2024-2025 WBB Team (2022-present)

[DarkCock]

All wins are good wins, but I hope this team can get well rested after the SEC Tournament. Other than LSU and USC, the rest of the SEC is weak this year on the women's side and USC's shooting numbers the last few weeks have gone down significantly. When you look at the game by game the last 6 games or so, it's an overall steady decline. Hope this team didn't peak to early because once you get past rounds 1 and 2 of NCAAs, which I expect USC to win, then you can match up with teams that can beat you (especially if you get some PAC12 teams!).

As for the SEC Tournament, hope they can win it, simply because I don't want LSU to win it.

When do you think this team peaked? Mississippi Valley State? Kentucky? Those are just bad teams.

I'm confident our shooting numbers will go up once Cardoso returns to the regular rotation. I'm actually concerned her return might affect our defensive chemistry in some way. We are playing maybe at the highest level ever under Dawn right now. Teams are struggling to break 50 against us.

 

[DarkCock]

The SEC is down, but it’s an odd down year. We will get 9 teams in the tournament and another probably just outside.

That said other than us and the Barbies, none will make the second weekend. Maybe OLE Miss and UT make the second game, but it’s going to be a sad first weekend for SEC teams.

As to the shooting decline, it also worries me somewhat. The tough part about conference play is that everyone knows your offensive sets. In fact they have years of tape on you.

Charlie Creme has Arkansas in his first four out. How are they even in consideration at this point? Maybe if they were to beat us or make a deep run in the SEC tournament. As it stands, though, they have been far too inconsistent to merit consideration.

 

[CockyGirl]

Thoughts on the Bama game:

* After last night's game, our defensive rating is now better than last season's. We are also holding opponents to a lower field goal % than last season (31%). Our first-half defensive performance has to rank with one of the best half performances of Dawn Staley's tenure, which is saying a lot.

* Both Massey and Her Hoop Stats predicted we would beat Bama by 23 WITH Cardoso. We beat them by 28 WITHOUT her.

* Not only did Cardoso have the night off, but Raven had a half-night off. She only played 18 minutes. Against Georgia, she played 37, so coach obviously wanted to give her some rest.

* I watch a lot of SEC games -- if there is a better defensive player than Ashlyn Watkins, I don't know who she is. She started at the 5, but Chloe guarded the big freshman, which meant Watkins was matched up against a guard. And she was more than capable of switching onto any of Bama's perimeter players. If Cardoso had played, Chloe would have been forced to defend a guard. I think that is the reason Dawn chose this game to rest Cardoso rather than against Tennessee or Georgia, when Cardoso's interior defense was needed. But even in those games, Cardoso was on a minutes restriction. I anticipate she'll be back as normal against Kentucky.

* Bree had a nice bounce-back game after a couple of poor performances. I thought she was the Player of the Game. She shot well on offense and her defense was outstanding. Thanks to Watkins defensive versatility, Bree was able to matchup against Barker and she completely shut her down. Was Barker benched? She didn't play much in the 2nd half.

* Bama started the game in a matchup zone. After our offensive performance against Georgia, that was probably expected. I suppose it worked in the 1st quarter. However, in the 2nd quarter, during the 17-0 run, we got some open looks from 3 and hit them. Once Bama was behind by 20 points, Curry was forced to go to man. It's difficult to get back into the game with a passive defense. Against us, a team really needs its defense to generate some points off turnovers.

* Sakima Walker played 18 minutes, the most of her career. A mixed result. Her defense was very good. She also ran the court well; the announcers even complimented Walker on her rim running. She didn't score, though, which is not that big of a deal. More concerning is only 3 rebounds. If she wants to be a significant factor for next season, she needs to be more assertive on the boards.

It was noted on the insiders forum that Barker was either sick or hurt. Someone also noted that she was rubbing her temples so could have been a bad headache. Or she had enough of Ashlyn

I think Raven was a little under the weather. Noticed her coughing and sneezing.

