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

South Carolina Women’s Basketball: News • Recruiting • Schedule • Roster • Stats • SEC • Polls • Scholarships

1. Point guard

Kierra Fletcher and Raven Johnson are getting close to knocking the point guard position out of the top spot on things to watch. 

In three SEC games, Fletcher is averaging 5.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and just 1.3 turnovers. She is shooting 63.6% from the floor and made her first three-pointer f the season against Auburn.

Fletcher missed all of last season at Georgia Tech with a foot injury and was slow to return to practice in the offseason as she dealt with some nagging minor injuries. As those injuries have healed, she has practiced more and that has led to a better comfort level.

“I definitely think I’m settling in a lot more. I feel it when I’m playing,” Fletcher said after the Auburn game. “My dad actually texted me and said it looks like I’m playing a little bit more settled in.”

Like Fletcher, Johnson missed all of last season. She didn’t have to deal with minor injuries, but she did have a knee brace that bothered her at times. Once Johnson was able to play without the brace, she has taken off. 

In the last three games, Johnson is averaging 1.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and just 1,0 turnovers. For the season, she leads South Carolina in assists by a wide margin, and her 2.7:1 assist-to-turnover ratio is among the best n the SEC.

While Fletcher plays the role of the grinder, Johnson is a whirlwind. Both are strong defenders, but Johnson is far more willing to chase steals – especially on inbounds passes after made baskets – or reach for blocked shots. 

Every possession is a fast break with Johnson. She can throw pinpoint halfcourt passes the way Tyasha Harris did during the 2020 season, and she passes teammates open like a quarterback. Those seemingly high-risk passes make Johnson’s low turnover rate even more impressive.

“I wish I could pass the way she does,” Fletcher said after the Auburn game. “She just sees the floor so differently.”

Johnson’s jump shot has abandoned her this season, one of the reasons she hasn’t taken full control of the position. She is shooting 24.5% overall and just 2-24 from three. Early in the season, Johnson would take some quick shots, but she has largely eliminated those.

Prior to the Texas A&M game, Aggie coach Joni Taylor said South Carolina needed to solidify the point guard position to be as good or better than it was last season. It looks like it is happening.

Subscribe to Gamecock Central until Aug. 31 for only $29.99

2. Who plays?

Freshmen Ashlyn Watkins and Talaysia Cooper did not play against Auburn. It is at least the third game this season that Dawn Staley has made a “coach’s decision” to hold players out of a game. 

Staley has declined to get into specifics and the reasons are kept between coach and player. But the overall message is clear: The team is bigger than one player and requires complete focus from every player.

“We played great as a whole, as a team. Everybody,” Staley said. “I think it was the energy that was brought into the game by all the players.”

The message has been well-received in the past. Players have followed benchings with some of their best games. It wouldn’t be surprising for Watkins and Cooper to do the same against Mississippi State.

3. Chloe Kitts’ progress

Kitts has had a bit of a roller-coaster start since joining the team midseason. That is to be expected, especially after she put up 10 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in her debut against Charleston Southern and set the bar unrealistically high.

With Bree Hall sidelined by injury against Texas A&M, Kitts played Hall’s role and looked hesitant and perhaps overwhelmed by the increased responsibility. She barely played against Georgia as Staley stuck with experience.

But then Kitts played ten minutes against Auburn and quietly made a solid contribution., She had four points on 2-3 shooting, two rebounds, and two assists. It wasn’t super flashy, but it was efficient and the sort of all-around production Kitts displayed in high school.

When Kitts got the rebound, she was able to start the break. She moved the ball well in the halfcourt and didn’t look like she was thinking about what to do next. 

There’s a good chance – if the Gamecocks take care of business early – that Kitts will get significant playing time over the next couple of weeks. It’s a chance for her to continue to develop and get comfortable and possibly prove she deserves more playing time heading into the season’s stretch run.

Become a “FAM” Member and support South Carolina women’s basketball players

4. Aliyah Boston record watch

It’s been a while since we’ve checked on Boston’s climb up the Gamecock record books.

With six defensive rebounds against Auburn, Boston moved into a tie with A’ja Wilson for second in career defensive rebounds, with 821. She is 29 behind Alaina Coates for the school record of 850. Boston has 442 career offensive rebounds, seven behind Aleighsa Welch for the school record. 

(Records for offensive and defensive rebounds begin with the 1987-88 season, so players like Sheila Foster are not included.)

Boston passed Coates earlier this season for second in total career rebounds. She currently has 1,263 total rebounds, which is 164 behind Foster’s school record. Boston is currently averaging 8.9 rebounds per game, which puts her on pace to break the record in the NCAA tournament (although her average is likely to rise during conference play).

Boston has 68 career double-doubles, four behind Foster’s school record. 

Earlier this season, Boston moved into the top ten in career points. She also holds the school record for consecutive games started at 116 and counting. Tiffany Mitchell has the record for games started, at 135. Boston could break that record in March.

A couple of other players are also moving up the record book. Zia Cooke is now in the top 15 in career scoring. Cooke is also top ten in career three-pointers made. 

Victaria Saxton has moved into the top five in career blocks.

Subscribe (for free) to the Gamecock Central YouTube page!

5. Scouting the Bulldogs

First, the important information. Sunday is Bulldog Baby day at the Hump (I don’t know if that is actually what they are calling it, but it should be). The first 250 fans receive bibs (regardless of age, apparently), and they are holding a Diaper Derby.

Mississippi State is led by Jessika Carter, who is averaging 15.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. Staley called Carter a “more than likely an All-SEC first-teamer.”

“They’ve got pieces that really fit well together,” Staley said.

Freshman guard Debreasha Powe is averaging 11.2 points per game and is coming off a career-high 21 against Tennessee. Point guard Anastasia Hayes has transitioned from the SEC’s leading returning scorer, someone who was once second in the nation in scoring, to a distributor who is leading the SEC in assists per game (5.4).

Mississippi State is fifth in the SEC in rebounding average (43.0) but was a dismal minus-19 at Tennessee. The Bulldogs missed forwards Denae Carter (6.1) and Ramani Parker (5.1) in that game, two of their top four rebounders. Parker is out against South Carolina, while Carter is day-to-day.

Especially if Denae Carter can’t play, nobody is confusing this for one of the classic South Carolina-Mississippi State matchups from years past, when they fiercely battled for SEC – and NCAA – championships. Mississippi State is on its fourth head coach in four seasons, and that turnover has taken a toll on recruiting. 

Former Lousiville assistant Sam Purcell was brought in to solidify things. He called South Carolina a dynasty and emphasized the excitement of hosting the no. 1 team in the country (although he didn’t mention the Diaper Derby), but was realistic about the Bulldogs’ chances Sunday.

“You’ve got to give it respect. You have to look in the mirror and face reality,” Purcell said. “No matter what the scoreboard is, it’s an opportunity to get better. That’s what I’m looking at right now. Can we win those box-outs? Can we play with passion for four quarters? That’s where we’re at right now as a program.”

The Ws

Who: #1 South Carolina (15-0, 3-0) at Mississippi State (12-4, 1-2)

When: 1:00 pm, Sunday, January 8

Where: Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, MS

Watch: ESPN2

Discuss South Carolina women’s basketball on The Insiders Forum!