesn’t get consistently major minutes to change this factor.

Some of it may be the after-effect of injuries on Raven and Taniya. As freshmen, those two were absolute fire. In the halfcourt, they each change speeds really well, which is like quickness and can break down defenders. But in transition they just don’t move fast enough to outpace a team like LSU. That seemed like what mainly kept LSU in the game, and fortunately for SCar, in the halfcourt LSU mainly uses isolation plays and elbow screens out of an otherwise stagnant scheme. If LSU had more motion in their offense, it might have been a different outcome, not to mention if they could have generated breaks off rebounds. But that is not what Kim coaches these days.

Didn't I hear that Taniya is 2nd only to Hidalgo in fast break points in the nation. I think that means she's pretty quick up and down the court. Agot may not be "quick" but she gets behind defenses pretty well. SC is quick enough. LSU may be quicker, which limited SC's transition opportunities.

 

[visitingcock]

Didn't I hear that Taniya is 2nd only to Hidalgo in fast break points in the nation. I think that means she's pretty quick up and down the court. Agot may not be "quick" but she gets behind defenses pretty well. SC is quick enough. LSU may be quicker, which limited SC's transition opportunities.

I might quibble over LSU being “quicker”, but this is a very good post, I’m sure Kim and company watched film from our Tennessee and Vandy games and planned to challenge every opportunity. Maybe not quicker but quick enough to limit our transition opportunities.

 

[USMC(ret)]

Two questions: 1) Are we improved over last year’s Gamecock team, and if the answer is yes, 2) Could we give UConn a more competitive game this year? Because last year’s team got boatraced twice by the Huskies.

I believe we are better than last year’s version. Raven, our only returning starter, is having the best season of her career. Joyce and Tessa, starters this year who came off the bench last year, are both improved over last year. Okot and Latson were significant talent additions, and have proven their value over the course of the season (both may be first round WNBA draft selections later this spring.

But if we can return to the Final Four, and UConn does, too, have we closed the gap? The answer lies with our inside game… Joyce and Madina. Without strong, effective efforts down low from both, we’re not going to earn another ring.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Her Hoops suggests that we are a good bit better than last year. Of course it says same about UConn though I'd be interested to see how Huskies were in just the win streak last year.

 

[visitingcock]

Two questions: 1) Are we improved over last year’s Gamecock team, and if the answer is yes, 2) Could we give UConn a more competitive game this year? Because last year’s team got boatraced twice by the Huskies.

I believe we are better than last year’s version. Raven, our only returning starter, is having the best season of her career. Joyce and Tessa, starters this year who came off the bench last year, are both improved over last year. Okot and Latson were significant talent additions, and have proven their value over the course of the season (both may be first round WNBA draft selections later this spring.

But if we can return to the Final Four, and UConn does, too, have we closed the gap? The answer lies with our inside game… Joyce and Madina. Without strong, effective efforts down low from both, we’re not going to earn another ring.

We are better than we were after Ashlyn’s injury. We are not better than we were before. She is an elite defender. Hope she comes back next year

 

[IDWT]

Two questions: 1) Are we improved over last year’s Gamecock team, and if the answer is yes, 2) Could we give UConn a more competitive game this year? Because last year’s team got boatraced twice by the Huskies.

I believe we are better than last year’s version. Raven, our only returning starter, is having the best season of her career. Joyce and Tessa, starters this year who came off the bench last year, are both improved over last year. Okot and Latson were significant talent additions, and have proven their value over the course of the season (both may be first round WNBA draft selections later this spring.

But if we can return to the Final Four, and UConn does, too, have we closed the gap? The answer lies with our inside game… Joyce and Madina. Without strong, effective efforts down low from both, we’re not going to earn another ring.

I believe SC is markedly improved from last year. They are scoring more points, and are in position to rebound better (though it doesn't always translate). I feel better about this year's team than last year's.