Thoughts after the NCSU game:
Tessa Johnson, in a sit down interview after last season concluded, stated that she has an ankle that is ”floppy”. I think it is something she just has to manage, and in games where she is not needed the HC uses caution whenever she “flops” it.
Kitts supposedly missed a class. It happens. No worries here and nothing to look at.
PaoPao reshaped her body this offseason, like Boston did 2 years ago and Raven did last year. Tahini looks primed for a nice season.
Hall does a lot of things well. CDS rewards her seniors with playing time, but if you ere putting players on the court based purely on talent and ability to impact the game both Fulwiley and T. Johnson deserve more minutes per game than Hall, and both can play her position. Hall is often labeled the best defender on the team, but that isn’t actually the case. She is good all around at many things, but prob not great at any one thing tbh.
No mention/sight of Dauda yesterday. I’m in the dark on this one, hopefully not an injury situation. I read Tac was riding a stationary bike near the team bench during the game. I’m not certain what that means if anything.
Again, Raven will probably never have a reliable jump shot, I’m about over hoping that it will develop. She is the best floor general and ball handler on the team however and her defense is top notch.
Missed “a” class? Missing 1 single class and benched for an entire game is pretty strict. I respect Dawn quite a bit if that’s all it was.
As a State fan I wish Watkins would have been held out another game for her off the court troubles! (I kid! I don’t even know the details - and genuinely hope she grows as a person and matured and learns from whatever happened).
SC is just bigger, faster and longer. So many weapons. So much depth. It’s truly another level when State lines up against yall. We’ve played UConn, Colorado, Texas, Tennessee, Stanford, Notre Dame, Louisville, Duke and the list goes on - never does State appear to have inferior athletes. When we play SC that changes everything.
Mostly I look at girls like Maddison Hayes - she’s an integral part of the team. Shoots it at a high clip. Rebounds. Super efficient player. She’s completely nullified against SC. Doesn’t have the height, length or athleticism to do what she normally does against a Ashlyn Watkins type.
Azaiah James, Zoe Brooks, Saniya Rivers and Zam Jones were the only ones who physically and athletically belonged on the floor against yall. And Rivers I’m convinced had a mental block against yall. Both times we played you guys she is a shell of herself. Looks like she lacks confidence. 1-7 with 4 turnovers yesterday. Just not who she is usually. There is something there that is holding her back against her former team IMO. James didn’t play to her ability either. It’s a credit to the Cocks defense and intensity.
State also prides itself on rebounding. We always outrebound opponents. Led the ACC last year I believe. 40-25 Cocks on the glass yesterday. Again, just a completely different animal against SC
Congrats on the win, good luck for the remainder of the year. Honestly hope we don’t meet again.
