South Carolina Transfers

[Jmsdawg]

I do believe they will get better but that doesn’t change my mind on where I see them next year. I’m not counting them out at all but I do see some struggles with them next year. They will be similar to how SC was this year. No go to player and everyone trying to find a role. Who do you suggest their go to will be? I’m not doubting Vic at all but I just think Dawn and Blair will have better teams next year IMO.

I agree, I suspect we will be good but lacking that go to player and experience. Last year’s SC team is a good comparison, trouble early, getting stronger as team chemistry get better. I also consider Texas A&M and SC as most likely to win SEC championship. I have two major concerns with MSST, replacing McCowan post play and Jazz Holmes PG play.

 

[SCspur]

I’m not sure H-H can create shots at will or score consistently in the post.

But an offense where ball moves freely would be nice.

I think she could if she got more shots. She’s one of the few forwards in the country that can hit consistently hit that midrange and baseline jump shot. With more touches I can see her being a 15+ ppg scorer.

I still expect a run and gun offense next year. More players who can create offense and better rebounders to outlet the ball to guards. The problem last year was Cooper needed the ball to stick in her hands to score, this year I expect more movement from the perimeter and more passing into the post. I suspect they’ll be much better in that regard.

 

[SCspur]

I agree, I suspect we will be good but lacking that go to player and experience. Last year’s SC team is a good comparison, trouble early, getting stronger as team chemistry get better. I also consider Texas A&M and SC as most likely to win SEC championship. I have two major concerns with MSST, replacing McCowan post play and Jazz Holmes PG play.

I personally think Vic will have them rolling right around tournament time! That’s how good a coach he is! The Morris girl should help big time as well as a PG like Minyon Moore or Taja Cole. I just don’t think Myah Taylor is quite ready to assume the position and Promise Taylor is still dealing with recovery after her surgery. AEH and Scott will be relief upon early but I suspect Jackson will step up big time despite being a freshman. The wildcard IMO is Wiggins. She will be a big key for Miss St next year. If she steps up like she’s capable then I can definitely see Miss St battling SC and A&M for the title next year.

 

[DaBball]

I personally think Vic will have them rolling right around tournament time! That’s how good a coach he is! The Morris girl should help big time as well as a PG like Minyon Moore or Taja Cole. I just don’t think Myah Taylor is quite ready to assume the position and Promise Taylor is still dealing with recovery after her surgery. AEH and Scott will be relief upon early but I suspect Jackson will step up big time despite being a freshman. The wildcard IMO is Wiggins. She will be a big key for Miss St next year. If she steps up like she’s capable then I can definitely see Miss St battling SC and A&M for the title next year.

I though Espinoza-Hunter at times was a very reliable scorer. I thought she was terrific the second time against South Carolina and she scored in a variety of ways. Her shot is very good and she can get it off super quick. She certainly has a lot of areas of needed improvement, one being consistency, but she got far more consistent as the season went on. I know eligibility-wise she was a sophomore, but she had played in just 7 games as a freshman. She needs to improve quickness and defense.

They have the talent, but not the experience.

 

[SECbbfan24]

I like Wiggins game a lot. She is very tall, lengthy and athletic. Her length disrupts passing lanes extremely well. Her shooting though was rough as a freshman. Hopefully she can improve that this year. Felt like she didn't have any touch on her shots.

Post play at the 5 is a concern but if they can get a reliable PG transfer, that could open a lot of things up for Miss St next year early.

Watched Vic's presser yesterday. He raved non stop about those freshmen. Sounds like he has big plans for them early.

 

[DaBball]

I like Wiggins game a lot. She is very tall, lengthy and athletic. Her length disrupts passing lanes extremely well. Her shooting though was rough as a freshman. Hopefully she can improve that this year. Felt like she didn't have any touch on her shots.

Post play at the 5 is a concern but if they can get a reliable PG transfer, that could open a lot of things up for Miss St next year early.

Between Taylor and Wiggins a lot of bricks went up

 

[SECbbfan24]

As of now, A&M and SC are my favorites in the SEC this year. Tennessee can make some noise if Harper can get them to play with some type of discipline or philosophy on offense.

Miss St IMO will have growing pains early but will be one of the toughest in the entire league by the end of the year when its all said and done. I expect them to be towards the top of the conference as well. I don't doubt Vic and his ability to develop.

