South Carolina @ Georgia

[Sluconn Husky]

Waiting to see the Jefferson/Nurse/Williams led fullcourt presses in that game.

 

[Zorro]

Or MoJet, Nurse, STewie. Or... Incidentally, they did not have "minutes played" in the box when I looked. I will be interested to see just how many minutes their much-lauded bench played. I did see that Cuevas had 16 points and Wilson 4.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Well, Peck thinks SC can shoot 49% against UConn, but they're shooting 40% against a mediocre Georgia team missing two of its best players.

Georgia IS 7th in scoring defense; it's not like they haven't played good defense this season.

 

[Alydar]

Why is there so much dislike for the SEC on this board? The league is definitely tough! I've watched a lot of WCBK games over the years and you can really tell the SEC is just "different" than other leagues. Its more physical, almost every team has something they're good at that you have to worry about. Yea you can say....."they haven't been to a FF since 2008"...but before LSU and Tenn were pretty consistent getting to the FF. But that is the past! I'm not being biased here at all btw...I enjoy women's basketball in general and get to watch it a lot...everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course but the SEC isn't chopped liver like some here make it out to be.

I don't dislike the SEC. I dislike the ridiculous hype they receive. My problem is that despite not having any national level success for nearly 7 years their mouthpieces in the media still have the nerve to say they have the best conference and put their top teams at the same level as the best teams in the country. It's been going on for the 20 years I've been watching. Twenty years ago there was some truth in it but that train left the station long ago. And when I see a team like Georgia remain in the top 25 year after year, only to exit the tournament the first weekend ( and play as pathetically as they did tonight) it tells me that the conference has been living on a combination of past glory and the reflection of their football prowess.

As far as the league play, there is way too much physicality allowed and too little basketball skill displayed. It seems that they recruit big, strong, athletic women who can't dribble, can't pass and can't shoot. And they graduate 4 years later without ever learning to do anything but rip balls out of the arms of the opposition. Offense in the SEC consists mostly of a missed shot followed by 8 players turning the paint into a mosh pit in a fight for offensive rebounds and putbacks.

Until this year I never got to see many P12 games but my cable co. added the PAC12 network and I have watched a lot of games. They play a much more wide open style. There are actually moments when there is no one in the paint, opposed to the SEC defenses where it seems like they use the native American style of staking themselves in the paint. And in the P12 they actually call fouls on contact. And they can shoot the ball and it goes in the hoop. It's entertaining. In the SEC hip checks and shoves away from the ball are as common as ants at a picnic.

Of course this is just my opinion and I am often wrong.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

I don't dislike the SEC. I dislike the ridiculous hype they receive. My problem is that despite not having any national level success for nearly 7 years their mouthpieces in the media still have the nerve to say they have the best conference and put their top teams at the same level as the best teams in the country. It's been going on for the 20 years I've been watching. Twenty years ago there was some truth in it but that train left the station long ago. And when I see a team like Georgia remain in the top 25 year after year, only to exit the tournament the first weekend ( and play as pathetically as they did tonight) it tells me that the conference has been living on a combination of past glory and the reflection of their football prowess.

As far as the league play, there is way too much physicality allowed and too little basketball skill displayed. It seems that they recruit big, strong, athletic women who can't dribble, can't pass and can't shoot. And they graduate 4 years later without ever learning to do anything but rip balls out of the arms of the opposition. Offense in the SEC consists mostly of a missed shot followed by 8 players turning the paint into a mosh pit in a fight for offensive rebounds and putbacks.

Until this year I never got to see many P12 games but my cable co. added the PAC12 network and I have watched a lot of games. They play a much more wide open style. There are actually moments when there is no one in the paint, opposed to the SEC defenses where it seems like they use the native American style of staking themselves in the paint. And in the P12 they actually call fouls on contact. And they can shoot the ball and it goes in the hoop. It's entertaining. In the SEC hip checks and shoves away from the ball are as common as ants at a picnic.

Of course this is just my opinion and I am often wrong.

