2024-2025 WBB Team (2022-present)
- Thread starter TN-Gamecock
- Start date
Thanks for updating on kyomi. Know anything else besides the transfer. She was at a small Christian SCISSA School
Pretty rough outing for the Gamecocks, in terms of shooting and scoring efficiency. The Miss State Bulldogs are of course a very strong defensive team statistically - just outside the top 10 in Scoring Defense (most likely will sneak into the top 10 there, now), in the top 10 nationally in FG % Defense and 3-pt. FG % Defense. Their SOS was only slightly stronger than LSU's - the only other SEC team with strong defensive statistics in the realm of Miss St. and USC. But it was on their home floor on national TV, so kinda like Missouri last season, they were geeked to give us their best effort, and we didn't respond well to that.
Despite the Bulldog's defensive prowess, we had a ton of open looks and layup opportunities that we bricked up. It seems that every season for the past 3-5 seasons - despite the team being ranked in the top 10 if not ranked #1 for the majority of that time, and being stocked to the gills with McD AA 5-star talent on the roster - we have 2-3 games every season where we seem to be off our game, off kilter. We come out flat or look tired or unprepared. Like the season has played a toll on us. We played that way versus Missouri last season, versus NC State and Tennessee in 20-21, Texas A%M in 19-20.
In many cases, the opponent was not good enough to take advantage of that, and we still won "ugly". But in cases with decent or better teams in bad situations - like on those team's home floors - it has proven to be quite costly. We got another "ugly" win today on a strong defensive conference opponent's home floor, and we should take away only thankful feelings from that. But....back to the practice court classroom. If we are able to.....
Despite the Bulldog's defensive prowess, we had a ton of open looks and layup opportunities that we bricked up. It seems that every season for the past 3-5 seasons - despite the team being ranked in the top 10 if not ranked #1 for the majority of that time, and being stocked to the gills with McD AA 5-star talent on the roster - we have 2-3 games every season where we seem to be off our game, off kilter. We come out flat or look tired or unprepared. Like the season has played a toll on us. We played that way versus Missouri last season, versus NC State and Tennessee in 20-21, Texas A%M in 19-20.
In many cases, the opponent was not good enough to take advantage of that, and we still won "ugly". But in cases with decent or better teams in bad situations - like on those team's home floors - it has proven to be quite costly. We got another "ugly" win today on a strong defensive conference opponent's home floor, and we should take away only thankful feelings from that. But....back to the practice court classroom. If we are able to.....
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All these. "We were flat"; "We weren't awake"; "We were sluggish"; etc posts do not address the core issue -- the starting lineup is not good, especially on offense. Fletcher and Saxton played 30 minutes and didn't score a point between them. Not one!
We would not "start slow" if Cardoso was in the starting lineup. Her numbers adjusted for minutes are better than Boston's this season. We didn't start slow in 2019-2020 very often when are starting lineup included our best players. Just the opposite, we crushed most of our opponents from the start.
Dawn chooses to start Saxton, who is the worst of our post players. She's the only one shooting below 50%, she's a terrible defensive rebounder for her height, she has both the worst offensive and defensive player rating of any of our bigs. Only Raven and Kitts have a worst win share (The advanced stats have a difficult time finding stats that demonstrate Saxton contributes to the success of the team). For all the grief Amihere takes for her turnovers, she has a positive assist to turnover ratio, which is more than can be said about Saxton.
The most telling knock against Saxton is
her complete disappearance in 4th quarters. When Dawn finds the lineup that "works," it seldom, if ever this season, includes Saxton.
I guess Saxton starts because she's a 4 year captain and Dawn has always shown deference toward her veterans. It's both admirable and her Achilles heel. We wouldn't have won the title in '17 if Coates didn't get injured. Dawn would never have cut Coates minutes so the GOAT could get more time at the 5 surrounded by shooters, even if it made the team better.
So I don't see Dawn changing the starting lineup. Unfortunately, this team will not achieve it's full potential. However, the team is so loaded with talent, they **probably** can overcome any deficit against any opponent and win it all. Be prepared to sweat it, though.
You have been harping on Saxton all season and you are right. Her production has been poor. So why start her????
