Way too early mock WNBA draft from ESPN

[visitingcock]

I think people that think SC is going to be vulnerable this season are delusional! First, they have one of the three or four best coaches in the country. They have a big who is 6’7”, already experienced in their system, and who has something to prove after playing behind Boston for two seasons, a returning from injury point guard who was #2 in her class behind only our own Azzi Fudd and who apparrently has been getting rave reviews as the SC season nears. They also have Chloe Kitts who imo may have been the best player on the recent u19 USA team that won gold. She is 6’2”/6’3” and is going to be a big problem for Gamecock opponents this season! Oh, and did I mention they got one of the best three point shooters from the portal in Tehina Paopao (42.4% last season)! They also have a veritable stable of big, highly ranked players (including Kitts) and to top it off, they have a smaller version of our own KK Arnold in Malaysia Fulwiley, the third ranked pg in 2022. She is supposedly even faster than Arnold! (Not better, thank God, but faster).
I’d better stop, as I’m beginning to scare myself!
l still think we’re better, but the more I look at their program, the more I think they are right up there with us and LSU! Furthermore, though I was thinking Dawn’s stranglehold on the SEC women was in jeopardy with Kim’s portal haul, I’m not so sure abut that anymore. I think I’m still gonna go with Dawn’s squad to win the SEC!

And yet, there are many questions.

Can Cardosa stay out of foul trouble and give us 30 minutes per game when needed? Who backs her up?

Does our stable of bigs have enough offensive skills to go with their athleticism?

Will we be able to hit open threes?

Consistency? Chemistry? Leadership? Closing out the tight games ? Mental toughness especially on the road? Can Walker perform at this level nearly as well as she did at JUCO? Can she hold her own (or nearly) against a Tamari Key? Can Poa Poa defend well?

Oh sure, we’re gonna win a bunch of games but what do we do against the cream of the crop we play? UConn, LSU, Notre Dame, Utah, Maryland, UNC, Tennessee (twice), ole Miss, Duke? how do we respond to the next opponent after a big win -or a close loss?

We SHOULD BE top 8 quality based on athleticism? But can we be Top 4 and compete for a championship?

I trust Dawn to get the best out of our players but is it enough to keep us at a top contender level?

I’m not as sold on Kitt’s ability to produce at this level this early.

 

[visitingcock]

And yet, there are many questions.

Can Cardosa stay out of foul trouble and give us 30 minutes per game when needed? Who backs her up?

Does our stable of bigs have enough offensive skills to go with their athleticism?

Will we be able to hit open threes?

Consistency? Chemistry? Leadership? Closing out the tight games ? Mental toughness especially on the road? Can Walker perform at this level nearly as well as she did at JUCO? Can she hold her own (or nearly) against a Tamari Key? Can Poa Poa defend well?

Oh sure, we’re gonna win a bunch of games but what do we do against the cream of the crop we play? UConn, LSU, Notre Dame, Utah, Maryland, UNC, Tennessee (twice), ole Miss, Duke? how do we respond to the next opponent after a big win -or a close loss?

We SHOULD BE top 8 quality based on athleticism? But can we be Top 4 and compete for a championship?

I trust Dawn to get the best out of our players but is it enough to keep us at a top contender level?

I’m not as sold on Kitt’s ability to produce at this level this early.

This is some pretty major thread drift from the topic of WNBA draft. Sorry!

 

[CL82]

Can Cardosa stay out of foul trouble and give us 30 minutes per game when needed?

I think that she will. She made such an enormous jump when she came to South Carolina from Syracuse. It's a good example of what good coaching can do for a player.