Will South Carolina run it back and go undefeated in 2024-25?

[TC22]

I think Coach Staley will replace Cardoso with Sania Fagan in order to reward her loyalty and to increase her draft stock. Watkins off the bench is every bit as effective. It would not surprise me at all if Raven takes a seat to start games next year.

Raven isn’t taking a seat. If you think Lay is starting in her place you don’t know Dawn. She doesn’t care if Raven scores a point - she’s the one that runs the team and she’s magnificent at it. Dawn will figure out her rotations and her players will know where they stand. I think they all enjoyed how things turned out this year and that’s certainly motivation to do it again. Joyce Edwards has already said she’s coming in trying to find a role. Raven, Feagin and Bree Hall are all seniors. Raven does have a redshirt year if she wants to come back.

Unless they do A crazy reboot of the conference schedule next year we should play LSU at home and we also play UConn at home.

 

[TC22]

It’s all up to Dawn being able to continue to convince her recruits to sacrifice their individual egos for the greater good of winning a NC. Dawn will have her endorsement deals. Will any of her players?
She’s done a magnificent job of creating an unselfish culture. If everybody comes back and/or she can augment leavers with the same quality athletes. They could easily win it all next year.

Dawn’s players are not lacking in endorsements. She’s actually one of the coaches that absolutely supports NIL. MiLaysia has the National brands but there are quite a few with other big deals.

 

[jumpstart]

It's too hard to go undefeated and that's why it was a shock this year. You could argue that the team will be better, but you also lose your "youth and enthusiasm" in year 2 of a run. It's certainly possible but I don't think it's probable. They will be a final four team and maybe win it all again, but the undefeated part is going to be hard and not necessary.

 

[jumpstart]

Honestly, I am not sure about SC next year. Sure, most everyone will be back from a team that just won the national championship. However, it is going to be tough to replace Cardoso. They won't have anyone close to her size on their roster next year. I also wonder about their depth. They will only have 11 players. If a few injuries hit, that could significantly impact their depth. The injury bug didn't hit them too much this year but UCONN fans know how things like that can derail a season.

Well Tac comes in at 6'6" and Dawn has said she is more ready than Boston was. Do you remember Boston in her freshman season? If Tac can play and if Dawn is correct, then Cardosa's spot is filled with an equal or better player. I saw Tac standing next to Cardosa several times and she is just as tall and broader. You won't see her moved around the court in the paint.

 

[GamecockFam]

Well Tac comes in at 6'6" and Dawn has said she is more ready than Boston was. Do you remember Boston in her freshman season? If Tac can play and if Dawn is correct, then Cardosa's spot is filled with an equal or better player. I saw Tac standing next to Cardosa several times and she is just as tall and broader. You won't see her moved around the court in the paint.

Slight correction to your statement. Dawn said that Tac was more ready DEFENSIVELY from a basketball IQ standpoint than Boston as a freshmen.

 

[jumpstart]

Slight correction to your statement. Dawn said that Tac was more ready DEFENSIVELY from a basketball IQ standpoint than Boston as a freshmen.

She doesn't need offense from Tac. The defense and rebounding are all she will need from her. They have scorers. It's still a scary proposition to have that caliper of a player to replace Cardosa.

 

[JstVisiting]

If UConn has to play them next season, they will beat South Carolina.

Barring significant changes to either roster through the portal, I believe you will be disappointed. I would not feel confident at Gampel, but South Carolina should win in Columbia.

 

[ConnManFan]

I hate to go against my Husky's - but a two team parlay on South Carolina and either Duke or UConn men could be a good futures bet for next season. Combo of UConn men and SC women is +3300. Well worth dropping 20 now to have a good shot at 660 a year from now. To me there is low risk in picking Carolina. It's the mens side that could get tricky.

 

[12au]

Just looked at 2025 championship odds on a betting site:

South Carolina +145
UConn 4/1
Texas 7/1
Notre Dame/LSU/USC 9/1
UCLA 14/1

 

[jumpstart]

Found this on Tac.

