COLOMBIA – Dawn Staley did not want to mischaracterize him, however exciting it was. South Carolina, in fifth place, won then number. 10 Kentucky on Sunday after losing most of the game, and Aliyah Boston played like the All-American she is.
But did Gamecocks click? Is this USC women’s basketball team playing like it was a year ago?
“No,” said Staley. “You look at the first part, I just thought we didn’t seem to be in sync. We didn’t defend ourselves well, we did some reckless turns that led to many easy and indisputable layups. We just found a way to win, and that’s a great sign for our team
It is not that the USC was playing badly. Gamecocks are 8-1, 3-0 in the SEC heading to Thursday’s game at Vanderbilt. The only loss was to NC State, which was labeled the only bad night they didn’t have last season.
The defense that tied opponents to Windsor knots last year is another grandma’s knot this year. The game of point guard has been an adventure, at least in terms of the assist / turnover ratio, although Destanni Henderson is becoming known for his ability to score.
Boston has been strong, but also seemed hesitant at times, not wanting to seek contact in painting and not finishing close shots when it was hit (layups have been a problem for the whole team this year). However, Gamecocks still won, posing the question: are these real problems or was everyone so spoiled since last year that they are exaggerating?
It’s a little bit of both, said Staley.
“This group is a challenging group. It’s a fun group, but it’s cool to try to get them to shape who they are. We talked a lot about last year’s team, but it’s a very different team, ”she said. “Last year’s team, we really didn’t really hit our pace at this point in the season. We grew up to that point. “
It is difficult to declare that moment when the USC ceased to be a tremendously talented team that could fight for the national title to undoubtedly the best team in the country, but the January 20 victory over the State of Mississippi stands out. With nine points at home, the Gamecocks went back to victory, culminating when Zia Cooke jumped to intercept an entry pass while the Bulldogs tried for a horn.
Reservations for New Orleans and the Final Four were made that night. The Gamecocks had only one game the rest of the way that was not won by double digits, and that was an eight point win over Texas A&M.
Staley always knew it would be difficult to try to keep this year’s team away from last year’s reputation. This team had not achieved that reputation, and it was without two of its instrumental figures: the guard, Ty Harris and the attacker Mikiah Herbert Harrigan.
This team can be very good. It just has to get there, and it is not there yet.
“We don’t know what our attack will be like every night, because it’s still a work in progress. But defensively, there are certain things that need to be made clear every time we step on the ground, ”said Staley. “This is loose balls, this is boxing, this is driving people out of staggering screens and just being disturbing and not giving people the first option of your attack”
On its way to Nashville before another intriguing television game at home against Arkansas on Monday, the USC remains a team in search of adjustments. The click is coming.
Follow David Cloninger on Twitter @DCPandC.