2024-2025 WBB Team (2022-present)
- Thread starter TN-Gamecock
- Start date
I want to clarify what I said in post 3,039. John Wooden was a strong proponent of using the backboard in close. He had drills built around this. He even liked to see it used on short jumpers from about a 45-degree angle.
When the dunk was outlawed due to Alcindor's (formerly) effect on the game, the men's game was still being played largely above the rim inside, but the backboard was used a lot. The women's game is still not extensively played above the rim, and I just believe we would miss fewer close-in shots if we were more intentional about using the backboard. Wooden isn't around for me to ask, but I think he would agree.
Always good to see an evil specter dematerialize right before your eyes.
This has been a crazy tournament. The most parity in WBB tournament ever.
Can we stop pretending Azzi Fudd is Michael Jordan now? We heard all year that she was the missing piece. Not really. The problem was she made them better at the aspect of the game they were already good at -- shooting. She didn't address their more pertinent issues.
Tennessee being embarrassingly exposed.
UCLA only made 15 field goals today. 15!
Unlikely we'll ever have a defense THIS good again. Appreciate it while you can.
When we play slow down, grind 'em down ball, we are hard to beat. It might be ugly at times, but it is very effective. Maryland will try to speed the game up, for sure. We need to be patient and make them play our game
Unlikely we'll ever have a defense THIS good again. Appreciate it while you can.
When we play slow down, grind 'em down ball, we are hard to beat. It might be ugly at times, but it is very effective. Maryland will try to speed the game up, for sure. We need to be patient and make them play our game
Our D is so special. Dawn has said we play “hellified D” I love that description. It is a confluence of physical talent, length, shot blockers, communication, experience, sacrifice and will.
Debbie Antonelli in pregame was saying this might be the best D in the history of WBB.
Cori Close in her presser was asked about Cardoso’s block. She had a rueful laugh and said, “Well she did the same exact thing in our first game.”
She went on to say, “I’m the coach, but sometimes you just slip out of coach mode, I was like, if we can’t score on that play……
”Bree Hall was asked about fighting over screens, “Last year I didn’t have the experience or toughness to fight over them and would just yell switch.”
The mentality goes through whole team, just look at Cooper’s effort on the breakaway. She was not going for the foul, she went for the block. It was like I know we are up by 18 but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let them score
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Brea Beal told the Greenville news yesterday she definitely is not going to use her covid year next year. Was hoping she would but oh well. Watkins et al; will be ready.
www.yahoo.com
Brea Beal develops into a top WNBA prospect as South Carolina career winds down in March Madness
Brea Beal was dominant in South Carolina women's basketball's NCAA Tournament win over UCLA, and her big performances are elevating her WNBA stock.
www.yahoo.com
Only 4 rebounds combined for Maryland's low post players yesterday. However, Notre Dame's back court was down 2 starters and the Irish turned the ball over 25 times!
So we just need to take care of the basketball tomorrow and get shots off. A miss is much better than a live ball turnover. There is a better than 50% chance we will get the rebound.
So we just need to take care of the basketball tomorrow and get shots off. A miss is much better than a live ball turnover. There is a better than 50% chance we will get the rebound.
I rewatched our game with Maryland from the 2nd game of the season. LA played one of her best games of the season: 10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks. (She had her obligatory 4 turnovers as well. lol). Since the Terps played 4 and even 5 out, her versatility made her an effective weapon against them.
I had forgotten about the little skirmish Fletcher had with a Maryland player that lead to a couple of technicals. You may remember it fired up our players and we went on a run that sealed the game afterwards. The player -- #24 -- nearly knocked out a Notre Dame player yesterday going for a steal. She plays kind of wild and reckless. I can see why Fletcher was irked with her.
I had forgotten about the little skirmish Fletcher had with a Maryland player that lead to a couple of technicals. You may remember it fired up our players and we went on a run that sealed the game afterwards. The player -- #24 -- nearly knocked out a Notre Dame player yesterday going for a steal. She plays kind of wild and reckless. I can see why Fletcher was irked with her.
Maryland is a well rounded and well coached team. They're great about causing turnovers and they have numerous 3 point threats. They have a 7 player rotation and will definitely be prepared for the moment and are playing some of their best basketball.
Our last matchup was lopsided because their best player Diamond Miller didn't play. I expect a better game than the last one and if they're hot from 3 and playing their A game and we're playing or B or C game we could be in for a battle.
Having said all that I just don't see it. They are severely undersized, Miller is a 6'3 guard that often has to battle with the posts due to the lack of posts. Due to transfers and injury they basically have post players by committee. Our defense, rebounding, post play and height advantage should propel us to victory.
Also remember the picture attached happened at the Maryland game, so don't be surprised if it gets a little chippy.
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That skirmish is the only thing I remember from that game. Seeing bubbly Cardosa all fired up caught me off guard. Her level of play improved after that too.
