South Carolina Gamecocks: Rising Above Adversity
Playing against the defending national champion South Carolina Gamecocks is no easy feat. But what makes this team even more intimidating is how they have bounced back from their most challenging setback this season. And no, we’re not talking about their single loss to UCLA on November 24. The real test came with the loss of junior forward Ashlyn Watkins to a season-ending knee injury on January 5. Watkins was a key player, averaging 7.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and a team-high 1.9 blocks in the 14 games she played.
Since Watkins’ injury, the Gamecocks have been on a roll, winning four consecutive games, three of which were against ranked opponents. They dominated Texas with a score of 67-50 and crushed Oklahoma 101-60, both top-10 teams. Their performance against the Sooners on January 19 was particularly impressive, as they hit the century mark for the first time this season, showcasing what might be their best game of the 2024-25 season.
Currently, South Carolina holds the No. 2 spot in ESPN’s Women’s College Basketball Power Rankings. They are gearing up for two of their toughest SEC challenges yet, hosting LSU on Friday and then traveling to face the Tennessee Lady Volunteers on Monday.
Coach Dawn Staley has praised Watkins for her contributions in shot-blocking, defense, rebounding, scoring, and her competitive spirit. However, she also highlighted how the rest of the team has stepped up in Watkins’ absence. “Yes, we feel sorry for Ash and her not being with us,” Staley said. “But do we have the utmost confidence in the people who are left? Absolutely.”
One of those players is freshman star Joyce Edwards, who leads the team in scoring with 12.1 points per game, despite coming off the bench. Edwards, a 6-foot-3 post player, is shooting an impressive 56.6% from the field. Against Oklahoma, she scored 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting. “Joyce’s work ethic is unmatched,” Staley said. “It’s borderline too much. She’s just driven, and she only knows one way. I’ve wanted her not to be in the gym so much, but that’s her makeup.”
Another key player is MiLaysia Fulwiley, who averages 11.2 points and 2.9 rebounds. Fulwiley had a standout performance against the Sooners with 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists. “I like playing good because it motivates me to play even better,” Fulwiley said. “As a team, we never pout when we don’t play good. I think the love we have for each other is going to get us through these tough games we have this week.”
The Gamecocks’ depth remains at a championship level, even without Watkins. Coach Staley acknowledges that this depth might cost the team some individual awards, but the focus is on team success. “We sacrifice SEC player of the week, having a national player of the year candidate, possibly some All-American [honors],” Staley said. “But this team is really just locked into the ultimate goal of winning and doing it for each other. [We’re] doing things that promote great basketball. We want to be a great product.”
Power Rankings: Top Teams to Watch
- 1. UCLA Bruins (18-0): The Bruins remain undefeated, with recent wins over Penn State and Baylor. They are one of only two unbeaten teams in Division I, alongside LSU.
- 2. South Carolina Gamecocks (18-1): With victories over Oklahoma and Alabama, the Gamecocks are set to face LSU and Tennessee in highly anticipated matchups.
- 3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (16-2): The Irish continue to be strong contenders, with recent wins over Georgia Tech and SMU.
- 4. USC Trojans (17-1): Led by JuJu Watkins, the Trojans secured a victory over Indiana and are preparing to face Purdue.
- 5. LSU Tigers (20-0): The Tigers remain undefeated but face a significant challenge against South Carolina, having lost 16 consecutive games to them.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on these top teams as they navigate through their schedules, aiming for the ultimate goal of a national championship. The depth and resilience of teams like South Carolina will be crucial in determining their success in the coming weeks.
Originally Written by: Michael Voepel
