Week 12 - Jan 22 to 28

[Bone Dog]

The main event tonight, of course, is SC-LSU. I'm expecting SC to deliver not necessarily a blowout, but a clear win by a sizable margin -- in the 15-20 range. If I'm wrong about this one, I'll have to rethink a lot of my assumptions going into this season. My prediction, hazy though it may be, is SC 86 - LSU 68.

I think SC's guards are more than capable of containing LSU's, and they are likely to run them ragged given the depth of Dawn's bench. And in my view the front court matchups heavily favor SC. Angel thrives when she's bigger than the opponents and struggles against mobile bigs. Dawn will have Kamila concede the outside jumper to Angel or maybe have Watkins or Kitts switch out on her. Kamila is capable of shutting down everything else in the paint. And Watkins, Kitts and Feagin are more than enough to completely frustrate Morrow. We might even see Jah and Walker get some good minutes before the 4th quarter. Foul trouble will not be a problem for SC, but it may well be for LSU.

And the final intangible: the game is @ LSU. This may be one of those rare moments when the home court isn't an advantage. The pressure is entirely on LSU to avoid being embarrassed at home. The noise of the home crowd may well inspire SC to even greater efforts -- and the silence, if they bust the game open on the first half, even more so. If I were Dawn, I might tell my team, "You hear all those boos? That's how you know you're doing great."

 

[cancontent]

Ok. I only noticed the Peacock games this season, actually in the last couple of weeks. But it could also be because I usually don't pay attention to the B1G10 games.

Fair. One thing to note, from what I"ve observed this deal could be a huge boost to NCAAW coverage over the next few years. Heck, the potential of seeing CBS broadcast a women's game nationally feels like I'm back in the 90s because they seemed to be the only network I could watch games as a teen.

There have been a few times where NBC has had Iowa games on at the same time as ESPN/ABC. Can see this expanding once the PAC12 teams joining the conference start playing next season.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

The main event tonight, of course, is SC-LSU. I'm expecting SC to deliver not necessarily a blowout, but a clear win by a sizable margin -- in the 15-20 range. If I'm wrong about this one, I'll have to rethink a lot of my assumptions going into this season. My prediction, hazy though it may be, is SC 86 - LSU 68.

I think SC's guards are more than capable of containing LSU's, and they are likely to run them ragged given the depth of Dawn's bench. And in my view the front court matchups heavily favor SC. Angel thrives when she's bigger than the opponents and struggles against mobile bigs. Dawn will have Kamila concede the outside jumper to Angel or maybe have Watkins or Kitts switch out on her. Kamila is capable of shutting down everything else in the paint. And Watkins, Kitts and Feagin are more than enough to completely frustrate Morrow. We might even see Jah and Walker get some good minutes before the 4th quarter. Foul trouble will not be a problem for SC, but it may well be for LSU.

And the final intangible: the game is @ LSU. This may be one of those rare moments when the home court isn't an advantage. The pressure is entirely on LSU to avoid being embarrassed at home. The noise of the home crowd may well inspire SC to even greater efforts -- and the silence, if they bust the game open on the first half, even more so. If I were Dawn, I might tell my team, "You hear all those boos? That's how you know you're doing great."

I agree with all of this but the final intangible. There is no pressure on this LSU team imo even at home. Mulkey definitely has them in the underdog, who cares if we lose mindset based on all her pregame interviews.

I don't think it will matter and I see LSU losing by 25+.

 

[visitingcock]

The main event tonight, of course, is SC-LSU. I'm expecting SC to deliver not necessarily a blowout, but a clear win by a sizable margin -- in the 15-20 range. If I'm wrong about this one, I'll have to rethink a lot of my assumptions going into this season. My prediction, hazy though it may be, is SC 86 - LSU 68.

I think SC's guards are more than capable of containing LSU's, and they are likely to run them ragged given the depth of Dawn's bench. And in my view the front court matchups heavily favor SC. Angel thrives when she's bigger than the opponents and struggles against mobile bigs. Dawn will have Kamila concede the outside jumper to Angel or maybe have Watkins or Kitts switch out on her. Kamila is capable of shutting down everything else in the paint. And Watkins, Kitts and Feagin are more than enough to completely frustrate Morrow. We might even see Jah and Walker get some good minutes before the 4th quarter. Foul trouble will not be a problem for SC, but it may well be for LSU.

