USC Gamecocks 2024-25 Season: Part Two

[Bone Dog]

Inconsistent, she's a great talent and can take over a game rather easily but her decision making is the biggest issue.

Sometimes she gets into her "overtime" mode and it's at the detriment to the team. It's great when she's hitting but disastrous when it's not. She's a high volume shooter and despite her playing lower minutes among the rotational players she has the highest usage rate and field goal attempts for the team, while also not that efficient.

There's also the defense, she at times doesn't take the defensive side of the ball as seriously from game to game. She's a great defender when she chooses.

Also for those asking, Fulwiley would take Pao Pao place in the lineup not Raven. Fulwiley is everybit of a shooting guard first and foremost. Not to mention that she's currently in the negatives for her ast/tov ratio.

I say all this to say that there's more to her coming off the bench than just seniority. Dawn typically likes a spark off the bench and that's what she provides. Our starting lineup usually consist of consistent and reliable players in their roles. If it was strictly about seniority then Sania or Ashlyn would have started over Chloe last year as well.

I still remember that first game against ND last year in Paris. Another 29 pt win that really showcased Milaysia specifically against Hidalgo, and I think she held her own. I thought I was looking at the future of the SC backcourt. She had 17 pts, 6 assists and 6 steals in 26 minutes. Granted, Hannah scored 31 pts with 3 assists and 6 TOs. But it was one of those eye-catching performances that probably costs your team the game.

I thought for sure that Milaysia was the next PG. She has all the tools on offense, defense and passing. What she didn't seem to have yet was the judgment, and maybe she hasn't developed it yet. But I really can't see her as a shooting guard. Her 3 pt percentage isn't good enough for that. At least not yet. Maybe she can develop that side of her game the way Olivia miles did over last summer. I just think with so much quickness and court speed, she should have the ball in her hands as much as possible, but not necessarily be the main shooter.

Maybe the problem has been that she was cursed by that game in Paris to wanting to play too much like Hannah and hasn't shaken that idea out of her head. She is certainly quick enough to do much of what Hannah does. But on SC, there's other things more important for her to do.

 

[jake0414]

Question re: the SEC Tournament. If both South Carolina and Texas win out both will finish with 15-1 conference records and will have split their two meetings. Which team receives the #1 seed and most likely avoids LSU, presumably the #3 seed, until a possible championship game?

 

[Baller29]

Question re: the SEC Tournament. If both South Carolina and Texas win out both will finish with 15-1 conference records and will have split their two meetings. Which team receives the #1 seed and most likely avoids LSU, presumably the #3 seed, until a possible championship game?

I would rather avoid TN or Ole Miss than LSU

 

[visitingcock]

Question re: the SEC Tournament. If both South Carolina and Texas win out both will finish with 15-1 conference records and will have split their two meetings. Which team receives the #1 seed and most likely avoids LSU, presumably the #3 seed, until a possible championship game?

Coin flip

 

[GamecockFam]

Coin flip

I thought you were joking but I looked it up and ...you're right.

But that doesn't feel right. I feel like there should be more steps with the coin flip as the last resort -- like head to head record, margin of victory in head to head if 1-1, highest ranked team in AP poll, etc.

 

[visitingcock]

I thought you were joking but I looked it up and ...you're right.

But that doesn't feel right. I feel like there should be more steps with the coin flip as the last resort -- like head to head record, margin of victory in head to head if 1-1, highest ranked team in AP poll, etc.

Sometimes the joke is found in the truth

 

[cancontent]

I thought you were joking but I looked it up and ...you're right.

But that doesn't feel right. I feel like there should be more steps with the coin flip as the last resort -- like head to head record, margin of victory in head to head if 1-1, highest ranked team in AP poll, etc.

How about rock, papers, scissors, lizard, Spock in a best 2 out of 3 format?

 

[JstVisiting]

Crazy for Charlie Creme to say a 4 point lead on the road might justify a committee decision on the same night Texas trailed a worse team for 29:59 and Notre Dame lost to a non-contender at home.

 

[GamecockFam]

Crazy for Charlie Creme to say a 4 point lead on the road might justify a committee decision on the same night Texas trailed a worse team for 29:59 and Notre Dame lost to a non-contender at home.

Yeah they're hating on us right now. But we got the dub, so I expect Notre Dame to move to a 2 seed if we beat Kentucky on Sunday. I think we also want to root for UCLA to beat Southern Cal on Saturday so it doubles our odds of being back on the 1 line.

