USC Gamecocks 2024-25 Season: Part Two

[GamecockFam]

We are going on a season and a half of the team getting loose with a lead.

Hazard of so many good players wanting to shine perhaps.

Fulwiley is determined to do it her way and it is what is with the resulting blocks and turnovers. She tends to come out ahead but she hasn't made much progress from last year, if any.

I know what you mean about Fulwiley but I thought she made much better decisions these past two games. It looks like she is progressing to me.

 

[TC22]

I think Fulwiley has also made a giant leap the past couple of games. You take the good with the bad with a player like her. There’s no doubt she makes a difference when she’s in the game. She’s trying to learn. Give the kid some grace. Against Bama she had 1 TO and O fouls, 16pts, 4 R, and a block in 21 minutes. That’s pretty solid. She also draws fouls and gets to the free throw line.

 

[Darwin]

I think Fulwiley has also made a giant leap the past couple of games. You take the good with the bad with a player like her. There’s no doubt she makes a difference when she’s in the game. She’s trying to learn. Give the kid some grace. Against Bama she had 1 TO and O fouls, 16pts, 4 R, and a block in 21 minutes. That’s pretty solid. She also draws fouls and gets to the free throw line.

She is also almost unguardable in the open floor and draws the attention of the defense at all times which helps her teammates tremendously.

 

[Tngamecock]

I’d add Notre Dame to that cream of the crop list.

I wouldn’t…. i’ve watched them play several times, and have a couple of similar opponents that we blew out and they played close. I’m just stating fact, we are still a cut above most teams.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I wouldn’t…. i’ve watched them play several times, and have a couple of similar opponents that we blew out and they played close. I’m just stating fact, we are still a cut above most teams.

They haven't been healthy. Not having Hannah Hidalgo is a major loss for them. Still, they haven't dropped a game since she went down.

Re the "cream of the crop" list: ND has a win over UConn (as does Southern Cal). We are likely to beat UConn when we face them in less than a month. Where would that leave UConn?

 

[Darwin]

They haven't been healthy. Not having Hannah Hidalgo is a major loss for them. Still, they haven't dropped a game since she went down.

Re the "cream of the crop" list: ND has a win over UConn (as does Southern Cal). We are likely to beat UConn when we face them in less than a month. Where would that leave UConn?

A #2 seed. Which is where they will be at year end due to SOS. They could win at SC, but win or lose they are prob locked at a 2 seed.

 

[WBBTakeover]

A #2 seed. Which is where they will be at year end due to SOS. They could win at SC, but win or lose they are prob locked at a 2 seed.

I agree, which means they aren't really a cream of the crop team.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Lay is truly something else!!!!!!!!!!

 

[visitingcock]

I agree, which means they aren't really a cream of the crop team.

They were a 3 seed last year. Sometimes a good chef ( and often wit UConn) gets the cream to rise at the end,

 

[USMC(ret)]

Thoughts on today’s game against Oklahoma:
1. I thought it was our most complete game of the year… not perfect, but really good. We came out hot and kept the pressure on. Read somewhere that the Sooners like a fast tempo… obviously not as much as us. Helped that the Sooners were cold from beyond the arc early.
2. Everybody on the roster played, and all except Maddie and Sakima scored. On most teams not named the Gamecocks, when your top scorers have to sit, it’s really difficult to replicate their offensive production. Not us… our bench gives no breaks.
3. Thought that the Sooners’ size in the paint might make life difficult, especially after Kitts had her first shot blocked. We adjusted, and were able to score in the paint.
4. Although a freshman, Edwards is our most skilled offensive big. She had some nice moves to score in the paint.
5. Lay once again had her own highlight reel, but also continued to demonstrate tendency to launch a three way to early in the possession. She is fun to watch, but has to play smarter.
5. Another solid game by Feagin… while I hate not having Watkins available, Feagin’s increased minutes has done wonders for her confidence.
6. We’re three games into our “gauntlet”, with three decisive wins. LSU’s next… they won today. Tennessee after that, and they lost to Vandy today. Only two games on our calendar make me nervous: LSU and UConn. I admire Geno and what he’s accomplished. Can’t stand Mulkey… I’d pull for the Taliban against her LSU team. YMMV. Forever to thee.

