South Carolina women's basketball: Five Things to Watch - Alabama

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1. Rest versus Rust

Before the Arkansas game, Dawn Staley openly wondered if it was the best time for an off week. That was before the game capped off what may have been South Carolina’s best week of the season, and the Gamecocks were firing on all cylinders. 

The game will be the actual test, but Staley was pleased that the focus and effort in practice have stayed at a high level.

“I like that we’re focused,” Staley said. “I like that we were able to take an extra day off this week and when we got back in the gym we were in the position of being able to pick up where we left off and it’s not any lag in our effort.”

2. Cooper update

Freshman guard Talaysia Cooper missed the last two games with a lower right leg injury. According to Staley, Cooper will be available to play against Alabama. 

That doesn’t mean Cooper will play. But against Alabama’s guard-heavy lineup, Staley could look to go small at times, which could mean more playing time for Cooper.

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3. Post play

Those off games against Georgia and Mississippi State are a distant memory. Aliyah Boston is back to dominating everyone. Vanderbilt was totally overmatched, while Arkansas has always had trouble matching up with Boston. Alabama has had mixed results containing Boston.

Boston has had a double-double in only three of her five career games against Alabama. However, the two games she scored in single digits came when Alabama had a more traditional lineup with post Jasmine Walker. 

Since then, Alabama has reinvented itself with a four-out lineup. It means the Crimson Tide doesn’t have much chance of guarding Boston straight up. But Alabama has had some success taking Boston out of the game by playing zone and speeding up the game. 

Boston went for 20 points and 10 rebounds last season. Alabama had largely the same roster then, except for one key difference: NC State transfer Jada Rice. Rice gives Alabama just enough of a post presence to keep teams honest.

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4. Catching up

We didn’t take a bye week this week. In case you missed anything, here’s this week’s coverage:

Aliyah Boston breaks double-double record

Should Aliyah Boston get a statue?

South Carolina’s defense could be historically good

How big are the Gamecocks’ road crowds?

LSU game is sold out

The message behind Zia Cooke’s resurgence

5. Scouting the Crimson Tide

As mentioned above, after a transition year of sorts, Kristy Curry has successfully changed Alabama into a four-guard, run-and-shoot team. Curry hit the transfer portal hard – nine of Alabama’s players are transfers – and has built a deep, veteran team. 

Seven players average at least six points per game, ten players average at least 12 minutes per game, and almost everyone can handle the ball. Alabama leads the SEC in three-pointers.

“We’ve got to pack our D,” Staley said.

For all the depth, there is no question that Alabama’s best and most important player is Brittany Davis. Davis is fifth in the SEC in scoring at 17.5 points per game. She also leads Alabama in rebounds and steals and is third in the SEC in threes, 

“She’s experienced,” Staley said. “She’s been in our league for a long time. She’s a three-level scorer. She can score at the rim, pull-up, she’s got deep three range. She’s got the ability to dish it as well, and they set her up real nice.”

In the meeting between these two teams last season, Davis had 20 points, but South Carolina limited her to one rebound with no assists. Nobody else scored in double figures and South Carolina won 83-51.

The Ws

Who: #1 South Carolina (20-0, 8-0) at Alabama (16-5, 5-3)

When: 1:00 ET, Sunday, January 29

Where: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, AL

Watch: ESPN2

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