Today South Carolina vs Iowa St at 1:30

[Tonyc]

The game is on Fox at 1:30.

 

[Stagnant]

I will be shocked if this is close.

 

[Bone Dog]

This is like the perfect bounce back game for SC. Crooks and Brown will pose a good challenge and Dawn's front court will have to respond to win -- and they're perfectly capable of it if they are on their game.

 

[darrell]

I’d be shocked if Iowa State doesn’t follow UCLA’s game plan.

 

[Kat]

Dawn Staley was recently interviewed, with her saying that you can only coach so much before players tune you out. During the UCLA game, she was surprisingly quiet, very unlike her usual game presence. I think Dawn was sending a message about this team needing to listen more. I think she has there complete attention now.

 

[cancontent]

I’d be shocked if Iowa State doesn’t follow UCLA’s game plan.

Do they have the roster to accomplish that though?

 

[GamecockFam]

I'm currently avoiding the game so I have no idea what is happening right now (it's recording at home while I am having Thanksgiving lunch with the family), but I'd be shocked if this game was close. Crooks is not Betts, and I think the team speed will be too much for Iowa State to handle.

 

[MSGRET]

Iowa State is going to be the sacrificial lamb today, quite fitting given that it's Thanksgiving.

 

[MSGRET]

Do they have the roster to accomplish that though?

NO

 

[Urshurak]

19-3 South Carolina at the end of first quarter, so, Dawn’s players are listening!

 

[Blueballer]

Who thought this was going to be a good matchup for the Holiday? The only women's game on and this is it? Can't call this game threading because you can't call this a game.

 

[MSGRET]

Who thought this was going to be a good matchup for the Holiday? The only women's game on and this is it? Can't call this game threading because you can't call this a game.

If ISU plays like this against UConn the game against Holy Cross just might be more entertaining.

 

[darrell]

Do they have the roster to accomplish that though?

I thought they had some pretty good shooters. You could tell they didn’t. They tried forcing Crooks in the paint instead.

 

[bballnut90]

Hard to stay competitive when you give up a 32-0 run in the first half

 

[Bone Dog]

SC simply has better athletes. I’m glad to see that their defense has come together. It’s been an impressive effort so far. On offense, it’s less cohesive. About games like this, Geno used to complain that they only show they he’s recruited better athletes, not that they play better basketball. I suspect Dawn would share this sentiment.

One example, Joyce Edwards got a steal on Kenzie Hare and raced down the court. It was an impressive display of her athleticism, her quick hands and her speed down the court. Too much of SC’s offense is about excellent individual plays like this. They’re wonderful to see. But they can become even better as a team than this. And I expect Dawn is going to be working overtime on this for the next few months.

 

[bballnut90]

SC simply has better athletes. I’m glad to see that their defense has come together. It’s been an impressive effort so far. On offense, it’s less cohesive. About games like this, Geno used to complain that they only show they he’s recruited better athletes, not that they play better basketball. I suspect Dawn would share this sentiment.

One example, Joyce Edwards got a steal on Kenzie Hare and raced down the court. It was an impressive display of her athleticism, her quick hands and her speed down the court. Too much of SC’s offense is about excellent individual plays like this. They’re wonderful to see. But they can become even better as a team than this. And I expect Dawn is going to be working overtime on this for the next few months.

I feel like that's Dawn's bread and butter though: land great athletes and try and mold them into great basketball players. She seems to prioritize height, length and athleticism above developed basketball skill and players usually develop well during their time at SC. This year the team still looks rough around the edges compared to last season. Players are figuring out their role since last year the team chemistry was through the roof and now they're incorporating more players and have more depth (which isn't always a good thing). Getting embarrassed by UCLA is probably what was needed to get players dialed in. If they stay dialed in, they're one of (if not the) top title favorite/s again this year.