Time for the ladies to open

[DeeDave]

Next year we will be top ten but not as dominant. The following year we will be talented but green. We've already had one championship robbed from us in all likelihood. We need to win this one; I'd say it's imperative. After 2020, I'll always feel we are one championship behind.

I think the challenge staying near the top is good for us because it keeps Coach Staley motivated. The challenge is what motivates great coaches. Not that winning all the time gets boring but I have to think great coaches find additional motivation in the fight to stay at the top.

Of course this year isn't over and we have a lot of work to do this year.

But the challenge of losing a lot of talent and building it back up has to be very motivating to someone like Coach Staley - and all the great coaches.

I have to remind myself that "dropping off" for South Carolina would mean still being a top 10-12 program after this current crop of talent moves on.

But the foundation is there - the reputation is there- to reload these classes with top 1-10 ranked classes every 3 or so years. The top women players coming up now have really never known South Carolina to not be a top 10 team.

That doesn't mean we will get all the top ones of course. I've read the local player at Camden might leave the state. I hope not but I can also understand a local player wanting to head across the country to a place like Stanford. But there will be other great players from other places that come here.

Few things can be more satisfying than being at the top- dropping back just a bit- and then rising to the top again. That's what all the greats have done- Coach K, Dean Smith, Geno, Pat Summit, etc....

 

[hahnenkampf]

I think the challenge staying near the top is good for us because it keeps Coach Staley motivated. The challenge is what motivates great coaches. Not that winning all the time gets boring but I have to think great coaches find additional motivation in the fight to stay at the top.

Of course this year isn't over and we have a lot of work to do this year.

But the challenge of losing a lot of talent and building it back up has to be very motivating to someone like Coach Staley - and all the great coaches.

I have to remind myself that "dropping off" for South Carolina would mean still being a top 10-12 program after this current crop of talent moves on.

But the foundation is there - the reputation is there- to reload these classes with top 1-10 ranked classes every 3 or so years. The top women players coming up now have really never known South Carolina to not be a top 10 team.

That doesn't mean we will get all the top ones of course. I've read the local player at Camden might leave the state. I hope not but I can also understand a local player wanting to head across the country to a place like Stanford. But there will be other great players from other places that come here.

Few things can be more satisfying than being at the top- dropping back just a bit- and then rising to the top again. That's what all the greats have done- Coach K, Dean Smith, Geno, Pat Summit, etc....

A lot of young players are afraid of playing on the big stage.

 

[king ward]

I think the challenge staying near the top is good for us because it keeps Coach Staley motivated. The challenge is what motivates great coaches. Not that winning all the time gets boring but I have to think great coaches find additional motivation in the fight to stay at the top.

Of course this year isn't over and we have a lot of work to do this year.

But the challenge of losing a lot of talent and building it back up has to be very motivating to someone like Coach Staley - and all the great coaches.

I have to remind myself that "dropping off" for South Carolina would mean still being a top 10-12 program after this current crop of talent moves on.

But the foundation is there - the reputation is there- to reload these classes with top 1-10 ranked classes every 3 or so years. The top women players coming up now have really never known South Carolina to not be a top 10 team.

That doesn't mean we will get all the top ones of course. I've read the local player at Camden might leave the state. I hope not but I can also understand a local player wanting to head across the country to a place like Stanford. But there will be other great players from other places that come here.

Few things can be more satisfying than being at the top- dropping back just a bit- and then rising to the top again. That's what all the greats have done- Coach K, Dean Smith, Geno, Pat Summit, etc....

Being pragmatic, we'll need another "big" from somewhere - soon.

 

[king ward]

Its never going to get better than this, enjoy the ride!

We have to win this year's championship to validate that.

 

[king ward]

I think Cardoso has another year left and Chloe Kitts may turn into a great player. We are not devoid of talent and '24 should be a big recruiting class.

Got to see way more out of Kitts.

 

[Ward Jr]

I think the challenge staying near the top is good for us because it keeps Coach Staley motivated. The challenge is what motivates great coaches. Not that winning all the time gets boring but I have to think great coaches find additional motivation in the fight to stay at the top.

Of course this year isn't over and we have a lot of work to do this year.

But the challenge of losing a lot of talent and building it back up has to be very motivating to someone like Coach Staley - and all the great coaches.

I have to remind myself that "dropping off" for South Carolina would mean still being a top 10-12 program after this current crop of talent moves on.

But the foundation is there - the reputation is there- to reload these classes with top 1-10 ranked classes every 3 or so years. The top women players coming up now have really never known South Carolina to not be a top 10 team.

That doesn't mean we will get all the top ones of course. I've read the local player at Camden might leave the state. I hope not but I can also understand a local player wanting to head across the country to a place like Stanford. But there will be other great players from other places that come here.

Few things can be more satisfying than being at the top- dropping back just a bit- and then rising to the top again. That's what all the greats have done- Coach K, Dean Smith, Geno, Pat Summit, etc....

Wha? The reason Staley is an exceptional coach is because her teams don't take games off and take nothing for granted. You can see that whether we're playing Stanford or SC State. This has been going on for years regardless where voters rank us. She has a killer mentality on and off the floor.

 

[cockn'fyr]

Wha? The reason Staley is an exceptional coach is because her teams don't take games off and take nothing for granted. You can see that whether we're playing Stanford or SC State. This has been going on for years regardless where voters rank us. She has a killer mentality on and off the floor.

Well, I think you're both saying basically the same thing. losing is not an option for Coach Staley, and getting the team to that point every season is what motivates her and that includes recruiting.

