Markeshia Grant: In the midst of it all, love has carried you here

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South Carolina women’s basketball did not blink, they did not flinch and they did not let up against NC State. A 29-point third quarter and spectacular performances by several players sealed the win for the Gamecocks, 78-59. Today, they will play for the program’s third national title.

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Game Highlights vs. NC State

Raven Johnson

Raven was the moment. 13 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, and NO turnovers! She was very efficient at finding her teammates in transition and also finding the best options in their half-court offense. Defensively she held Saniya Rivers to just 5 points and forced her to turn the ball over 5 times. This was a huge performance going into the National Championship game as she is playing very confidently! This is Raven’s revenge. 

Kamilla Cardoso

Kamilla was absolutely unstoppable! She did a very good job of running the floor in transition, rebounding the ball on both ends of the floor, and getting deep post position and scoring around River Baldwin. The only thing stopping Kamilla in the matchup with NC State, was halftime. She had 22 points and 11 rebounds in just 23 minutes of play. This is setting her up for a momentum performance in the National Championship game. 

Ashlyn Watkins

Did someone say Dennis Rodman? Yes, Ashlyn Watkins said that she thinks her game emulates Dennis Rodman. She is absolutely correct! She is the first player to grab 20 rebounds in an NCAA women’s basketball game coming off the bench. She was relentless! She was hungry! She was making her presence felt on both ends of the floor.

Bench Production aka “Seatbelt Gang”

The bench had 30 points and 25 rebounds versus NC State with Tessa Johnson adding 9 points, Watkins 8 points and 20 rebounds, Fulwiley 7 points, and Feagin 6 points and 3 rebounds with Johnson and Fulwiley adding 1 rebound a piece.

Embrace the Journey: National Championship

South Carolina vs. Iowa

In the midst of all the adversity this season; LOVE from the FAMS, LOVE from your family, LOVE from your coaching staff, and LOVE from former players—has carried you here. 37-0 and playing for a National Championship.

Key matchup to watch:

Kamilla Cardoso vs. Hannah Stuelke

Kamilla has been dominant against every big she’s faced thus far in this NC Tournament—Maria Gakdeng of UNC, Mackenzie Holmes of Indiana, Raegan Beers of Oregon State, and River Baldwin of NC State. I do not see that changing. Stuelke can be foul prone and Cardoso will look to take advantage.

Here are some advantages Kamilla should have versus Stuelke:

• Being able to use her height and length
• Foot speed/Beating her to spots defensively 
• Getting deep post position and scoring over her or around her
• Rebounding! Especially offensive rebounds
• Shot blocking ability on defense

Team Vs. Caitlin Clark

• Make her play for 40 minutes!
• Slow her down in transition and cut down her vision because she is a very efficient passer. 
• Sit on her left hand, make her go right but play her honest and crowd her space within legal guarding position. She loves to get to the basket going right or kick to an open shooter and will shoot long-range 3s when she goes left.
• Make her defend on defense—attack her feet. She does not want to defend for very long. 

Players to Watch vs. Iowa

Breezy Hall

Breezy’s underrated gift is her height. She’s a 6’0” wing who uses her length to her advantage. She can also knock down crucial 3s in the biggest moments. Look for Breezy to provide a huge presence offensively and defensively.

Te-Hina Paopao

Paopao’s underrated skill set is her passing ability. She is great at finding the post and guards for open shots. Look for Paopao to have an impact early on the offensive end, especially if Iowa plays a zone defense.

MiLaysia Fulwiley 

Lay’s speed and quickness is unmatched. Her ability to outrun her defenders with the ball is impressive but yet unbelievable. Look for MiLaysia to bring energy off of the bench but also look for her to make plays offensively and defensively. Because that’s what real players do—MAKE PLAYS!

X-Factors vs. Iowa

The Point Guard tandem

The Raven and Te-Hina PG tandem is going to be an important factor in this game as they are very effective floor generals. They are leading the team in assists. They both can knock down open 3s, get to the basket, and create opportunities for their teammates to score. I think they are going to be the driving force today.

Tessa Johnson

Tessa’s poise and pace will bring balance off the bench for South Carolina. She’s adapted to all styles of play. She can play up tempo or she can slow it down. This will be great for the Gamecocks when they need to control tempo.

The Forward Position 

The depth of South Carolina’s forward position is remarkable. Chloe Kitts, Ashlyn Watkins and Sania Feagin have every style of play from athleticism, to skill, to rebounding and big time defenders. Coach Staley’s ability to utilize them is one of her greatest coaching strengths. 

Keys to Win

• Keep the main thing, the main thing.
• Play hard. Play smart. Play disciplined. Play/act like Champions. Play together!
• Nothing Beats Love!
• Find ways to attack Iowa’s feet and zone defense
  • The Gamecocks advantage in their zone offense is their ability to pass, knock down open 3s, their post presence and mid range game. They have the ability to keep Iowa off balance. 
• Man-to-man defense and depth
  • South Carolina’s defensive principles and depth have been their constant all season. Today will be no different.
• Bench production
  • The Gamecocks bench has been an advantage for them all year long. South Carolina is averaging roughly 34 bench points per game. Last time out versus NC State, South Carolina had 30 points.
• Rebounding
  • South Carolina outrebounds its opponents by 12 rebounds per game. They outrebounded NC State by 12 last time out. This will allow South Carolina extra possessions. 
• Control Tempo
  • Iowa likes to play fast, however, it will be imperative for South Carolina to dictate the pace and momentum of the game early.
• Possessions
  • Basketball is a game of runs, however, when you have two teams who like to play up tempo, possessions matter. In this case, I think more possessions for South Carolina gives them more opportunities to score. 
• Take care of the basketball
  • The Gamecocks have been doing a really good job of taking care of the basketball. It will be imperative to make sure they are continuing to do the same in this matchup against Iowa.
  • South Carolina is notorious for making the right plays and making sure the right players are taking the best shots. Last time out, the Gamecocks had 18 assists against the NC State.
• Make Free Throws
  • South Carolina will get opportunities to get to the free throw line, they will just have to concentrate and make them. Lately they have done a really good job with their free throws.

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