 

[germangamecock]

It's awesome to see a new entry on this list:

List of college women's basketball career coaching wins leaders - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[PFUNK Cock]

I’m not writing for the bettor just the winner. I try to give an accurate vision of how the game may turn from both sides. I have been pretty damn accurate on picking straight up winners. With the exception of Arkansas, I am freaking 2-11 on their games!!
On a side note, I think you would go broke betting faster without my insights.

I am just messing with you. This has been a ridiculous year to predict on the woman’s side. Kentucky has all of a sudden become a tough pit for teams. Arkansas is an enigma.

 

[winloseortie]

I am just messing with you. This has been a ridiculous year to predict on the woman’s side. Kentucky has all of a sudden become a tough pit for teams. Arkansas is an enigma.

I enjoy your banter! One of the things the SEC post game crew said last night after the LSU game really caught my attention. Every team in the league except us and UT have experienced back to back losses. There is a lot of individual talent in this league but few consistent cohesive teams.

 

[PFUNK Cock]

I enjoy your banter! One of the things the SEC post game crew said last night after the LSU game really caught my attention. Every team in the league except us and UT have experienced back to back losses. There is a lot of individual talent in this league but few consistent cohesive teams.

We are getting better coaches in the league who develop talent. UK was a mess at the start of the season but they seem to have risen from the ashes. Arkansas is the team the I would stay far away from at the betting table. The league will be much stronger next season with the addition of Texas and OU.

 

[DarkCock]

PAC-12 Friday Night -- Colorado @ SoCal

 

[DarkCock]

 

[DarkCock]

No Brink tonight and Stanford loses at home to Arizona. Really makes me appreciate how well we have played in Cardoso's absence.

SoCal beats Colorado. Juju Watkins scores 42. I think Caitlin Clark goes pro at the end of this season because Watkins is winning National Player of the Year next season whether Clark stays or goes. Maybe Clark stays to pad her scoring record, that's the only way she'll prevent Watkins from surpassing her. Watkins is ridiculous.

 

[USCEDGE]

Just throwing some stats out here to help a few of you relax a bit. We have not lost a game but have the 4th toughest schedule. The next fewest losses are 2 but only by 2 teams, UNLV and Gonzaga. The rest of the 357 teams have 3 or more losses. We are #2 in the nation on offense and #1 on defense. So who is #1 on offense? That would be Iowa but they come in at #108 on defense! LSU is right up there at #3 offensively but fall to #43 defensively.

We lead the nation, of course, in scoring margin. Our closest game was a 6 point win versus LSU. We beat UNC by 7 and Utah by 9. Every other game has been by double digits. To close out the conference regular season we are favored to win each of the 3 games by 90+%. Yes, we have lost a little focus coming down the stretch for several reasons but I feel certain Dawn will have them ready to go at tournament time.

Massey still has this team ranked as the 17th best women's basketball team of all-time. Should we run the table we will be knocking on the door of the top 10. I have no reason to believe that won't happen.

Let's Go Gamecocks!!!


Something else caught my eye over on Massey. Did not realize it but SC St. has only won 1 game this year and are ranked 359 out of 360 teams. Not good....

 

[debordieu cock]

Some are saying that Mulkey let that REESE slip out intentionally to send a message to Sarah Strong. The LSU board is saying they feel comfortable of where they are in Strong's recruitment. Of course, this is the same crowd that felt comfortable with Joyce's recruitment as well.

 

[vacock]

 

[winloseortie]

Just throwing some stats out here to help a few of you relax a bit. We have not lost a game but have the 4th toughest schedule. The next fewest losses are 2 but only by 2 teams, UNLV and Gonzaga. The rest of the 357 teams have 3 or more losses. We are #2 in the nation on offense and #1 on defense. So who is #1 on offense? That would be Iowa but they come in at #108 on defense! LSU is right up there at #3 offensively but fall to #43 defensively.

