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

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1. Fast Carolina
South Carolina showed some signs of fatigue in Thursday’s win at Tennessee. Every season, the Gamecocks sacrifice their second conference bye in order to play UConn, so unlike the rest of the SEC, they have been playing twice a week for a month and counting.

“They’re tired,” Dawn Staley said. “Mentally, physically.”

On the other side, Georgia has struggled this season, particularly on the offensive end. 

This is the sort of late-season game where it would be beneficial to jump on Georgia quickly and cruise to an easy win in the second half, resting players like Raven Johnson, Bree Hall, and Te-Hina Paopao, who have been logging heavy minutes.

That’s the closest thing to a bye at this point in the season.

2. Swatkins’ award watch
After starting the last four games, Ashlyn Watkins returned to her reserve role against Tennessee. Her production didn’t change. In the last five games, she is averaging 10.2 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 2.6 steals, and 1.6 assists.

In the fourth quarter, Watkins and Kamilla Cardoso took over, whether it was scoring or making plays on defense. 

South Carolina’s balanced attack is going to make it difficult for players to win individual awards. Watkins might be the Gamecocks’ best chance to earn some hardware. She is making a strong case for both SEC Sixth Woman of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

“I don’t think you’ve seen the best of Ashlyn,” Raven Johnson said. “Ashlyn is just getting started and she’s just showing y’all what she can do.”

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3. Get Breezy going
Bree Hall could use a good shooting afternoon. She shot just 1-8 against UConn and 2-11 against Tennessee. 

In the UConn game, she was the primary defender on Paige Bueckers, and the energy she expended on defense may have contributed to the poor shooting. Against Tennessee Hall got good looks but her shot was just a little off, including a blown transition layup. 

The positive is that Hall still hit a critical three in the fourth quarter and finished with seven points, but the offense is much more efficient when Hall is contributing. She can space the floor with her three-point shooting and her ability to score off the bounce is a sneakily effective part of South Carolina’s arsenal. 

It was about this time last season that Hall started to come into her own. Hopefully, that happens this season as well.

4. College GameDay and record watch
Beginning at noon, ESPN’s College GameDay will broadcast live from Colonial Life Arena. Arena doors will open at 11:30 AM so fans can be a part of the show. 

From 11:30 to 12:30 concessions will sell $3 hot dogs and small sodas. South Carolina is collecting hygiene products to donate to veterans and other local community members. The first 2500 FAMs receive a Gamecock decal sheet. 

Heavy traffic is expected due to the sellout crowd and Sunday’s baseball game. A free shuttle will run from the Pendleton Street Garage to the arena from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm. Parkin at the garage is free and fans should enter from the Pickens Street entrance.

“I think it’s more exciting for South Carolina, the Gamecocks, our students and the FAMs,” Johnson said. “I think it’s going to be a spark because they bring their factor and it helps us.”

Sunday’s game may seem like an unusual choice for GameDay given the disparity in South Carolina and Georgia’s records, but South Carolina can make some history this weekend.

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South Carolina recorded its 42nd consecutive SEC win against Tennessee, tying the 1991-95 Lady Vols for the longest streak in SEC history. If South Carolina beats Georgia, it will set a new record and move into a tie with Long Beach State for the 16th longest conference winning streak in NCAA history.

If South Carolina wins out, the Gamecocks would tie Drake for the tenth-longest conference winning streak.

South Carolina is also going for its program-record 55th consecutive home victory. That would be the third-longest in SEC history and the 12th-longest in NCAA history.

South Carolina has won 30 consecutive road games, tied for the third-longest streak in NCAA history.

5. Scouting the Lady Bulldogs
South Carolina swept Georgia last season in a pair of rock fights. Georgia’s defense was smothering, especially in the first meeting in Athens. Ultimately South Carolina had too much talent on offense, an issue that challenged Georgai all season.

Now, a lot of the talent from last season’s senior-laden team is gone. The defense isn’t as smothering (66.1 points allowed), and the offense is still limited. The Bulldogs average just 64.7 points on 40.9% shooting and make just 3.5 three-pointers per game. 

Super senior Javyn Nicholson averages 15.5 points and 9.0 rebounds, but has little help. Zoesha Smith, Georgia’s second-leading scorer, suffered a season-ending injury a month ago. 

Georgia began SEC play with a shocking 54-50 win over Texas A&M, but since then has only beaten a terrible Kentucky team. Seven of the nine losses have been by double figures. Staley tried to build up Georgia.

“I think they’re dangerous,” she said.

The Ws
Who: #1 South Carolina (24-0, 11-0) vs Georgia (11-13, 2-9)
When: 1:00 pm, Sunday, February 18 (Doors open at 11:30 am for GameDay)
Where: Colonial Life Arena
Watch: ABC

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