 

[GamecockFam]

@USMC(ret) playing at Texas will be another hard game. I wouldn't use the results from the prior game as a measuring stick for the next game at their place.

I think the biggest reason we have started looking like a national title team is because of the play from Edwards and Feagin. They both seemed to have had the light turn on and I don't expect them to regress. Fulwiley is getting better, Raven is no longer in a funk, and Dauda looks close to being another solid rotational player. This team looks like it's starting to come together and perform to the South Carolina standard!

 

[TC22]

Dawn understands MiLaysia so well. There’s a fine line to “controlling” a player like Lay. I’ll tell you, as a season ticket holder, she is must watch in person. But Dawn lets her leash on on Lay when she plays good D and she is playing great D right now.

LSU will be another contest but they’ve got outrebounded by Florida today. Really? Anyway, the game will be intense. Glad I have my tickets cuz it’s gonna be fun!

 

[Baller29]

Dawn understands MiLaysia so well. There’s a fine line to “controlling” a player like Lay. I’ll tell you, as a season ticket holder, she is must watch in person. But Dawn lets her leash on on Lay when she plays good D and she is playing great D right now.

LSU will be another contest but they’ve got outrebounded by Florida today. Really? Anyway, the game will be intense. Glad I have my tickets cuz it’s gonna be fun!

I don’t see anyone keeping within SC in conference play outside of Texas. Even then SC is a much better team


1. SC

2. Texas





Rest of conference


OU is a better team than LSU so I don’t think it’ll be remotely close this week

 

[visitingcock]

I don’t see anyone keeping within SC in conference play outside of Texas. Even then SC is a much better team


1. SC

2. Texas





Rest of conference


OU is a better team than LSU so I don’t think it’ll be remotely close this week

LSU has. Experience playing SC and playing them in CLA. Kim and her veterans won’t be as shell shocked by the crowd as Texas and Oklahoma were.

 

[Coburn]

LSU has. Experience playing SC and playing them in CLA. Kim and her veterans won’t be as shell shocked by the crowd as Texas and Oklahoma were.

imo LSU > Sooners. however, the only LSU players currently playing significant minutes that have played SC in the CLA are FJ, Sam Smith, & Wolfenbarger. Morrow & Williams were not on the LSU team two yrs ago that got smoked. curious to see how they perform early in front of a very hyped up crowd & BB atmosphere. SC‘s home court advantage for big games should not be underestimated. last year, a good UNC team played SC pretty much even in their gym during the regular season only to get absolutely destroyed in the CLA during the tournament.

last two home games against Texas & Oklahoma, SC jumped out early & the tone of the game was set by the end of the period. 1st quarter will probably tell the same tale again.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

I was thinking about teams that had this many hs AA. Unverified...maybe UCONN and ND. And most unlikely, division 2, Cheney State.

 

[GamecockFam]

I was thinking about teams that had this many hs AA. Unverified...maybe UCONN and ND. And most unlikely, division 2, Cheney State.

UCLA is another possibility. They have the top three ranked players from 2022 class (Betts, Rice, Barker) plus many other top 25 recruits from various classes.

UConn has three #1 overall recruits on its roster with Bueckers, Fudd and Strong -- which should be a merit unto itself.

 

[TC22]

UCLA is another possibility. They have the top three ranked players from 2022 class (Betts, Rice, Barker) plus many other top 25 recruits from various classes.

UConn has three #1 overall recruits on its roster with Bueckers, Fudd and Strong -- which should be a merit unto itself.

Hard to believe Dawn has only had 1 #1 recruit in her career - A’ja.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

The answer to has anyone ever is almost always: Yes, UConn.

I came into season thinking that LSU is on another tier from Oklahoma, and I'm not sure I have changed my mind.

I'd be surprised though if the LSU game went to wire at CLA.

It certainly seems as though Feagin and Edwards are turning the corner on comfort.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

The answer to has anyone ever is almost always: Yes, UConn.

I came into season thinking that LSU is on another tier from Oklahoma, and I'm not sure I have changed my mind.