 

[visitingcock]

Found this on Tac.

I was worried about her TWO injuries and that she might not be rehabbed well enough. Then, I saw this today and I feel much more optimistic that she could be available at the beginning of Fall workouts.

 

[ucbart]

It was arguably just the one but I agree they won't go undefeated again.

I would like to go on record as having said that SC NEVER should've been ranked 6th at the beginning of this season. LOL!

As for next year, they're the clear cut #1, but I do think the loss of Cardoso will be much bigger than people think. You can have close to equal talent of South Carolina, but with such a massive force in the paint, it's impossible to:

1. Guard her
2. Do much inside against her on the offensive end.

Now, they're loaded with talent, but it's not talent surrounded by someone who is just that big and dominant.

 

[GamecockFam]

I would like to go on record as having said that SC NEVER should've been ranked 6th at the beginning of this season. LOL!

As for next year, they're the clear cut #1, but I do think the loss of Cardoso will be much bigger than people think. You can have close to equal talent of South Carolina, but with such a massive force in the paint, it's impossible to:

1. Guard her
2. Do much inside against her on the offensive end.

Now, they're loaded with talent, but it's not talent surrounded by someone who is just that big and dominant.

Yeah, even excluding the Tennessee miracle shot, I think we would have lost some games without Cardoso...the Duke and North Carolina games come to mind. We would have probably had 3 losses this season without her.

 

[Darwin]

I really like their team but I just don't see it tbh. In fairness I didn't see it to begin this season. The SEC gets tougher next year with the addition Texas and Oklahoma I believe. I'm not sure how that works out with the schedule. Additionally, they may be playing Uconn at Uconn which will be a pretty big test. I know they won some games without Cardoso this season, but she really was a difference maker in some of their closest games. Unless Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson take a big leap which is not out of the question, I don't think they'll be able to do it. Of course, I'd like to revisit the thread once some of the big fish in the portal find their destination.

UConn plays at SC next season.

 

[Darwin]

I think Coach Staley will replace Cardoso with Sania Fagan in order to reward her loyalty and to increase her draft stock. Watkins off the bench is every bit as effective. It would not surprise me at all if Raven takes a seat to start games next year.

Feagin may well start at the 5, good call. Raven is the team leader and floor general, she won’t ever see the bench until she graduates however.

 

[jdote33]

UConn plays at SC next season.

Thanks. I believe @visitingcock made that correction as well. I would expect a much tougher game if Uconn is healthy but definitely noted.

One thing I want to note is that they also were a bit underrated, not being talked about when the season started. Even though it still kinda feels they probably haven't gotten praised enough for what they just accomplished, undoubtedly they will be more on the hunted side, having a target on their back. I don't think they'll be able to sneak up on anyone.

This is probably for another thread but who will be there best player next year

 

[visitingcock]

Thanks. I believe @visitingcock made that correction as well. I would expect a much tougher game if Uconn is healthy but definitely noted.

One thing I want to note is that they also were a bit underrated, not being talked about when the season started. Even though it still kinda feels they probably haven't gotten praised enough for what they just accomplished, undoubtedly they will be more on the hunted side, having a target on their back. I don't think they'll be able to sneak up on anyone.

This is probably for another thread but who will be there best player next year

Best player? Will change every game.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I would like to go on record as having said that SC NEVER should've been ranked 6th at the beginning of this season. LOL!

As for next year, they're the clear cut #1, but I do think the loss of Cardoso will be much bigger than people think. You can have close to equal talent of South Carolina, but with such a massive force in the paint, it's impossible to:

1. Guard her
2. Do much inside against her on the offensive end.

Now, they're loaded with talent, but it's not talent surrounded by someone who is just that big and dominant.

It's very possible that losing Cardoso will be the difference in championship caliber play.

At a minimum it requires players to step up quite a bit.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Thanks. I believe @visitingcock made that correction as well. I would expect a much tougher game if Uconn is healthy but definitely noted.