 

[jumpstart]

Yeah they're hating on us right now. But we got the dub, so I expect Notre Dame to move to a 2 seed if we beat Kentucky on Sunday. I think we also want to root for UCLA to beat Southern Cal on Saturday so it doubles our odds of being back on the 1 line.

There are only two designations for the regionals so why does it matter if you are a 1 seed or a 2 seed? South Carolina was a 1 seed in Spokane and that looked like a very doable set up for them with the other teams in the regional match ups they would have faced. Birmingham is no different if you are going to be in either of those cities for a little over a week. They are still neutral sites, and you still have to beat the best to get the title. If match ups are a problem, then it's going to be a problem everywhere. I see no advantage at this point either way that would alter the chances of getting a title. I would think injuries are the biggest issue. If everyone is healthy then all is good and up to the girls.

 

[GamecockFam]

There are only two designations for the regionals so why does it matter if you are a 1 seed or a 2 seed? South Carolina was a 1 seed in Spokane and that looked like a very doable set up for them with the other teams in the regional match ups they would have faced. Birmingham is no different if you are going to be in either of those cities for a little over a week. They are still neutral sites, and you still have to beat the best to get the title. If match ups are a problem, then it's going to be a problem everywhere. I see no advantage at this point either way that would alter the chances of getting a title. I would think injuries are the biggest issue. If everyone is healthy then all is good and up to the girls.

Part of it is just reputational for the program and keeping the image thriving. Also, it was stated during the Ole Miss game that we will be among an elite group of teams who have earned a 1 seed in five consecutive NCAA tournaments.

I also think that being a higher seed leads to an easier path to the final four. Favorable matchups always play a role in the tournament. But honestly, like you were saying, I would take our last grouping of Notre Dame, South Carolina, Tennessee and Oklahoma in a heartbeat as I think those are all favorable matchups for the Gamecocks.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

There are only two designations for the regionals so why does it matter if you are a 1 seed or a 2 seed? South Carolina was a 1 seed in Spokane and that looked like a very doable set up for them with the other teams in the regional match ups they would have faced. Birmingham is no different if you are going to be in either of those cities for a little over a week. They are still neutral sites, and you still have to beat the best to get the title. If match ups are a problem, then it's going to be a problem everywhere. I see no advantage at this point either way that would alter the chances of getting a title. I would think injuries are the biggest issue. If everyone is healthy then all is good and up to the girls.

Beyond maintaining streaks and prestige and perception there really isn't much at stake between #1 seed and #2 seed except the potential color of your jersey in the regional final.

I think being blown out by UCLA was humbling and being blown out by UCONN was alarming.

I don't disagree with the growing perception that SCar is flawed and maybe not a 1 seed.

But the resume suggests otherwise...I think.

I dont think there are actual downsides to over scheduling for contending teams, but to whatever extent being a #1 seed matters, losing it would largely be a factor of scheduling UConn.

But I'm not someone who thinks you have to ignore the information learned from games simply because the teams had the courage to play them.

The UConn win was revealing and confirming of weakness.

Not taking it into account would be wrong too.

But yes, Creme saying a close game on the road at halftime with an NCAA caliber team that plays close games is a black mark. That annoyed the hell out of me.

 

[Bigboote]

One who doesn't normally follow this thread chiming in:

I just noticed Chloe got a triple-double last night. I hadn't seen it mentioned, so thought I'd give credit where it's due. I'm mildly surprised that the third double is assists rather than blocks or steals. Now I wish I'd recorded the game.

 

[JstVisiting]

I don't disagree with the growing perception that SCar is flawed and maybe not a 1 seed.

But the resume suggests otherwise...

Reports of our demise are greatly exaggerated.

UCLA is the best team and UConn has the most top end talent. Avoid UCLA and avoid a 13-28 shooting night from UConn and we can win it.

We're suddenly the anti-Notre Dame. The Irish were getting pumped up all year and "they're only ranked (wherever) because they don't get to play as many good teams! They should be even higher!" Well, congratulations. You finally played some more good teams.

 

[jumpstart]

One who doesn't normally follow this thread chiming in:

I just noticed Chloe got a triple-double last night. I hadn't seen it mentioned, so thought I'd give credit where it's due. I'm mildly surprised that the third double is assists rather than blocks or steals. Now I wish I'd recorded the game.

ESPN does record the games if you have a provider. Go to WATCH...schedule & replays and at the top pick the date and scroll down to the game and click. Easy enough.

 

[jumpstart]

Reports of our demise are greatly exaggerated.

UCLA is the best team and UConn has the most top end talent. Avoid UCLA and avoid a 13-28 shooting night from UConn and we can win it.

