USC Gamecocks 2024-25 Season: Part Two

[USMC(ret)]

So when they barely beat teams (Washington, Stanford, and Vanderbilt) that they should've soundly defeated, does that mean that the elite coach didn't properly prepare her teams and underestimated her team's opponents? Sorry--I don't get this logic.

I don't think that LSU is being underestimated. I think people are realizing that they just don't pass the eye test. If the game is closer than usual, it won't be because Kim is a coaching genius. It'll be largely because her elite players are playing at an elite level while ours are playing a cut below. Kim ain't entering CLA with a bunch of two stars. She's got two legit SEC POY/All-American candidates.

My opinion: you don’t win four natties by accident. She’ll go about seven players deep for the vast majority of the 40 minutes, while we’ll probably play ten. Her players will play with tempo, will be aggressive, and if they’re too aggressive, we’ll get to the foul line often.CLA will not bother them… LSU draws pretty well at home, not equal to us, but they’re not playing in a half empty arena.

What will get us the win is defense. In a battle of attrition, our bench beats their bench. We’ll probably get a rematch with them in the SEC tournament.

Living in Texas for the better part of 30 years, I followed her Baylor teams when they gave her the HC job. Her coaching style hasn’t changed over those years, and neither has her personal style… annoyingly abrasive. She won three natties at Baylor, and then another at LSU. Has a chip on her shoulder the size of an anvil. Practically begs to get a technical foul with her histrionics on the bench. It’s all calculated to give her team an “us against the world” mentality. I think we win by 10.

 

[packwrap]

Nothing but fun in the LSU pre game.

Depth: LSU comfortably plays 7, as they platoon at 1 Poa/Day-Wilson, and 5 Smith/Wolfenbarger.

They get to an 8th player with their energizer 6th man Gilbert, and have started to play a 9th - Shepard.

In an emergency they bring in #10, the post project Del Rosario. So bench not a strength, but particularly the first 8 are still useful.

Team: Last year LSU full of drama, this year they play for each other. All the 1 on 1 play with cleanup by Morrow is actually their offense. Morrow in foul trouble would really hurt them though.

It's 2 big athletic teams banging heads. SC has advantage at home, with 3pt shooting, and bench. LSU won't be intimidated.

 

[WBBTakeover]

LSU is a very talented team filled with a bunch of ball hogger stat chasers. They do not play as a a team, half of them are chasing their own stats and refuse to pass the ball. ‘Ball hog’ Johnson in particular is the most egregious one with her mom going on Twitter encouraging her to not pass the ball so much. Anyone who has seen them play this year knows exactly what I’m talking about.

When you have a team who plays individual basketball instead of team basketball you get a mediocre product comprised of close games not maximizing your talent and vulnerability to lots of potential losses


And Kim isn’t an elite coach, Vic is 10x the coach she is and you could make a case a couple of other SEC coaches are far superior to her. She just lands big talent, that’s it

I do agree that LSU has a bunch of stat chasers (and the one you named here is one of the most egregious of them all). Where I disagree is about Kim's status as an elite coach. I think she's elite, which is why the suggestion that we shouldn't underestimate her is a little much.

Kim is bringing a Top 5 team (by the poll numbers) that boasts two SEC POY/All-American candidates into CLA in two days. ESPN College Gameday will be there. Kim is not an underdog by any stretch. She is highly respected in the sport, and she will go back to Baton Rouge after a double-digit points beatdown in those tacky, attention-seeking threads she likes wearing.

 

[WBBTakeover]

My opinion: you don’t win four natties by accident. She’ll go about seven players deep for the vast majority of the 40 minutes, while we’ll probably play ten. Her players will play with tempo, will be aggressive, and if they’re too aggressive, we’ll get to the foul line often.CLA will not bother them… LSU draws pretty well at home, not equal to us, but they’re not playing in a half empty arena.

What will get us the win is defense. In a battle of attrition, our bench beats their bench. We’ll probably get a rematch with them in the SEC tournament.