The media hypes the SEC because the conference is good or great in most sports. Through the years, the SEC has been arguably the best overall WBB and Football conference, one of the top 2 baseball conferences and has the all-time winningest MBB program. In WBB, the SEC hasn't been at the top for the last half dozen years, but still has had a number of good teams. Success aside; other than Vandy and the 2 Mississippi schools, the other schools in the SEC all some of the largest fan bases in the country and, let's face it, announcers, ESPN, etc. are in business to make money. Fans watching on TV = money in their pockets. Right or wrong, announcers do play to their audience.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Georgia IS 7th in scoring defense; it's not like they haven't played good defense this season.

They're pretty decent, 36th in D-FG% but, again, Donald and Barbee were out. Those are by far Georgia's top two rebounders. Coates being out negates some of that but not all.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

They're pretty decent, 36th in D-FG% but, again, Donald and Barbee were out. Those are by far Georgia's top two rebounders. Coates being out negates some of that but not all.

Most definitely; Georgia was definitely shorthanded, but I'll take any win over our second most hated rivals.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Yep, take any win you can.

 

[winlots]

Paraphrasing, but Peck thinks that South Carolina can beat uconn because they are focused, have a strong bench and play great defense. She also mentioned that South Carolina shoots 49% FG and if they do all that, they can win.

HUSKY: thanks for that paraphrase as I didn't hear Peck. Before I respond to her comments, I'll say that I am one of the few on here (nothing new about that position) who see Peck in a positive light for the most part: she is unassuming, seems to be open, personally appealing (to me) AND has coached an NC team at Purdue (I've been part of a lot of championship teams along the way as I'm sure many of you all have as well, but NONE of them were at the top nationally).
That said, and assuming that your paraphrase if quite close to the essence of her comments: "focused"? What team comes to mind? What coaching staff comes to mind? "Strong bench"? What team an staff comes to mind given these last couple of weeks of performance? "Great defense?" I rest my case...........

 

[winlots]

While no team in ANY conference is challenged every game, some conferences offer stiffer competition more often.

Since the Huskies are no longer in the toughest league in WBB, kids come to UConn to be challenged every day by the most demanding staff in the game, play a non-conference schedule that is second to none and play in the Final Four as if it was a birthright.

GENET: all that well said. Would add challenged every day in practice by not only demanding staff but also by one of the top handful of teams in the country. Is that an over-statement regarding our second five? If so, Next year it won't be.

 

[winlots]

No. Suspended for one game due to violation of team rules

HUSKY: interesting. Good for the coach.

 

[winlots]

I think one new experience that UConn will have on Monday night is getting a number of their shots blocked. That hasn't (and won't) happen in the AAC. We will have to see how that affects their offensive output.

I continue to think that ...

1. If UConn makes 8 or more 3-point shots, and shoots 40% or more from 3-point land, UConn will win by double digits.
2. If points in the paint are roughly equal, UConn will win by double digits.
3. If Stewie, Morgan, and Kiah can all play 30 minutes or so, and avoid foul trouble or poor performances, UConn will win (although not necessarily by double digits if #1 and #2 are not true).
4. If Morgan can get 12 points and 8 rebounds, and not give up a lot of points to the Gamecock bigs, UConn will win.
5. If (somehow) South Carolina can shoot 49%, then the game will be within single digits and South Carolina may win. I consider this very unlikely.
6. If Gabby Williams can score against South Carolina's post defenders remotely as well as she has been doing in the AAC, UConn will win.
7. If Bianca Cuevas can outplay Moriah at both ends, South Carolina will have a chance. Quite unlikely.
8. If UConn can give up 12 or fewer offensive rebounds, and 12 or fewer second-chance points, UConn should win.
9. If UConn's transition points exceed SC's second-chance points, UConn should win.

I don't think South Carolina wants to play a fast game against UConn. Dawn Staley's game plan may resemble a typical Rutgers game plan -- force both teams into a half-court game, and count on SC's front-court depth to prevail in that game. Geno, on the other hand, will want a fast pace and will want guard play and outside shooting to decide the game. I think Geno will get his wish.

