Will South Carolina be undefeated entering the NCAAs? (Merged thread)

[GamecockFam]

I expect Cook and Boston to leave for the pros after this, their senior year. Both are making very good NIL money so I guess one or both could stay though i have little expectation of that.

Amihere and Cardosa are question marks due to the student visa/ US NIL issues. They might need the money. Maybe not though if their pay is made in their home countries.

Beal? I expect her to stay if Cardosa or Amihere go. Sure, she's a guard, but she probably needs a year out from the shadow of bigger names. How much will the WNBA value her defensive skills?

If Boston and Cardosa go, we'll be thin in the paint. Feagin can be and excellent scorer and Watkins can handle a lot of defense. However, they are more in the mould of forwards rather than posts. If a quality post player is in the portal this year, I could see Dawn pursuing her.

Agree. An elite post to replace Boston and Cardoso is the missing piece to future success. We really need to grab someone from the portal and/or recruit an elite post (i.e., Blanca Thomas, etc.) this next off-season.

 

[Centerstream]

Gamecocks have become the new perennial powerhouse. I’m a BU fan first, not hiding that fact, but can they be stopped? A once in a lifetime player leaves, and SC soon reloads with equal talent. Can Kim M and LSU cause SC trouble? If not who? AM is down, Tenn down, and SEC appears to be strongly tilted forever toward SC. How can Dawn be stopped from stealing all the WBB highlight spots? This BU fan is concerned. We have injuries and a new coach (who will eventually be a winner), so I’m looking for some help to end SC reign. UConn is injury prone like BU. Any ideas on who mIshtar step up? Stanford will not get the job done.

Since SoCar has become a perennial powerhouse, how many NCAA Tournaments have they entered undefeated? How many consecutive have they been to?
Asking for a friend.

 

[visitingcock]

Since SoCar has become a perennial powerhouse, how many NCAA Tournaments have they entered undefeated? How many consecutive have they been to?
Asking for a friend.

Ask for a different ( non-rhetorical) grind.

 

[GoChips20]

As a Gamecock fan it feels so weird to be referred to as a Goliath of any sport. Thank you Dawn Staley! May she regn forever!

Next year will be an interesting one for South Carolina. We'll definitely be a preseason top 10 team (probably top 5) with a chance to shoot up the rankings, but we'll be more vulnerable than you suggest. A healthy UConn will definitely be favored over South Carolina next season in the preseason polls.

A healthy Fudd/Bueckers backcourt alongside this renewed version of Edwards (which I am loving - she’ll be an All-American this year barring an unfortunate injury) has the potential to be one of the best college basketball teams seen in the last ten years IMO.

That said, I agree with other posters that the days of total dominance a la 2015-2016 are likely behind us. South Carolina and Stanford will remain contenders for the foreseeable future and number of other programs are on the rise.

Regardless of which of the big three you root for, they’ll all likely be in position for the title at years’ end and that’s really all you can ask.

 

[triaddukefan]

A healthy Fudd/Bueckers backcourt alongside this renewed version of Edwards (which I am loving - she’ll be an All-American this year barring an unfortunate injury) has the potential to be one of the best college basketball teams seen in the last ten years IMO.

That said, I agree with other posters that the days of total dominance a la 2015-2016 are likely behind us. South Carolina and Stanford will remain contenders for the foreseeable future and number of other programs are on the rise.

Regardless of which of the big three you root for, they’ll all likely be in position for the title at years’ end and that’s really all you can ask.

What if you root for none of the big 3?

 

[visitingcock]

What if you root for none of the big 3?

Then pull for powder blue if you must

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

What if you root for none of the big 3?

I guess you could root for American Motors, then.

 

[triaddukefan]

Then pull for powder blue if you must

Do I say what i wanna say and get banned.. Or should l hold back and remain on this board.

 

[LoTrader]

SDSU showing how to defend South Carolina. Pack in the paint and dare South Carolina guards to shoot. And then send all 5 of your defenders to the defensive boards.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

SDSU showing how to defend South Carolina. Pack in the paint and dare South Carolina guards to shoot. And then send all 5 of your defenders to the defensive boards.

