USC vs. USC Tonight at 7:00 p.m., EST

[Huskies Rule]

Apparently, none of the USC coaches has found the courage to tell her that.

Can you imagine if A'ja Wilson came to Storrs and told Geno she wanted to play the 2?

 

[easttexastrash]

Staley will surely fit Wilson into a role in which she will be successful. Seeing her grab a rebound and dribble the length of the court was very reminiscent of Candace Parker. At the 5-3 slots USC needs to have Coates (5), Wilson (4) and Welch (3). I think Mitchell needs to be at the PG position and the best three point shooter (Roy?) at the 2. Mitchell needs to have to ball in her hands a lot for USC to be successful when the talent level of the opponent is higher.

 

[EricSD]

You did mean high school didn't you?

That's what I get for posting without finishing my morning coffee! LOL

 

[RockyMTblue2]

KML's three Mater Dei teammates on that 2011 MNC-winning team are only a combined 5-15 for 13 points.

Love your pithy insights alex. Keep um coming... or em coming (regional thing).

 

[RockyMTblue2]

"Lastly, I don't think anyone on here is over-reacting. The strongest words I read were that they don't look like a NC challenging team, and that they should drop to #3 behind ND. One reason so many UCONN fans are commenting (IMHO) is that we were inundated with SC fans telling us how fabulous their team would be this season, and that win was anything but fabulous."

That is pretty much it alright. Well said Eric

 

[triaddukefan]

"Lastly, I don't think anyone on here is over-reacting. The strongest words I read were that they don't look like a NC challenging team, and that they should drop to #3 behind ND. One reason so many UCONN fans are commenting (IMHO) is that we were inundated with SC fans telling us how fabulous their team would be this season, and that win was anything but fabulous."

That is pretty much it alright. Well said Eric

Two fans = inundated ?? Heavens forbid if 3-4 South Carolina fans started to post on a regular basis

 

[sivad40]

I will cut Dawn some slack for not having a set lineup but a coach should know by now what their plays can and can't do. Dawn got Wilson more or less on the fact she promised to not play her as a 4 or 5 and she has to stick to that promise or else.

 

[mhshuskies]

...and seeing the confidence of Stewie, KML, Mo and comfortable approach of the entire team (even if it is the first game), I can already see it's game over for the NC.

 

[ThisJustIn]

Just to say, yes, Coop might have a better team than folks thought - but folks might have thought they weren't going to be so good 'cause Crook, their "leading returning scorer and the 2014 Pac-12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player. She ranks No. 5 all-time on USC's career three-pointers made list." had been dismissed in Sept.

 

[baggerbob]

Wilson has Parker-like skills but she needs to be playing the 4. As much as she wants to be a 3 I just don't think she is ready to play that position.

Coates is a real talent.

What I didn't understand tonight was how S Car tried to run the offense through the players in the corners. I felt like there was way too much passing going on to and from the corner, which seemed to disrupt S Car's offensive rhythm. With all that height and length the high/low game was not used nearly enough.

I agree, Stewie has Parker like skills also, but understands she needs to play the 4 or 5, because of her size, and ability. A'ja needs to come to that realization, and then she will progress to being a better player.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Two fans = inundated ?? Heavens forbid if 3-4 South Carolina fans started to post on a regular basis

2 unrelenting can be a flood...or seems like it when this refrain pops up in every thread on the Boneyard remotely related to basketball!!! O'kay, that could be a little hyperbolic but yeah old foggybottom can get a little bombastic in making a point again and again. And apparently at least 2 of us on the Boneyard agree about that while being entirely welcoming of other team's fans and the news and perspectives they bring to our table. In that regard, it appears that among southeast schools Duke is not alone in graduating good waiters who attentively bring good things to the Boneyard feast.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Apparently, none of the USC coaches has found the courage to tell her that.

Anyone with any basketball acumen could look at her high school tapes after she shot up that 4 inches that she could not be a ball handler guard in college. If Dawn promised her something and is compromising the integration and development of the team so that Wilson does not become her Deschields, then shame on you and you will rue the day (if you already don't).

