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The reigning National Champions are equipped and prepared to defend their crown. They finished last season 38-0 and are bringing back 9 players. Four starters, a lights out shooter and probably the best sixth player in the country headline the 2024-2025 roster. Te-Hina Paopao, Raven Johnson, Bree Hall, Chloe Kitts, Tessa Johnson and MiLaysia Fulwiley are motivated to win it all again. Dawn Staley had some birdies fall in the nest, headlined by Joyce Edwards. The SEC looks different this year, but SC is more than up for the challenge.
How do things look without Kamilla Cardoso?
It feels like there’s always been an established, dominant post player in Columbia going into each season, whether it be A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston or Kamilla Cardoso. This is a year where we don’t know for sure what the pecking order is. Coach Staley had to change the way her offense was played last season with more perimeter shooting threats, but never swayed from how necessary positive post play is to her team. Kitts and Edwards will be looked upon to really step up for the team, and Sania Feagin could have the breakout Carolina fans have been waiting for. Maryam Dauda transferred from Arkansas and brings size, shooting and another shot blocker to the frontcourt. Kitts has a different skill set than SC’s past post players, so she can find many different ways to be effective.
They may not have the overwhelming size they have in the past, but their effort, intensity and attention to detail won’t be any different. I don’t know if there’s a coach who develops or gets their players more prepared than Coach Staley. If you play for Dawn you’re going to be challenged, every drill, practice and game. The results are there, so I believe the questions there are about this team will be answered.
The Uncertainty of Ashlyn Watkins
Ashlyn Watkins looked to be in prime position to take over one of the starting frontcourt positions. She improved a great deal last season and was on the verge of a true breakout. Some legal issues in the offseason, which led to a suspension, have made it hard to know what her season or the impact of her not being there will be. Edwards has the athleticism and skill to play that role this season. She had a double-double AT HALFTIME off the bench in the Tip Off Classic against Memphis.
The Guard Quartet
This is the best quartet of guards South Carolina has had in a while, maybe ever. Four players have legitimate cases to be starters and would start on 98% of the other teams. Raven Johnson is one of the best floor generals in the country, she averaged 4.8 assists per game last season. She was more motivated than ever coming into last season after what happened in the Final Four the year prior. She vowed it wouldn’t happen again, and she was right.
Paopao and Tessa Johnson have an argument for best shooting tandem, Paopao shot 46.8% from three, while Johnson shot 43% from three. Te-Hina made 87 total threes last season, on the best percentage in the country. Tessa proved she was ready for the brightest lights, scoring 19 points in the National Championship game against Iowa.
Te-Hina Paopao: The Most Accurate Shooter in College Basketball
Shoutout to Mark Schindler for putting all of these highlights of Te-Hina Paopao’s three pointers together.
Tessa Johnson’s 19-point performance against Iowa.
https://x.com/highlighther/status/1777106557597098194?s=46
Fulwiley is already one of the most entertaining players we’ve ever seen. She has an unbelievable highlight at least once a game. There’s a reason they call her “Laywitdabutter”, and she did that within the first few minutes of her first game against Notre Dame.
https://x.com/sportscenter/status/1721601909763580063?s=46
Breezy Breakout?
Breezy Hall has improved her scoring, rebounding, assists, field goal and three-point percentages every season of her career. She’s one of the more unsung, underrated players in the country. How often do you find a wing who can guard at an elite level, shoot 38% from three, and be a selfless do-it-all player for your team? Her calm, steady nature is so invaluable to this South Carolina team.
The loss of Kamilla Cardoso and uncertainty of Watkins is a hurdle for sure, but Dawn will have her team ready for the new look SEC. Dawn is typically one to lean on her experienced players, but if you earn the opportunity, she will always find a way to get you out there.
Can SC go Back-to-Back?
The effort and intensity South Carolina plays with is often unmatched. They may not match the top end talent of some other top teams, but can those teams be as unrelenting as SC? They have a really tough schedule so it’s unlikely they go undefeated again, but Coach Staley always has her team there at the end. The Gamecocks won’t give you any leeway, anything easy. They have the talent and depth to go back-to-back. They will at the very least return to the Final Four. After that, it comes down to who wants it more. And more often than not, it’s South Carolina who does.