The problem is that they can't score on us.

 

[TC22]

SDSU showing how to defend South Carolina. Pack in the paint and dare South Carolina guards to shoot. And then send all 5 of your defenders to the defensive boards.

Honestly, that’s how everybody defends us. Or they will send somebody to cover Zia and sag 4.

 

[npignatjr]

With the 3 officials last night doing every SC game will never lose.

 

[Bone Dog]

Did I understand correctly that someone above thought Henderson was a once in a lifetime talent? Interesting

 

[GoChips20]

I expect Cook and Boston to leave for the pros after this, their senior year. Both are making very good NIL money so I guess one or both could stay though i have little expectation of that.

Amihere and Cardosa are question marks due to the student visa/ US NIL issues. They might need the money. Maybe not though if their pay is made in their home countries.

Beal? I expect her to stay if Cardosa or Amihere go. Sure, she's a guard, but she probably needs a year out from the shadow of bigger names. How much will the WNBA value her defensive skills?

If Boston and Cardosa go, we'll be thin in the paint. Feagin can be and excellent scorer and Watkins can handle a lot of defense. However, they are more in the mould of forwards rather than posts. If a quality post player is in the portal this year, I could see Dawn pursuing her.

I’m rooting for Cooke but not sure she can stick in the W at this point in her career. She’s yet to shoot above 40% for a season and shooting percentages seldom improve from college to the pros. Then again, no guarantee another year in college would do it. With Cooke I think the issue is more recklessness and shot selection than it is ability.

She does have good athleticism, so she might prove me wrong.

 

[MSSportsGuy]

I don't see Boston staying. No idea about Cook, Beal, or Amihere. Cardoso is just a Junior and would likely want to start a year to get some more reps in preparation for the W. She's raw but you can't teach 6'7.

 

[SCGamecock]

Did I understand correctly that someone above thought Henderson was a once in a lifetime talent? Interesting

I see your attempt to derail this thread and I’m going to ask politely that you not….

 

[hoopsfan22]

I don't see Boston staying. No idea about Cook, Beal, or Amihere. Cardoso is just a Junior and would likely want to start a year to get some more reps in preparation for the W. She's raw but you can't teach 6'7.

I don't see why she would stay. She'll be the #1 pick this year whereas in the 2024 draft she wouldn't.

 

[Bone Dog]

I see your attempt to derail this thread and I’m going to ask politely that you not….

Not a derail at all, but a direct response to a comment on SCar's potential to go undefeated. The implication there seemed to be that the loss of Henderson was unparalleled, and indicative of a rich and deep team. Now, I'd agree that the team is rich and deep, and has as good a chance as any to go undefeated, and they might also be awesome next year too. But the loss of Henny doesn't really speak to this in the way that comment suggested.

 

[triaddukefan]

I see your attempt to derail this thread and I’m going to ask politely that you not….

Dag... I was just about to derail this thread to, but ill refrain

 

[sharris25]

I don't see why she would stay. She'll be the #1 pick this year whereas in the 2024 draft she wouldn't.

If Boston came out in 2024 she would still be the #1 Pick. No sensible GM is going to pass up a generational big of which they are fewer and far in-between than any generational guard. Extraordinary Height and skill always surpasses regular height and skill. This rule holds true in the NBA and the WNBA. I some hate to hear it, but it is and always will be true.

 

[shiverz45]

I don't see why she would stay. She'll be the #1 pick this year whereas in the 2024 draft she wouldn't.

How would you know that for certain? You don't know who will be drafting #1 or that team specific need.

 

[Bone Dog]

I don't see Boston staying. No idea about Cook, Beal, or Amihere. Cardoso is just a Junior and would likely want to start a year to get some more reps in preparation for the W. She's raw but you can't teach 6'7.

If this is a derail, it isn't mine. But I'd think any of these young women might be reluctant to stay an extra year in college after seeing all the injuries this year.

 

[ConwayGmck]

With the 3 officials last night doing every SC game will never lose.

I also understand that they were the crew for the chartered plane as well.....