And the final intangible: the game is @ LSU. This may be one of those rare moments when the home court isn't an advantage. The pressure is entirely on LSU to avoid being embarrassed at home. The noise of the home crowd may well inspire SC to even greater efforts -- and the silence, if they bust the game open on the first half, even more so. If I were Dawn, I might tell my team, "You hear all those boos? That's how you know you're doing great."

I agree with all of this but the final intangible. There is no pressure on this LSU team imo even at home. Mulkey definitely has them in the underdog, who cares if we lose mindset based on all her pregame interviews.

I don't think it will matter and I see LSU losing by 25+.

You guys are killing me here. I wanna believe but it's just not my nature. The glass is half empty - and always looks like it's leaking as we approach nearer to tip off.

Gameday
Whiteout
Liquored up Corndogs will be screaming obscenities at our players, coaches and fans (but offer all gamecocks good food and drink before and after.).

Oh Lawd! My innards feel watery.

 

[Bone Dog]

You guys are killing me here. I wanna believe but it's just not my nature. The glass is half empty - and always looks like it's leaking as we approach nearer to tip off.

Gameday
Whiteout
Liquored up Corndogs will be screaming obscenities at our players, coaches and fans (but offer all gamecocks good food and drink before and after.).

Oh Lawd! My innards feel watery.

If it makes you feel any better, I'm the same way before every UConn game, even against the lowliest BE opponent.
"Something could go wrong!!!!!"

 

[LETTERL]

You have to go to the GAME! For Pete's sake, this is your team that made us all cognizant of your fandom. You can still enjoy watching LSU beating the Gamecocks when you get home to see how it came about! Go to the game. Heck I drive 70 minutes to Hartford and 95 minutes to Storrs to see all their games (and that's without traffic!). Enjoy yourself and go.

You, of course, are correct...and based on radar trends, it appears to be a go. We had lots of heavy rain earlier...and heavy rain is expected to redevelop later tonight but it appears the drive TO Clemson, at least, will only have some scattered rain showers.

Being AT a game is so much different from watching it on TV or through streaming.

If anyone is watching the streaming of the NC State game prior to South Carolina/LSU, I'll be the one wearing red behind the NC State bench as I make my 2023-24 season television debut.

 

[Blue Huskie]

I agree with all of this but the final intangible. There is no pressure on this LSU team imo even at home. Mulkey definitely has them in the underdog, who cares if we lose mindset based on all her pregame interviews.

I don't think it will matter and I see LSU losing by 25+.

So now it's 25+ ? On Monday you said 20+.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

So now it's 25+ ? On Monday you said 20+.

Some persuasive cases have been made in favor of South Carolina that have brought me even more optimism for them. I alos rewatched the LSU/SC game from last year last night and it was so apparent how important all the players they lost were to their success I just don't see them being nearly as good as they were last year. Morris, Williams, Poole and Smith were extraordinarily important role players that haven't been replaced imo.

 

[jdote33]

Don't sleep on Wednesdays! Not a loaded schedule but some really close and exciting games tonight.

Oklahoma for the first time all year looked like a Jennie Baranczyk–coached team. Just completely unrecognizable from the mediocre and erratic team I'd seen all season. OU got hot from 3 and that opened up the floor for them, and they stayed on the front foot all game. Texas made a late charge but OU, appropriately, splashed a huge 3 for the dagger.

Maryland looked in control almost the entire game and was up 9 with only 3:00 left. Michigan ended regulation on a 9-0 run and then won in overtime in an improbable sequence. With the score tied with 0:03 left in OT, Maryland's inbounds pass sailed out of bounds to turn the ball over. Phelia then got fouled on a drive with less than a second on a clock. Hit both FTs and that was game.

Villanova led by 15 at the half but Providence came storming back to send the game to overtime and eventually win. What's that I hear? Yes, say it with me: No. Nights. Off.

