South Carolina Gamecocks
SEC (25-6, 12-4)
South Carolina has had their share of challenges with some injuries and simply playing with a big bullseye on their back as the defending national champion. The Gamecocks, despite their lack of depth, are going to be a tough out in the 2018 NCAA Tournament as they still have A’ja Wilson and she can put a team her back if necessary in the postseason and carry them back to the Final Four.
Big Wins: 11/13 at Maryland (94-86), 12/3 Duke (72-52), 12/31 Texas A&M (61-59)
Bad Losses: 1/7 at Missouri (74-83), 1/14 Tennessee (70-86), 2/25 at Tennessee (46-65)
Coach: Dawn Staley
Why They Can Surprise:
People are going to sleep on South Carolina due to Mississippi State winning the SEC regular season title this season by running the table. Thus, all the national attention will be focused on Starkville and the Bulldogs. This scenario should work just fine for head coach Dawn Staley as she will be able to use this to her advantage to motivate her team. The dominating presence of Wilson can’t be underestimated as Wilson is averaging 22.9 points and 12.0 rebounds per game so far this season. Alexis Jennings is a nice second scoring option for the Gamecocks as she is averaging 11.5 points per game and is shooting 59.2 percent from the floor as well. Tyasha Harris is a rock-solid point guard as her assist to turnover ratio is excellent and she has done a nice job offensively scoring 10.9 points per game as a sophomore.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Wilson has missed time this season with various injuries and illness. Consequently, the potential for injury with Wilson is a concern as she is the best pure offensive scoring threat that South Carolina has. If the Gamecocks struggle shooting the basketball in the NCAA Tournament that could be problematic as they are not as equipped to come from behind by a big deficit early on in a game. So it will be important for South Carolina to get off to a fast start in each NCAA Tournament contest to avoid being upset in the second round or in the Sweet 16.
Probable Starters:
Tyasha Harris, Sophomore, Guard, 10.9 ppg, 6.3 apg, 2.3 spg
Doniyah Cliney, Junior, Guard, 8.0 ppg, 2.3 apg
Bianca Jackson, Freshman, Guard, 6.8 ppg, 1.9 apg
Alexis Jennings, Redshirt Junior, Forward, 11.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.1 bpg
A’ja Wilson. Senior, Forward, 22.9 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 3.3 bpg
Key Role Players:
Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, Sophomore, Forward, 7.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.3 bpg
Lele Grissett, Freshman, Forward, 4.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Victoria Patrick, Sophomore, Guard, 1.7 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 76.7 (31st in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 61.3 (90, 6)
Field-Goal Percentage: 47.1 (14, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 36.6 (32, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.7 (276, 11)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.1 (82, 6)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.4 (198, 8)
Rebound Margin: 6.6 (36, 4)
Assists Per Game: 15.1 (80, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.6 (59, 6)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2017 NCAA Round of 64 win over UNC Asheville
2017 NCAA Round of 32 win over Arizona State
2017 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Quinnipiac
2017 NCAA Regional Final win over Florida State
2017 NCAA National Semifinal win over Stanford
2017 NCAA National Final win over Mississippi State
2016 NCAA Round of 64 win over Jacksonville
2016 NCAA Round of 32 win over Kansas State
2016 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Syracuse
2015 NCAA Round of 64 win over Savannah State
2015 NCAA Round of 32 win over Syracuse
2015 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over North Carolina
2015 NCAA Regional Final win over Florida State
2015 NCAA National Semifinal loss to Notre Dame
2014 NCAA Round of 64 win over Cal State Northridge
2014 NCAA Round of 32 win over Oregon State
2014 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to North Carolina
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over South Dakota State
2013 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Kansas
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over Eastern Michigan
2012 NCAA Round of 32 win over Purdue
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Stanford
2011 NIT Round of 64 win over Appalachian State
2011 NIT Round of 32 loss to Charlotte
2008 NIT Second Round loss to North Carolina State
2008 NIT First Round loss to North Carolina A&T
*all team stats through 3/1
