Dawn Staley: Kamilla Cardoso is 'x-factor' as young players face biggest stage yet

South Carolina lost all five starters off of last year’s Final Four team, but Dawn Staley‘s club has handled everything that has been thrown at it so far this year.

Staley joined ESPN before Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup with Indiana and shared what she expects from her new-look club, including Kamilla Cardoso being the x-factor.

The 6-foot-7 Cardoso played in 36 games last season, averaging 9.8 points and 8.5 rebounds. However, she came off the bench in every game. Cardoso is averaging 13.9 points and 9.5 rebounds this season and is a big reason the Gamecocks are undefeated.

“She is the x-factor,” Dawn Staley said. “Whether she wants that responsibility or not, I mean we all know she’s 6-7, she’s agile. She’s a walking double-double. She has to perform to that level. When she does, we usually follow her lead.”

Even with five new starters, Staley is incredibly confident in her team. The Gamecocks are undefeated, winning games by an average of 31 points per game. South Carolina has handled every challenge that has come its way.

“Well, they’ve been good so far. I think to get the first and second round, some familiarity with just being unfamiliar with playing one-and-done, I think will help us,” Staley said. “This team has stayed in the moment. I don’t think they’ll change who they are.

“The identity has been had and seen and I can’t change who they are, even though I would like to sometimes. But they are who they are, and I’m going to let them be who they are. Hopefully they can do what they’ve done for 34 games.”

ESPN analyst Andraya Carter previewed the matchup on ESPN prior to tip off. Carter was interested to see in particular how South Carolina star Kamilla Cardoso performed against Indiana big Mackenzie Holmes. The senior scored 29 points in a win over Oklahoma to advance to the Sweet 16.

“I think the post battle is going to be extremely exciting, because when you watch these two players play, the way that they can impact each other – that means Mackenzie Holmes and Kamilla Cardoso. Mackenzie Holmes has to try and be crafty. She has to try and use her footwork, because of Kamilla Cardoso’s size, up and unders, step throughs, protecting the ball with your left hand,” Carter said.

“If you’re Kamilla Cardoso, you are thinking dominate. You are thinking time your blocked shots. Don’t take risks and get in foul trouble, even though if she gets in foul trouble they have depth on depth behind her. I’m excited to watch these two go at each other.”