Gamecock Digest

Three Takeaways From Gamecock WBB Win Over No. 10 Notre Dame

South Carolina's women's basketball team had an eye-opening performance against the Fighting Irish on Monday, but what stuck out the most?

Andrew Lyon

Three Takeaways From Gamecock WBB Win Over No. 10 Notre Dame
Three Takeaways From Gamecock WBB Win Over No. 10 Notre Dame /

One of the most-bellowed lyrics in the history of hip-hop and rap comes from Jay-Z's song Public Service Announcement, where after about 20 seconds of an opening tune, you hear the words 'Allow me to reintroduce myself.' On Monday afternoon or night, depending on if you were stateside or in Paris, that's what Dawn Staley and South Carolina's Women's Basketball team did against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their first game since their gut-wrenching Final Four loss they suffered last season.

The Gamecocks sent a message that, despite their personnel losses, they weren't going anywhere as far as the national title picture was concerned. So, what did we learn about this team yesterday?

1) Lack Of In-Game Rapport Won't Be An Issue

When a basketball team has to replace their entire starting five from a Final Four team, it's entirely fair to expect some trouble with on-court chemistry at the start of the season. Shockingly, this was the least of the Gamecocks issues, as Staley's squad recorded assists on 29 of their 43 shot attempts, and the starting lineup gave up the ball just six times. The best part about all of this is that this group will only get better as the season goes along regarding being on the same page with one another.

2) MiLaysia Fulwiley Is 'Different'

When MiLaysia Fulwiley committed to play for Dawn Staley and South Carolina back on November 10th last year, there was a feeling in Columbia that she could be the next great player to come out of the program. Although it's only one game, Fulwiley generated plenty of excitement on both ends, dazzling fans with her ball-handling ability on offense and giving Notre Dame fits with her active hands on defense. Enjoy Milaysia, folks, because it'll be a show for the next four years.

3) This Year's Team Will Be About The Guards

For so long, South Carolina's offensive game plan has revolved around the play of their frontcourt, with their backcourt seemingly being more of a supplementary piece. That will not be the case with this year's squad. Raven Johnson and Te-Hina Paopao both possess the ability to distribute and score the basketball. Fulwiley might be the best two-way guard Dawn's ever had, and that doesn't even include the 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year from Minnesota in freshman Tessa Johnson. Kamilla Cardoso will still be a focal point, but with what we saw on Monday, the strength of this team lies in its backcourt.

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Andrew Lyon
ANDREW LYON

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