Putting The Early Season Dominance Of Gamecock WBB In Perspective
Through eleven games in the 2023-24 season, Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks have yet to receive a blemish on their résumé, having demolished the inferior competition they've faced and won each of their four contests versus ranked opponents. In years past, the team has been known for their tenacious defensive prowess and their overwhelming length advantage in the front court. However, this year's squad might be putting more fear into their opponents and national title contenders due to their ability to run the floor in transition offensively and shoot the lights out on any given night.
If you don't believe what we write over on GamecockDigest or what South Carolina fans are saying, all you have to do is check the stats, and you'll see quickly that this might be the most complete team Staley has ever fielded during her historic tenure in Columbia:
Where South Carolina Ranks Nationally (Actual Number/Percentage)
Field Goal Percentage: 2nd (52.64%)
Field Goal Percentage Defense: 1st (29.2%)
Three Point Percentage: 3rd (41.75%)
Three Point Percentage Defense: T-45th (26.2%)
Assist-To-Turnover Ratio: 12th (1.54)
Bench Points Per Game: T-2nd (35.5)
Rebound Margin: 3rd (+17.6)
The Gamecocks are no longer a team that attempts to wear you down in one singular fashion, although they still possess the personnel to do it when they please; Carolina is a squad that has a pure tempo-pushing point guard in Raven Johnson, a deadeye three-point shooter in Te-Hina Paopao, a human highlight reel in MiLaysia Fulwiley, a reliable two-way wing in Bree Hall, a towering force in the paint in Kamilla Cardoso, and that's just the more notable names on the roster.
Dawn's team can choose to wear you down defensively, or they can run you out of the gym. They can elect to let Cardoso go to work on the low block, or they can kick/rotate it back outside for a three-point shot. The game footage backs everything that's been said about this team to this point in the season, and when you include the stats, it's easy to see why the Gamecocks are still the team with the biggest target on their back in women's college basketball.
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