We lead the nation, of course, in scoring margin. Our closest game was a 6 point win versus LSU. We beat UNC by 7 and Utah by 9. Every other game has been by double digits. To close out the conference regular season we are favored to win each of the 3 games by 90+%. Yes, we have lost a little focus coming down the stretch for several reasons but I feel certain Dawn will have them ready to go at tournament time.

Massey still has this team ranked as the 17th best women's basketball team of all-time. Should we run the table we will be knocking on the door of the top 10. I have no reason to believe that won't happen.

Let's Go Gamecocks!!!


Something else caught my eye over on Massey. Did not realize it but SC St. has only won 1 game this year and are ranked 359 out of 360 teams. Not good....

Calling it now, SCSU will be on the LSU Schedule next season

 

[vacock]

Calling it now, SCSU will be on the LSU Schedule next season

Or the NCCAA team that SCSU beat!
(National Christian College Athletic Association)

 

[KingWard]

Some are saying that Mulkey let that REESE slip out intentionally to send a message to Sarah Strong. The LSU board is saying they feel comfortable of where they are in Strong's recruitment. Of course, this is the same crowd that felt comfortable with Joyce's recruitment as well.

In that case, these smoke signals could also be a ruse and Angel could wind up doubling back after Sarah's ink is dry.

 

[winloseortie]

No Brink tonight and Stanford loses at home to Arizona. Really makes me appreciate how well we have played in Cardoso's absence.

SoCal beats Colorado. Juju Watkins scores 42. I think Caitlin Clark goes pro at the end of this season because Watkins is winning National Player of the Year next season whether Clark stays or goes. Maybe Clark stays to pad her scoring record, that's the only way she'll prevent Watkins from surpassing her. Watkins is ridiculous.

I’m like DS in that I tend to see our flaws and say we have not played a current top 10 team this season. Are we really that good?

Then I look at results, any other team in the country without their star playing or the team having a bad night against good comp loses. It just happens, right?

Not with us so far. We beat UCONN by 18 without Cardoso. We play Bama without Cardoso and have a horrendous 1st quarter ho hum win by 28. Down by 5 at halftime at LSU with Watkins in foul trouble. The crowd is so loud it seems ready to perform a voodoo human sacrifice Yeah, let’s just give them a 4th quarter thumping 24-14. Duke ties us up with 7:46 in the 4th, Cameron is going nuts. Call a timeout to stem the momentum? Nah let’s just close the game out on a 22-6 run.

These things don’t just happen. This team never loafs, it may at times try to put the mustard on the bun and forget the hotdog. Some fun matchups coming in March

 

[YankeeRooster]

I will be very interested to see the outcome of LSU @ UT tomorrow, believe it will tell us a bunch about both of these teams at this point in the season. I expect an LSU win, but a close game, with UT bigs getting into foul trouble early and often. LSU lack of depth will show itself in the fourth however, when they typically get tired and outplayed.

 

[CockyGirl]

Some are saying that Mulkey let that REESE slip out intentionally to send a message to Sarah Strong. The LSU board is saying they feel comfortable of where they are in Strong's recruitment. Of course, this is the same crowd that felt comfortable with Joyce's recruitment as well.

If I’m Sarah’s parents who have been in the same position as their child I just don’t see how they would want her at LSU. Sarah seems so mild mannered and does not fit the look at me players that LSU seems to attract. I thought ADR was the same way but she seems to have fit right in with her too small gestures, etc. Who knows maybe Sarah likes that

 

[Gamecock Lincoln]

If I’m Sarah’s parents who have been in the same position as their child I just don’t see how they would want her at LSU. Sarah seems so mild mannered and does not fit the look at me players that LSU seems to attract. I thought ADR was the same way but she seems to have fit right in with her too small gestures, etc. Who knows maybe Sarah likes that

Kim doesn't do anything to deter that type of showboating. In fact, with all the standing over players and taunting, I think she encourages it. How they don't get more technicals, I don't know. During the UNC game, a couple of our players, I think Raven and Chloe, were chirping at the UNC bench and Dawn shut that down immediately. Hard to know where Sarah will end up because we don't know what she's looking for. Her parents are vets at the recruiting process and games played so I'm sure they can help her navigate. Hoping it's us

 

[Gamecock Lincoln]

 

[cockyclt]

 

[CockyGirl]

Eeek that’s exciting!