 

[ConwayGmck]

Did I understand correctly that someone above thought Henderson was a once in a lifetime talent? Interesting

It is interesting. I re-read all posts preceding yours, and the only post I can attribute to your interest, was this one:

Gamecocks have become the new perennial powerhouse. I’m a BU fan first, not hiding that fact, but can they be stopped? A once in a lifetime player leaves, and SC soon reloads with equal talent....

My own observations - without the clarifications from Baylorfan - is that he was referring more to Aja Wilson, who led the Gamecocks to their first ever national title - than to any other player. That it was more to observations of the entire South Carolina WBB program under Staley, than to just the previous season alone. I mean, most of that "equal talent" was already there WITH Henderson, before she left, so.....

Not a derail at all, but a direct response to a comment on SCar's potential to go undefeated. The implication there seemed to be that the loss of Henderson was unparalleled, and indicative of a rich and deep team.

I would disagree with this statement: It implies the exact opposite - if a program was "rich and deep" in talent as you say, then such a loss of ANY great player - Henderson OR A'ja Wilson - would NOT be so "unparralleled", but rather commonplace for that program.

As it is, lets look at some key statistical indicators of South Carolina's major question marks at Guard:

Assists per Game:

2021-22: 13.9 apg
2022-23: 16.1 apg

Assists to Turnovers Ratio:

2021-22: 0.96
2022-23: 1.18

Turnovers per Game:

2021-22: 14.4 tpg
2022-23: 13.6 tpg

It is early in the season, and one can make the argument that the OOC schedule is NOT as strong as last season's, but those represent improvements in all categories. We still have two more OOC games to play before the SEC schedule, and those appear to be of the type of games for stat-padding. We'll see. Stats also tend to settle down more than blow up once the conference schedule begins for the Gamecocks: the SEC may be on a slight downturn this season compared to the last 2-3 seasons, but it's still not the AAC or the Big East.

But the team does appear to have improved overall across the team, than what it was last season. Its scoring 10 ppg more than last season, while holding opponents to 4 ppg fewer. It's shooting at a slightly higher % while holding opponents to a slightly lower %. The bench I feel has made the most impactful step up from last season, to where the reserves are scoring as much if not more than what the starting unit has averaged. This has made the biggest move to cover whatever the guard play is NOT producing in games. That's a lot of athleticism, rebounding, shot-blocking, defensive length and size, and extra fouls to just overwhelm opponents with....

 

[Bone Dog]

It is interesting. I re-read all posts preceding yours, and the only post I can attribute to your interest, was this one:



My own observations - without the clarifications from Baylorfan - is that he was referring more to Aja Wilson, who led the Gamecocks to their first ever national title - than to any other player. That it was more to observations of the entire South Carolina WBB program under Staley, than to just the previous season alone. I mean, most of that "equal talent" was already there WITH Henderson, before she left, so.....



I would disagree with this statement: It implies the exact opposite - if a program was "rich and deep" in talent as you say, then such a loss of ANY great player - Henderson OR A'ja Wilson - would NOT be so "unparralleled", but rather commonplace for that program.

As it is, lets look at some key statistical indicators of South Carolina's major question marks at Guard:

Assists per Game:

2021-22: 13.9 apg
2022-23: 16.1 apg

Assists to Turnovers Ratio:

2021-22: 0.96
2022-23: 1.18

Turnovers per Game:

2021-22: 14.4 tpg
2022-23: 13.6 tpg

It is early in the season, and one can make the argument that the OOC schedule is NOT as strong as last season's, but those represent improvements in all categories. We still have two more OOC games to play before the SEC schedule, and those appear to be of the type of games for stat-padding. We'll see. Stats also tend to settle down more than blow up once the conference schedule begins for the Gamecocks: the SEC may be on a slight downturn this season compared to the last 2-3 seasons, but it's still not the AAC or the Big East.

But the team does appear to have improved overall across the team, than what it was last season. Its scoring 10 ppg more than last season, while holding opponents to 4 ppg fewer. It's shooting at a slightly higher % while holding opponents to a slightly lower %. The bench I feel has made the most impactful step up from last season, to where the reserves are scoring as much if not more than what the starting unit has averaged. This has made the biggest move to cover whatever the guard play is NOT producing in games. That's a lot of athleticism, rebounding, shot-blocking, defensive length and size, and extra fouls to just overwhelm opponents with....

