“They’re always going to challenge you”: Dawn Staley dissects Gamecocks’ strategy to counter South Florida’s strengths
Dawn Staley has the South Carolina women's basketball team prepared for whatever challenges come their way in upcoming games. Their matchup over the weekend will be no different.
Staley addressed the media on Friday to discuss preparations for South Carolina’s upcoming game against South Florida on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. No. 3 South Carolina, boasting a 9-1 record to start the season, is not underestimating the Bulls.
"Some of the scores look lopsided. Some of the scores were closer than the, you know, the end result. For us, it's a team that poses the threat of they're always moving," Staley said.
"They're always going to challenge you to defend every screen, and a lot of that, a lot of action is away from basketball, so we may have a tendency to not see the full court. They're going to force us to do that."
Recognizing the challenges South Florida could pose to her Gamecocks, Dawn Staley emphasized that her team needs to play disruptively.
"For us, we have to be disruptive on a team like South Florida, you can't allow them to take the shots that they want to take, or else it'll be just a long day for us."
How Dawn Staley's Gamecocks match up against South Florida
Dawn Staley and No. 3 South Carolina are heavily favored in their game against South Florida, not only due to the difference in talent but also their record.
The Gamecocks are seeking their 10th victory in 11 games, scoring 80.6 points per game on 46.1% shooting from the field and 35.8% from beyond the arc. They are aggressive on the glass and on defense, grabbing 43.8 rebounds while making 16.3 stocks (steals and blocks combined) per contest.
While they don't have a dominant scorer, they boast a balanced offense with any player capable of displaying solid performances. Te-Hina Paopao, Chloe Kitts, and MiLaysia Fulwiley are the most noteworthy, combining for 33.9 of the team's points while being the squad's double-digit scorers.
Meanwhile, South Florida is 5-5 after their first 10 games. They average 60.5 points on 39.6% shooting overall; on defense, they concede 59.8 points on shooting splits of 40% from the field and 28.1% from downtown.
The Bulls have two notable scorers: Sammie Puisis and Vittoria Blasigh. Puisis averages 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and a steal on 42% shooting from 3, while Blasigh provides 10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists with a 3-point accuracy of 45.7%.
After this game, Dawn Staley and No. 3 South Carolina will next host Charleston Southern at the Colonial Life Arena on Dec. 19 at noon ET.