South Carolina women's basketball: How will the Gamecocks replace Ashlyn Watkins?

Dawn Staley and South Carolina women’s basketball announced on Tuesday that Ashlyn Watkins will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. How will the Gamecocks go about replacing the junior forward?

Watkins averaged 7.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and 1.3 steals. She played an average of 18.9 minutes per game and came off the bench in all 14 appearances.

But those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Watkins was South Carolina’s best shot-blocker by a wide margin, best defensive player, and best overall rebounder. She is the only player that demands opponents’ attention in the post, and she’s one of the best pure athletes in the country.

With all that in mind, how will the Gamecocks replace Watkins?

No one player can replace Watkins’ production, so it will be a group effort. What will that look like?

Chloe Kitts and Sania Feagin

It starts with the starters. Kitts (9.4 points, 7.4 rebounds) and Feagin (6.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.1 blocks) only play 18.9 and 16.2 minutes, respectively. They will have to play more. That means, especially in Feagin’s case, staying out of foul trouble. 

Kitts is actually South Carolina’s leading rebounder by the numbers, and she will be counted on even more. She is more polished offensively but a weaker defender than Watkins. Feagin is not the kind of rim-protector that Watkins is, but she is South Carolina’s leading shot-blocker.

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Joyce Edwards

Edwards is averaging 10.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in 19.8 minutes. She now becomes the top reserve at both forward spots. She’s had the luxury of not being one of the Gamecocks’ focal points, but going forward, the training wheels are off.

Edwards has been impressive on the offensive end and is a strong defender, but she is not a shot-blocking threat (only seven blocks), and her rebounding has been inconsistent. South Carolina needs her to be a little more effective on the glass.

Maryam Dauda and Adhel Tac

Dauda and Tac were the proverbial odd-women out while Watkins was healthy. There simply weren’t enough minutes to rotate more than four players in the frontcourt. Now the door is open and both players have the opportunity to seize the opportunity.

Dauda has more experience and led the SEC in blocks in conference play last season. She might be able to replace Watkins’ rim protection. Dauda can also play the four or the five, giving Dawn Staley more flexibility.

Tac is bigger and more of a throwback post. Recently, she has excelled in practice playing for the Highlighters, to the point where Staley had to take her off the team because she was too good. Tac had nine points and six rebounds in mop-up duty against Missouri, making a compelling case for more playing time.

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Wild Cards

South Carolina could also try a small ball lineup with four guards. Staley has occasionally experimented with Bree Hall at the four. At least publicly, it hasn’t ever gone past the experimental stage, but it’s something Staley has in her back pocket, especially against four-out teams. 

Regardless, South Carolina’s guards are going to have to help pick up the slack. Whether it’s part of a four-guard lineup or a regular lineup, they won’t have Swatkins protecting their back line anymore. Speaking of that…

File this under Not Good. South Carolina’s second-leading shot-blocker is now MiLaysia Fulwiley. That doesn’t mean Fulwiley is going to be the Gamecocks’ new rim protector, but it is kind of fun to imagine Fulwiley as a power forward, isn’t it?

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