Creighton held off a feisty Georgetown team, hitting big buckets down the stretch to hold off the Hoyas by 5. (Did I remember to say "no nights off"?)

Now for my thoughts on my Coogs' performance against the Lady Raiders: [censored]

 

[maple]

If it makes you feel any better, I'm the same way before every UConn game, even against the lowliest BE opponent.
"Something could go wrong!!!!!"

Same. Even outside of conference games -- our opponent could be ranked at the bottom of all D1 schools and I still feel nervous right before the game starts (and I'm not even playing!!).

And big UConn games make me feel wayyyyy too anxious the whole day.

 

[cancontent]

This is what I remember seeing after the game. I'm sure their next practice will be/was a doozy!

 

[cancontent]

Some persuasive cases have been made in favor of South Carolina that have brought me even more optimism for them. I alos rewatched the LSU/SC game from last year last night and it was so apparent how important all the players they lost were to their success I just don't see them being nearly as good as they were last year. Morris, Williams, Poole and Smith were extraordinarily important role players that haven't been replaced imo.

These are two completely different teams from last year. Not sure how watching games from last season provides insight into tonight.

Yes, LSU lost some key pieces but they've also gained Morrow and Williams (the freshman) who are wild cards in my opinion tonight. The underdog card Mulkey is playing could also have some impact as Reese seems to enjoy having a chip on her shoulder.

On SC's side, they lost a lot of veterans who knew how to handle these types of situations. There have been a few games this season where maturity has been a factor and Coach Staley hasn't been happy. Who takes on the mantle of leader tonight if things get tough for them? There are too many examples of teams with great talent losing because they couldn't maintain composure when it counted.

I see this as a toss up tonight. Really looking forward to seeing how this plays out.

 

[Bone Dog]

These are two completely different teams from last year. Not sure how watching games from last season provides insight into tonight.

Yes, LSU lost some key pieces but they've also gained Morrow and Williams (the freshman) who are wild cards in my opinion tonight. The underdog card Mulkey is playing could also have some impact as Reese seems to enjoy having a chip on her shoulder.

On SC's side, they lost a lot of veterans who knew how to handle these types of situations. There have been a few games this season where maturity has been a factor and Coach Staley hasn't been happy. Who takes on the mantle of leader tonight if things get tough for them? There are too many examples of teams with great talent losing because they couldn't maintain composure when it counted.

I see this as a toss up tonight. Really looking forward to seeing how this plays out.

I like your take on it, though I am not persuaded that it will be a toss up. A locker room pep talk about how everyone has already written them off will not be enough.

I don't think Reese is capable of overcoming SC's front court regardless of her emotional state, and her outside shooting is simply not good enough to make a difference. What Kamila, Kitts, Watkins and Feagin are going to do to Angel and Morrow is not going to be rocket surgery. They will move their feet, box out, rebound and block shots. They've shown a real aptitude for this all season long. We saw a preview of this from Kamila last summer in the FIBA games. And if PaoPao lights them up from 3 early, the game will be effectively over by halftime.

 

[cancontent]

I like your take on it, though I am not persuaded that it will be a toss up. A locker room pep talk about how everyone has already written them off will not be enough.

I don't think Reese is capable of overcoming SC's front court regardless of her emotional state, and her outside shooting is simply not good enough to make a difference. What Kamila, Kitts, Watkins and Feagin are going to do to Angel and Morrow is not going to be rocket surgery. They will move their feet, box out, rebound and block shots. They've shown a real aptitude for this all season long. We saw a preview of this from Kamila last summer in the FIBA games. And if PaoPao lights them up from 3 early, the game will be effectively over by halftime.

And that could very well may be what happens tonight. From what I've watched this season, there have been several games where we've been surprised by the end result when many were confident that the favourite would win handily.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I agree with all of this but the final intangible. There is no pressure on this LSU team imo even at home. Mulkey definitely has them in the underdog, who cares if we lose mindset based on all her pregame interviews.

I don't think it will matter and I see LSU losing by 25+.

If LSU doesn't care about their seed, winning the conference, or proving they aren't just little brother then there isn't any pressure on them.

SCar has none of that on the line.