I agree with everything in this bizarre post. The second half is a fine analysis of the situation at SCar. I’m completely on board with your reading of the data.

As for the first half, I think you want to disagree with me — Lord only knows why — about something — Lord only knows what — and then find the post I was referring to (thanks for that) and show that although you read it as referring to another player it’s ambiguous enough to be read as referring to who I thought. Fair enough. And then you fuss about the antecedent of “unparalleled,” as if I’d disagree with you. I don’t. The reason SCar is a powerhouse is that they’re deep enough to keep fielding great teams even after good or even great players leave. They’re not a “one-trick pony.” Wilson was truly great, and her departure did not undermine the team. Henderson was a good guard, and her departure surely left a hole, but the team is strong enough to respond to it — at least as far as early season indicators suggest.

The reason I say the post is bizarre is that you combine some excellent observations and analysis with what seems to be an attempt to refute someone who agrees with you. Sigh. Perhaps I’m mistaken and you don’t mean to refute me, or anything so tendentious. If so, I apologize for my misreading. It’s a bizarre feature of fan forums, I suppose, that even though we all share a love of the game and our teams, we can work ourselves into quite disputatious moods even when we ought to cheer each other on. We often express half-finished thoughts in our enthusiasm, and we’re open to misinterpretation, and we, all of us, change our opinions as the discussion continues. That’s the nature of these things, and I try to stay as open and open-hearted about it as I can.

 

[visitingcock]

I agree with everything in this bizarre post. The second half is a fine analysis of the situation at SCar. I’m completely on board with your reading of the data.

As for the first half, I think you want to disagree with me — Lord only knows why — about something — Lord only knows what — and then find the post I was referring to (thanks for that) and show that although you read it as referring to another player it’s ambiguous enough to be read as referring to who I thought. Fair enough. And then you fuss about the antecedent of “unparalleled,” as if I’d disagree with you. I don’t. The reason SCar is a powerhouse is that they’re deep enough to keep fielding great teams even after good or even great players leave. They’re not a “one-trick pony.” Wilson was truly great, and her departure did not undermine the team. Henderson was a good guard, and her departure surely left a hole, but the team is strong enough to respond to it — at least as far as early season indicators suggest.

The reason I say the post is bizarre is that you combine some excellent observations and analysis with what seems to be an attempt to refute someone who agrees with you. Sigh. Perhaps I’m mistaken and you don’t mean to refute me, or anything so tendentious. If so, I apologize for my misreading. It’s a bizarre feature of fan forums, I suppose, that even though we all share a love of the game and our teams, we can work ourselves into quite disputatious moods even when we ought to cheer each other on. We often express half-finished thoughts in our enthusiasm, and we’re open to misinterpretation, and we, all of us, change our opinions as the discussion continues. That’s the nature of these things, and I try to stay as open and open-hearted about it as I can.

As Dawn herself observed about our fanbase, we can be a bit . . . uhm ... combative.

 

[npignatjr]

If Boston came out in 2024 she would still be the #1 Pick. No sensible GM is going to pass up a generational big of which they are fewer and far in-between than any generational guard. Extraordinary Height and skill always surpasses regular height and skill. This rule holds true in the NBA and the WNBA. I some hate to hear it, but it is and always will be true.

It would depend on who has the choice. If the team has a need for a center with a game from the foul line in yes.

 

[visitingcock]

As Dawn herself observed about our fanbase, we can be a bit . . . uhm ... combative.

Oops. The actual word she used was “ crass.”

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

Oops. The actual word she used was “ crass.”

We're trying to emulate sports fans from her hometown.

 

[bballnut90]

How would you know that for certain? You don't know who will be drafting #1 or that team specific need.

It'd be her or Clark but I don't see why getting drafted #1 vs #2 makes a difference. If she comes back a 5th year it'll give her better odds to avoid Indiana lol.