Entering the season, South Carolina’s biggest concern was figuring out how to replace 6-7 Kamilla Cardoso, the Final Four MOP and the third pick in the WNBA Draft. That concern only deepened after the season opener against Michigan, when South Carolina was outplayed in the paint despite Michigan starting five guards.
A week later, following a win over #9 NC State in Charlotte, those concerns remain but the Gamecocks have to feel a lot better about their options.
The biggest issue remains availability. South Carolina has yet to have its full complement of forwards available.
Ashlyn Watkins was still suspended for the Michigan game. She returned against NC State, but then Chloe Kitts served a one-game suspension against the Wolfpack
Additionally, redshirt freshman Adhel Tac, who has the size and skill most similar to Cardoso, did not play against the Wolfpack and instead spent most of the game riding the stationary bike on the side.
Even with the absences, there are more players than minutes. Sakima Walker did not play against Michigan, and then Maryam Dauda did not play against NC State. So far, neither has shown enough to demand more playing time.
Senior Sania Feagin was a total non-factor against Michigan. And freshman Joyce Edwards, who was so effortlessly dominant in the exhibitions, has had growing pains against the tougher competition.
That’s all the bad news. Now the good news.
The Gamecocks should be whole on Thursday. Kitts and Watkins will play, and hopefully, Tac will get in for a few minutes.
But beyond the roster, the Gamecocks looked like South Carolina again on Sunday. They dominated the glass, controlled the paint, and protected the rim.
Michigan attempted 34 layups. They missed 21 but grabbed 20 offensive rebounds that they turned into 21 second-chance points.
NC State only attempted 24 layups, meaning South Carolina kept the Wolfpack from getting to the rim as frequently. And NC State only got three offensive rebounds. Wes Moore pointed out that two were team rebounds, meaning NC State didn’t actually get the rebound. That made him furious.
“We only got one offensive rebound,” Moore said. “To me, that’s, that’s unbelievable. I mean, 40 minutes, you’ve got five people out there, and you got one offensive rebound. So, give them credit, but we’ve got to do better.”
Getting an elite defender, rebounder, and shot-blocker like Watkins back was a definite factor in South Carolina’s improved post defense, but she only had six rebounds, two steals, and a block in 19 minutes.
More credit goes to Feagin and Edwards for stepping up. Feagin hauled in eight rebounds, the third-best game of her career, and blocked three shots.
Michigan was able to get Edwards confused by running her through screens, but she was more effective against NC State. She had five rebounds and four steals and looked like the lockdown defender she was billed as. Edwards had issues on the offensive end, but at least for one game, she figured out the defensive end.
Now South Carolina essentially gets two weeks and three games against lesser opponents (yes I called Clemson a lesser opponent) to build off of those positives and fine-tune some of the issues. It’s not perfect, but it feels a lot better than it did a week ago.