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I'm not the person to ask. I worry too much about our vulnerabilities (which are negligible) and other teams' perceived strengths. I just want it to be over and for this team's destiny to be fulfilled. There are aspects of this team that will probably never be duplicated. I'm haunted by the possibility of non-realization. I can't enjoy any of this before we hoist the trophy.
The game was there. We turned in a dominant performance on the boards against the terps. Even with Miller that doesn’t change. We shot poorly from 3 and had 20 turnovers. Who knows what we shoot from 3? Turnovers….??? We ain’t having 20 again
Maryland fans are excited because they didn’t have Miller.
They lost by 25 and we cleared the bench in the fourth quarter and it didn’t change the lead.
Maryland is a team of Guards and not muscular guards. The questions arise…. Who guards our bigs and which guard does Boston or Cardoso guard?
Sellers, Masonius and Alexander were tasked with guarding the bigs. They had 14 fouls between them. They will have to play zone to prevent that reoccurrence but then they can’t pressure the ball. Dilemma time
We opted to guard Masonius with Boston or Cardoso. Umm…..politely, she is a hefty guard with 2 previous knee surgeries. But who, when she is not in the game?
I think everyone played in the 1st half with the exception of Thompson. Cooper and Raven were pretty raw then. A big reason for the number of turnovers.The game was there. We turned in a dominant performance on the boards against the terps. Even with Miller that doesn’t change. We shot poorly from 3 and had 20 turnovers. Who knows what we shoot from 3? Turnovers….??? We ain’t having 20 again
Maryland fans are excited because they didn’t have Miller.
They lost by 25 and we cleared the bench in the fourth quarter and it didn’t change the lead.
Maryland is a team of Guards and not muscular guards. The questions arise…. Who guards our bigs and which guard does Boston or Cardoso guard?
Sellers, Masonius and Alexander were tasked with guarding the bigs. They had 14 fouls between them. They will have to play zone to prevent that reoccurrence but then they can’t pressure the ball. Dilemma time
We opted to guard Masonius with Boston or Cardoso. Umm…..politely, she is a hefty guard with 2 previous knee surgeries. But who, when she is not in the game?
We played with a lack of urgency until the altercation. Hopefully we'll start this game with the same passion.
Who are you rooting for in the Iowa/Louisville game?
Let's assume of sake of discussion that we beat Maryland (I think Maryland is better than both teams, so I'm not overlooking the Terps).
There's a part of me that wants to see the matchup with Iowa, even though we would be at a home court disadvantage for that game because Hawkeye fans will travel.
I might find it difficult, though, to root for them tonight.
Let's assume of sake of discussion that we beat Maryland (I think Maryland is better than both teams, so I'm not overlooking the Terps).
There's a part of me that wants to see the matchup with Iowa, even though we would be at a home court disadvantage for that game because Hawkeye fans will travel.
I might find it difficult, though, to root for them tonight.
Iowa scares me only bc we will never hear the end of it if Clark lights us up and they somehow win!
My head is set not to root for either and play whomever but I just know as the game gets going I’ll be anti Hawkeye. While it would be delicious to have the prospect of our ladies defeating them in the FF, Iowa failing to reach Dallas is also a desirable scenario.Who are you rooting for in the Iowa/Louisville game?
Let's assume of sake of discussion that we beat Maryland (I think Maryland is better than both teams, so I'm not overlooking the Terps).
There's a part of me that wants to see the matchup with Iowa, even though we would be at a home court disadvantage for that game because Hawkeye fans will travel.
I might find it difficult, though, to root for them tonight.
I will be very happy if Iowa loses because it will prove they ain’t all that and a bag of chips.Who are you rooting for in the Iowa/Louisville game?
Let's assume of sake of discussion that we beat Maryland (I think Maryland is better than both teams, so I'm not overlooking the Terps).
There's a part of me that wants to see the matchup with Iowa, even though we would be at a home court disadvantage for that game because Hawkeye fans will travel.
I might find it difficult, though, to root for them tonight.
I will be happy if they win because Clark will have to score at least 40 with 8 threes to even be competitive with us. Czinano will be exposed as a mildly talented beefy power forward. Marshall, Warnock and Martin will be shut down.
Whatever the path of least resistance is constitutes the most desirable scenario. We've achieved enough this year to deserve a break - should we get one. I'll pull for anyone Iowa plays.
I wish they had been playing someone better than Louisville.
Bad showing for the ACC. The blue bloods bowed out early and the newbs all lost by double digits in the regionals.
Edit to add: VT is still alive. Forgot they were in the ACC.
I swear I watch Iowa play and is their offense that Good or is the SEC the only conference that actually plays defense?
