South Carolina women's basketball: The 3-2-1 from the Fort Myers Tip-Off
South Carolina is thankful for a pair of wins over the holiday weekend. We look at the clutch players, burning questions, and my favorite play from the weekend in Florida.
Three Clutch Players
1. Joyce Edwards
Vs #15 Iowa State: 22 minutes, 13 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals, assist
Vs Purdue: 17 minutes, 11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, assist
Edwards got her first career double-double against Iowa State and nearly got her second two days later. To paraphrase Dawn Staley after the first game, this is the Joyce Edwards we expected to see. She’s playing great defense, crashing the boards, and running the court. It may seem simple, but Edwards does it better than most.
2. MiLaysia Fulwiley
Vs #15 Iowa State: 20 minutes, 8 points, 5 rebounds, assist, block, steal
Vs Purdue: 16 minutes, 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
Fulwiley was the talk of social media after she was effectively benched against UCLA. While others typed away, Fulwiley let her game do her talking. She didn’t shoot well against Iowa State but was a critical part of the swarming defense. She got her shot to fall against Purdue and led the Gamecocks in scoring.
3. Sania Feagin
Vs #15 Iowa State: 15 minutes, 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, steal
Vs Purdue: 14 minutes, 4 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, assist
Feagin scored a season-high 13 points against Iowa State and had seven rebounds in 14 minutes against Purdue. But that’s not why she’s here. Feagin was sensational in defending Audi Crooks, playing to her strengths and minimizing her shortcomings. She also played outstanding defense against Purdue. Feagin isn’t a perfect starting post, but South Carolina doesn’t need her to be. She just needs to play her game, and that’s what she did last week.
Top 10
- 1Hot
12-Team CFP bracket
The updated field is set
- 2
Miami AD shot at Alabama
Dan Radakovich has CFP issues
- 3
Bama over Miami
CFP Chair addresses controversy
- 4New
CFP Top 25 revealed
Controversy is here
- 5Breaking
Kobe Prentice
Alabama WR to transfer
Two Burning Questions
1. Has South Carolina righted the ship or was this just a brief correction?
Two games does not a season make. The loss to UCLA seemed to light a fire under the Gamecocks and the way they played in Florida was the way we expected them to play all season. As the season continues, will they continue to play with that same focus and effort, or will they revert to some of the bad habits they displayed early in the season?
2. Where does Maddy McDaniel fit in going forward?
McDaniel averaged 7 points and 4 assists in the two games, and she’s now averaging a team-high 3.5 assists against just three turnovers all season. En route to scoring a career-high 10 points against Purdue, McDaniel seemed to hunt out her own shot for the first time. There aren’t a lot of minutes to go around, but “Mouse” is demanding hers. How will Staley find the playing time?
One Favorite Play
Y’all know I like ball movement. How about your center getting a steal and starting the break, and then running the court and finishing off a pass from your forward? South Carolina may not have a 6-7 post anymore, but it has lots of big athletic players who can run the floor.