 

[gamecockengineer2011]

Got to see way more out of Kitts.

Kitts needs some time in a college weight lifting program for sure. She is going to need to beef up to be able to bang around like Cardoso or Boston does.

She is very quick and appears to have a smooth shot so she does have some tools to work with, I just dont see her posting up against elite competition yet.

 

[king ward]

Kitts needs some time in a college weight lifting program for sure. She is going to need to beef up to be able to bang around like Cardoso or Boston does.

She is very quick and appears to have a smooth shot so she does have some tools to work with, I just dont see her posting up against elite competition yet.

I'm assuming our coach never sets out to waste a scholarship. I expect Kitts will develop. She has quite a way to go.

 

[hahnenkampf]

I'm assuming our coach never sets out to waste a scholarship. I expect Kitts will develop. She has quite a way to go.

Agree about Kitts. I think her playing time this year will be very limited. I think Dawn will Red Shirt her this year so she’ll still have four more years to develop.

 

[DeeDave]

Wha? The reason Staley is an exceptional coach is because her teams don't take games off and take nothing for granted. You can see that whether we're playing Stanford or SC State. This has been going on for years regardless where voters rank us. She has a killer mentality on and off the floor.

I agree. Nothing I said has anything to do with that.

I was talking about my thoughts regarding Coach getting bored with the success. I don't think that's her style- and I'm not saying she is bored.

I'm saying all great coaches are motivated by the challenges- when it gets tough- and they respond. No one stays at the top all the time- but the motivation comes from falling back and going back to the top.

It's just a personal concern for me that she gets bored with the success and wants another challenge. I don't think she's bored. It's more of me thinking out-loud of possibilities.

 

[adcoop]

I think the challenge staying near the top is good for us because it keeps Coach Staley motivated. The challenge is what motivates great coaches. Not that winning all the time gets boring but I have to think great coaches find additional motivation in the fight to stay at the top.

Of course this year isn't over and we have a lot of work to do this year.

But the challenge of losing a lot of talent and building it back up has to be very motivating to someone like Coach Staley - and all the great coaches.

I have to remind myself that "dropping off" for South Carolina would mean still being a top 10-12 program after this current crop of talent moves on.

But the foundation is there - the reputation is there- to reload these classes with top 1-10 ranked classes every 3 or so years. The top women players coming up now have really never known South Carolina to not be a top 10 team.

That doesn't mean we will get all the top ones of course. I've read the local player at Camden might leave the state. I hope not but I can also understand a local player wanting to head across the country to a place like Stanford. But there will be other great players from other places that come here.

Few things can be more satisfying than being at the top- dropping back just a bit- and then rising to the top again. That's what all the greats have done- Coach K, Dean Smith, Geno, Pat Summit, etc....

I think some of you guys are not putting into the calculation of how good Sania Feagin and Ashlynn Watkins are. They just don't get to play because of our depth. It is sort of how Destanni Henderson was in her first two years. Feagin goes out there in garbage time and gets 8-10 points often in about 5-6 minutes of play. She just has to wait her turn behind Boston, Cardoso, and Amihere. We have 10 players that I am confident we can win big with. That doesn't even count Cooper or Kitts. I think Coach Staley is trying to figure out what she wants to do with Cooper. Is she a 1 or a 2. For Kitts, it's just a year to watch and gain experience.

 

[hahnenkampf]

I agree. Nothing I said has anything to do with that.

I was talking about my thoughts regarding Coach getting bored with the success. I don't think that's her style- and I'm not saying she is bored.

I'm saying all great coaches are motivated by the challenges- when it gets tough- and they respond. No one stays at the top all the time- but the motivation comes from falling back and going back to the top.

It's just a personal concern for me that she gets bored with the success and wants another challenge. I don't think she's bored. It's more of me thinking out-loud of possibilities.

I agree about her not getting bored. I think she has that very strong drive to always be a winner. It’s the same drive that propels vandevier (sp) at Stanford and Mulkey at Baylor/LSU. Add in the multimillions of rubles Dawn is getting for winning and boredom is something she’ll not experience for many, many years.

 

[adcoop]

Kitts needs some time in a college weight lifting program for sure. She is going to need to beef up to be able to bang around like Cardoso or Boston does.

She is very quick and appears to have a smooth shot so she does have some tools to work with, I just dont see her posting up against elite competition yet.

I don't see Kitts banging around as a 4 or 5. She still needs to get in the weight room, but I see her developing into a 3. At 6-2, she would be the smallest post player that we have had since Saxton. I have been waiting for this program to get that 6-2 or so do everything 3. Not saying that Kitts will be Breanna Stewart or anything, but I just see her filling that type of role (being able to shoot some, move the ball, etc.). I think the next step in our program is getting that type of player. Amihere is that to a degree, but I wished she shot it better.

 

[gamecockengineer2011]

I don't see Kitts banging around as a 4 or 5. She still needs to get in the weight room, but I see her developing into a 3. At 6-2, she would be the smallest post player that we have had since Saxton. I have been waiting for this program to get that 6-2 or so do everything 3. Not saying that Kitts will be Breanna Stewart or anything, but I just see her filling that type of role (being able to shoot some, move the ball, etc.). I think the next step in our program is getting that type of player. Amihere is that to a degree, but I wished she shot it better.

Outside shooting hasn't been much of a strength to Dawn's teams the last 8 or so years. Once we started getting Alina Coates, Aja Wilsons, and other super tall forwards we didn't seem to have the guards that could hit the 3 or long 2s from outside the paint. Thats probably the best way to beat this team, stack the paint and make us shoot jump shots.