USC Gamecocks - The Offseason 2025 | Page 13 | The Boneyard

USC Gamecocks - The Offseason 2025

oldude said:
What an oddly dismissive remark about Watkins.
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I'm sure it was only intended to cast shade on UConn. But it sure did sound dismissive of Ashlyn. I'm trying to hear it in the most positive light.
 
Bone Dog said:
I'm sure it was only intended to cast shade on UConn. But it sure did sound dismissive of Ashlyn. I'm trying to hear it in the most positive light.
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You’re probably correct. I guess I can’t imagine ever saying something like that about a UConn player, Ayanna for instance.
 
Watkins wants a full season and not a few games at the end of next year to prove her worth (I would argue she has already proved her worth). That is not unusual as Fudd and Paige did the same thing, as have others. It's a "take a chance she has recovered" with a short season....or...remove all doubt to the WNBA with a full season. It's a smart move on her part and she will be a Gamecock for sure.
 
jumpstart said:
Watkins wants a full season and not a few games at the end of next year to prove her worth (I would argue she has already proved her worth). That is not unusual as Fudd and Paige did the same thing, as have others. It's a "take a chance she has recovered" with a short season....or...remove all doubt to the WNBA with a full season. It's a smart move on her part and she will be a Gamecock for sure.
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That is my sentiment as well. You stated it so much more eloquently.
 
jumpstart said:
Watkins wants a full season and not a few games at the end of next year to prove her worth (I would argue she has already proved her worth). That is not unusual as Fudd and Paige did the same thing, as have others. It's a "take a chance she has recovered" with a short season....or...remove all doubt to the WNBA with a full season. It's a smart move on her part and she will be a Gamecock for sure.
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Interesting take. Technically, Watkins would have been draft eligible this season, as she turns 22 in October. Obviously, she will be draft eligible again next season and the season after that.

In the case of both Azzi and Paige, while they both will end up hanging around for an extra season, they were back on the court as soon as they were healthy and able to play. In Watkins case, staying around for a full season rather than coming back for a stretch run next year seems to make sense.

The “other Watkins” on the west coast will have a similar dilemma as to whether she comes back to finish the season at USC next year or waits until the following season to come back. In her case, JuJu will not be draft eligible until 2027 when she turns 22, and she has previously made some noise about undergrad eligibility for the WNBA draft, so it would not surprise me to see her on the court to finish next season and complete her eligibility in 2027.
 
oldude said:
Interesting take. Technically, Watkins would have been draft eligible this season, as she turns 22 in October. Obviously, she will be draft eligible again next season and the season after that.

In the case of both Azzi and Paige, while they both will end up hanging around for an extra season, they were back on the court as soon as they were healthy and able to play. In Watkins case, staying around for a full season rather than coming back for a stretch run next year seems to make sense.

The “other Watkins” on the west coast will have a similar dilemma as to whether she comes back to finish the season at USC next year or waits until the following season to come back. In her case, JuJu will not be draft eligible until 2027 when she turns 22, and she has previously made some noise about undergrad eligibility for the WNBA draft, so it would not surprise me to see her on the court to finish next season and complete her eligibility in 2027.
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Her injury occurred on Mar. 25 and her surgery wasn't until at least Apr. 1, maybe later. I doubt that she'll get cleared for full contact until around that date. With her career potential being so high, I believe her return will be on that conservative side like Buecker's and Fudd's rehabs were handled. Plus I don't think she would be rushed back for a non-title contending team.
 
BobbyJ said:
Her injury occurred on Mar. 25 and her surgery wasn't until at least Apr. 1, maybe later. I doubt that she'll get cleared for full contact until around that date. With her career potential being so high, I believe her return will be on that conservative side like Buecker's and Fudd's rehabs were handled. Plus I don't think she would be rushed back for a non-title contending team.
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Just an observation: like Paige and Azzi’s second rehabs were handled. For each of them, I think it’s not unreasonable to think they returned too early after their initial sophomore injuries.
 
Bone Dog said:
Just an observation: like Paige and Azzi’s second rehabs were handled. For each of them, I think it’s not unreasonable to think they returned too early after their initial sophomore injuries.
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I agree.

Furthermore, Azzi and Paige are solid athletes who possess tremendous skills. Rather conversely , Ashlyn is a tremendous athlete whose skill level could use a bit of improvement. If she comes back too early, her athleticism could put even more strain on the knee. If she waits, she can continue to rehab white working on skills such as free throws and perimeter shooting during the extended rehab period
 
Bone Dog said:
Just an observation: like Paige and Azzi’s second rehabs were handled. For each of them, I think it’s not unreasonable to think they returned too early after their initial sophomore injuries.
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Correct because ACL tears require a different type of rehab and longer, more predictable time frame. On the other two, Bueckers was probably a step slower from recovery but didn’t re-injure and Fudd’s re-injury was an odd, slight hyper extension from contact. However both had passed their strength testing before returning.
 
oldude said:
...