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

I got to crash but you are also saying Wilson will play a few minutes at the 2. Why? That was my point. It's crazy. She's no 2.

I think she will play a few minutes at the 2 as a lesson for her that she is not a 2. Psychology. Then she can give up her idea that she's a 2 and just concentrate on the 3 and 4 positions. I know she's not a 2 and Dawn knows she's not a 2, but A'ja needs to understand that she's not a 2, so she can get it out of her thought process. Dawn pretty much said as much in her press conference last night. Maybe A'ja *thinks* she can be Magic Johnson.

 

[easttexastrash]

I think she will play a few minutes at the 2 as a lesson for her that she is not a 2. Psychology. Then she can give up her idea that she's a 2 and just concentrate on the 3 and 4 positions. I know she's not a 2 and Dawn knows she's not a 2, but A'ja needs to understand that she's not a 2, so she can get it out of her thought process. Dawn pretty much said as much in her press conference last night. Maybe A'ja *thinks* she can be Magic Johnson.

How about Staley just saying "you are not a 2, now get out there and play the 4." If she cannot accept that advice from her coach I am not sure how coachable she is.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

If that is what Dawn is doing, its a mistake. You have the inmates running the ship. Dawn should make the decision where best to play A'ja based on her currently abilities and tell A'ja why and that's where she played. You don't put players in a position to fail when you know they will. I've read comments attributed to A'ja that she doesn't like contact and that's why she prefers to play on the wing vs front court. She needs to get over that, just like Stewart had to. A'ja best position is the 4, where she can use her mobility and size to best advantage. She'll never be a guard at the next level and if she wants to play at the next level, the time to develop the required skills is in College.

This season, A'ja can best help her team at the 3. Welch is a very good and very athletic 4 who plays taller than her 6' height indicates. Next season we'll probably need Wilson to play more 4 to help the team after Welch graduates. Wilson only played a few minutes at the 2 last night. She spent most of the game at the 3 and it's not like our freshmen even played that much, including Wilson.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

How about Staley just saying "you are not a 2, now get out there and play the 4." If she cannot accept that advice from her coach I am not sure how coachable she is.

I can see that point. I haven't been privy to their conversations or been able to watch practice. Maybe Dawn thinks there is an outside chance that if Wilson improves her ball handling and outside shot that she could be an unstoppable 2.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

I didn't say it…the AP did

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Dawn Staley wanted a difficult test to start No. 2 South Carolina's season. Southern Cal gave the Gamecocks one they almost couldn't handle.

It was undoubtedly an ugly game, but Southern Cal is hardly a UMass-Lowell or some other hyphenated school. I seem to remember them beating Stanford on the way to winning the Pac-12 Tournament last season. Cynthia Cooper is a pretty good coach, too. I enjoyed watching her coach last night.

 

[jsloanjr]

Its always tough to be the Hunted VS the hunter............South Carolina will learn fnight and th will be ready for the next game..........Th bigges difference between UCONN and threst of WCBB is DISIPLINE and we have Geno and theydonot.............Watch all the oth Top 10 teams outside of ND and they all are so immature.

 

[easttexastrash]

Its always tough to be the Hunted VS the hunter..South Carolina will learn fnight and th will be ready for the next game.....Th bigges difference between UCONN and threst of WCBB is DISIPLINE and we have Geno and theydonot...Watch all the oth Top 10 teams outside of ND and they all are so immature.

Was the English?

 

[alexrgct]

Was the English?

No, the wasn't.

 

[tennparker3]

South Carolina does not have the backcourt yet to be a title contender. Guard play is everything in WCBB. Tiff is great but the other guards need to make serious strides this season. Dozier needs to be on the court for them because, outside of Mitchell, she has the best perimeter offensive skills to open up the interior.

 

[meyers7]

That's actually a good point. For reference, Gabby Williams actually played some 1 in college, but at 6', and strong and athletic, Geno seems to feel her best position is the 4/3 so he's running her thru the "post".

Not sure that Geno feels her best position is 4/3. It's just that this year, that's where she can best help the team. Be interesting to see what he does with her the next couple of years.

