2024-2025 WBB Team (2022-present)
- Thread starter TN-Gamecock
- Start date
Well Pooh … now we really need Joyce!!!
Pretty much as I anticipated. I just can’t allow myself to get enthused over recruits west of the Mississippi, the pacific coasters in particular.
It will be interesting to see how her and Juju work together. Their 2024 class will now be 5 deep but 4 of them are guards. The more I look at Southern Cal roster the more I realize Morrow really should have committed there.
While disappointed, I still think the commits we already have already make up for a good class. Not only does it supplement our 2023 class well it also fills in nicely for the likely loss of Cardoso and Pao Pao to the draft. A Joyce commitment turns this class from good to great though.
Good luck to Smith. Time to move. We have a big game tommorow.
Here are my guesses on defense matchups:
Masonius - Cardoso
Alexander - Chloe/Watkins
Briggs - Paopao
Turner-Brown - Hall
Sellers - Raven
Seller is definitely their best player, so Hall could get the assignment, but Sellers was running the point against Harvard and Dawn generally prefers Raven to guard the opposing team's primary ball-handler. Cardoso is the only player who can help out. Everyone else needs to stay with their assignment. Maryland has 4 legitimate shooters in the starting lineup.
Watching last year's game in the Elite Eight, Maryland pressed 3/4 of the court and had some success. They did the same against Harvard. So I expect we'll see that tomorrow from them. I think playing faster this year, we'll be more effective against the press. Of course, we don't want to get carried away and play out of control. I thought we did a good job of that against ND, most notably Milaysa.
Here are my guesses on defense matchups:
Masonius - Cardoso
Alexander - Chloe/Watkins
Briggs - Paopao
Turner-Brown - Hall
Sellers - Raven
Seller is definitely their best player, so Hall could get the assignment, but Sellers was running the point against Harvard and Dawn generally prefers Raven to guard the opposing team's primary ball-handler. Cardoso is the only player who can help out. Everyone else needs to stay with their assignment. Maryland has 4 legitimate shooters in the starting lineup.
Watching last year's game in the Elite Eight, Maryland pressed 3/4 of the court and had some success. They did the same against Harvard. So I expect we'll see that tomorrow from them. I think playing faster this year, we'll be more effective against the press. Of course, we don't want to get carried away and play out of control. I thought we did a good job of that against ND, most notably Milaysa.
That was Fulwiley that got smacked. I initially thought it was Raven.
I don't know if anyone saw this: UGA lost to Belmont by 26 points. Looking at Georgia's box score, I was only familiar with a few of the names. They must have had a lot of roster turnover.
Tessa Johnson with 6 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in the first half. Not bad.
Gamecocks win in a blowout over Maryland 114-76 to improve to 2-0 on the young season. It was a dominant performance all around for USC, who had a balanced offense with seven (7) Gamecocks scoring in double digits. Maryland is a guard-dominant team that has had a fast-paced running offense over the last 2-3 seasons, but South Carolina won the fast-break pts battle 26-2. USC finished with 53 rebounds, 30 assists (!!!) to just 10 turnovers. They shot 43-83 (52%) from the field, and 12-24 (50%) from behind the arc. But only 16-25 (64%) from the charity stripe, so they still have work to do in that area, but this was NOT a game that would be decided at the free throw line.
Te-Hina Paopao led the Gamecocks with 14 pts and 8 assists. Both Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins scored 13 pts each as well as recorded double-digit games, with Watkins pulling down 11 rebounds, and Kitts adding 10 boards. Kamilla Cardoso added 12 pts and 7 rebounds in limited minutes while hampered with foul trouble. Milaysia Fulwiley, Bree Hall, and Tess Johnson each added 12 pts. Raven Johnson scored 8 pts along with tying Paopao for the team lead with 8 assists...