Living in Texas for the better part of 30 years, I followed her Baylor teams when they gave her the HC job. Her coaching style hasn’t changed over those years, and neither has her personal style… annoyingly abrasive. She won three natties at Baylor, and then another at LSU. Has a chip on her shoulder the size of an anvil. Practically begs to get a technical foul with her histrionics on the bench. It’s all calculated to give her team an “us against the world” mentality. I think we win by 10.

My point is that Kim is not an underdog and neither is her team. That schtick is outdated, and I'm beyond thrilled that it didn't work last season (her team horribly mismanaged the gigantic target they had on their backs). She could pull that nonsense at Baylor in 2005 (despite having a first team AA/2006 first round pick/future HOFer with San Antonio) but wasn't able to do it beyond then for that program. It's not like you can have Brittney Griner for four years and claim underdog status. Seems like when you build a program to elite status, you can't claim the "underdog" role without being mercilessly derided. Brenda Frese found that out the hard way post-2006.

You can't call yourself an underdog when you coach a Top 5 team that has multiple conference POY/AA candidates. Nobody on this coast is falling for the, "it's big bad South Carolina versus little ol' LSU" song and dance. It's a Top 5 match-up on ESPN, and it just so happens that one team will show itself to be significantly better than the other thanks to top notch preparation by Coach Dawn Michelle Staley.

 

[visitingcock]

Pre-game bragging makes me squirm. Kym has taken four teams to the promised land. That’s enough for me to disregard her game time behavior and choice of clothes. She can coach PERIOD

 

[cancontent]

LSU is a very talented team filled with a bunch of ball hogger stat chasers. They do not play as a a team, half of them are chasing their own stats and refuse to pass the ball. ‘Ball hog’ Johnson in particular is the most egregious one with her mom going on Twitter encouraging her to not pass the ball so much. Anyone who has seen them play this year knows exactly what I’m talking about.

When you have a team who plays individual basketball instead of team basketball you get a mediocre product comprised of close games not maximizing your talent and vulnerability to lots of potential losses


And Kim isn’t an elite coach, Vic is 10x the coach she is and you could make a case a couple of other SEC coaches are far superior to her. She just lands big talent, that’s it

Just landing big talent doesn't guarantee one title, let alone four. Technically with that theory, then Coach Auriemma hasn't done squat in his 40 years at UConn and we all know that's bunk.

Both Coach Mulkey and Coach Schaefer are excellent at their craft. Mulkey has the upper hand however with her 4 titles as a coach and one as a player.

 

[JDuro]

 

[jumpstart]

The men's team played at Colonial Life last night. I don't understand why the women's game was postponed when the weather should actually be better Thursday night. It makes no sense unless the Gameday Telecast had something to do with it.

 

[Cockygirl]

It wasn’t bc of weather in Columbia. LSU couldnt get out bc they got like 8” of snow.

 

[visitingcock]

The men's team played at Colonial Life last night. I don't understand why the women's game was postponed when the weather should actually be better Thursday night. It makes no sense unless the Gameday Telecast had something to do with it.

Flight problems from New Oleans. I have been told the Runways are not heated like Atlanta.

 

[jumpstart]

Flight problems from New Oleans. I have been told the Runways are not heated like Atlanta.

Well, that makes sense. Thanks.

 

[caliwbb]

Where can I park to avoid CLA traffic?

 

[TC22]

Where can I park to avoid CLA traffic?

Good luck with that. They do run a shuttle fromFounder’s Park (baseball stadium). That’s probably your best bet. It’s about 3 blocks from the stadium and runs every 10 mins or so.

 

[Cockygirl]

Where can I park to avoid CLA traffic?