JOE: one of the most interesting posts of all time. Thank you, and A tip o' the cap.

 

[winlots]

I don't dislike the SEC. I dislike the ridiculous hype they receive. My problem is that despite not having any national level success for nearly 7 years their mouthpieces in the media still have the nerve to say they have the best conference and put their top teams at the same level as the best teams in the country. It's been going on for the 20 years I've been watching. Twenty years ago there was some truth in it but that train left the station long ago. And when I see a team like Georgia remain in the top 25 year after year, only to exit the tournament the first weekend ( and play as pathetically as they did tonight) it tells me that the conference has been living on a combination of past glory and the reflection of their football prowess.

As far as the league play, there is way too much physicality allowed and too little basketball skill displayed. It seems that they recruit big, strong, athletic women who can't dribble, can't pass and can't shoot. And they graduate 4 years later without ever learning to do anything but rip balls out of the arms of the opposition. Offense in the SEC consists mostly of a missed shot followed by 8 players turning the paint into a mosh pit in a fight for offensive rebounds and putbacks.

Until this year I never got to see many P12 games but my cable co. added the PAC12 network and I have watched a lot of games. They play a much more wide open style. There are actually moments when there is no one in the paint, opposed to the SEC defenses where it seems like they use the native American style of staking themselves in the paint. And in the P12 they actually call fouls on contact. And they can shoot the ball and it goes in the hoop. It's entertaining. In the SEC hip checks and shoves away from the ball are as common as ants at a picnic.

Of course this is just my opinion and I am often wrong.

AL: also VERY interesting observations. Appreciated here.

 

[winlots]

The media hypes the SEC because the conference is good or great in most sports. Through the years, the SEC has been arguably the best overall WBB and Football conference, one of the top 2 baseball conferences and has the all-time winningest MBB program. In WBB, the SEC hasn't been at the top for the last half dozen years, but still has had a number of good teams. Success aside; other than Vandy and the 2 Mississippi schools, the other schools in the SEC all some of the largest fan bases in the country and, let's face it, announcers, ESPN, etc. are in business to make money. Fans watching on TV = money in their pockets. Right or wrong, announcers do play to their audience.

C: seems on target to me.

 

[winlots]

Yep, take any win you can.

SLU: you said it! I'm here.

 

[Alydar]

Later in the game the announcers put up a chart which picked SC as having the better front court. IMO the SEC is about to learn that there is more to playing the 3, 4 & 5 than broad shoulders and height.

 

[triaddukefan]

Why is there so much dislike for the SEC on this board? The league is definitely tough! I've watched a lot of WCBK games over the years and you can really tell the SEC is just "different" than other leagues. Its more physical, almost every team has something they're good at that you have to worry about. Yea you can say....."they haven't been to a FF since 2008"...but before LSU and Tenn were pretty consistent getting to the FF. But that is the past! I'm not being biased here at all btw...I enjoy women's basketball in general and get to watch it a lot...everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course but the SEC isn't chopped liver like some here make it out to be.

I really dont count, but I've disliked the SEC as a whole (except for Vandy) for many many years. Of course I was born and raised in ACC country, so that's one of the major reasons for my dislike. I will admit that the SEC is an historically tough and balanced league, and Ive enjoyed watching some of their games over the years.

 

[alexrgct]

The media hypes the SEC because the conference is good or great in most sports. Through the years, the SEC has been arguably the best overall WBB and Football conference, one of the top 2 baseball conferences and has the all-time winningest MBB program. In WBB, the SEC hasn't been at the top for the last half dozen years, but still has had a number of good teams. Success aside; other than Vandy and the 2 Mississippi schools, the other schools in the SEC all some of the largest fan bases in the country and, let's face it, announcers, ESPN, etc. are in business to make money. Fans watching on TV = money in their pockets. Right or wrong, announcers do play to their audience.

Ahem: the media never hypes; the media HYPE.

And for the record, the media hype the SEC because ESPN has invested heavily in it. Meanwhile, the Sun Belt has grown in population, increasing the market value of many areas around the SEC.