Te-Hina Paopao led the Gamecocks with 14 pts and 8 assists. Both Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins scored 13 pts each as well as recorded double-digit games, with Watkins pulling down 11 rebounds, and Kitts adding 10 boards. Kamilla Cardoso added 12 pts and 7 rebounds in limited minutes while hampered with foul trouble. Milaysia Fulwiley, Bree Hall, and Tess Johnson each added 12 pts. Raven Johnson scored 8 pts along with tying Paopao for the team lead with 8 assists...
Ouch! On the flip side Mizzou beat Belmont by 11 and with their LSU cloned schedule have realistic chance to go 12-1 in OOC
Sania Rivers goes off on UCONN in the first half 15 pts on 6-8. State only down by 1 at the half
OMG Paopao killed it in post game interview.TeHina you had 14 pts and 8 assists tell us about the balance of your game
“Yes, I do a little bit of everything, but my main focus is defense! That’s what keeps you on the floor.”
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Down goes #2 UCONN! Saniya Rivers with 33 points to lead NC State.
From my perspective, its the same thing all over again for CT. Lack of depth at the post position, and relying too much on perimeter offense from players who have dealt with crippling injuries most of their college careers. NC State is not as deep in the post as they have been in recent years, but they out-rebounded CT all game long and 41-29 at the end. Had 6 team blocks to 0 for CT. And another thing I've noticed over the past 2-3 seasons with CT: they are NOT a great 3-pt. shooting team....very streaky in that area these days.
Bueckers appeared to have a hand bandaged up pretty substantially, which may have hampered her ball-handling abilities: she just had 3 assists - 2 she got very late in the game - with 3 turnovers. She's still a dangerous offensive threat, but she and Edwards scored 28 of their team's 38 2nd-half pts. For a team that's supposed to have great depth of talent, that's too one-dimensional in a tight away game......
UConn’s Dirty little secret is that they have a size problem. Edwards is the only ready to play quality big they have and she is only 6’3”
So….. UConn vs Maryland Thursday……
IN THE LOSERS BRACKET
IN THE LOSERS BRACKET
That is clearly evident. They looked slow to me as well. Admittedly, I don't know much about UCLA or Utah but I can't imagine that there is a team out there as good as our Gamecocks....
The best thing to happen to this year's team was last year's team losing in the Final Four. This team is hungry. The players clearly put in the work during the off-season. It's been pointed out previously that several players like Raven and Chloe have transformed their bodies. But it's also mental preparation. They are already in mid-season form.
Any benefits from that disaster will have to be determined in the crucibles of time and championship competition.
Small point that will be lost in a 40 point victory: Dawn subbed Jah in with 8 seconds left in the half for defense. She forced a steal in the backcourt and then made a basket to go up 12 to end the half. Excellent coaching there.
Jah's only played 12 minutes all season, but she's been really good in those minutes. Best defensive rating on the team.
Jah's only played 12 minutes all season, but she's been really good in those minutes. Best defensive rating on the team.
With LSU and UCONN losing while our wins have been over ranked teams, will we be #1? I can't imagine who would be ranked over us. Iowa or UCLA taking the top spot?
Three 100(+) point offensive games with scorers spread over the roster right out of the gate is impressive - and not against an LSU type OOC schedule.
Can we get #4 vs. Clemtech?
A lot of focus on the improvement in our guards' shooting for the offensive production, but we are also improved at the 4.
Crazy stat on Watkins - she is blocking 20% of all shot by our opponents when she's in the game. For comparison, Aliyah averaged 7% last season. Of course, Ashlyn's only played two games, but they are two of the best teams we'll play.
We should be but I suspect they will give it to Iowa in order to get as much mileage as they can from the Clark love fest. They will lose multiple games again this year but it probably won't be until they start their conference schedule.....talk about a bunch of creme puffs!!! We will be #1 when it counts!
Damn!
Now let me give you the skinny on assists
Last year 16.6 per game this year 29.5
Last assists to turnover 1.3 this year 2.36