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

USC Gamecocks - The Offseason 2025

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Gamecockfan77 said:
Need Raven to get to respectable three point shooting levels. I’m not real confident of that.

I think we’ll get a much better version of Dauda.

Would like to see Edwards expand a bit.

Shorter, but not short, bench should help some players. The rotation isn’t nearly as stressful except at forward.
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LSU looked even shorter and so does Texas so it may not be as big of a deal as years past. Depth over size !!
 
WFFL said:
LSU looked even shorter and so does Texas so it may not be as big of a deal as years past. Depth over size !!
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I think I was confusing in trying to make a very small joke.

South Carolina will have a smaller number of players available, but this year's team will be anything but short of stature.

It's a very large team.

I think the shorter rotation is probably a good thing overall, but it raises anxiety about a year from now.
 
Gamecockfan77 said:
I think I was confusing in trying to make a very small joke.

South Carolina will have a smaller number of players available, but this year's team will be anything but short of stature.

It's a very large team.

I think the shorter rotation is probably a good thing overall, but it raises anxiety about a year from now.
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Watching LSU practice Koval will be the main problem down low but shes not that quick i def think she averages close to a double double for them but they wont own the paint as normal kim mulkey teams do. The SEC should be very interesting this year as i still do not see a clear cut favorite out of LSU , SC & Tenn atm. Texas has some work to do which im sure Vic will correct and i have yet to see OU.
 
WFFL said:
Watching LSU practice Koval will be the main problem down low but shes not that quick i def think she averages close to a double double for them but they wont own the paint as normal kim mulkey teams do. The SEC should be very interesting this year as i still do not see a clear cut favorite out of LSU , SC & Tenn atm. Texas has some work to do which im sure Vic will correct and i have yet to see OU.
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I think the majority of people are underestimating Tennessee. Not saying you are.

The SEC is going to be a war this year.
 
SCGamecock said:
I think the majority of people are underestimating Tennessee. Not saying you are.

The SEC is going to be a war this year.
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Oh ya i definitely am not . I honestly think they may end up the best team in the SEC by seasons end. Very deep and very talented , can they guard the post is always the question .
 
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Was looking at a few things on Her Hoops trying to visualize the SCar team and noticed a fair amount of counterintuitive stuff and some that made sense.

First, the defensive efficiency stats indicate that Tessa Johnson and Bree Hall were pretty interchangeable while Tessa even in something of a sophomore slump season remained the better offensive player.

It was not a major surprise to me that Fulwiley rated at the bottom of the team in offensive rating along with Raven but she was near the top in defense.

Latson's numbers on FSU would indicate a large offensive upgrade but her defense would rank at the very bottom of SCar's roster (though it's about 10% better than average).

Okot and Feagin are fair facsimiles of each other.

McDaniel really grades out well as an offensive player and wasn't bad on defense, but it's very clear how much Raven picking up her offense would help the team.

Edwards had a really nice debut and got better as season went on. Her ceiling will go along way towards determining the future at SCar. I'm probably a little too low on her.
 
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Gamecockfan77 said:
Was looking at a few things on Her Hoops trying to visualize the SCar team and noticed a fair amount of counterintuitive stuff and done that made sense.

First, the defensive efficiency stats indicate the Tessa Johnson and Bree Hall were pretty interchangeable while Tessa even in something of a sophomore slump season remained the better offensive player.

It was not a major surprise to me that Fulwiley rated at the bottom of the team in offensive rating along with Raven but was near the top in defense.

Latson's numbers on FSU would indicate a large offensive upgrade but her defense would rank at the very bottom of SCar (though it's about 10% better than average).

Okot and Feagin are fair facsimiles of each other.

MCDaniel really grades out well as an offensive player and wasn't bad on defense, but it's very clear how much Raven picking up her offense would help the team.

Edwards has a really nice debut and got better as season went on.
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I’ve long been impressed by Tessa, ever since her high school years. I’m surprised by the defensive numbers, if only because Bree seems to be a bit bigger and more physical presence, and Dawn knows how to work with those types. Absolutely agree about Tessa’s offensive potential.