Not defending Saxton or the decision to play her. Possible reasons?????? I’ll speculate…
Leadership, V leads and has for her whole career. You and I can only guess about what that means for this team. Dawn and the team do know.
Rotation, if you start Cardoso then the first big rotating in is V. The offense takes a step down instead of a step up. Also when Kamilla is in, our perimeter defense suffers. I doubt we see much of Kamilla Sunday against Mizzou because of this.
For good or bad You know what you are getting from V. Like it or not Kamilla and LA can both be the proverbial Forrest Gump “box of chocolates”.
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On the flip side, if you know what you are getting is bad, why not try to get "leadership" from someone else who is more productive.
I am dissappointed that Saxton hasn't taken a step forward this year because she does appear to be such a low maintenance, hard working player. I feel like Dawn is starting her because she came back and maybe Dawn did a lot of talking her into it. I will admit that I was super pumped about her coming back when she announced this year but now seeing how the bench is playing it actually did not do us the favors we were looking for. If Saxton was not here, Kamilla would be starting and Amihere and Feagin would be first off the bench which in the long run I think is better for the development of the team for the future.
I totally agree, our starting lineup is our baseline, it's very experienced, low maintenance and predictable. I think in general from players to fans we harp too much on being a starter. It's an important responsibility but it doesn't mean you'll play the bulk of minutes.
Our "lower productive starters" generally play play less minutes than some of our key players on the bench. Something that people also keep overlooking is potential foul trouble. While our bench is more dynamic their are often unpredictable and undisciplined as it relates to foul trouble. Having a Feagin or Cardoso get in foul trouble in the 2nd quarter is less impactful than if they were to do the same within the first 5 minutes of the game.
The team isn't perfect and I want more from all of our players but I do think there's some logic on why the rotations are the way they are. We have multiple sparks off the bench when we need them and so far it's worked even if it's ugly.
Watching closely the injury situation with Connecticut: they've already postponed their game with DePaul, and may postpone their next game with St. Johns as well. If this continues, expect our scheduled game with them to be in great peril of being sacrificed - remember CT agreed to cancel our game last season in CLA due to our having to reschedule some conference games, and the date that was set for them was the most available. It was a palatable decision since we'd already played them in the Battle 4 Atlantis Invitational. Of course we'd play them again later in the NCAAT championship game.
Now it appears CT may be in need of emergency Big East rescheduling this season, and they'll have to look at our game, and the game they've scheduled with Tennessee, as options for dates to get those conference games rescheduled. So be prepared.......
Now it appears CT may be in need of emergency Big East rescheduling this season, and they'll have to look at our game, and the game they've scheduled with Tennessee, as options for dates to get those conference games rescheduled. So be prepared.......
Apparently it is a Big East rule that member teams must have no less than 7 players be available for at least 30 minutes of play for games. CT had 8 players available until Aaliyah Edwards and Ayanna Patterson were injured in their previous game versus Xavier and unavailable to play, leaving CT with 6 healthy players. The report on Patterson was unknown, but Edwards was dealing with a injured foot. They were initially down to 8 players due to Azzi Fudd (knee) and Caroline Ducharme (concussion protocol) not being available. Of course both Paige Beuckers and Ice Brady were already out for the season before the season started.
Fudd was given a 3-6 week recovery timeline that is still a week out, but even being cleared to play might not mean she could play 30 minutes or more in her first game back, which does not meet the Big East requirements. Ducharme coming off of concussion protocol would also have to be monitored as to her minutes.
I think its now down to both or either Edwards or Patterson being recovered enough to be available for a minimum of 30 minutes, even if in reality they don't play that much. That's the minimum that's required for the St Johns and any future Big East games to not be postponed.....
Well, I've read elsewhere an update that the St. Johns game is scheduled to proceed, so it looks like they are getting some players back for action....
If Cardoso's numbers are better than Boston's. It's BECAUSE of Boston and the attention she gets.
Per the ESPN article for which King provided a link:
The conference requires schools to suit up seven scholarship players for any game, and injuries have left the Huskies with just six active players, the school said.
Not fond of anything dawg related, but it's also not necessarily fair to lump football and women's hoops together. Dislike each sport individually.
