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.