USC Gamecocks - The Offseason 2025

[Bone Dog]

So do you as a UConn fan feel this way about Williams? I’m sure what Geno and UConn require of their players is totally different than what was expected and done at Wisconsin. Way more complicated offensive schemes. So do you think she’ll be better served with another year or she’ll get it right away? Madina’s situation imo is much different than Dauda and I expect her transition into SC’s system to be much easier simply because Miss St bigs do similar things to SC’s bigs. She’s very good in the screen and roll game and I suspect Dawn will go to that often with her and Latson or her and Raven.

As to Dauda and Tac. I think people wrote them off too quick. Dauda came from a team where defense and rebound are dang near non existent and all she had to do was float on the perimeter and shoot 3s. Of course it was going to be a major transition for her. However all the coaches confirmed her staying on campus this past summer and having a year in the system has her looking like an entirely different and determined player. She’s expected to make a big impact this year. Same with Tac who was recovering from two major injuries. By all accounts both have improved tremendously and will look completely different and comfortable in the system. Of course it still remains to be seen.

I hope you’re right about Madina being able to transition more smoothly. And, yes, I absolutely share this same concern about Williams at UConn, if you really want to take a look at this. In fact, the problem may be more acute in Geno’s system which strikes me as even more complex than Dawn’s, at least on offense. What’s more, Williams is entering in the aftermath of the departure of a superstar and may feel more pressure to produce on offense. The only advantage for Williams is that she’s already demonstrated a more diverse skill set than Madina, including passing and midrange shooting. Madina may already have those skills, but I didn’t see them in the two games I was able to see last season. What they mainly share is having come from weaker programs, and this is what mainly creates the hurdle. How do you go from being the go-to scorer and defender to being just another cog in a more complex machine? Of course, the system at Wisconsin was perhaps a little closer offensively to UConn’s than Miss St was to Dawn’s. The other advantage Williams may have, whether she realizes it or not, is that despite the departure of Bueckers, the offensive arsenal at UConn may be a bit more loaded than what Madina may find at SC.

Folks may have written off Dauda and Tac too quickly. But Dawn’s staff was among this group, judging from minutes played in the big games. Despite this, it wouldn’t surprise me if Maryam also showed more this season than last. She is quick and strong, and I expect Dawn will be able to get more out of her. If it were possible to get 20 mins out of both Maryam and Madina this season, that might well feel like a return to the great front courts of the last several years.

That said, I really hope Joyce is a starter this season. I thought it was a mistake to limit her minutes and it seemed to put too much pressure on Chloe to play more physically than she’s really built for. But that may simply have been forced on Dawn by the injury to Ashlyn. If Madina and Maryam can alleviate this problem, I expect SC will once again be overwhelming in the paint.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

We've had "specialists" that clocked in the low 30s. But I do think multiple players and coaches commenting on Okot having range suggests that she can make them here and there.

 

[oldude]

We've had "specialists" that clocked in the low 30s. But I do think multiple players and coaches commenting on Okot having range suggests that she can make them here and there.

Back in January of 2023, I had tickets to a UConn game at the XL Center. My wife and I arrived early enough to see the player shoot around, before the actual structured pregame warmups. UConn had just signed and redshirted Jana El Alfy for the spring semester. She had, and still has, a beautiful shooting stroke, all the way out to the 3-pt line. She is the daughter of the HC for the Egyptian national team, having played basketball from age 3.

Needless to say, I was really excited as I watched Jana drain one 3 after another. Fast forward, after a missing the 23-24 season with an Achilles tear, Jana slowly but surely developed this past season to become a capable college Big. She took exactly 4 x 3-pt shots all season, making 1.

While all UConn fans are hopeful that Jana can unlock her shooting touch this coming season, particularly from the arc, there is a big difference between making shots in practice and knocking them down during the pressure of games.

