Top-heavy Backcourts

[GoChips20]

Seems like several top teams are less balanced than usual and are very reliant on their guards. Curious about the board’s thoughts.

• South Carolina: Not as imbalanced as other teams on this list, but definitely a 180 from the past decade. Edwards is very good but I think they’re better off playing through Ta’Niya Latson/Tessa Johnson who look to be a top-3 guard pairing. Raven Johnson fills in the gaps nicely.
• Texas: Could also slot more into balanced if you consider Madison Booker a forward, but Jordan Lee, Bryanna Preston, and freshman Aaliyah Crump have been very impressive.
• LSU: Much is made about their poor strength of schedule but Flau’jae and Mikaylah Williams are already proven. Fulwiley is producing and Zakiyah Johnson is an early NFOY frontrunner.
• USC: Problematically bereft of interior power, but excellent guard/wing versatility.
• Michigan: Swords, Olson, or Holloway will have to lead the way almost every night.
• Notre Dame: Prosper and Gisela Sanchez have been better than expected, but if Cowles’ injury lingers, they’re certainly thin up front.
• Oklahoma State: I’m not sure why they’ve played 1/8th of a season within the first week, but their top five players are all guards and have been very productive through 5 games. They may be underutilizing Stailee Heard, though.

 

[Bone Dog]

South Carolina: Not as imbalanced as other teams on this list, but definitely a 180 from the past decade. Edwards is very good but I think they’re better off playing through Ta’Niya Latson/Tessa Johnson who look to be a top-3 guard pairing. Raven Johnson fills in the gaps nicely.

I’ve been wondering about SC lately. Dawn’s trademark is teams that are quick and tall. But with the suspension of Maddy McDaniel the team is looking to be less quick than previous iterations. Latson and Raven are plenty quick, Tessa less so. Agot and Ayla have plenty of length but not first step quickness. In the frontcourt, I’ve been impressed by Okot’s size and strength. But she is not quick though she is mobile. Joyce is smaller but plenty quick. After those two it’s just Tac and Dauda, neither of whom has lived up to expectations.

This really highlights what the loss of Watkins meant for SC — a strong super quick post player. And the loss of Chloe as a scorer hurts. Joyce can carry a lot of the scoring load and Okot will score in Joyce’s wake. But that’s a pretty thin lineup. If Joyce gets in foul trouble, it’s not clear where Dawn can look.

As a result, the scoring and defensive pressure on Latson, Tessa and the freshmen is going to be really high. Can they live up to it? I have a lot of confidence in Dawn and her ability to motivate her kids. They will be contenders in March. But the formula may look a little different this time around.

Last season the offense was Fagan, Joyce and Chloe in the frontcourt and Tessa and Tehina with Milaysia supplying scoring punch off the bench in the backcourt.

This season the offense will come down to Joyce and Okot in the frontcourt. And Latson Tessa Agot and Ayla in the backcourt. I’m really curious to see how this plays out.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I’ve been wondering about SC lately. Dawn’s trademark is teams that are quick and tall. But with the suspension of Maddy McDaniel the team is looking to be less quick than previous iterations. Latson and Raven are plenty quick, Tessa less so. Agot and Ayla have plenty of length but not first step quickness. In the frontcourt, I’ve been impressed by Okot’s size and strength. But she is not quick though she is mobile. Joyce is smaller but plenty quick. After those two it’s just Tac and Dauda, neither of whom has lived up to expectations.

This really highlights what the loss of Watkins meant for SC — a strong super quick post player. And the loss of Chloe as a scorer hurts. Joyce can carry a lot of the scoring load and Okot will score in Joyce’s wake. But that’s a pretty thin lineup. If Joyce gets in foul trouble, it’s not clear where Dawn can look.

As a result, the scoring and defensive pressure on Latson, Tessa and the freshmen is going to be really high. Can they live up to it? I have a lot of confidence in Dawn and her ability to motivate her kids. They will be contenders in March. But the formula may look a little different this time around.

Last season the offense was Fagan, Joyce and Chloe in the frontcourt and Tessa and Tehina with Milaysia supplying scoring punch off the bench in the backcourt.

This season the offense will come down to Joyce and Okot in the frontcourt. And Latson Tessa Agot and Ayla in the backcourt. I’m really curious to see how this plays out.

I don't agree with most of this.

I have anxiety generally about the makeup of the team but not really about quickness.

 

[bballnut90]

I don't agree with most of this.

I have anxiety generally about the makeup of the team but not really about quickness.

Same. Latson/Raven/Edwards is about as athletic a trio as you’ll find as players like Tessa/Makeer/Okot/Tac have length. They have the size and athleticism to compete with anyone. Larson figuring out her role is a bigger question mark IMO. She’s done well early but playing on SC is going to be very different than the experience she had playing at FSU and I expect there to be an adjustment period as she navigates a reduced role. Also, SC needs Raven to be more of a bucket getter like she was two years ago if they’ll contend. If she’s sub 40% and not consistently looking for her shot they’re in trouble.

