HC Dawn Staley pinpoints where South Carolina team is “lacking” ahead of the new season
Dawn Staley believes that the South Carolina Gamecocks still have room for improvement ahead of the upcoming season. The reigning national champions showcased their dominance in their second exhibition game, recording a mammoth 126-42 victory over the Clayton State Lakers on Monday night.
Although the Gamecocks won both their exhibition games, Staley raised concerns in the postgame press conference following their win over the Lakers. She wants to see more pace and toughness from her team and they also need more game experience.
"It's probably a little toughness, and just playing faster more often," Staley said. "I think our players are really trying to play the right way. They're a pretty unselfish basketball team. So, I think we just got to work out some, we need some more game experience, I think."
"What we're lacking is getting out there in front of a crowd, getting out there playing somebody other than, you know, the highlighters. We just need more experience, and we probably won't get that until next week, this time. Hopefully, we'll have enough in the tank and win a basketball game at a neutral site."
Recruits shine for Dawn Staley in Gamecocks' second exhibition game
Dawn Staley and her staff have gone to great lengths to try and defend their national championship crown this season. They assembled a strong recruiting class, led by the No. 3 overall prospect per ESPN, Joyce Edwards. They also signed two five-star prospects, Maddy McDaniel and Adhel Tac, and added Arkansas transfer Maryam Dauda.
While McDaniel missed the Gamecocks' game against the Lakers, Edwards and Tac both played well. Edwards finished the game with a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds, with six assists, three blocks and two steals.
Tac was solid in the 12 minutes Staley gave her, scoring 13 points with seven rebounds. MiLaysia Fulwiley, who enjoyed a breakout freshman season, finished with team-leading tallies of 24 points and seven steals.
The Gamecocks enter the 2024-25 season as the top-ranked team in the AP Top 25 women's college basketball poll. They will begin their title defense in the Naismith Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas and will take on the Michigan Wolverines on Nov. 4.