I am also not surprised by Milaysia’s offensive numbers, even though she can be dazzling at times. I am intrigued (and frankly amused) by Kim’s expectation that she can make her into a PG. I just can’t see Milaysia running a multifaceted offense. All in all, I think swapping her out for Latson is a net gain for Dawn.

I’m sad to say it but I think Raven’s decision to stay one more season was a mistake both for her and for the team. It’s not that she isn’t a really good PG and a good leader. She is both. But it may just be time to give Maddy the starting PG job. Raven is not likely to gain much by staying and Dawn’s offense may well begin to stagnate.
 
Gamecockfan77 said:
Was looking at a few things on Her Hoops trying to visualize the SCar team and noticed a fair amount of counterintuitive stuff and some that made sense.

First, the defensive efficiency stats indicate that Tessa Johnson and Bree Hall were pretty interchangeable while Tessa even in something of a sophomore slump season remained the better offensive player.

It was not a major surprise to me that Fulwiley rated at the bottom of the team in offensive rating along with Raven but she was near the top in defense.

Latson's numbers on FSU would indicate a large offensive upgrade but her defense would rank at the very bottom of SCar's roster (though it's about 10% better than average).

Okot and Feagin are fair facsimiles of each other.

McDaniel really grades out well as an offensive player and wasn't bad on defense, but it's very clear how much Raven picking up her offense would help the team.

Edwards had a really nice debut and got better as season went on. Her ceiling will go along way towards determining the future at SCar. I'm probably a little too low on her.
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I’m a little low on Edwards too and I can’t really say why.
 
GoChips20 said:
I’m a little low on Edwards too and I can’t really say why.
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I know what you mean. Joyce is a tremendous talent but Dawn seems to have hidden her light under a bushel last season. Joyce came off the bench even after Ashlyn’s injury left Dawn with a depleted front court. I’d have expected Joyce to start for most of the season, if not all of it. I like Chloe’s game a lot, but starting her and Saniya together just looked like an odd decision and put Chloe in an odd situation in the games against teams with athletic front courts.

But who am I to second guess Dawn who’s one of the greatest coaches? Last season seems like a strange outlier to me. I mean, after years of having the most athletic teams in D1, she was left with a smaller frontcourt. And yet Dawn built a dominant team and was a clear favorite to get to the Final Four and even the NC game all season. This season, will she be able to start Joyce and Okot together, maybe with Chloe at the wing and Dauda coming off the bench? That would start to resemble the teams I remember.
 
Bone Dog said:
I know what you mean. Joyce is a tremendous talent but Dawn seems to have hidden her light under a bushel last season. Joyce came off the bench even after Ashlyn’s injury left Dawn with a depleted front court. I’d have expected Joyce to start for most of the season, if not all of it. I like Chloe’s game a lot, but starting her and Saniya together just looked like an odd decision and put Chloe in an odd situation in the games against teams with athletic front courts.

But who am I to second guess Dawn who’s one of the greatest coaches? Last season seems like a strange outlier to me. I mean, after years of having the most athletic teams in D1, she was left with a smaller frontcourt. And yet Dawn built a dominant team and was a clear favorite to get to the Final Four and even the NC game all season. This season, will she be able to start Joyce and Okot together, maybe with Chloe at the wing and Dauda coming off the bench? That would start to resemble the teams I remember.
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Dawn’s teams typically overwhelm opponents with defense and relentless rebounding, which works very well in the SEC, the most physical conference in WBB. The Gamecocks do not typically spread the floor and beat opponents with exceptional ball movement and shooting.

Joyce, Chloe, Okot & Dauda are all primarily interior players. While SC has some shooters, it’s not like Dawn will roll out some version of UConn’s small lineup with 4-5 players who can all knock down shots from the arc.

Like most folks, I am disappointed that there will be no SC-UConn regular season matchup this coming season. More than any other game, that matchup was predictive of what would happen during March Madness. Oh well, I guess we’ll just have to wait for the Championship game. 😁
 
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Dawn was asked about the schedule being lighter and said it wasn’t in regards to what she said last year about playing fewer tough games if the committee wouldn’t reward them for it (I still don’t follow that as we were a #1 seed). She said it’s difficult to get teams to schedule SC. I don’t doubt that but I really don’t think Geno dodged SC after beating us by a combined 50 last year so I’d really like to know why the series ended.
 