There are public spots in Greek village

 

[JellyBean]

South Carolina

 

[USMC(ret)]

Thoughts on the LSU game:
1. We shot 37% from the field, 15% from beyond the arc, got outrebounded by a dozen… and still won by 10. Huge defensive effort, highlighted by 11 blocked shots.
2. There were any number of specious fouls called against both teams.
3. South Carolina bench 31, LSU bench 2.
4. Very nice effort on both ends by Feagin… Kitts needs to stop putting the ball on the floor in the paint, never ends well. Edwards seemed to be missing in action in the first half, but reappeared in the second half.
5. Raven Johnson had a great game not reflected in the box score.
6. Still wondering why Maddie McDaniel hasn’t returned to the rotation… we need her.
7. Our fans really shine in CLA… an awesome Gameday atmosphere.
8. On to Knoxville, last stop in the “gauntlet”. They played Texas close last night, without their coach, out for childbirth.


YMMV… Forever to thee!

 

[WBBTakeover]

LSU, entering today's game, was averaging over 90 ppg. They wanted a track meet so that their stars (Johnson, Williams, and Morrow) could put up "pretty" numbers for their award resumes. Instead, they were treated to a grind-it-out, mentally taxing game that was uglier than a homemade Christmas sweater. We were unfriendly hosts, and I LOVE it!

A key to winning championships is being able to make good to great teams uncomfortable. LSU thought that they'd be able to enter CLA and play "their way". I'm sure they felt pretty good after that first quarter. But after that?

Coach Dawn Staley pushed the right buttons today. Raven and Sania played well, with Joyce providing relief in the second half.

 

[GoChips20]

Sania Feagin is playing her way into the draft conversation. Has really stepped up since Watkins went out. SC’s system requires a force in the post and she’s exceeding expectations right now.

Tonight wasn’t pretty, but this is a different team than the one that was blown out by UCLA.

I do completely agree that UCLA deserves the #1 ranking right now though and that’s probably still true even if they drop a close game.

 

[packwrap]

Feagin may be improving, but watch out for Edwards. Due foul trouble she was only really active in Q4 and still ended up the SC leading scorer. She is quick and elusive in post, putting up clean shots even when very well guarded.

Kitts is also very mobile. She has high energy for all 40 minutes and great hands.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Thoughts on the LSU game:
1. We shot 37% from the field, 15% from beyond the arc, got outrebounded by a dozen… and still won by 10. Huge defensive effort, highlighted by 11 blocked shots.
2. There were any number of specious fouls called against both teams.
3. South Carolina bench 31, LSU bench 2.
4. Very nice effort on both ends by Feagin… Kitts needs to stop putting the ball on the floor in the paint, never ends well. Edwards seemed to be missing in action in the first half, but reappeared in the second half.
5. Raven Johnson had a great game not reflected in the box score.
6. Still wondering why Maddie McDaniel hasn’t returned to the rotation… we need her.
7. Our fans really shine in CLA… an awesome Gameday atmosphere.
8. On to Knoxville, last stop in the “gauntlet”. They played Texas close last night, without their coach, out for childbirth.


YMMV… Forever to thee!

McDaniel didn’t play , I would guess, because they didn’t want to take the players ahead of her off the floor in that situation.

Raven takes a lot of friendly fire, but I would not trade her for many players In these games.

i am so happy for Feagin’s breakout. I had almost become resigned to it not fully happening but here it is.

South Carolina has been so damn tough in these games since UCLA.

the rebounding is maybe what will get us…offensive boards cost us two final four games … but they are so tough and Are putting on a quality title defense.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

Maddy hasn't played consistent minutes since her concussion. I don't think this highly anticipated game that was close the entire time was the best environment to use her. I would expect to see her more as the season progress.

 

[JellyBean]

Sania Feagin is playing her way into the draft conversation. Has really stepped up since Watkins went out. SC’s system requires a force in the post and she’s exceeding expectations right now.

Tonight wasn’t pretty, but this is a different team than the one that was blown out by UCLA.

I do completely agree that UCLA deserves the #1 ranking right now though and that’s probably still true even if they drop a close game.

Yep. I was watching the game thinking the same thing! Feagin has a decent skill set to where she could have a long basketball career.

