GAME LOCATION: Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, MS
GAME TIPOFF: Reporting time is 6 pm Central Time, Thursday, January 28
TV: ESPN Network Television
RECORD 2020/2021 OF SOUTH CAROLINA: 12-1 overall, 7-0 in the SEC
SOUTH CAROLINA REGISTRATION 2019/2020: 32-1 overall, 16-0 in the SEC
SOUTH CAROLINA CHIEF COACH: Dawn Staley is in her 13th season as a South Carolina coach. In her previous 12 seasons, her teams had an overall record of 305-98 and 138-52 at the SEC. She won the SEC regular season title five times. Of the 11 teams eligible to play in the NCAA postseason tournament, eight were invited. Four of the teams made it to Sweet 16, one to Elite 8, one to the Final Four and one won a National Championship.
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SOUTH CAROLINA’S 2020-2021 ROSTER: The list of Gamecocks includes a senior, four juniors, five sophomores and a real freshman. In terms of talent, the list includes nine 5 stars and two 3 stars.
THE LOST SOUTH CAROLINA PLAYERS: South Carolina lost two players from last year’s team, both starting. Mikiah Herbert-Harrigan (32-32, 13.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and Tyasha Harris (32-32, 12.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg).
RETURN DEPARTURES FROM SOUTH CAROLINA: Three starters return from last season – Zia Cooke (5-9 sophomore guard) (32-32, 12.1 ppg), 6-5 striker Aliyah Boston (32-32, 12.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg) and 6-1 second-year guard Breal Beal (32-32, 6.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg). All three are newbies this season.
SOUTH CAROLINA RETURN RESERVATIONS: Four key reserves return this season, including senior guard 6-2 LeLe Grissett (32-0, 6.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg), junior guard 5-7 Destanni Henderson (32-0, 8.6 ppg , 2.9 rpg), 6-2 junior striker Victaria Saxton (32-0, 5.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and 6-4 sophomore striker Laeticia Amihere (28-0, 4.9 ppg, 4 , 0 rpg). Henderson and Saxton took on early roles this season. Grissett and Amihere are again important reserves this season. Destiny Littleton also played an important role in the reserve this year.
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NEW ARRIVALS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA: South Carolina welcomed a newcomer, 6-1 freshman guard Eniya Russell. Russell has been an important reserve this season.
SEASON 2020/2021 OF SOUTH CAROLINA: South Carolina was chosen first in the SEC’s pre-season media survey. Currently, they are 12-1 overall and 7-0 in the SEC. They faced four common SEC opponents like the State of Mississippi (Alabama, Florida, Kentucky and Georgia), winning all four, while MSU won two out of four. South Carolina is led by Zia Cooke, who scores 15.5 points per game. Also in two digits in the score are Aliyah Boston with 14.8 ppg, Destanni Henderson with 12.5 ppg and Victaria Saxton with 10.1 ppg. Boston also leads South Carolina in rebounds with 11.3 per game.