I don't really resent espn's hyping of the league in WCBB. I do however, resent their horrific hyping of unsavory folks like Tim Tebow, Cam Newton, and Johnny Manziel.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Ahem: the media never hypes; the media HYPE.

And for the record, the media hype the SEC because ESPN has invested heavily in it. Meanwhile, the Sun Belt has grown in population, increasing the market value of many areas around the SEC.

I don't really resent espn's hyping of the league in WCBB. I do however, resent their horrific hyping of unsavory folks like Tim Tebow, Cam Newton, and Johnny Manziel.

Yes, definitely. I'm a business grad and was not an English major. Nevertheless, an error I shouldn't have made.

You and I are in agreement. I absolutely loathe Tim Tebow, Cam Newton and Johnny Manziel. I also loathe anything cloaked in orange.

 

[geneticrex]

#1-ranked USC beats #22 UGA 58-35 to improve to 22-0 and 10-0 in league play. The win ends an 18-game win streak for the Bulldogs (17-6, 5-5) in Stegeman Coliseum. True freshman PG Bianca Cuevas leads the Gamecocks in scoring for the 2nd consecutive game with 16 pts. Cuevas has really come on in recent games and appears to have her confidence at it's highest level yet. She's averaged 11.6 ppg in the last 5 games including tonight, and has solidified her position as USC's #2 PG after veteran Khadijah Sessions...

That little guard is playing very well had has a bright future.

 

[Tonyc]

SC has had 18 and 19 turnovers the past couple of games. That does not fair well against a very quick UConn team. After seeing SC score 58 pts against Georgia I might think they would slow down the game against UConn. That may keep them in the game for awhile. If UConn goes on a run that will change everything. I do think SC will try to go inside and use their height and I also think UConn will go inside using their height and quickness. The bottom line is UConns defense is second to none and it will win out. UConn will make life tuff for Tiffany and Bianca getting the ball inside. I still say UConn by 20+. Hey how many games against top teams does UConn not win by 20+? Just sayin. SC is big and so is UConn. UConn takes care of the ball and SC hasn't. UConn has 5 3 pt shooters and SC cant match them. Come on guys relax.

 

[Zorro]

Hey, c'mon. Tebow is definitely peculiar, but "unsavory"? Actually, he is savory to a fault. Manziel and Newton, not so much. Not at all, in fact. From what I read.

 

[meyers7]

Why is there so much dislike for the SEC on this board?

Really? You have to ask? Well for starters TN and S. Carolina are in it. That's a plenty good reason right there.

Oh and you can add in Vandy now.

 

[meyers7]

Yes, it's Coach Dawn's way of getting her players focused: Geno calls out his players in the press, and Dawn suspends her players for a game. Alaina will be seething and chewing nails come Monday....night

FYP

No doubt

 

[JoePgh]

Really? You have to ask? Well for starters TN and S. Carolina are in it. That's a plenty good reason right there.

Oh and you can add in Vandy now.

What's to dislike about South Carolina, other than that they have a good team that can challenge UConn? Dawn is a very good coach, and as far as we've heard, she and Geno get along fine. If she actually succeeds in beating Geno, I'm not sure that will continue to be the case.

 

[rvwsleep]

What's to dislike about South Carolina ...

scrooster ?

 

[CL82]

Paraphrasing, but Peck thinks that South Carolina can beat uconn because they are focused, have a strong bench and play great defense. She also mentioned that South Carolina shoots 49% FG and if they do all that, they can win.

Hmmn somebody's still upset about losing her studio analyst gig to Rebecca....

 

[meyers7]

What's to dislike about South Carolina,

They are in the SEC. Duh.

 

[Striper69]

Paraphrasing, but Peck thinks that South Carolina can beat uconn because they are focused, have a strong bench and play great defense. She also mentioned that South Carolina shoots 49% FG and if they do all that, they can win.

Better watch out! 8-O

Upset City, Baby!!!

 

[Enigma64]

That little guard is playing very well had has a bright future.

Bright future... I like her spunk but she'll have to improve her weak hand. She drive too heavily to her strong side.