GoChips20 said:
Dawn was asked about the schedule being lighter and said it wasn’t in regards to what she said last year about playing fewer tough games if the committee wouldn’t reward them for it (I still don’t follow that as we were a #1 seed). She said it’s difficult to get teams to schedule SC. Idon’t doubt that but I really don’t think Geno dodged SC after beating us by a combined 50 last year so I’d really like to know why the series ended.
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Agreed. Things didn't work out this year. Personally, I don't envy these programs trying to set up the best schedule possible.
 
GoChips20 said:
Dawn was asked about the schedule being lighter and said it wasn’t in regards to what she said last year about playing fewer tough games if the committee wouldn’t reward them for it (I still don’t follow that as we were a #1 seed). She said it’s difficult to get teams to schedule SC. I don’t doubt that but I really don’t think Geno dodged SC after beating us by a combined 50 last year so I’d really like to know why the series ended.
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The last time the series renewed, we faced two less SEC games each year than now. UConn was also required to face two less Big East teams each year. That cramps the post New Year schedule. Plus, UConn added the Vols during that period each year. Both sides agreed before this year that the series would not renew
 
Bone Dog said:
I’ve long been impressed by Tessa, ever since her high school years. I’m surprised by the defensive numbers, if only because Bree seems to be a bit bigger and more physical presence, and Dawn knows how to work with those types. Absolutely agree about Tessa’s offensive potential.

I am also not surprised by Milaysia’s offensive numbers, even though she can be dazzling at times. I am intrigued (and frankly amused) by Kim’s expectation that she can make her into a PG. I just can’t see Milaysia running a multifaceted offense. All in all, I think swapping her out for Latson is a net gain for Dawn.

I’m sad to say it but I think Raven’s decision to stay one more season was a mistake both for her and for the team. It’s not that she isn’t a really good PG and a good leader. She is both. But it may just be time to give Maddy the starting PG job. Raven is not likely to gain much by staying and Dawn’s offense may well begin to stagnate.
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We saw how well it worked for Hailey Van Lith
 
GoChips20 said:
Dawn was asked about the schedule being lighter and said it wasn’t in regards to what she said last year about playing fewer tough games if the committee wouldn’t reward them for it (I still don’t follow that as we were a #1 seed). She said it’s difficult to get teams to schedule SC. I don’t doubt that but I really don’t think Geno dodged SC after beating us by a combined 50 last year so I’d really like to know why the series ended.
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I was under the impression that UConn didn't want to play the game early and SCar didn't really like playing it in the SEC schedule but was willing.

I still have the idea that some of this light scheduling is teams trying to cut costs and max revenue.
 
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Some good Gamecock recruiting news with the ESPN rankings update. I know some of us are anxious about the '26 class, but if Dawn can close strong with about 3 of the players here then it'll be a success IMO.



  • I think Vukosa and Robinson are UConn bound... we'll see.
  • Wynn is down to SC and Stanford (ugh.. always hate our chances versus them).
  • I think SC is probable for Andrews and Okafor. Would LOVE to see Emily McDonald come onboard, she can score in bunches and we need offense.
  • Rumor has it Okeke is still considering going straight to pro, but if not, wooo boy is somebody getting a player.. of course Geno is involved here (when is he retiring?)
  • Fagan is down to SC, Texas and USC.. visited the Trojans earlier this week.
 
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SCGamecock said:
I think Vukosa and Robinson are UConn bound... we'll see.
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I hope you’re right about UConn. But after A’ja’s season in the W, I wonder if Olivia might be reconsidering. If Dawn could get those top two, that would be the core of the next dynasty.
 
Dawn seems to be on her third or fourth alternative plan but they've all pretty been decent plans.

Okot is listed as a senior but having only been three years in the states you wonder whether they will try to find another year of eligibility. No one has said so, but it's hard to see how Juxo might not count but school in Ala foreign country would.