 

[SCspur]

I though Espinoza-Hunter at times was a very reliable scorer. I thought she was terrific the second time against South Carolina and she scored in a variety of ways. Her shot is very good and she can get it off super quick. She certainly has a lot of areas of needed improvement, one being consistency, but she got far more consistent as the season went on. I know eligibility-wise she was a sophomore, but she had played in just 7 games as a freshman. She needs to improve quickness and defense.

They have the talent, but not the experience.

I concur, she car along quite nicely after the Bibby injury. I felt she was a big reason they beat us in Columbia. She kept them in it the first half. I’m interested to see her game improve off the bounce more and for her to get better defensively. We all know she can shoot it but if she gets better at those two aspects she will be really good.

 

[militarydog]

Another key item nobody seems to be discussing is how well McCowan let the offense play through her. She was an excellent passer from the post and because she garnered so much attention from the defenses other players were often open. The problem this past season for MSU was our point guard and shooting guard had extremely limited range. That kept the middle clogged with players as they had to drive or pull up close for short jumpers. The problem this coming season is that we don't have anyone in the post that draws anywhere near that much attention. P Taylor has the size and strength to plant herself down low but hasn't shown the ability to see the floor and pass as well. J Carter's style of play is more similar to A Wilson than T McCowan. She is more of a combo post/forward than true post player.

 

[CUBUFFS18]

I like Wiggins game a lot. She is very tall, lengthy and athletic. Her length disrupts passing lanes extremely well. Her shooting though was rough as a freshman. Hopefully she can improve that this year. Felt like she didn't have any touch on her shots.

Post play at the 5 is a concern but if they can get a reliable PG transfer, that could open a lot of things up for Miss St next year early.

Watched Vic's presser yesterday. He raved non stop about those freshmen. Sounds like he has big plans for them early.

I think their post play will be just fine, probably the best or second best in the league. Jessika Carter looked solid in her minutes, didn't play much because she was playing behind McCowan. She was efficient from the floor though and had the second most blocks on the team only playing 10 minutes per game.

Promise Taylor is going to be good as well. She looked very solid as a freshman at Ole Miss, I suspect she is going to look like a totally different player after sitting last season and practicing against McCowan every day. Johnnie Harris does a fantastic job of developing their post players. She already has great touch, coming off the bench as a freshman she shot 60% from the floor and pulled in 6 boards a game.

 

[DefenseBB]

I keep looking at the SC roster and while I know they have a really good crop of recruits coming in, they have Ty Harris (stud), MH-H (good, but inconsistent) and then Destinni Henderson who was good as a freshman. These 3 accounted for 26 points a game. I just find it hard to believe this team can really contend for the SEC title even with the SEC being down even more than this year. I see Texas A&M then MSU. Maybe Arkansas and Tennessee with SC battling them.

 

[CUBUFFS18]

I keep looking at the SC roster and while I know they have a really good crop of recruits coming in, they have Ty Harris (stud), MH-H (good, but inconsistent) and then Destinni Henderson who was good as a freshman. These 3 accounted for 26 points a game. I just find it hard to believe this team can really contend for the SEC title even with the SEC being down even more than this year. I see Texas A&M then MSU. Maybe Arkansas and Tennessee with SC battling them.

Agreed, unless some of their current players make big offensive strides and they get consistent, solid play from some freshman they're going to have a hard time. Harris is a great PG, but she can't carry a team scoring. She shoots under 40% from the field and only 30% from 3.

Unless Boston is ready to go fully as a freshman they're going to be undersized in the post. I know everyone says she's fantastic, but post play in the SEC is no joke, very rare that you see a Freshman come in who can compete in the post immediately. The speed of the game is so much different and she'll likely have foul problems like most young players.

 

[SCspur]

I think their post play will be just fine, probably the best or second best in the league Jessika Carter looked solid in her minutes, didn't play much because she was playing behind McCowan. She was efficient from the floor though and had the second most blocks on the team only playing 10 minutes per game.

Promise Taylor is going to be good as well. She looked very solid as a freshman at Ole Miss, I suspect she is going to look like a totally different player after sitting last season and practicing against McCowan every day. Johnnie Harris does a fantastic job of developing their post players. She already has great touch, coming off the bench as a freshman she shot 60% from the floor and pulled in 6 boards a game.

Did you say Carter is the best in the league? She has potential but she’s far from the best post in the league. You just lost the little credibility you had lol

 

[CUBUFFS18]

Did you say Carter is the best in the league? She has potential but she’s far from the best post in the league. You just lost the little credibility you had lol

No, not as an individual, just in general I believe that MSST as a team will have the best or second best post play. Sorry, that was confusing. I do believe Promise Taylor could potentially be the best post player in the league next season though.