 

[triaddukefan]

All true. Nevertheless, I am betting that ND will indeed be #2 on Monday. Not that that means much.

Nope.

 

[hoophuskee]

Thanks Cleo- please note I am not slamming you or any USC fans. I just think you are 1 year away even though you’ll lose Welch and Ibiam. Next year if Wilson is all she is cracked up to be – imo you are a huge threat. But I have some questions/comments.

Yeah, saying that one thinks Wilson will play a little bit at the 2 does not necessarily equate into saying that Wilson SHOULD play at the 2.

Thus it is mind-boggling to me that what you are saying is “Wilson will play a little bit at the 2” or anyone you are quoting – it doesn’t matter. If she DOES play the 2 – it is mind-boggling.

Welch has predominantly played the 4 for most of her career at USC due to USC having little depth in the post. Last season changed all that with the development of Ibiam and addition of Coates. Still, mostly Welch played the 4 while Ibiam and Coates platooned for each other at the 5. Dozier was mostly the 3. There were a few times last season when Coates AND Ibiam were in games along with Welch, and Welch slid to the 3, but those weren't that often. Welch has always been a solid rebounder and body-banger in the paint - she won't shy away from contact - but against opponents with talented 6-3, 6-4 big girls she can struggle due simply to the physical disadvantage. But there's no reason why Staley couldn't slide Welch to 3 and rotate in 6-4 Ibiam, 6-4 Coates, and possibly 6-5 Wilson and 6-4.

Regards to Welch vs Wilson:

By the way, who has a better outside shot- Wilson or Welch? And who do you predict will be able to score more easily in the post- Wilson or Welch? And who do you think can become a better offensive rebounder, Wilson or Welch?

Mitchell played a lot of PG last season when Sessions missed some games with an injury and backup PG Tiffany Davis struggled, and Mitchell ended up doing very well there and led the team in assists. She was off Saturday against SoCal, but I expect her to improve from that in future games.

I only saw a little of your team but it was argued by a USC fan that you can run with UCONN. The little I saw of Mitchell – she is not a pg and if she plays there a lot and USC tries to run I expect UCONN will blow out USC. Years ago Tennessee fans used to spout off about Parker being able to play the pg. Sure he could “play it” but she was a ton more effective as a post.


Roy made a huge contribution with 9 pts from 3-6 shooting - 3-5 from behind the arc - to go with 6 assists and 3 steals.

I get the feeling Roy isn’t a pg. If you don’t play with a natural pg I think you are going to struggle mightily within your offense vs a defense like UCONN. Regardless of Mitchell playing “well” last year as a pg – I can’t see it vs a talented determined top 5 defense with transition high octane offense. Just because USC is big doesn’t mean that the ball can go to a kid 5 feet from the basket. There has to ball movement etc. An un-natural pg against UConn- you certainly have limited your chances.

 

[hoophuskee]

This season, A'ja can best help her team at the 3. Welch is a very good and very athletic 4 who plays taller than her 6' height indicates. Next season we'll probably need Wilson to play more 4 to help the team after Welch graduates. Wilson only played a few minutes at the 2 last night. She spent most of the game at the 3 and it's not like our freshmen even played that much, including Wilson.

UCONNCAT said Wilson played the 4 after she was taken from the 2spot. You're saying she was wrong?

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

UCONNCAT said Wilson played the 4 after she was taken from the 2spot. You're saying she was wrong?

I don't recall; she started the game at the 2 and when she came back in she moved to forward, but I didn't pay attention to which spot.

Mitchell isn't our point guard and neither is Roy; Sessions is our point guard. Dawn was experimenting with different lineups against Southern Cal so I can say with certainty that we're not going to stick with that starting 5. I think Roy and Cuevas will backup Sessions at PG. I'm very high on Cuevas. Very, very high. Mark my words that she will be a star.

 

[TheTruthBelow]

And new...

 

[UConnCat]

You sure about that?

So you show up for the first time in months and decide to shoot fish in a barrel. Predictable, but well done.