Badly need a PG behind McDaniel and a rotation guard/wing who might slide in to replace Latson or play behind Tessa.

But if Watkins returns it's not a bad roster. Just not a very complete one.
 
2026 is a historically weak class across the South. From Virginia to Louisiana, Harpring is the only girl in the top 25. There’s one more from suburban Atlanta in the 30’s and two from Tennessee in the top 50, and that’s it, outside of the national basketball academies in Florida. I don’t think we offered anyone but Harpring of the four.

In contrast, a more standard 2027 sees 8 of the top 25 from the South, plus one at Montverde and a handful from Texas.
 
JstVisiting said:
2026 is a historically weak class across the South. From Virginia to Louisiana, Harpring is the only girl in the top 25. There’s one more from suburban Atlanta in the 30’s and two from Tennessee in the top 50, and that’s it, outside of the national basketball academies in Florida. I don’t think we offered anyone but Harpring of the four.

In contrast, a more standard 2027 sees 8 of the top 25 from the South, plus one at Montverde and a handful from Texas.
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You are leaving out #21, Kelsi Andrews, who now plays at one of Florida’s “ national basketball academies” but is from a little Alabama high school near Auburn
 
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JDuro said:
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I put this on my watchlist and listened this morning. Sounds like he was brought onto the staff to help develop our guards and wings, and bring some of the offensive concepts used at Southern Cal (and probably to recruit the West coast kids).

The commentary on each player really got me juiced -- everyone is taking it to another level this season!

Just like Raven and Tessa, coach Farrow went wide-eyed when talking about Okot too. I'm getting pretty confident she will be a starter because this is becoming a common theme. Also, just like Raven, he mentioned her three point shot. Basically I'm getting the impression that she'll be a mobile big like Kamilla that shoot threes at a high clip.
 
visitingcock said:
You are leaving out #21, Kelsi Andrews, who now plays at one of Florida’s “ national basketball academies” but is from a little Alabama high school near Auburn
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I figured some of those girls might be, but didn't care to look it up. I think there was one from Montverde, one from IMG, and one from the school I'm forgetting.
 
GamecockFam said:
I put this on my watchlist and listened this morning. Sounds like he was brought onto the staff to help develop our guards and wings, and bring some of the offensive concepts used at Southern Cal (and probably to recruit the West coast kids).

The commentary on each player really got me juiced -- everyone is taking it to another level this season!

Just like Raven and Tessa, coach Farrow went wide-eyed when talking about Okot too. I'm getting pretty confident she will be a starter because this is becoming a common theme. Also, just like Raven, he mentioned her three point shot. Basically I'm getting the impression that she'll be a mobile big like Kamilla that shoot threes at a high clip.
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I don’t want Okote shoot 3s at a high percentage ( except in the final seconds when needed) . I want her to dominate the paint and run the floor like Kamilla.
 
visitingcock said:
I don’t want Okote shoot 3s at a high percentage ( except in the final seconds when needed) . I want her to dominate the paint and run the floor like Kamilla.
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Having our posts shoot more long range shots will definitely help create more driving lanes for the guards. I highly doubt Dawn lets her jack up a million shots but I can see her shooting about 1-2 a game if she’s shooting it that well.
 
SCspur said:
Having our posts shoot more long range shots will definitely help create more driving lanes for the guards. I highly doubt Dawn lets her jack up a million shots but I can see her shooting about 1-2 a game if she’s shooting it that well.
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Are you sure about that? You do realize that Okot did not take a single 3-pt shot all of last season with MSSt. Okot is most effective within 5’ of the basket.

I would be astonished if Dawn lets her take 1-2 x 3-pt shots all next season, let alone 1-2 per game.
 
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SCspur said:
Having our posts shoot more long range shots will definitely help create more driving lanes for the guards. I highly doubt Dawn lets her jack up a million shots but I can see her shooting about 1-2 a game if she’s shooting it that well.
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I don't know what it look like percentage wise, but pulling a post player out to clear the lane for Edwards and Latson could be a good move.

Not our typical comfort zone, but workable.
 
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