Good analysis. Our bigs were good as Boston and Cardoso were a combined 13 of 15 shooting. Boston had 13 rebounds to go along with 8 for Brea and 8 for LA. Our guard play was not good. Cooke led the team with 18 points but was only 4 of 14 from the field. Fletcher and Johnson were an abysmal 0 for 11. We only had 3 players go for over 20 minutes while MD. used 6 players the majority of the game and only one of those scored in double figures. We out rebounded them 55 to 32, had 11 blocks to 0 and shot 44% to their 30%. The turnovers were an issue but MD. was not good in that department either with 13.The game was there. We turned in a dominant performance on the boards against the terps. Even with Miller that doesn’t change. We shot poorly from 3 and had 20 turnovers. Who knows what we shoot from 3? Turnovers….??? We ain’t having 20 again
Maryland fans are excited because they didn’t have Miller.
They lost by 25 and we cleared the bench in the fourth quarter and it didn’t change the lead.
Maryland is a team of Guards and not muscular guards. The questions arise…. Who guards our bigs and which guard does Boston or Cardoso guard?
Sellers, Masonius and Alexander were tasked with guarding the bigs. They had 14 fouls between them. They will have to play zone to prevent that reoccurrence but then they can’t pressure the ball. Dilemma time
We opted to guard Masonius with Boston or Cardoso. Umm…..politely, she is a hefty guard with 2 previous knee surgeries. But who, when she is not in the game?
Maryland is just not big enough or deep enough to stay on the floor with our girls. I think we can expect them to play a sagging defense but it will not work and they will find themselves in foul trouble. Hopefully Cooke finds her shot on tomorrow and Raven looks for assists and not points. Once again our defense will carry us to a comfortable victory.....
Go Gamecocks!!!
USC vs Maryland: battle of the ACC expats (although we left the ACC several years before starting a women's varsity hoops program).
The only team left to play, or already in final four, with a tougher road than South Carolina through the tournament is Ohio St. They are trying to beat a number 1 seed so will see what happens, but Iowa and LSU caught lucky breaks with upsets along the way. Thats what the tournament does for sure but honestly LSU playing a 9 seed in elite 8 is going their way 99 times of 100. If they had played Indiana last night, as many thought, they would have been blown off the court as bad as LSU was last night. Kim Mulkey was right when she said that if she was home watching that game she would have cut it off because it was bad basketball both sides.
Iowa had to face a 10 seed, 6 seed and 5 seed. They avoided the 7, 3 and 1 seeds on their side, not that Duke at a 3 would have challenged them. I also dont think they way Stanford had been playing that they would have beat Iowa but would have given better game than Louisville.
South Carolina is playing the chalk all the way as highest seed possible each round with an 8, 4 and now a 2. If they win tonight, there earned it.
I know thats what the tournament does but still, the only team playing harder is Ohio St and I think the way they played UConn, they can beat Va Tech and LSU. They will drive those teams crazy.
Iowa is good, and as much as I dont care for Caitlyn Clark, she is incredible and boarders on unstoppable. I would love to see her though face a steady rotation of Beal, Hall and Amihere all game long. That would give her fits for sure and the the big girl on Iowa would struggle against Boston and Cardossa. Then, the rest of our girls can shut down the other Iowa girls as our "others" are better than their "others".
We just have to beat maryland first though and I dont think it will be easy but we should win however, we MUST have Cooke shoot better than the other night and posts cant keep missing layups.
Iowa had to face a 10 seed, 6 seed and 5 seed. They avoided the 7, 3 and 1 seeds on their side, not that Duke at a 3 would have challenged them. I also dont think they way Stanford had been playing that they would have beat Iowa but would have given better game than Louisville.
South Carolina is playing the chalk all the way as highest seed possible each round with an 8, 4 and now a 2. If they win tonight, there earned it.
I know thats what the tournament does but still, the only team playing harder is Ohio St and I think the way they played UConn, they can beat Va Tech and LSU. They will drive those teams crazy.
Iowa is good, and as much as I dont care for Caitlyn Clark, she is incredible and boarders on unstoppable. I would love to see her though face a steady rotation of Beal, Hall and Amihere all game long. That would give her fits for sure and the the big girl on Iowa would struggle against Boston and Cardossa. Then, the rest of our girls can shut down the other Iowa girls as our "others" are better than their "others".
We just have to beat maryland first though and I dont think it will be easy but we should win however, we MUST have Cooke shoot better than the other night and posts cant keep missing layups.
I wish they would help Cardossa develop a little more post awareness. She would be even more dominant if she would not keep catching the ball under the backboard and having to try and back up to shoot it because she is to far under. If she has any weakness it is that. If she could fix that and maybe develop a little of the "Mad Kiki" mentality sometimes, there would be no one to stop her.
I expect Zia to shoot much better tonight as she typically shoots poorly after time off.
She had some of that mad KiKi the last go around against Maryland and got T'd up. But overall agree with this. She has come a long way but w/her size and skill set. She can be dominant with some work and more confidence