USC Gamecocks - The Offseason 2025

[Gamecockfan77]

Sometimes, about twice a year, a mustard base BBQ sandwich is the best thing you can imagine eating, but always will be partial to a good vinegar sauce.

Granted I've had some bad ones. The variance is higher than with mustard I tend to say commercially.

But I'll contend that a good bbq reataraunt gets it done on the sides and maybe the fried chicken.

Now, Sweatman's makes a mean rib too.

 

[cancontent]

This thread swerve came at the right time. Meeting up with friends this weekend who have a passion for using smokers for cooking meat for our tailgates during football season. Taking notes to get their thoughts on this topic.

 

[Conway]

Scott’s Barbecue in Hemingway, SC is the best pulled pork vinegar based bbq I have ever had. I have tried most notable places in SC, and many places in several southern states.

 

[JDuro]

 

[BRS24]

Wow. Wish her well.

 

[cancontent]

Wow. Wish her well.

Agreed, but it's probably for the best. Wishing her well too.

 

[Stagnant]

Played her last game for South Carolina? What do you think?

 

[triaddukefan]

Scott’s Barbecue in Hemingway, SC is the best pulled pork vinegar based bbq I have ever had. I have tried most notable places in SC, and many places in several southern states.

Its been my plan for years to check that place out. I will before the end of 2026.

 

[USMC(ret)]

Played her last game for South Carolina? What do you think?

I think so. I won’t speculate as to why, but she has been through some major events in the past year or so… arrested and charges dropped; major knee injury, costing her most of the season; watching from the bench as the team wins the SEC championships and loses in the national championship game.

Has the team moved on without her? Dawn doesn’t discard players like used tissue. Players have personal lives, just like us. Sometimes life gets in the way of your dreams. Wishing her the best, however it turns out.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

i would imagine she's just redshirting rather than transferring.

Makes more sense for her recovery and depth charts.

But I guess she could transfer.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Played her last game for South Carolina? What do you think?

Hard to say so early in the process, but I'm leaning towards "no". It sounds like she's wanting to see more elucidation of the depth chart before committing to anything further. Rushing back to have a shot at entering the 2026 draft was never going to be a wise move (it's also something that she hasn't ever fully committed to), so I'm glad to see she's exercising a more mature option.

 

[Conway]

Its been my plan for years to check that place out. I will before the end of 2026.

When you see the building you may have second thoughts, but the pulled pork is great. This is where Rodney Scott got his start. Rodney's BBQ is very good, but his business has gotten so large and at many locations that some of the quality has been lost. Depending on when you go expect a long line.

 

[Vowelguy]

What's this mean for SC's lineup? Down to 11 players I believe.

Starters: Raven + Latson + Tessa + Kitts + Edwards?
Top subs: Okot (TR from MsSt), Makeer (#6 HG), McDowell (#15 HG), McDaniel (Soph)?
Dauda, Tac didnt get a lot of minutes last year, so not sure of their capabilities

Roster is very big, so maybe Okot starts over Tessa?

 

[oldude]

Watkins decision comes out of the blue and it could be for any number of reasons: physical recovery, mental health, academics, etc. What is clear is that SC will be without a key frontcourt player next season.

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.

 

[Basingstoke]

As a UCONN fan, I'm truly sorry for SCar fans that Watkins won't be able to contribute to a potentially great team this season. Wishing her a complete recovery and a successful return in the 2026-27 season.
On the other hand, I wouldn't necessarily dismiss the impact of their front court this season: I believe that Okot will be a major contributor on defense and on the boards.

 

[oldude]

As a UCONN fan, I'm truly sorry for SCar fans that Watkins won't be able to contribute to a potentially great team this season. Wishing her a complete recovery and a successful return in the 2026-27 season.
On the other hand, I wouldn't necessarily dismiss the impact of their front court this season: I believe that Okot will be a major contributor on defense and on the boards.

Okot is a big body who can bang in the paint, to be sure. But she’s not the athlete that Watkins is. Watkins can shut down the lane defensively and roam far and wide for rebounds.