 

[SCspur]

I keep looking at the SC roster and while I know they have a really good crop of recruits coming in, they have Ty Harris (stud), MH-H (good, but inconsistent) and then Destinni Henderson who was good as a freshman. These 3 accounted for 26 points a game. I just find it hard to believe this team can really contend for the SEC title even with the SEC being down even more than this year. I see Texas A&M then MSU. Maybe Arkansas and Tennessee with SC battling them.

You forgot Saxton who was also on the SEC All Freshman team with Destanni. Don’t sleep on her, she will wake a lot of people up this year. Henderson and Saxton will make sophomore leaps that will offset what was lost. Add in the freshman who will get plenty of minutes and you have a squad that definitely can win a SEC championship. They only lost 3 games this year with an inconsistent squad. I imagine the team next year will be much more talented and disciplined.

 

[SCspur]

Agreed, unless some of their current players make big offensive strides and they get consistent, solid play from some freshman they're going to have a hard time. Harris is a great PG, but she can't carry a team scoring. She shoots under 40% from the field and only 30% from 3.

Unless Boston is ready to go fully as a freshman they're going to be undersized in the post. I know everyone says she's fantastic, but post play in the SEC is no joke, very rare that you see a Freshman come in who can compete in the post immediately. The speed of the game is so much different and she'll likely have foul problems like most young players.

Harris won’t have to carry the team in scoring but she’s very capable scorer when needed. I expect HH and Henderson’s averages to go way up. More touches for both of them, and both are good scorers. Cooke and Beal will provide scoring as well don’t sleep on them.

As for post play Boston will likely start and will be just fine. She’s built to be an SEC center and will be a double double machine. Alaina Coates was good as a freshman and so was A’ja and I expect Aliyah to be good as well. She has help as well with Saxton, Grissett, and Amihere. I wouldn’t say that group will be undersized at all.

 

[triaddukefan]

You forgot Saxton who was also on the SEC All Freshman team with Destanni. Don’t sleep on her, she will wake a lot of people up this year. Henderson and Saxton will make sophomore leaps that will offset what was lost. Add in the freshman who will get plenty of minutes and you have a squad that definitely can win a SEC championship. They only lost 3 games this year with an inconsistent squad. I imagine the team next year will be much more talented and disciplined.

What number was Saxton? #5 ?

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I keep looking at the SC roster and while I know they have a really good crop of recruits coming in, they have Ty Harris (stud), MH-H (good, but inconsistent) and then Destinni Henderson who was good as a freshman. These 3 accounted for 26 points a game. I just find it hard to believe this team can really contend for the SEC title even with the SEC being down even more than this year. I see Texas A&M then MSU. Maybe Arkansas and Tennessee with SC battling them.

I'm cautious in my expectations for my team, but you knock USC for limited returning production and then annoint miss state? How does that work?

 

[SCspur]

What number was Saxton? #5 ?

Yes

 

[CUBUFFS18]

Harris won’t have to carry the team in scoring but she’s very capable scorer when needed. I expect HH and Henderson’s averages to go way up. More touches for both of them, and both are good scorers. Cooke and Beal will provide scoring as well don’t sleep on them.

As for post play Boston will likely start and will be just fine. She’s built to be an SEC center and will be a double double machine. Alaina Coates was good as a freshman and so was A’ja and I expect Aliyah to be good as well. She has help as well with Saxton, Grissett, and Amihere. I wouldn’t say that group will be undersized at all.

Whole bunch of unknowns in every situation you described. I respect your opinion, but I'm never one to put my eggs in the basket of a bunch of freshman. You don't know what you have until they're on the floor playing.

None of the players you mentioned have proven they can score at a high level in college. Doesn't mean that can't change over the next several months. HH is probably going to be their best option and she only averaged 10 points and was third on the team in minutes played and shot attempts. They're going to have to step up big time though.

 

[CUBUFFS18]

Harris won’t have to carry the team in scoring but she’s very capable scorer when needed. I expect HH and Henderson’s averages to go way up. More touches for both of them, and both are good scorers. Cooke and Beal will provide scoring as well don’t sleep on them.

As for post play Boston will likely start and will be just fine. She’s built to be an SEC center and will be a double double machine. Alaina Coates was good as a freshman and so was A’ja and I expect Aliyah to be good as well. She has help as well with Saxton, Grissett, and Amihere. I wouldn’t say that group will be undersized at all.