We're suddenly the anti-Notre Dame. The Irish were getting pumped up all year and "they're only ranked (wherever) because they don't get to play as many good teams! They should be even higher!" Well, congratulations. You finally played some more good teams.

It's so bunched at the top that the truly best team could easily be knocked out with an off night. I don't know who the best team is but that's where the parity has brought us. It's going to take a lot of luck....and luck only happens when opportunity meets preparation.

 

[JDuro]

ESPN does record the games if you have a provider. Go to WATCH...schedule & replays and at the top pick the date and scroll down to the game and click. Easy enough.

Also Gamecocks games uploaded to YouTube by/on ‘Robbie Robinson’ account within hours.

 

[GamecockFam]

It's so bunched at the top that the truly best team could easily be knocked out with an off night. I don't know who the best team is but that's where the parity has brought us. It's going to take a lot of luck....and luck only happens when opportunity meets preparation.

I would be highly surprised if any team outside of the top 7 teams wins the tournament. With that said, all of those top 7 teams are vulnerable and could lose to another top 25 team if they don't bring their A game. But playing the odds, when it's all said and done, one of those 7 teams will not be phased and make it through the gauntlet to win it all.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Reports of our demise are greatly exaggerated.

UCLA is the best team and UConn has the most top end talent. Avoid UCLA and avoid a 13-28 shooting night from UConn and we can win it.

We're suddenly the anti-Notre Dame. The Irish were getting pumped up all year and "they're only ranked (wherever) because they don't get to play as many good teams! They should be even higher!" Well, congratulations. You finally played some more good teams.

ND got respect because they've beaten Texas, UConn and USC, who are three of the six or so real contenders to win it all.

 

[HuskyNan]

Yeah they're hating on us right now. But we got the dub, so I expect Notre Dame to move to a 2 seed if we beat Kentucky on Sunday. I think we also want to root for UCLA to beat Southern Cal on Saturday so it doubles our odds of being back on the 1 line.

I’m not sure why fans are so concerned with being a 1 vs 2 seed. But assuming your scenario works out and So Carolina moves to a 1 seed, your 2 seed would most likely be UConn. I don’t think either one of our fan bases want this matchup until the final game

 

[GamecockFam]

I’m not sure why fans are so concerned with being a 1 vs 2 seed. But assuming your scenario works out and So Carolina moves to a 1 seed, your 2 seed would most likely be UConn. I don’t think either one of our fan bases want this matchup until the final game

I would think that Notre Dame and South Carolina would switch places with #6 UConn paired up with Southern Cal as the #3 overall seed. But there is still potential for more rearrangements (USC/UCLA tonight and potentially again in the conference tournament. Same story with South Carolina/Texas in the SEC tournament) so I am not even thinking matchups right now.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

I think, in order for us to win the national championship, we will need Adhel to earn more playing time. She's a defensive presence as a space eater in the middle. We also need the Sania and Chloe from the Ole Miss game. I'm going to the SEC Tournament and NCAAT games in Columbia, but travel to Birmingham and Tampa is unlikely. I decided after the Vegas trip that I'm not traveling to games in places I have no desire to visit. It's funny how your perspective starts to change when you get close to retirement.

 

[GamecockFam]

I'm really interested in seeing how Dawn uses Ayla and Agot next year. They both have a lot of crossover in skills and are probably best suited to play the 3. With that said, they're both very versatile and could play 2-4. We'll have a huge need to have someone backup MiLaysia at the 2 next season, especially if Raven goes pro. MiLaysia will probably be the backup PG behind Maddie, and Tessa would probably play more 2 guard. With Paopao and Hall leaving, that leaves plenty of playtime at the 2/3 next season. I wouldn't be surprised is Coach Staley brings in a veteran PG or SG in the portal. But let's say that doesn't happen and Raven goes pro. I think we would be looking at the following depth chart:

PG: McDaniel, Fulwiley
SG: Fulwiley, T. Johnson
SF/W: T. Johnson, Makeer/McDowell
PF: Kitts, Dauda, Edwards
C/F: Edwards, Dauda, Tac

I left Watkins out, just because we'll have to wait and see how fast it takes her to return to her old self but she is definitely a wildcard on next year's team.

 

[triaddukefan]

Public Service Announcement..... The first 1,500 FAMS in attendance for the KY game get a free FAMs T-shirt. Someone pick one up for me...

 

[GoChips20]

Makeer’s commitment is a welcome surprise after what was shaping up to be an uncharacteristic miss in recruiting classes and makes me feel a lot better about the state of our team next year. We have some gaps to address still, but once again our roster should be as athletic as anyone’s in the country.