 

[JellyBean]

McDaniel didn’t play , I would guess, because they didn’t want to take the players ahead of her off the floor in that situation.

Raven takes a lot of friendly fire, but I would not trade her for many players In these games.

i am so happy for Feagin’s breakout. I had almost become resigned to it not fully happening but here it is.

South Carolina has been so damn tough in these games since UCLA.

the rebounding is maybe what will get us…offensive boards cost us two final four games … but they are so tough and Are putting on a quality title defense.

I was listening to Coach Staley's post game comments. She rides with Raven. I love that about Coach Staley. She rocks with her players and will hold them accountable. They love her and she loves them back.

 

[Baller29]

I was listening to Coach Staley's post game comments. She rides with Raven. I love that about Coach Staley. She rocks with her players and will hold them accountable. They love her and she loves them back.

Having a legit PG who can direct things makes all the difference. The difference between PG play between LsU and SC is astounding

SDW is horrible

 

[Rowdy831]

Thoughts on the LSU game:
1. We shot 37% from the field, 15% from beyond the arc, got outrebounded by a dozen… and still won by 10. Huge defensive effort, highlighted by 11 blocked shots.
2. There were any number of specious fouls called against both teams.
3. South Carolina bench 31, LSU bench 2.
4. Very nice effort on both ends by Feagin… Kitts needs to stop putting the ball on the floor in the paint, never ends well. Edwards seemed to be missing in action in the first half, but reappeared in the second half.
5. Raven Johnson had a great game not reflected in the box score.
6. Still wondering why Maddie McDaniel hasn’t returned to the rotation… we need her.
7. Our fans really shine in CLA… an awesome Gameday atmosphere.
8. On to Knoxville, last stop in the “gauntlet”. They played Texas close last night, without their coach, out for childbirth.


YMMV… Forever to thee!

I thought both teams looked bad. When two good teams play it should look like good basketball and that game yesterday wasn't good basketball. It reminded me a lot of watching the WNBA.

 

[packwrap]

Having a legit PG who can direct things makes all the difference. The difference between PG play between LsU and SC is astounding

SDW is horrible
View attachment 106494

True except LSU knows they are terrible at point with their platoon of Day-Wilson and Poa. That's why FJ and Williams (and Gilbert and even D-W herself) do so much 1on1. No point, no passes for Morrow?
No problem, we'll work around it with 1 on 1 play, and the misses will be our feeds to Morrow.

I don't know the reason Mulkey can't recruit a point guard, but this is her solution to making best of players she has.
It's not pretty, but it works. They were very competitive with SC yesterday.

 

[USMC(ret)]

Two well-coached teams with superior athleticism played good defense… hence, a lower than normal score. Doesn’t mean it was not a well-played game. YMMV.

 

[Baller29]

Two well-coached teams with superior athleticism played good defense… hence, a lower than normal score. Doesn’t mean it was not a well-played game. YMMV.

Both teams seemed to have bad luck at the rim with many rimming in and out

 

[shiverz45]

LSU, entering today's game, was averaging over 90 ppg. They wanted a track meet so that their stars (Johnson, Williams, and Morrow) could put up "pretty" numbers for their award resumes. Instead, they were treated to a grind-it-out, mentally taxing game that was uglier than a homemade Christmas sweater. We were unfriendly hosts, and I LOVE it!

A key to winning championships is being able to make good to great teams uncomfortable. LSU thought that they'd be able to enter CLA and play "their way". I'm sure they felt pretty good after that first quarter. But after that?

Coach Dawn Staley pushed the right buttons today. Raven and Sania played well, with Joyce providing relief in the second half.

SC would welcome a track meet. LSU would not have the depth to sustain it. LSU built that gaudy point average off of playing bad teams. I bet their SEC points are nowhere close to that.

 

[ERWUC65]

Both teams seemed to have bad luck at the rim with many rimming in and out

A nice way of saying that it was a poor representation of high level college women's basketball.