USC Gamecocks - The Offseason 2025 | Page 8 | The Boneyard

USC Gamecocks - The Offseason 2025

WBBTakeover said:
He was talking about A'ja Wilson.
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What he was talking about is the lack of respect a player with a ring gets in Storrs. The statue for Wilson was mentioned to emphasize how much others in the country value any title and IMO it was a swipe at spoiled UConn fans. There wasn't a word of negativity directed at Wilson.
 
Alydar said:
What he was talking about is the lack of respect a player with a ring gets in Storrs. The statue for Wilson was mentioned to emphasize how much others in the country value any title and IMO it was a swipe at spoiled UConn fans. There wasn't a word of negativity directed at Wilson.
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That’s a perspective I doubt many have thought about and it does make sense. I didn’t think he said anything negative, nor do I think Dawn thought his comments were negative. She was just offering some clarity. :)
And Mr Duke fan - I missed out on the A’Ones this morning. I have until July to get the pink ones for my granddaughter, but I’m waiting on the white Pearls for myself.
 
Alydar said:
What he was talking about is the lack of respect a player with a ring gets in Storrs. The statue for Wilson was mentioned to emphasize how much others in the country value any title and IMO it was a swipe at spoiled UConn fans. There wasn't a word of negativity directed at Wilson.
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Two things can be true at once. He very well could've been directing his comments at spoiled UConn fans while also taking a clear swipe at A'ja and her accomplishments. Dawn (like many, many, many others) interpreted his comments as a swipe, and that's why she responded in the manner that she did. If she didn't detect any negativity or slight, she would've let it go. Instead, she felt the need to address it because, to her (and many, many, many others), it wasn't some innocent comment. He said BUILD A STATUE. He could've said THROW A PARADE and it wouldn't have been seen as a slight to anyone in particular. He knew what he was doing and Dawn peeped game.

Again, Dawn is highly protective of A'ja and isn't going to let anyone, even him, do or say anything that can be seen as denigrating A'ja or downplaying A'ja's tremendous accomplishments. All coaches should be that way about generational players.
 
WBBTakeover said:
Two things can be true at once. He very well could've been directing his comments at spoiled UConn fans while also taking a clear swipe at A'ja and her accomplishments. Dawn (like many, many, many others) interpreted his comments as a swipe, and that's why she responded in the manner that she did. If she didn't detect any negativity or slight, she would've let it go. Instead, she felt the need to address it because, to her (and many, many, many others), it wasn't some innocent comment. He said BUILD A STATUE. He could've said THROW A PARADE and it wouldn't have been seen as a slight to anyone in particular. He knew what he was doing and Dawn peeped game.

Again, Dawn is highly protective of A'ja and isn't going to let anyone, even him, do or say anything that can be seen as denigrating A'ja or downplaying A'ja's tremendous accomplishments. All coaches should be that way about generational players.
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You can't have it both ways. Winning a title is a huge accomplishemnt, whether or not there is a statue. If Geno was directing his comment at the spoiled UConn crowd standing in front of him (my opinion), then there was no swipe. He has said many many times over the years that winning any title is huge. I think Dawn was still smiting over the loss and was looking for a reason to emote and found one. She heard it as him saying that winning a title isn't worthy of a statue. There are those who agree that it isn't, but Geno isn't one of them. Over the years Dawn has had a thin skin IMO. I think she's a great coach.

I also blame the media. They are always looking for non-basketball issues to blow out of proportion.
 
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Alydar said:
You can't have it both ways. Winning a title is a huge accomplishemnt, whether or not there is a statue. If Geno was directing his comment at the spoiled UConn crowd standing in front of him (my opinion), then there was no swipe. He has said many many times over the years that winning any title is huge. I think Dawn was still smiting over the loss and was looking for a reason to emote and found one. She heard it as him saying that winning a title isn't worthy of a statue. There are those who agree that it isn't, but Geno isn't one of them. Over the years Dawn has had a thin skin IMO. I think she's a great coach.

I also blame the media. They are always looking for non-basketball issues to blow out of proportion.
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You're all over the place here.

While Dawn may still be somewhat bothered by the loss (as he should've in 2022 when his girls got steamrolled by the Freshies), I don't believe that she was "looking for a reason to emote". He gave her a reason to be upset when he tried to reduce her generational player's accomplishments in the manner that he did (erecting a statue for a single NCAA title win). The statue wasn't erected because A'ja Wilson won a single NCAA title. Are you kidding me? Aliyah won a title. Where's her statue? Kamilla won TWO. Does she get two statues? How about Bree Hall, Sania Feagin, and Raven Johnson?

The people want answers!