Okot may well bridge that chasm for the Gamecocks this coming season. Time will tell.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

I think Dauda and Tac will be the most improved players this season. Tac was rusty after not competing for 2 seasons and Dauda had to completely reinvent her game. Towards the end of last season, Dawn showed more confidence in Dauda. On another note, on my way home for lunch, the other day, I saw Taco Bell riding a scooter through the Vista. Seeing someone her height riding a little scooter made me chuckle.

 

[cancontent]

So do you as a UConn fan feel this way about Williams? I’m sure what Geno and UConn require of their players is totally different than what was expected and done at Wisconsin. Way more complicated offensive schemes. So do you think she’ll be better served with another year or she’ll get it right away? Madina’s situation imo is much different than Dauda and I expect her transition into SC’s system to be much easier simply because Miss St bigs do similar things to SC’s bigs. She’s very good in the screen and roll game and I suspect Dawn will go to that often with her and Latson or her and Raven.

As to Dauda and Tac. I think people wrote them off too quick. Dauda came from a team where defense and rebound are dang near non existent and all she had to do was float on the perimeter and shoot 3s. Of course it was going to be a major transition for her. However all the coaches confirmed her staying on campus this past summer and having a year in the system has her looking like an entirely different and determined player. She’s expected to make a big impact this year. Same with Tac who was recovering from two major injuries. By all accounts both have improved tremendously and will look completely different and comfortable in the system. Of course it still remains to be seen.

I'm chiming in as I've watched Serah Williams and know her prep school coach. The answer is yes.

Dave Picton's background in basketball goes back decades from his playing days, including time with Canada Basketball. Savvy basketball mind and very technical. He's responsible for the development of Jordyn Wheeler a top ESPN 2027 prospect who has committed to Stanford.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

I think Dauda and Taco Bell will be the most improved players this season. Tac was rusty after not competing for 2 seasons and Dauda had to completely reinvent her game. Towards the end of last season, Dawn showed more confidence in Dauda. On another note, on my way home for lunch, the other day, I saw Taco Bell riding a scooter through the Vista. Seeing someone her height riding a little scooter made me chuckle.

OMG, for autocorrect. I'm fixing her name. I don't even go to Taco Bell; I don't know why it would have autocorrected to that.

 

[GamecockFam]

There are practically zero videos out there from her youth in Kenya but I was lucky and found this one which has her making two shots from behind the arc during 3x3 (one was a lucky bank shot). All of this is to say that she had this in her bag before Mississippi State.

 

[JDuro]

Garnet’s definitely her color.

 

[GamecockFam]

I was running around town all day yesterday and really didn't get the time to address some comments though I think everyone pretty much hashed out my thoughts. So I'll say in summary that I believe at the worst Okot will be an adequate Cardoso replacement who is a reliable offensive/defensive talent within 10 feet of the basket and who is athletic for her size. I doubt she will take many shots outside of 10 feet because of the value she will bring in that space (rebounding, etc.) but if defenses are sagging off her outside of the paint, unlike Cardoso, I think she will take the shot, including three pointers.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I think putting the floor at Cardoso is a little too otimiatic, but I do think the floor is far above average and a skill set that fits what SCar likes to do. .

 

[GamecockFam]

Just summing up some of the statements made on the players late in the interview...

Latson - Willingness to play with great players. Super coachable. Intent to get better defensively.

McDaniel - trying to be a vocal leader. Playing hard-nose defense and really focusing on taking her game to that next level.

T. Johnson - She wants a consistent shooting season and to not just be know as "tournament Tessa". Really good habits and working on making plays off the dribble. Expected to be a leader on this team

Edwards - Uber talented. Working on refining her skills. Has those intangibles that you just can't teach.

Okot - "our big woman in the middle and [...] she is going to try to cement herself in that role" She is really skilled and can shoot the 3, can pass well, can post, and moves well for her size. Resembles Kamilla.

Tac - Taken leaps from last year. She is catching, finishing, defending, talking. Has maturation of a 4th year player. Looking to increase her minutes and has really taken strides this off-season.

Kitts - Brings fabric of toughness that program prides on and is super competitive in practice. Willing to put it all on the floor in practice and win everything. Skillset to dribble and pass. Really focusing on her 3 ball this off season. Sets tone by example.