 

[CockyGirl]

Dawn is there . I wonder if other head coaches are there or if they sent assistants

 

[winloseortie]

Chen played today. She is a senior and Ivy League doesn’t allow fifth year players. Princeton is a lock for the NCAA Tournament even if they don’t win the conference. My assumption is she finishes out the season with Princeton.

 

[vacock]

Chen played today. She is a senior and Ivy League doesn’t allow fifth year players. Princeton is a lock the NCAA Tournament even if they don’t win the conference. My assumption is she finishes out the season with Princeton.

A degree at Princeton (in a reasonable major) will be a lot better than making it to the WNBA. IMHO

 

[debordieu cock]

Dawn is there . I wonder if other head coaches are there or if they sent assistants

You just can't make-up a coach like Dawn Staley. She is truly special.

 

[winloseortie]

A degree at Princeton (in a reasonable major) will be a lot better than making it to the WNBA. IMHO

And get the first year of your Masters degree at Stanford paid for, sign me up.

 

[Gamecock Lincoln]

Dawn is there . I wonder if other head coaches are there or if they sent assistants

We sent everybody

 

[winloseortie]

We sent everybody

Khadijah must be in charge in Lexington.

 

[CockyGirl]

Not so subtle hint with #squadstrong

 

[KingWard]

We sent everybody

That's what I'd call "all in".

 

[winloseortie]

The picks

Gamecocks@ UK
Gamecocks win but do not cover the points -63.
You are welcome PFUNK

LSU @ UT
UT has the size to hold the Barbies in check on the glass and limit the scoring of Reese and Morrow. What they don’t have is perimeter defenders to cause turnovers or stop dribble drive. To win UT MUST get Reese in foul trouble and stay close. Even though LSU Beat Auburn they were horrible in the last 3 minutes.

UF @ UGA
Must win if UF wants to avoid playing on Wednesday in Greenville. UGA is 1-0 when they score 70 or more points in conference. 1-11 when they don’t. Think about that, it will eventually come to you.

Miss st @ Bama
Both coming off bad losses. Bama pounded by Gamecocks. State gets boat raced by Kentucky in the fourth quarter to lose by 10 after leading by 10 with 7:46 remaining. Barker back, Bama wins

A&M @ Auburn
Auburn D claws this one out.

Vandy @ Arkansas
Yeah I hear you laughing, and why wouldn’t you be. Both teams are 6-7 and in need of a win for the big dance. Massey says Arkansas 70-63, so obviously Vandy wins




monday

OM@ Mizzou
Defense carries the day for Coach Yo.

 

[DarkCock]

The picks

Gamecocks@ UK
Gamecocks win but do not cover the points -63.
You are welcome PFUNK

LSU @ UT
UT has the size to hold the Barbies in check on the glass and limit the scoring of Reese and Morrow. What they don’t have is perimeter defenders to cause turnovers or stop dribble drive. To win UT MUST get Reese in foul trouble and stay close. Even though LSU Beat Auburn they were horrible in the last 3 minutes.

UF @ UGA
Must win if UF wants to avoid playing on Wednesday in Greenville. UGA is 1-0 when they score 70 or more points in conference. 1-11 when they don’t. Think about that, it will eventually come to you.

Miss st @ Bama
Both coming off bad losses. Bama pounded by Gamecocks. State gets boat raced by Kentucky in the fourth quarter to lose by 10 after leading by 10 with 7:46 remaining. Barker back, Bama wins

A&M @ Auburn
Auburn D claws this one out.

Vandy @ Arkansas
Yeah I hear you laughing, and why wouldn’t you be. Both teams are 6-7 and in need of a win for the big dance. Massey says Arkansas 70-63, so obviously Vandy wins




monday

OM@ Mizzou
Defense carries the day for Coach Yo.