So again--he took a swipe at a player (and her IMMENSE impact on the game) without taking into consideration the symbolism behind the statue being erected. And yes, Dawn had every right to fire back. A'ja's legacy and impact go well beyond a single NCAA title, and Dawn wasn't going to let that little snarky comment go without addressing it. If he wants to take pot shots at Dawn Michelle Staley, then I'm sure she's fine with it. His team won, so he gets to crow until the next loss. It is what it is. Dawn can take it. She's a Philly girl, so she's built for that. But he's not going to take shots at A'ja without her going into Mama Bear mode and handling it--and I FULLY applaud her for doing so.

You can blame the media all you'd like. But they didn't make him say what he did. And what he said was not misconstrued or taken out of context. He said what he said--and that's why Dawn reacted and said what SHE said. Period.
 
GamecockFam said:
...all over your Duke gear? So you have an excuse to replace it with some Gamecock gear?
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no.gif


I'd rather wrestle a ill-tempered porcupine.
 
WBBTakeover said:
You're all over the place here.

While Dawn may still be somewhat bothered by the loss (as he should've in 2022 when his girls got steamrolled by the Freshies), I don't believe that she was "looking for a reason to emote". He gave her a reason to be upset when he tried to reduce her generational player's accomplishments in the manner that he did (erecting a statue for a single NCAA title win). The statue wasn't erected because A'ja Wilson won a single NCAA title. Are you kidding me? Aliyah won a title. Where's her statue? Kamilla won TWO. Does she get two statues? How about Bree Hall, Sania Feagin, and Raven Johnson?

The people want answers!

So again--he took a swipe at a player (and her IMMENSE impact on the game) without taking into consideration the symbolism behind the statue being erected. And yes, Dawn had every right to fire back. A'ja's legacy and impact go well beyond a single NCAA title, and Dawn wasn't going to let that little snarky comment go without addressing it. If he wants to take pot shots at Dawn Michelle Staley, then I'm sure she's fine with it. His team won, so he gets to crow until the next loss. It is what it is. Dawn can take it. She's a Philly girl, so she's built for that. But he's not going to take shots at A'ja without her going into Mama Bear mode and handling it--and I FULLY applaud her for doing so.

You can blame the media all you'd like. But they didn't make him say what he did. And what he said was not misconstrued or taken out of context. He said what he said--and that's why Dawn reacted and said what SHE said. Period.
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I don't think he was taking a swipe at the player...........he was commenting how at other programs winning a championship is considered an incredible achievement and in South Carolina's case, the player that led them to that NC was celebrated with a statue......just not the way it's been done at UConn where NC's are celebrated with a banner and the players just join a very long list of past NC winners...
 
Alydar said:
Wilson never beat UConn. 0-4.

Geno said that she won a title and they built a statue of her. In what way is that a swipe at her? He went on to say that winning a title isn't as big a deal at UConn and that is also true. Dawn and many SCar fans chose to interpret what was an innocuous statement as derogatory. You want to believe that Geno insulted Aja so you twist what he said to allow you to get angry because the Gamecocks got humiliated both at home and in the title game. That is also true. In fact it was the truth of what Geno said that bothers you. Sometimes the truth hurts.

What Geno said about winning a title at UConn is true just like saying that another major championship wouldn't be as big a deal to Tiger Woods as it would be to a player who never won one.

Personally I wouldn't want a statue of me because I know what birds use them for.
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Geno historically has always taken swipes at other programs. He doesn't have to....he chooses to. He's the GOAT and I have often wondered what he would go that route. Seem totally unnecessary.
 
This is not meant as a criticism of all or even most who frequent the general board, but it seems pretty clear there is a small segment of UConn fans who have been chomping at the bit for a chance to troll South Carolina. There are a couple who have been posting in the Carolina threads since that thumping in Columbia for no reason other than provocation.

I take it as a compliment. I didn't think Geno would win another title either.
 
So, is S Carolina done with the portal for now? How does the current roster shake out?
 
jumpstart said:
Geno historically has always taken swipes at other programs. He doesn't have to....he chooses to. He's the GOAT and I have often wondered what he would go that route. Seem totally unnecessary.
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Three undisputed facts:
1. With 12 national championships, Geno is the GOAT… and he’ll try to get #13 next season. No one else is even close.
2. UConn boatraced us ( Gamecock alum here) twice last year, and own bragging rights until we can beat them.
3. If there’s anything that chaps Geno’s posterior, it’s not statues… it’s having to play second fiddle to the men’s program at UConn, which while very successful, can’t match the 12 titles his program has. Dawn, on the other hand, doesn’t have that problem, but does have to accept football as the most popular sport on campus.
 
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BRS24 said:
So, is S Carolina done with the portal for now? How does the current roster shake out?
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I believe Gamecocks are good with what they have in the frontcourt.

