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

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South Carolina begins its Repeat Tour on Monday against Michigan in Las Vegas. Here is what I’m watching for and how to watch the game.

1. For Starters…
South Carolina used the same starting five in both exhibition games. Dawn Staley seems happy with that group, made up of Raven Johnson, Te-Hina Paopao, Bree Hall, Chloe Kitts, and Sania Feagin.

The unit is made up of the most experienced players, and all but Feagin were regular starters last season. It’s nice to have an experienced starting lineup, but it also means there aren’t any veterans coming off the bench, which could be why Staley has been disappointed with her reserves.

“I don’t think cohesively our second unit is doing it for us,” Dawn Staley said. “There’s a drop-off in energy. There’s a drop-off in chemistry.”

Sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley is one of the players Staley wants more from. Fulwiley scored 24 against Clayton State and 10 against Memphis, but Staley wants more consistency on the small plays.

Fulwiley is not shying away from the challenge.

“I’m a sophomore so I’m still learning,” she said. “I’m just being open to learning new things, learning new positions, just doing whatever I can to help my team.”

2. Joyce Edwards’ official debut
The one reserve Staley probably isn’t the least bit worried about is freshman Joyce Edwards. Edwards was spectacular in the two exhibitions and already looks like she could be the best player on a team full of future WNBA Draft picks.

On Monday, Edwards gets to play in a game that counts. What does she have in store?

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3. How we feeling?
During the brief part of practice that the media got to see on Friday, Staley wasn’t very happy. She complained about players not knowing their assignments and seemed frustrated with the overall focus. 

After, Staley was asked if she felt good about the Gamecocks going into the season opener.

“I did before today,” she said. “Today wasn’t one of our best practices.”

She rattled off the issues and then seemed to realize she was being too negative about one Friday practice.

“I’m not doubting this team at all. This team prepares well,” Staley said. “I’m not nervous about whether they’ll be ready to go. They’ll be ready to go.”

Will she still feel that way on Monday?

[See the Gamecock discussion on The Insiders Forum!]

4. No Mouse
Staley does not expect freshman point guard Maddy McDaniel to play Monday. McDaniel had minor surgery on her right knee and did not suit up against Memphis. She was expected to be ready for Clayton State, but although she was in uniform and went through warmups, McDaniel did not play.

Now her debut will be delayed again.

“Probably not playing. She didn’t practice. She’s in some drills but not live. 

McDaniel is not expected to be a significant contributor this year behind South Carolina’s established guard rotation. That may be a factor in how patient/cautious the Gamecocks are being.

5. Scouting the Wolverines
Michigan went 20-14 (9-9 Big Ten) last season and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines are undergoing a massive rebuild. Leading scorer Laila Phelia (16.8 points) transferred to Texas after the season. Second-leading scorer Lauren Hansen, formerly at Missouri, exhausted her eligibility. 

In all, of Michigan’s top seven scorers last season – the seven players who averaged double-digits in minutes played – only guard Jordan Hobbs (9.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists) returns. The rest will be replaced by the eighth-ranked recruiting class. Top-five guard Syla Swords highlights the class, while Olivia Olson is also a top-20 prospect.

“Winston did a great job. We saw EYBL clips, AAU clips, clips from their previous schools,” Staley said. “The worldwide web is right there at our hands and we utilize it.”

In Michigan’s 81-52 exhibition win over Northwood, Olson recorded a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double. Another freshman, guard Mila Holloway, had 15 points in 18 minutes of action. Hobbs had nine points and Swords had seven points and five assists. 

Michigan shot 25 threes but only made four. The Wolverines also outrebound Northwood 56-25 despite all five starters being listed as guards. 

“Very scrappy. They’ll be physical,” Staley said. “They’ll challenge us because in their exhibition game they started five guards. Our bigs would be challenged in having to defend on the perimeter our challenge is to get them the ball inside.”

The Ws
Who: #1 South Carolina (0-0) vs Michigan (0-0)
When: 7:30 EST, Monday, November 4
Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Watch: TNT

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