McDowell - "Cooking up that 3 ball in practice." Shooting really well. Committed to guard her position and understanding concepts and plays. For a freshman is retaining and applying concepts at a high level.

R. Johnson - "Phenomenal summer". She has gotten her body and mind in shape for season. Knocking down shots and getting to the basket. Pushing tempo. She looks like a senior getting ready for her senior year. Ready to be the team leader and face of team this season.

Dauda - Humble kid. Rebounding the heck out the ball in practice and defending her position. Thinks it just took a year to get comfortable in our system but she is prepared for this year after going through last season.

Makeer - Lightning quick, can shoot, challenging herself to play multiple positions, super long. Super competitive, probably second to Kitts. Has raised the level of practice lately.

 

[GamecockFam]

I think putting the floor at Cardoso is a little too otimiatic, but I do think the floor is far above average and a skill set that fits what SCar likes to do. .

I'm not talking about her floor in the sense of production but in the sense of her "bag" as the players like to call it.

 

[Bone Dog]

Just summing up some of the statements made on the players late in the interview...

Latson - Willingness to play with great players. Super coachable. Intent to get better defensively.

McDaniel - trying to be a vocal leader. Playing hard-nose defense and really focusing on taking her game to that next level.

T. Johnson - She wants a consistent shooting season and to not just be know as "tournament Tessa". Really good habits and working on making plays off the dribble. Expected to be a leader on this team

Edwards - Uber talented. Working on refining her skills. Has those intangibles that you just can't teach.

Okot - "our big woman in the middle and [...] she is going to try to cement herself in that role" She is really skilled and can shoot the 3, can pass well, can post, and moves well for her size. Resembles Kamilla.

Tac - Taken leaps from last year. She is catching, finishing, defending, talking. Has maturation of a 4th year player. Looking to increase her minutes and has really taken strides this off-season.

Kitts - Brings fabric of toughness that program prides on and is super competitive in practice. Willing to put it all on the floor in practice and win everything. Skillset to dribble and pass. Really focusing on her 3 ball this off season. Sets tone by example.

McDowell - "Cooking up that 3 ball in practice." Shooting really well. Committed to guard her position and understanding concepts and plays. For a freshman is retaining and applying concepts at a high level.

R. Johnson - "Phenomenal summer". She has gotten her body and mind in shape for season. Knocking down shots and getting to the basket. Pushing tempo. She looks like a senior getting ready for her senior year. Ready to be the team leader and face of team this season.

Dauda - Humble kid. Rebounding the heck out the ball in practice and defending her position. Thinks it just took a year to get comfortable in our system but she is prepared for this year after going through last season.

Makeer - Lightning quick, can shoot, challenging herself to play multiple positions, super long. Super competitive, probably second to Kitts. Has raised the level of practice lately.

I found the remarks about Okot reassuring. I really hope to see exactly what the video forecasts. And if Maryam really does become the rebounder and defender that she has the physical skills to be, then Okot’s job will be that much easier.

The one puzzle for me is how to mesh all the frontcourt players: Okot, Maryam, Joyce and Chloe. If Chloe could move to the wing for part of her minutes without too much cost in team speed, that could be a really powerful front court. If she improves her perimeter shot, this would be a no-brainer, with Joyce and Okot/Dauda at the 4 and 5 would become the strongest combination since Aliyah’s great years with Saxton and later Kamila. It’s kind of thrilling to think of it.

I think a lot depends on Chloe to make this work. And I suspect being able to move further from the post will do wonders for her game, which is already formidable. So it’s good to hear about the intensity she’s bringing to practices. This has the makings of a great season.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

There are practically zero videos out there from her youth in Kenya but I was lucky and found this one which has her making two shots from behind the arc during 3x3 (one was a lucky bank shot). All of this is to say that she had this in her bag before Mississippi State.

My brother and s-i-l are in Kenya right now; I should get him to gather data. He's a Maryland fan, though.