The nation’s number one sets the course for the season
For most teams, seeing South Carolina on the schedule is met with an expectant sigh or lit a fire in the competition. The preseason’s number one team recently released its non-conference schedule, and is full of intriguing clashes.
Gamecocks will start the season at home against enemy College of Charleston the day after Thanksgiving.
The next series of games will be a tournament whose schedule has not yet been announced. They will then participate in the SEC / Big 12 challenge when they travel to face Iowa.
His other home games outside the conference will be against NC State and Temple. The wolfpack came in 8th place in the NCAA pre-season survey and will be an initial test for a Carolina team with a lot to prove after important players graduate.
The biggest off-season game of the entire season will be in Storrs on February 8, when Dawn Staley’s team will face UConn in the most anticipated competition of the year. Respected rivals may be the two best teams in the country when they meet, possibly entering the match without losing.
Many of the players from these two teams will perform for the WNBA scouts, who will inevitably be watching. Some teams will invest more than others; since Connecticut Sun doesn’t even have a choice in the first round.
Sun negotiated its 2021 choice for Phoenix Mercury in the deal that allowed them to sign DeWanna Bonner for a long-term deal. Bonner is one of four players that Connecticut has a contract for next season.
Playmaker Jonquel Jones is another key player that will surely return, along with Kaila Charles, from the second round of last year.
It shouldn’t be too difficult to fire bank employees Bria Holmes, Brionna Jones and Natisha Hiedeman. Problems arise with the rest of the squad’s construction, and after some calculations, it’s hard to believe that they will be able to keep all players in the franchise.
After the season that Alyssa Thomas had, she will command the most money, but you have to think that the Sun will offer this to the heart and soul of your team. This is bad news for shipowner Jasmine Jones. The veteran defensive stallion is one of the most experienced players in Connecticut, but it would take a surprise change from the board to be able to bring her back next season.
Although Sun wants to keep their team together after deep postseason streaks, they may have to make some tough choices in the off season.
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