Fort Myers Tip-Off: Get ready for South Carolina’s response against Iowa State, Purdue

On Thanksgiving Day, we’ll be blessed one of the tastiest treats in women’s college basketball: a motivated South Carolina team.

Stung by now-No. 1 UCLA on Sunday, the No. 4 Gamecocks (5-1) should arrive for the Fort Myers Tip Off eager to remind the nation that they’re still the defending champs. South Carolina, participating in the Island Division, will have two opportunities to reclaim their dominance, first against No. 15 Iowa State (5-1) on Thursday, Nov. 28 and then against Purdue (4-1) on Saturday, Nov. 30. MTSU (4-1) is the fourth team participating in the Island Division.

The four teams competing in the Shell Division, with games on Friday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Nov. 30, are Michigan (5-1), Belmont (2-3), Virginia Tech (5-1) and Davidson (3-3). All games will be held at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, FL.

South Carolina scrutiny

When you’ve lost for the first time in 44 games and 604 days, that loss feels like a crisis. That sense of crisis also is reflective of the standard set by South Carolina and head coach Dawn Staley. Excellence is so expected that anything less is cause for alarm.

But most likely, South Carolina’s loss to UCLA on Sunday was the wake up call the Gamecocks needed. The trip to Fort Myers can be a re-set for South Carolina, where the team rediscovers the sense of urgency, resiliency and togetherness that defined last season’s team.

Dawn Staley gave full credit to UCLA after the Bruins ended @GamecockWBB’s 43-game win streak:

“That was beautiful basketball by UCLA. Beautiful. On both sides. I’m on the opposite side of it, but ya can’t help but to love up on it ’cause it was fluid on both sides of the ball.” pic.twitter.com/We65d5sIar

— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) November 25, 2024

It will be interesting, however, to see if Staley chooses to experiment with lineups, rotations and playing time, looking to find groups that better amplify each other’s talents. The Gamecocks’ depth, an advantage during last season’s title run, could be an obstacle this season, especially if players need more time on the court together to establish better rhythm and cohesion. Against UCLA, it seemed Staley only trusted senior guards Te-Hina Paopao and Bree Hall. Sharpshooting sophomore guard Tessa Johnson is forcing her way into Staley’s circle of trust, consistently providing instant shooting off the bench. Possibly, the Gamecocks could use her shooting gravity in the starting group.

How sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley responds to her limited opportunities on Sunday also will be worth watching. Last season, after Staley sent a message to the then-freshman through extended time on the bench during an early-season game, Fulwiley absorbed the lesson, adjusted her game and emerged as one of the Gamecocks’ most valuable contributors. This season, she might be South Carolina’s most talented player. They’ll not only need her in Fort Myers, but throughout the season.

Can Crooks cause further Carolina spiral?

Iowa State sophomore center Audi Crooks has the potential to disrupt South Carolina’s desire to return to their signature dominance. She’s fresh off a 33-point performance and game-winning basket.

Last season, the Gamecocks had trouble with then-Utah star Alissa Pili, who dropped 37 points on South Carolina in a mid-December matchup. Could Crooks do something similar? Her game is different from Pili’s, as her arsenal of low-post moves is not accompanied by the shooting and driving prowess that Pili possesses. Yet, like Pili, Crooks is a rare offensive talent, whose fundamental style could prove impervious to Gamecocks’ interior length and athleticism. With her graceful footwork and fakes, Crooks could send South Carolina into a second-straight game full of frustration.

But, considering Iowa State recently fell to Northern Iowa and required a Crooks’ game winner to outlast Drake, the Cyclones probably do not have enough outside of the superb sophomore to take down what’s sure to be a Gamecocks team overflowing with intention.

Young Wolverines highlight up-and-comers to watch

Even if the Island Division opener between South Carolina and Iowa State will be the main attraction in Fort Myers, there are some other players to keep an eye on during the three-day slate of games in Southwest Florida.

After playing South Carolina tough in the season opener, Michigan has won five-straight games, propelled by a trio of freshman guards in Syla Swords, Olivia Olson and Mia Holloway. Swords leads the Wolverines with 18.7 points per game; she’s also averaging 7.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Olson is totaling 15.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. Holloway is the Wolverines’ assists leader with 4.8 per game, while also contributing 10.3 points and 2.5 rebounds.

A mostly-veteran Virginia Tech team also is benefitting from the play of a youngster. Sophomore guard Carleigh Wenzel, who provided solid bench minutes for the Hokies last season, has blossomed into one of the team’s go-to scorers. She’s putting up a team-leading 15.8 points per game, with many of her points coming via trips to the foul line as she puts pressure on the opposing defenses. She’s currently second in the ACC in free throw attempts and makes.

Another freshman is doing damage for Davidson. Forward Candice Lienafa is averaging 11 points per game and shooting better than 60 percent from the field for the Wildcats.