Gamecocks Off-Season 2026

[JDuro]

 

[JstVisiting]

Looks like the NCAA are going to just “pocket veto” Madina’s waiver application. Hopefully I’m wrong in the next hour or so or whenever her 48 hr window officially closes.

It was pretty clear this was the NCAA’s plan. As usual, our admin just shuts up and takes it. Someone from the AD should have quietly connected her with one of the likely dozens of alumni attorneys in Columbia willing to file suit pro bono months ago.

Maybe she would have still decided to go pro, but it is ridiculous she did not have the chance to decide for herself.

 

[bballnut90]

That's a bummer. Another year under Dawn could've done wonders for her IMO. I hope she sticks in the pros.

 

[GamecockFam]

Updated the list. Some thoughts with Okot gone...

• Tac is probably our biggest-framed post player available to play next season. I'm kind of convinced she'll be nothing more than a role player who is in and out of the lineup with injuries.
• Andrews has that Boston build but her type of injury recovery will probably make her redshirt.
• If I were in the coaches shoes, I wouldn't want to put all of my money on Watkins returning to normal even if she returns to the team
• That basically just leaves Tournabize as our lone dependable 5. I would want more insurance at that position so grabbing a thicker-bodied post player would be desirable. Who meets that brief in the portal? I feel like Essence Cody or Tilda Trygger would probably be the best available options.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Looks like the NCAA are going to just “pocket veto” Madina’s waiver application. Hopefully I’m wrong in the next hour or so or whenever her 48 hr window officially closes.

What would she put in her waiver application? She played 4 years of college basketball, right?

 

[visitingcock]

Looks like the NCAA are going to just “pocket veto” Madina’s waiver application. Hopefully I’m wrong in the next hour or so or whenever her 48 hr window officially closes.

How do we know whether she has even applied?

 

[USMC(ret)]

Updated the list. Some thoughts with Okot gone...

• Tac is probably our biggest-framed post player available to play next season. I'm kind of convinced she'll be nothing more than a role player who is in and out of the lineup with injuries.
• Andrews has that Boston build but her type of injury recovery will probably make her redshirt.
• If I were in the coaches shoes, I wouldn't want to put all of my money on Watkins returning to normal even if she returns to the team
• That basically just leaves Tournabize as our lone dependable 5. I would want more insurance at that position so grabbing a thicker-bodied post player would be desirable. Who meets that brief in the portal? I feel like Essence Cody or Tilda Trygger would probably be the best available options.

Well, reality set in with that post. It may take a year or more before Tournebize looks anything Betts in the low post, and that means we could be seeing a smaller lineup as the norm.
Folks on this thread have been very confident in Watkins coming back, but unlike Kitts, who has been ubiquitous all season with the team, Watkins has been in the witness protection program since her legal issues surfaced.

Wonder if our solution is overseas somewhere…

 

[JDuro]

What would she put in her waiver application? She played 4 years of college basketball, right?

Only two years of NCAA ball. Tried to play at Troy and then Eastern Michigan but 4 visa applications were denied. Finally approved on fifth try to play for MSU. Here’s a very good article about her and her situation.

 

[JDuro]

• If I were in the coaches shoes, I wouldn't want to put all of my money on Watkins returning to normal even if she returns to the team
• That basically just leaves Tournabize as our lone dependable 5. I would want more insurance at that position so grabbing a thicker-bodied post player would be desirable. Who meets that brief in the portal? I feel like Essence Cody or Tilda Trygger would probably be the best available options.

I’m not all that worried about Ashlyn health wise. She will be close to 2 yrs from her injury when she’s back and Binetti let it be known they’ve been working her rehab since the beginning.

 

[GamecockFam]

I’m not all that worried about Ashlyn health wise. She will be close to 2 yrs from her injury when she’s back and Binetti let it be known they’ve been working her rehab since the beginning.

I'm not really worried about her strength and conditioning. I'm worried about her mental health, her ACL injury affecting her overall athleticism (usually it takes a season of playing basketball to return to normal and her athleticism is what gives her her edge), and general chemistry with the team behind closed doors. Not to say that any of those conditions will manifest but it isn't uncommon in these situations.

 

[GamecockFam]

Well, reality set in with that post. It may take a year or more before Tournebize looks anything Betts in the low post, and that means we could be seeing a smaller lineup as the norm.
Folks on this thread have been very confident in Watkins coming back, but unlike Kitts, who has been ubiquitous all season with the team, Watkins has been in the witness protection program since her legal issues surfaced.

Wonder if our solution is overseas somewhere…

Summer classes (early sessions) begins May 11, so I assume that is when she will officially be back with the team. She may wait until the main summer sessions which start June 1.

 

[GamecockFam]

Random question but does Watkins qualify for the portal? Technically she isn't enrolled so she may be able to skirt around transfer rules.