As for the backcourt, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dawn was looking at a vet to fill Fulwiley’s spot in the rotation. She could also go into next season with the six on hand and spread out Fulwiley’s minutes among them and have a situation where McDowell and/or Makeer are playing impactful minutes as freshman. Also, who is exactly out there still in the portal is talented to fill that back up #2 spot (and I’m not talking about replacing Milaysia’s talent or production)?

I believe the two freshman are good enough that they could be effective providing 10-15 min or so in the guard/wing rotation.


Here is @GamecockFam’s projected depth chart, posted one page over, showing the current roster:

1: R. Johnson, McDaniel
2: Latson, Makeer
3: T. Johnson, McDowell
4: Kitts, Edwards, (Watkins)
5: Dauda, Okot, Tac
 
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BRS24 said:
So, is S Carolina done with the portal for now? How does the current roster shake out?
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I’m guessing they’re done. Not many if any impact recruits left. 12 isn’t a bad number but injuries could happen so they may be looking to add one more. We’ll see.

PG- R. Johnson, M. McDaniel
SG/CG- T. Latson, A. Makeer
SF/W- T. Johnson, A. McDowell
PF- C. Kitts, J. Edwards, A. Watkins(injured)
C- M. Okot, M. Dauda, A. Tac

Nice depth and at least two deep at every position bodes well. I think the two freshmen will be big time impact players. Both bring key intangibles and have superior size at their positions so it’ll be exciting to watch. IMO they have the potential as a team to be better than this past season so that’s a good thing.
 
SCspur said:
I’m guessing they’re done. Not many if any impact recruits left. 12 isn’t a bad number but injuries could happen so they may be looking to add one more. We’ll see.

PG- R. Johnson, M. McDaniel
SG/CG- T. Latson, A. Makeer
SF/W- T. Johnson, A. McDowell
PF- C. Kitts, J. Edwards, A. Watkins(injured)
C- M. Okot, M. Dauda, A. Tac

Nice depth and at least two deep at every position bodes well. I think the two freshmen will be big time impact players. Both bring key intangibles and have superior size at their positions so it’ll be exciting to watch. IMO they have the potential as a team to be better than this past season so that’s a good thing.
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Will Watkins play this year?

If she takes the usual year to rehab, she could come back shortly after New Year’s day - but should she? She is not a skill player. She is arguably the best athlete in the game and it is questionable as to when ( and if) her full level of athleticism will return.

Might it be better for her to sit out 2026 and return for a full 26/27 season? For her? For the team? What if she’s not ready by February?

I’m only gonna consider is ass having an 11 player roster for now
 
visitingcock said:
Will Watkins play this year?

If she takes the usual year to rehab, she could come back shortly after New Year’s day - but should she? She is not a skill player. She is arguably the best athlete in the game and it is questionable as to when ( and if) her full level of athleticism will return.

Might it be better for her to sit out 2026 and return for a full 26/27 season? For her? For the team? What if she’s not ready by February?

I’m only gonna consider is ass having an 11 player roster for now
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Good question. If you look at Paige, Azzi, and Aubrey, each had different paths. Paige had surgery in August ish and didn't play in the following summer Euro trip, and then started in November. Azzi had her surgery in the fall, and played "teens" minutes in the following November. Aubrey played 14 games a year ago, got hurt in Jan (I think), and played teens minutes this past January, and the eye test showed that she wasn't 100%. Rori Harmon got hurt 12 games in during 23-24, and came back approximately 11 months later. IMHO, Rori still looked like she needed more recovery time.

Olivia Miles got hurt in Feb 2023, and did not play until the 24-25 season, however her injury may have been more complex, or one year rehab just wasn't enough/worth it for her to return. Similar to Rori, Ashlyn played 14 games before getting hurt in January, so my guess is that she wouldn't be back before the second semester. And, all of this is contingent on how she's responding to rehab.
 
I believe they are short a guard, but may just roll with the freshmen.

Not sure that there is a lot left to choose from.
 
JstVisiting said:
This is not meant as a criticism of all or even most who frequent the general board, but it seems pretty clear there is a small segment of UConn fans who have been chomping at the bit for a chance to troll South Carolina. There are a couple who have been posting in the Carolina threads since that thumping in Columbia for no reason other than provocation.

I take it as a compliment. I didn't think Geno would win another title either.
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Click "report"
 
visitingcock said:
Will Watkins play this year?

If she takes the usual year to rehab, she could come back shortly after New Year’s day - but should she? She is not a skill player. She is arguably the best athlete in the game and it is questionable as to when ( and if) her full level of athleticism will return.

Might it be better for her to sit out 2026 and return for a full 26/27 season? For her? For the team? What if she’s not ready by February?

I’m only gonna consider is ass having an 11 player roster for now
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Possible but not likely.
 
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