 

[TC22]

I don’t know what it means for Ashlyn. Maybe she wasn’t going to get cleared to play until January so decided to redshirt. She’s in a terrific system to excel and show her talent and I’ve not heard of any issues within the team. She’s also not one to like the spotlight at all. She’s a great student, but she has had a lot going on in the year. Hopefully she just decided to take her time and will be back next year.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Watkins decision comes out of the blue and it could be for any number of reasons: physical recovery, mental health, academics, etc. What is clear is that SC will be without a key frontcourt player next season.

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.

Well it works out great for you, I guess, that you were most scared of our injured, back-up forward.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

What's this mean for SC's lineup? Down to 11 players I believe.

Starters: Raven + Latson + Tessa + Kitts + Edwards?
Top subs: Okot (TR from MsSt), Makeer (#6 HG), McDowell (#15 HG), McDaniel (Soph)?
Dauda, Tac didnt get a lot of minutes last year, so not sure of their capabilities

Roster is very big, so maybe Okot starts over Tessa?

I don't think it affects the starting lineup as she wasn't likely to start.

Your interior rotation is now what it was last year plus Okot instead of Feagin.

we have some sense of what Okot can do though the standards to get minutes are probably higher at SC so not sure her SeC line is quite guaranteed.

I do think that Edwards, Dauda, Kitts and Tac ought to all be a little to a lot better.

The thinness in the roster is in the backcourt, I think.

But basketball teams don't need to play 11 players to begin with so I do not see the depth as particularly concerning overall.

 

[oldhusky]

What's this mean for SC's lineup? Down to 11 players I believe.

Starters: Raven + Latson + Tessa + Kitts + Edwards?
Top subs: Okot (TR from MsSt), Makeer (#6 HG), McDowell (#15 HG), McDaniel (Soph)?
Dauda, Tac didnt get a lot of minutes last year, so not sure of their capabilities

Roster is very big, so maybe Okot starts over Tessa?

I look at that projected lineup and feel they are fine if they are healthy. Five very good starters and a top big, wing, and guard off the bench. Very good top 8, and maybe 9 or more if McDowell is the real deal and Dauda and Tac improve.

Only 11 players is cutting it a little thin if they have a few serious injuries. The backcourt appears to be particularly vulnerable if Johnson or Latson missed significant time.

 

[Bone Dog]

I'm very sorry to hear this. Ashlyn is a great talent, very gifted, and if she needs time off it means she's struggling with something. I wish her the best and a swift return to the game she clearly loves.

This is obviously a blow to the team, but they are deep with talent and will still be top contenders for an NC. My guess is the same as @Vowelguy's about the starters: Raven Latson Tessa Kitts Edwards. Once again they won't be as strong on the boards as past teams have been, and this hurt them a bit last season. But they'll have even more offensive fire power than last season with Latson, and Joyce after a sophomore leap should really be something. They don't lose anything replacing PaoPao with Latson. And it is likely to mean more quality minutes for Okot and the freshmen, which is sure to be good.

I have a feeling this entire season will feel like more of a journey than a juggernaut and may be much more satisfying to watch.

 

[GamecockFam]

Played her last game for South Carolina? What do you think?

Per her mom on Facebook "Don't worry about my daughter leaving the Gamecocks fams she absolutely loves Dawn and her teammates"

My assumption is that she made an early decision to not come back mid-to-late season and use up her last year of eligibility while getting back into game shape as a rotational player off the bench. I assume she decided that she would rather play a full season, hopefully as a starter, prior to moving to the pros.

 

[oldude]

Well it works out great for you, I guess, that you were most scared of our injured, back-up forward.

What an oddly dismissive remark about Watkins. For the record, 2 seasons ago as a freshman, Watkins played 29 minutes against UConn, shooting 7/12, with 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks & 2 steals. IMO, she was the biggest single difference maker in the Gamecocks beat down of the Huskies.

If Watkins was healthy and ready to play this coming season, she would have had a major impact for SC.

 

[Bone Dog]

What an oddly dismissive remark about Watkins.

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.

 

[oldude]

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.

You’re probably correct. I guess I can’t imagine ever saying something like that about a UConn player, Ayanna for instance.