Saniya Rivers stresses need to limit South Carolina's second chances

Heading into the Final Four, No. 3 seed NC State is trying to do something no other team has managed to get done this year: Beating No. 1 overall seed South Carolina. And Wolfpack star Saniya Rivers thinks she knows the best recipe to get it done.

While it will be easier said than done, Rivers knows much of South Carolina’s success comes from owning the offensive glass. With 6-foot-7 forward Kamilla Cardoso hammering the glass, the Gamecocks can feast on multi-shot possessions to stretch out a lead.

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But Rivers noted they’ll need to balance their efforts to even out the rebounding with a desire to stay on shooters. With Cardoso drawing in so much attention at times, the Gamecocks can become a deadly team from deep as their center finds teammates for kickout 3s.

“I think if we can limit just their outside ball — they can really hit the 3 ball — I think if we can limit that, and just with the post, if we can box them out, limit them all to one shot, I think a lot of their points come off of offensive rebounds. If we can slow that down a little bit, I think we’ll be all right,” Rivers said.

However much attention NC State is prepared to pay on the glass still can’t take away from the necessity of guarding the Gamecocks at the perimeter, either, Rivers said.

“But just the match-ups, their guards are good,” Rivers said. “Their guards are good all around, starters and on the bench.”

A former Gamecock will be on the ESPN desk for the weekend

ESPN added some more star power to its studio desk team for the Final Four of the Women’s NCAA Tournament in Cleveland this weekend. The sports network is tabbing former South Carolina and current Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston to join the crew.

Boston, who played four years for Dawn Staley at South Carolina and was a key cog on the 2022 national championship team, was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Fever in the 2023 WNBA Draft. Boston took home Rookie of the Year honors for her debut season, too.

“It is a dream to be a part of such a special weekend and I’m so glad that God has opened this door for me. I could not be happier to join this incredible team,” Boston said in a release from ESPN. “As a player there was no bigger thrill than the Final Four. I’m really excited to return, share my experience, and shine a light on the amazing players we’ll see take the court in Cleveland.”

Boston will join the studio desk crew featuring host Elle Duncan along with analysts Carolyn Peck, Andraya Carter and Chiney Ogwumike.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome such a legend to our set,” said ESPN vice president of production Sara Gaiero in the release. “Aliyah will bring great energy to our already stellar crew, and we cannot wait to watch what she brings to our coverage as someone who won the National Championship just two years ago.”