Per the ESPN article for which you provided a link earlier in this thread, the conference requires schools to suit up seven scholarship players for any game, and injuries have left the Huskies with just six active players, the school said.
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I guess some of ya'll already know about the suspended Vandy center. Looks like she's gone now. Any idea what happened?
www.yahoo.com
New details emerge as Amauri Williams dismissed from Vanderbilt women’s basketball
Former Vanderbilt women's basketball player Amauri Williams was dismissed from the team following a suspension for violating team rules.
www.yahoo.com
It must have been pretty bad because Vandy is woefully undersized. I doubt they come within single digits of an SEC opponent this season.I guess some of ya'll already know about the suspended Vandy center. Looks like she's gone now. Any idea what happened?
New details emerge as Amauri Williams dismissed from Vanderbilt women’s basketball
Former Vanderbilt women's basketball player Amauri Williams was dismissed from the team following a suspension for violating team rules.
Fulwiley's dunk? I knew this young lady is a baller but at 5'7" I didnt know this.
www.yahoo.com
Dawn Staley reacts to 5-foot-7 South Carolina basketball signee Milaysia Fulwiley's dunk
Dawn Staley calls five-star South Carolina women's basketball signee Milaysia Fulwiley a 'generational talent' after she dunks in a high school game.
www.yahoo.com
She probably won’t play tomorrow night, so let me introduce UK Fr. Cassidy Rowe
She's somewhere between 5'9 and 5'10 last I heard. Quite impressive most men at that height don't even have that vertical.Fulwiley's dunk? I knew this young lady is a baller but at 5'7" I didnt know this.
Dawn Staley reacts to 5-foot-7 South Carolina basketball signee Milaysia Fulwiley's dunk
Dawn Staley calls five-star South Carolina women's basketball signee Milaysia Fulwiley a 'generational talent' after she dunks in a high school game.
She might turn out to be a female Calvin Murphy. He could elevate also.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/dawn-staley-lobbies-gameday-return-185359497.html
UConn pissed there has been a new sheriff in town the last few years? I have nothing but respect for them. Thugs? Who pray tell?
UConn pissed there has been a new sheriff in town the last few years? I have nothing but respect for them. Thugs? Who pray tell?
Fans will be fans.
Most UConn fans see the inevitable road ahead. Geno is 71, Dawn is 51.
Most are gracious while others let their rhetoric go to race and denigrating the play, style, or appearance of the rival. They seem to think DS has never heard those words before and will be hurt by them. It appears DS takes those barbs in stride, almost cherishes them as evidence of living in their heads and nightmares. And then even blesses their little hearts and invites them to our family. That is so southern and sweevil(sweet and evil
)Dawn and Geno have a wonderful professional relationship. She worked for him on the Olympic team and then he hand selected her to be be the next coach. Dawn scheduled them when we had no business playing them. She/we took our lumps, learned and got better and surpassed.
One of the few things Pat Summitt got wrong, is that she absolutely went insane when UConn began to supplant. She dropped the series, refused to talk about them and acted like 10yo holding her breath. I doubt we see that behavior from Geno.
here is a link to the presser.
Love it! You got to be at LEAST 65 to know who Calvin is? Saw him at the regional here and Niagara had their whole warm up based on his marvelous talents. Got to see him several times vs the Hawks also.Calvin Murphy and Bob Lanier, two Hall of Famers's in the Regional. The long and the short of it.
Points under scoring average against us
A&M scored 34 19 below average
UGA scored 51 16 below average
Aub. scored 42 30 below average
Miss. St. scored 51 25 below average
UK Averages 69 points per game
I’ll predict they score 47
A&M scored 34 19 below average
UGA scored 51 16 below average
Aub. scored 42 30 below average
Miss. St. scored 51 25 below average
UK Averages 69 points per game
I’ll predict they score 47
He was amazing. And what a heart! I read that, when his team lost a heartbreaker to get knocked out of the NCAA tournament, reporters entering the locker room, as was done back then, saw him cry for 10 solid minutes. That stuck with me.
End of 3rd...Carolina 59 UK 51....I thought we'd blow out UK but they are keeping it close...
Raven Johnson taking over the game. What a game she's had.