 

[Centerstream]

Watching the GT at VT game and the home team play by play announcer has the annoying habit of somehow getting the word "momentarily" into the sentence almost every time Georgia Tech scores (at least through the 1st quarter). For instance, "That basket will silence the crowd momentarily."

 

[Vowelguy]

Don’t look now but the Fighting Triads (ACC edition) up double digits on 23 FSU late in q2.

 

[Vowelguy]

Watching the GT at VT game and the home team play by play announcer has the annoying habit of somehow getting the word "momentarily" into the sentence almost every time Georgia Tech scores (at least through the 1st quarter). For instance, "That basket will silence the crowd momentarily."

I’ll check that out and give you my take …. Momentarily.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Just a refresher on last year's game:

LSU took a haymaker in the first five minutes falling behind 18-2. Then they impressively dug their way almost completely out of it on basically Alexis Morris playing great, then were just soundly defeated in second half.

South Carolina clobbered LSU on the boards and LSU had no answer for Cardoso (who had maybe her best game of the season).

I feel like Williams and Morrow are obviously players that are new wrinkles. it was jarring how different South Carolina was in playing style and personnel.

Boston flat dominated Reese on the defensive end.

South Carolina played lineups that made me cringe a little. Sometimes four players at a time who basically needed to score in paint.

Not sure it means much but was interesting to watch after I have gotten used to the new lineups.

 

[maple]

Unfortunately there’s nowhere to watch the Le Moyne/Merrimack game live, but check out the seat view $10 will get you!

 

[Geew1992]

Just a refresher on last year's game:

LSU took a haymaker in the first five minutes falling behind 18-2 dig their way almost completely out of it on basically Alexis Moreis, then just looked completely defeated in second half.

South Carolina clobbered them on the boards and they had no answer for Cardoso who had maybe her best game of the season.

I feel like Williams and Moreow are obviously players that we didn't see and it was jarring how different South Carolina was in playing style and personnel.

Boston flat dominated Reese on the defensive end.

South Carolina played lineups that made me cringe a little. Sometimes four players at a time basically needed to score in paint.

Not sure it means much but was interesting to watch after I e gotten used to the new lineups.

SC def has the advantage. When Hailey Van Lith is on the floor it’s 4 on 5 cuz LSU doesn’t look for her

 

[Vowelguy]

Unfortunately there’s nowhere to watch the Le Moyne/Merrimack game live, but check out the seat view $10 will get you!

$10 to watch a low D1 game?

 

[Vowelguy]

Don’t look now but the Fighting Triads (ACC edition) up double digits on 23 FSU late in q2.

My suspicion is that Florida A&M, also Tallahassee based, got on the plane instead of FSU.

BDBD:
Blue devil beat down

Up 25+

 

[Gamecockfan77]

The whistle will make a big difference on both ends. How many offensive fouls does South Carolina commit. How many FTs does LSU shoot. Can they get SCar's guards into foul trouble?

 

[maple]

$10 to watch a low D1 game?

But you get free parking. I could drive an hour down to Binghamton and watch them play for $8, I guess. They have a cooler mascot.

Syracuse WBB tickets have doubled in price this year to $20 (plus fees) so I guess I don’t mind $10 so much.

And hey, I pay $35 to see UConn football, so ..

 

[triaddukefan]

Man, if we end up losing this game, I'm never coming back to the BY

 

[hoopsfan22]

ESPN doing Game Day for this South Carolina-LSU game.

 

[Centerstream]

The whistle will make a big difference on both ends. How many offensive fouls does South Carolina commit. How many FTs does LSU shoot. Can they get SCar's guards into fouls trouble?

I wonder if Dee Kantner is going to be reffing, she somehow shows up for a lot of Nationally televised games?

 

[nwhoopfan]

Man, if we end up losing this game, I'm never coming back to the BY

Whew, good thing that didn't happen. We would all miss you too much. Looks like this one was never in any kind of doubt.


Hey I'm still here after my team suffered one of the most embarrassing losses imaginable.

 

[maple]

Syracuse leading ND going into the half.

What’s going on with FSU? Do they have injuries?