Also, sorry for the second post, but I would be remiss if I didn't point out that both Aja and Alaina were hometown girls and Dawn had access to them from an early age which no doubt had an impact on their ability as freshman. They were already very familiar with Dawn, her system and had received coaching from her from about 8th grade on. She didn't have the same advantage with Boston.

 

[DefenseBB]

I'm cautious in my expectations for my team, but you knock USC for limited returning production and then annoint miss state? How does that work?

I didn’t annoint MSU, if I annointed anyone it was Texas A&M. I also did not “knock” SC as they are young and talented and I have them near the top but again, asking freshman to contribute at the level you are assuming is a lot to ask. I struggle to think of any freshman dominated team that has strongly contended for a P5 title. I am not saying it has not happened but it is not a foregone conclusion.

 

[SCspur]

Whole bunch of unknowns in every situation you described. I respect your opinion, but I'm never one to put my eggs in the basket of a bunch of freshman. You don't know what you have until they're on the floor playing.

None of the players you mentioned have proven they can score at a high level in college. Doesn't mean that can't change over the next several months. HH is probably going to be their best option and she only averaged 10 points and was third on the team in minutes played and shot attempts. They're going to have to step up big time though.

How is it a unknown? Harris is the active assist leader in the SEC, Herbert Harrigan was 3rd in blocked shots and both Henderson and Saxton made all freshman team. Both Harris and HH showed they can score when they have to and so have Henderson and Saxton. They all have proven they can score at this level. It’s also obvious to me you have seen any of the SC recruits play. They’re the #1 class for a reason and they will contribute. Never did I say the team will lean on them heavily from day one. But I do expect them to play a lot and contribute.

 

[CUBUFFS18]

How is it a unknown? Harris is the active assist leader in the SEC, Herbert Harrigan was 3rd in blocked shots and both Henderson and Saxton made all freshman team. Both Harris and HH showed they can score when they have to and so have Henderson and Saxton. They all have proven they can score at this level. It’s also obvious to me you have seen any of the SC recruits play. They’re the #1 class for a reason and they will contribute. Never did I say the team will lean on them heavily from day one. But I do expect them to play a lot and contribute.

It's unknown because not a single one of them has yet proven they can score consistently at a high level. That's a fact. Those other qualities are great, but SC is going to have to find someone to put points on the board night in and night out next season or they are going to struggle.

 

[SCspur]

It's unknown because not a single one of them has yet proven they can score consistently at a high level. That's a fact. Those other qualities are great, but SC is going to have to find someone to put points on the board night in and night out next season or they are going to struggle.

Well I guess they’ll have to prove you wrong just like everyone else. Don’t worry SC will be more than fine, there are tons of teams that has to find ways to put points on the board or they will struggle. Dawn will have her team ready in November believe that. She wasn’t satisfied at all how they finished the year. Guarantee that will change next year.

Since we’re already on this topic, how will your team fare next year in the PAC? Remain at the bottom or rise up? Hmmmm...

 

[CUBUFFS18]

Well I guess they’ll have to prove you wrong just like everyone else. Don’t worry SC will be more than fine, there are tons of teams that has to find ways to put points on the board or they will struggle. Dawn will have her team ready in November believe that. She wasn’t satisfied at all how they finished the year. Guarantee that will change next year.

Since we’re already on this topic, how will your team fare next year in the PAC? Remain at the bottom or rise up? Hmmmm...

That's literally exactly what I'm saying, they're going to have to prove it. At this point there is nothing coming back for South Carolina that screams "success." They have some good looking individuals pieces, but that's it.

CU also isn't my team, that's just my screen name lol.

 

[SCspur]

That's literally exactly what I'm saying, they're going to have to prove it. At this point there is nothing coming back for South Carolina that screams "success." They have some good looking individuals pieces, but that's it.

CU also isn't my team, that's just my screen name lol.

Really? Harris and HH has won a national championship and 2 SEC championships, that’s not success?

 

[CUBUFFS18]

Really? Harris and HH has won a national championship and 2 SEC championships, that’s not success?

Just gonna have to see man.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Also, sorry for the second post, but I would be remiss if I didn't point out that both Aja and Alaina were hometown girls and Dawn had access to them from an early age which no doubt had an impact on their ability as freshman. They were already very familiar with Dawn, her system and had received coaching from her from about 8th grade on. She didn't have the same advantage with Boston.

Why do you think Dawn Staley was "coaching" local recruits from 8th grade?

That's not really how that works.

 

[biobioprof]

Why do you think Dawn Staley was "coaching" local recruits from 8th grade?

That's not really how that works.

Summer basketball camps. I believe it actually is part of how things work.