One thing I want to note is that they also were a bit underrated, not being talked about when the season started. Even though it still kinda feels they probably haven't gotten praised enough for what they just accomplished, undoubtedly they will be more on the hunted side, having a target on their back. I don't think they'll be able to sneak up on anyone.

This is probably for another thread but who will be there best player next year

I think without Clark the narrative might revolve around SC's streak if the team starts out say 6-0.

 

[VAUConnFan]

Feagin may well start at the 5, good call. Raven is the team leader and floor general, she won’t ever see the bench until she graduates however.

Raven scares me on the offensive end.

 

[TC22]

Raven scares me on the offensive end.

Not me. She was terrific the entire season until the championship game. She was 3/3 from 3 in the NC State game. She runs the show and when she does her job well the points she gets will be bonus. She’ll work this summer. This is her team now and she’s on a mission. She could declare for the draft next year, although she might use her redshirt year and come back for one more.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

Not me. She was terrific the entire season until the championship game. She was 3/3 from 3 in the NC State game. She runs the show and when she does her job well the points she gets will be bonus. She’ll work this summer. This is her team now and she’s on a mission. She could declare for the draft next year, although she might use her redshirt year and come back for one more.

I like what I see from her over overall. In year 2 she's improved her shooting percentage to a respectable 44% (+8) and 35%(+11) from 3. She still has 3:1 (2nd nationally )assist to turnover ratio and has doubled her rebounding from last season. She's a true PG that's been crucial to our offense this season.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Not me. She was terrific the entire season until the championship game. She was 3/3 from 3 in the NC State game. She runs the show and when she does her job well the points she gets will be bonus. She’ll work this summer. This is her team now and she’s on a mission. She could declare for the draft next year, although she might use her redshirt year and come back for one more.

She needs to have as good a year in the gym this year as she did last. The shooting touch came and went and she needs that for the next level.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

I like what I see from her over overall. In year 2 she's improved her shooting percentage to a respectable 44% (+8) and 35%(+11) from 3. She still has 3:1 (2nd nationally )assist to turnover ratio and has doubled her rebounding from last season. She's a true PG that's been crucial to our offense this season.

Only .402 /.275 in conference season.

I think the ceiling of the team is extremely high if everyone puts in the work but I wonder if they will be hungry again.

 

[stwainfan]

The SEC will be different next year. New coaches, players switching teams, and Texas and Oklahoma join. It will be hard to go undefeated.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

The SEC will be different next year. New coaches, players switching teams, and Texas and Oklahoma join. It will be hard to go undefeated.

Texas would seem to be biggest obstacle.

At the moment Tennessee and LSU seem to be going backwards.

 

[visitingcock]

Texas would seem to be biggest obstacle.

At the moment Tennessee and LSU seem to be going backwards.

Let’s see what Kim buys in the portal before we count her out.

 

[Gamecockfan77]

Let’s see what Kim buys in the portal before we count her out.

Why I said at the moment.

The portal is going to crown a preseason favorite that isn't SC, I think.

Deja Kelly at LSU would be interesting but I do wonder if she's looking to get off point.

Although honestly, UNC was a good situation.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Why I said at the moment.

The portal is going to crown a preseason favorite that isn't SC, I think.

Deja Kelly at LSU would be interesting but I do wonder if she's looking to get off point.

Although honestly, UNC was a good situation.

Deja is a downgrade at LSU. The only way they get better based on current players in the portal is if they add Kiki imo.

 

[jumpstart]

Thanks. I believe @visitingcock made that correction as well. I would expect a much tougher game if Uconn is healthy but definitely noted.

One thing I want to note is that they also were a bit underrated, not being talked about when the season started. Even though it still kinda feels they probably haven't gotten praised enough for what they just accomplished, undoubtedly they will be more on the hunted side, having a target on their back. I don't think they'll be able to sneak up on anyone.

This is probably for another thread but who will be there best player next year

There vs their? I'm sorry but I had to do it. If there is a blue line under a word, it means something is wrong with it.