To be honest, as a UConn fan, Watkins was the player I feared most on SC’s roster. IMO, she would have been the best rebounder and paint defender on the Gamecock’s roster next season had she returned and was healthy.

As a fan of WBB, I sincerely hope that Watkins gets back on the court, either with SC or somewhere else where she can reach her potential, both as a basketball player and a young woman.
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A healthy Watkins is likely the best defensive matchup for Sarah Strong in the country. Terrible luck to lose her for 2025 and 2026.
 
oldude said:
The “other Watkins” on the west coast will have a similar dilemma as to whether she comes back to finish the season at USC next year or waits until the following season to come back. In her case, JuJu will not be draft eligible until 2027 when she turns 22, and she has previously made some noise about undergrad eligibility for the WNBA draft, so it would not surprise me to see her on the court to finish next season and complete her eligibility in 2027.
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Southern Cal Watkins would be crazy to play a single minute next year. Not saying it won't happen, but it would be a big mistake.
 
triaddukefan said:
Big Carolina vs Little C





I know it's just an exhibition, but if y'all don't dogwalk Big Carolina, then there will be hell to pay :mad:
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Darned big arena (expensive) for an exhibition game. Have they changed the rules about charging for admission to exhibition games?
 
What's going on down below the state line. .
:eek:. As much as I hate wasps.... I'll probably be cancelling any trips to SC anytime soon :eek:



visitingcock said:
Darned big arena (expensive) for an exhibition game. Have they changed the rules about charging for admission to exhibition games?
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Atlanta is a odd location for that matchup
 
triaddukefan said:
What's going on down below the state line. .
:eek:. As much as I hate wasps.... I'll probably be cancelling any trips to SC anytime soon :eek:





Atlanta is a odd location for that matchup
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That is where I work (technically I telework from home). I work in IT so I don't have much more info than you, except I know that guy being quoted has a vendetta against the site and is having his 5 minutes of fame trying to stir the pot. The original report states that the wasps were killed too but somehow that didn't make the news reports...

FYI we have a USFS station and independent ecology lab on the site which monitors for abnormal signs of radioactive activity in the surrounding wildlife and nature. From my experience in IT I can tell you the amount of data generated from monitoring and sampling on the site is insane.
 
GamecockFam said:
I cannot tell you how much I want her in the garnet and black! She has such a unique blend of strength, size and athleticism that we haven't had since A'ja.
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Wrong in part. Ashlynn has that blend of strength, size and athleticism.

It is Oliviyah’s skill set shooting midrange and out that separates her from Ashlynn. ( although Ashlyn’s midrange had improved a bunch by the end of her second year )
 
visitingcock said:
Wrong in part. Ashlynn has that blend of strength, size and athleticism.

It is Oliviyah’s skill set shooting midrange and out that separates her from Ashlynn. ( although Ashlyn’s midrange had improved a bunch by the end of her second year )
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Honestly Ashlynn is another great comparison since both are super athletic and can dunk.

When I was talking size, I was talking about muscularity/thickness in addition to height and reach. Ash doesn't fit that profile -- she is all lean muscle. She can be bullied under the basket by thicker true centers. Oliviyah looks like she can pack on the pounds without losing her athleticism, much like a Fran Belibi. As you stated, she has the early signs of developing a fantastic mid-range shot, like A'ja, yet she also looks like she could play with her back to the basket like a Boston and defend smaller guards on the perimeter like Wilson/Watkins.

Honestly Oliviyah has all the physical tools of forwards that win WNBA MVP and if her skills/smarts can catch up to her body, everyone better watch out.
 
GamecockFam said:
When I was talking size, I was talking about muscularity/thickness in addition to height and reach. Ash doesn't fit that profile -- she is all lean muscle. She can be bullied under the basket by thicker true centers. Oliviyah looks like she can pack on the pounds without losing her athleticism,
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As I was reading this, I almost thought you were describing Lauren Ebo. But in the videos I've seen of her she looks exactly like Ashlyn. She might be a better outside shooter, though this is only against high school opponents. What gives me pause about the glowing scouting reports is that they usually say something to the effect that she is the best athlete, or the most athletic player on the court. This looks to be true -- don't get me wrong -- but it also suggests that she may look rather different against D1 competition. Her athleticism won't be the same sort of advantage there. Of course, this only means she'll likely need a season to "level up." And Dawn is just the right coach to help with this.
 
GamecockFam said:
I cannot tell you how much I want her in the garnet and black! She has such a unique blend of strength, size and athleticism that we haven't had since A'ja.
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I’m going to be annoyed when she also decides to go to Southern Cal.

Yes, I’m still salty over the Hall commitment. Lol
 
triaddukefan said:
What's going on down below the state line. .
:eek:. As much as I hate wasps.... I'll probably be cancelling any trips to SC anytime soon :eek:





Atlanta is a odd location for that matchup
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This is just a way to create a "Waspman" to counter Spiderman. South Carolina crime fighting version of a superhero.
 
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