On Thanksgiving Day, we’ll be blessed one of the tastiest treats in women’s college basketball: a motivated South Carolina team.
Stung by now-No. 1 UCLA on Sunday, the No. 4 Gamecocks (5-1) should arrive for the Fort Myers Tip Off eager to remind the nation that they’re still the defending champs. South Carolina, participating in the Island Division, will have two opportunities to reclaim their dominance, first against No. 15 Iowa State (5-1) on Thursday, Nov. 28 and then against Purdue (4-1) on Saturday, Nov. 30. MTSU (4-1) is the fourth team participating in the Island Division.
The four teams competing in the Shell Division, with games on Friday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Nov. 30, are Michigan (5-1), Belmont (2-3), Virginia Tech (5-1) and Davidson (3-3). All games will be held at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, FL.
South Carolina scrutiny
When you’ve lost for the first time in 44 games and 604 days, that loss feels like a crisis. That sense of crisis also is reflective of the standard set by South Carolina and head coach Dawn Staley. Excellence is so expected that anything less is cause for alarm.
But most likely, South Carolina’s loss to UCLA on Sunday was the wake up call the Gamecocks needed. The trip to Fort Myers can be a re-set for South Carolina, where the team rediscovers the sense of urgency, resiliency and togetherness that defined last season’s team.
Dawn Staley gave full credit to UCLA after the Bruins ended @GamecockWBB‘s 43-game win streak:
“That was beautiful basketball by UCLA. Beautiful. On both sides. I’m on the opposite side of it, but ya can’t help but to love up on it ’cause it was fluid on both sides of the ball.” pic.twitter.com/We65d5sIar
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) November 25, 2024
It will be interesting, however, to see if Staley chooses to experiment with lineups, rotations and playing time, looking to find groups that better amplify each other’s talents. The Gamecocks’ depth, an advantage during last season’s title run, could be an obstacle this season, especially if players need more time on the court together to establish better rhythm and cohesion. Against UCLA, it seemed Staley only trusted senior guards Te-Hina Paopao and Bree Hall. Sharpshooting sophomore guard Tessa Johnson is forcing her way into Staley’s circle of trust, consistently providing instant shooting off the bench. Possibly, the Gamecocks could use her shooting gravity in the starting group.
How sophomore…
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