 

[DefenseBB]

I don't agree with most of this.

I have anxiety generally about the makeup of the team but not really about quickness.

This is also for @Bone Dog- the loss of Watkins and Kitts does thin out the depth at the forward slot but I would argue they are still pretty darn talented and supported despite a 10 person roster. Edwards is an all-american candidate (likely 2nd team) and with Dauda, Okot, Makeer and Tac, they are "not thin". I would argue that I am not sure they are the #2 team in the country given the small roster.

I would like you opinion on that headline of McDaniel as "suspended" versus injured. It seems that headline was a misnomer. Maddy is "injured" with an unspecified injury vs. being suspended for something. What is your perspective?

 

[Gamecockfan77]

This is also for @Bone Dog- the loss of Watkins and Kitts does thin out the depth at the forward slot but I would argue they are still pretty darn talented and supported despite a 10 person roster. Edwards is an all-american candidate (likely 2nd team) and with Dauda, Okot, Makeer and Tac, they are "not thin". I would argue that I am not sure they are the #2 team in the country given the small roster.

I would like you opinion on that headline of McDaniel as "suspended" versus injured. It seems that headline was a misnomer. Maddy is "injured" with an unspecified injury vs. being suspended for something. What is your perspective?

She definitely left the previous game with an injury and was expected to be out.

I think I know that keeping her onside last offseason was difficult.

The first indication I heard about suspension was that she missed some kind of team responsibility.

Whether that was missing a rehab appointment, a study hall, a class, or a practice I don't know.

My impression from the press conference was is that there is some kind of continuing friction and that Maddie needs to get with the program.

 

[Bone Dog]

I didn’t say the team wasn’t athletic. It’s just that the mix of speed and strength is different from previous seasons, as is the diversity of scoring. It’s a different brand of athleticism. I know, this is rather vague. But that’s what strikes me. Not misgivings exactly. More like curiosity about how Dawn will put the puzzle together this season. And I don’t think Dauda and Tac are any sort of solution, as some folks seem to. Okot looks like a force in the post. And I’m especially curious about how Agot and Ayla might fit in if they get a lot more minutes than freshmen tend to under Dawn. There’s serious potential for a not-so-small-ball lineup with them.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Can I throw Washington on the list? Already had a strong back court with Ladine, Sellers and Stines. Added Howell from USC as a transfer and Aussie Fr. Harvey is showing promise. Not a single key returner in the front court, although they have an experienced post player that transferred from Michigan and a fairly highly touted Fr. forward.

 

[Vowelguy]

Seems like several top teams are less balanced than usual and are very reliant on their guards. Curious about the board’s thoughts.

Uconn won a NC with El Alfy at center. That was pretty guard reliant.

 

[Vowelguy]

Btw, is it ok to talk about a group of women being top heavy? 😱😂

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Btw, is it ok to talk about a group of women being too heavy? 😱😂

too heavy? Or top heavy?

 

[Vowelguy]

too heavy? Or top heavy?

I meant top, but the question applies in either case.

 

[southie]

Seems like several top teams are less balanced than usual and are very reliant on their guards. Curious about the board’s thoughts.

• South Carolina: Not as imbalanced as other teams on this list, but definitely a 180 from the past decade. Edwards is very good but I think they’re better off playing through Ta’Niya Latson/Tessa Johnson who look to be a top-3 guard pairing. Raven Johnson fills in the gaps nicely.
• Texas: Could also slot more into balanced if you consider Madison Booker a forward, but Jordan Lee, Bryanna Preston, and freshman Aaliyah Crump have been very impressive.
• LSU: Much is made about their poor strength of schedule but Flau’jae and Mikaylah Williams are already proven. Fulwiley is producing and Zakiyah Johnson is an early NFOY frontrunner.
• USC: Problematically bereft of interior power, but excellent guard/wing versatility.
• Michigan: Swords, Olson, or Holloway will have to lead the way almost every night.
• Notre Dame: Prosper and Gisela Sanchez have been better than expected, but if Cowles’ injury lingers, they’re certainly thin up front.
• Oklahoma State: I’m not sure why they’ve played 1/8th of a season within the first week, but their top five players are all guards and have been very productive through 5 games. They may be underutilizing Stailee Heard, though.

Yeah, Booker is considered a small forward but can slide up or down depending if Texas wants to go bigger or smaller. And, Mizzou transfer guard 6'1 Ashton Judd injured her kneecap prior to the first game of the season; so her debut won't come until late November or early December. And, Rori Harmon still logging the most minutes at PG.