I'd be surprised though if the LSU game went to wire at CLA.

It certainly seems as though Feagin and Edwards are turning the corner on comfort.

It's hard to tell, they really haven't played anyone.

 

[SCspur]

LSU has. Experience playing SC and playing them in CLA. Kim and her veterans won’t be as shell shocked by the crowd as Texas and Oklahoma were.

The only players on lsu roster that has played in the CLA before is Smith and Flau’jae. That’s when they lost by 24. I suspect they’ll be more level this time but the team as a whole will definitely feel the shock of that environment. Playing against 18,000, a 68 home game win streak, and the #2 team in the country will be tough for any team to overcome.

 

[Baller29]

The only players on lsu roster that has played in the CLA before is Smith and Flau’jae. That’s when they lost by 24. I suspect they’ll be more level this time but the team as a whole will definitely feel the shock of that environment. Playing against 18,000, a 68 home game win streak, and the #2 team in the country will be tough for any team to overcome.

And SaMyah has regressed pretty badly

Kitts, Feagin and Joyce could easily combine for 50-60 points alone

 

[WBBTakeover]

If LSU can keep the deficit under 20, they should consider that to be marginally successful. While they might be able to compete with us on the perimeter (maybe), they will be feeling the burn inside. They don't have an answer for our three-headed post monster. Also, I predict that Bree Hall will slow down one of those wings (probably Mikaylah) while Raven and Te-Hina take turns giving Flau'jae fits.

 

[Alydar]

I agree, which means they aren't really a cream of the crop team.

I think they will be by March. Seeding is earned for play during the entire season. Titles are won by the team playing the best right then. UConn is starting 2 freshmen and a transfer. They will be playing their best in March/April.

 

[WBBTakeover]

I think they will be by March. Seeding is earned for play during the entire season. Titles are won by the team playing the best right then. UConn is starting 2 freshmen and a transfer. They will be playing their best in March/April.

I agree with this. It's a long season for a reason!

 

[USMC(ret)]

The only players on lsu roster that has played in the CLA before is Smith and Flau’jae. That’s when they lost by 24. I suspect they’ll be more level this time but the team as a whole will definitely feel the shock of that environment. Playing against 18,000, a 68 home game win streak, and the #2 team in the country will be tough for any team to overcome.

Don’t underestimate Mulkey, one of the game’s elite coaches (her, Geno, and Dawn) and recruiters. No, LSU has played a weak schedule, but she knows that. She’ll have them ready. LSU can’t match our bench, and that means their starting five will play an average of 30+ minutes. We’re coming off a 41 point beatdown of a ranked team, and I am concerned we might be a little overconfident, but Dawn knows who’s she’s coaching against, and I trust the message at practice this week will have that in mind.

 

[packwrap]

And SaMyah has regressed pretty badly

Kitts, Feagin and Joyce could easily combine for 50-60 points alone

It's a rotation of Smith, Wolfenbarger and Morrow v. Kitts, Feagin and Joyce.

Mulkey has been dealing with tough matchups for a long time. I'm sure she will have some decent gameplan cooked up. Morrow will have to watch fouling.

I've been looking forward to this game forever.

 

[JDuro]

Had the pleasure of meeting Brenda Paul, former WBB HC at Miss St., Georgia State, and Elon, who happened to be sitting behind me at the OU game. Her words when we started talking about LSU, “They have no bench.”

 

[Baller29]

Had the pleasure of meeting Brenda Paul, former WBB HC at Miss St., Georgia State, and Elon, who happened to be sitting behind me at the OU game. Her words when we started talking about LSU, “They have no bench.”

They may have the worst bench of the entire SEC.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Don’t underestimate Mulkey, one of the game’s elite coaches (her, Geno, and Dawn) and recruiters. No, LSU has played a weak schedule, but she knows that. She’ll have them ready. LSU can’t match our bench, and that means their starting five will play an average of 30+ minutes. We’re coming off a 41 point beatdown of a ranked team, and I am concerned we might be a little overconfident, but Dawn knows who’s she’s coaching against, and I trust the message at practice this week will have that in mind.

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.