After much thought, I now think Auburn is the 4th best team in the conference. However, I doubt they can claw their way to a double bye for the SEC tournament, though. LSU definitely doesn't want to see them on Friday. Auburn gives them fits.

The longer Key can stay on the court for Tennessee, the better are the Vols' chances. Height can slow Reese down. But that's probably only 20 minutes at best. Hollingshead is going to have to step up.

Kentucky's 2 game winning streak, which might be the longest in the conference after us and LSU (lol), is mainly due to Eniya Russell giving the Wildcats a 3rd scoring option after Scherr and Petty. I never understood why Elzy didn't play her more. It's not like she has a roster full of top 100 recruits.

 

[shiverz]

The picks

Gamecocks@ UK
Gamecocks win but do not cover the points -63.
You are welcome PFUNK

LSU @ UT
UT has the size to hold the Barbies in check on the glass and limit the scoring of Reese and Morrow. What they don’t have is perimeter defenders to cause turnovers or stop dribble drive. To win UT MUST get Reese in foul trouble and stay close. Even though LSU Beat Auburn they were horrible in the last 3 minutes.

UF @ UGA
Must win if UF wants to avoid playing on Wednesday in Greenville. UGA is 1-0 when they score 70 or more points in conference. 1-11 when they don’t. Think about that, it will eventually come to you.

Miss st @ Bama
Both coming off bad losses. Bama pounded by Gamecocks. State gets boat raced by Kentucky in the fourth quarter to lose by 10 after leading by 10 with 7:46 remaining. Barker back, Bama wins

A&M @ Auburn
Auburn D claws this one out.

Vandy @ Arkansas
Yeah I hear you laughing, and why wouldn’t you be. Both teams are 6-7 and in need of a win for the big dance. Massey says Arkansas 70-63, so obviously Vandy wins




monday

OM@ Mizzou
Defense carries the day for Coach Yo.

I like Tennessee. A week of rest and LSU is coming of a hard-fought Thursday night game. Also, LSU will be traveling.

 

[winloseortie]

I like Tennessee. A week of rest and LSU is coming of a hard-fought Thursday night game. Also, LSU will be traveling.

I like UT’s chances also. UT has to keep the Barbies from fast break points. Guard play has to better than LSU’s.

LSU has navigated the last five minutes of the game poorly in their 3 conference losses and the close game with Auburn. It has been in all phases; poor shot selection, ball handling, coaching, and just dealing with the moment. Twice at home and twice away.

IF, IF UT can get to the under 5 minute timeout within a score, I think they win. I am just not sure they can hang around for that long.

 

[Cockburn]

No Cardoso again today

 

[ConwayGamecock]

Gamecocks lead 25-8 after the 1st Period. Watkins leads the way for South Carolina with 7 pts on 3-3 shooting. Maddie Scherr and Saniah Tyler have all of UK's 8 pts, with 4 pts each.....

 

[ConwayGamecock]

Sania Feagin has set a career high with 4 blocks, all in 7 minutes of play.......

 

[ConwayGamecock]

Gamecocks lead 42-22 at the half. Good balanced scoring from the Gamecocks: Fulwiley leads the team with 12 pts in 11 minutes, plus 6-6 at the FT line. Kitts has 8 pts in 10 minutes on 4-7 shooting, with 7 boards. Watkins still with 7 pts on 3-3 shooting. Feagin has performed strongly, with 4 pts on 1-5 shooting in 12 minutes, but also with 4 blocks, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Tyler and Ajae Petty lead the Wildcats with 7 pts each, while Scherr adding 6 pts. Kentucky played much better in the 2nd half, being out-scored by just 3 17-14 in the quarter.

The Gamecocks shot 3-6 from the 3-pt. line and 9-9 from the free throw line for the half, compared to 1-5 and 1-6 from the Wildcats, respectively.....