BTW Dawn wasn’t upset about her not committing after the game. You can see her smiling about it at the beginning of her press conference. Wasn’t a smack in the face as the rumor has always been that Sarah would announce at the McDonald’s AA game. Ask yourself why would Dawn say “not yet”? For some to make big deals out of other things don’t know why you’d ignore that. The answer is right in everyone’s face but I understand the spirit of debate.
Looking ahead after 4 years, which coarching style will benefit Sarah the most. Staley and Geno have two different styles of coarching. What is be best fit for Sarah and her style of play. Wherever she goes I have a feeling the NIL money is also going to follow. She is a smart young woman with supportive parents. She will have an impact wherever she goes.
The physicality of the SEC will prepare Sarah for the WNBA far better than the sissy Big Least. Geno is opposed to the physical play our gamecocks are known for. Check out his comments from last years game.
I don't think UConn has a chance right now even with PB coming back, but there's no chance of winning. SC program is difficult to steer from right now. It's that strong. If anyone has a chance outside of SC, it would be NC State. If the phone rings and it's either A'ja Wilson or Aliyah Boston...done deal. Plus, SC has got great depth to use her versatility to where she can play the 3 position behind Bree Hall, and gives them a third post option on the floor at any given time or shoot 3s (which she's very good at).
SC will develop her the best, period. Her parents are from SC, and she wants to play the 3 not Post which she will have to at NC State and UConn. UConn doesn’t even have the numbers either if yall do proper research. With Bueckers and Griffin coming back they’re already at 15 with their 2 from 2024 recruiting. So someone will have to transfer to make space. She also won’t be guaranteed minutes there either so idk why everyone is corroborating this story about SC not being able to give her PT! The girl is #1 y’all really think Dawn isn’t going to play her? She might not start but she’ll definitely get heavy minutes for sure and who wouldn’t want to play with Fulwiley, Watkins, and Joyce Edwards? Those three will be the best athletes in WCBB for the next 3-4 year BAR NONE!!! SC has smacked UConn the last 5 times they’ve played and that doesn’t change even with Bueckers back. NC State isn’t on an Elite level, year they’re having a decent year but majority of their roster are seniors and juniors so essentially Sarah will be playing with nobodies her sophomore year if she chooses them. I don’t think she wants to struggle in College. Yes Juju and Hannah are putting up good numbers but their teams are mediocre compared to Elite teams imo so all the heavy lifting they do will eventually wear them down in March. If Sarah wants to win, get a good education, develop for the pros, and play a Wing position then SC is definitely the school for her.
UConn has a scholarship spot open on their grid. Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Muhl are not returning. So maybe you should take your own advice and research.
Did not read your full comment but one thing with PB and Aubrey returning now have 14 on roster One spot open - could be filled by Edwards, Muhl, Rodriguez or strong
Eh I think Raven’s energy after the UCONN game gave it away with some of her comments on the future. Dawn said not yet which means eventually, she didn’t have to say anything if she wasn’t confident at all. You really have to understand what position Sarah ultimately wants to play and the development it’s going to take to get there and who is best set up to do it the right way. Can’t imagine she expects to start or have a ton of minutes year one with the direction she wants to go. Remember, her parents were pros.
This is quite false. Dawn has been recruiting Joyce Edwards for years not Sarah Strong. Geno Auriemma has been linked to Strong since she was like in the 8th grade. Remember Joyce was originally the #1 recruit so it makes perfect since for SC to focus on Joyce as opposed to Sarah who was #5 at the time. Two years ago Geno did an interview and said he thought Sarah Strong was the best player in the class. Not long after that interview ESPN slid Strong to #1 and Joyce #2. Approaching early signing period everyone felt Strong was a UConn lock but when she didn’t sign that’s when SC started to recruit her harder. If SC had been recruiting Sarah from the start like Joyce, Sarah would of taken an official visit to SC by now like Joyce. She hasn’t because SC just recently entered the chat. I don’t know what went wrong with Strong and UConn but it obviously was something Dawn and company felt was big enough to change her mind. If I’m Strong I’m wondering why SC didn’t recruit me for all of the time they recruited Joyce… If Dawn gets her it would be exactly like when Geno swiped Maya Moore from Tennessee at the last minute. I will say Sarah has been on the lives of UConn players KK Arnold and Paige it seems like Sarah already knows the UConn players but something definitely went left with Geno. Geno made a comment about Allie and Morgan signing to UConn saying they were easy to recruit because they didn’t want to be chased. that statement was telling considering UConn was expecting Strong to sign. I think Geno got mad because he felt like nobody was as interested in Strong until she had the #1 next to her name. He wanted her when she had the #5 next to her name.
@@VecksJanaeWhat’s quite false? I’m making a prediction and I’m stating why I feel that way. Just like the rest of us you’re not privy to information to know how long SC has been recruiting Sarah. You really think Dawn knows her mom and just showed up to the party? Based off of what you said you should know length of recruitment doesn’t dictate where a recruit goes so why are you basing your argument on length of recruitment and recruiting rankings? I don’t think this will be an emotional decision as much as an objective one based off of her and her parents wishes development wise. She’s also good friends with Joyce Edwards for what that’s worth too.
@@Bishop56100 I didn’t say it did. I said SC wasn’t recruiting her like that until they knew she was having second thoughts about UConn I never said it wasn’t fair game. There are tons of articles linking SC to the recruitment of Joyce Edwards that date back of couple years. Find one article that says Sarah Strong was a Gamecock Target before the year 2023. It doesn’t exist. The facts are the facts. Doesn’t mean SC won’t get her. But acting like they were recruiting her all this time like they were recruiting Joyce is delusional
@@VecksJanaeFor the second time I never stated anything about length of recruitment in my original comment because I don’t feel it will be a factor like the Maya Moore recruitment you pointed out. Go look, YOU bought that to the discussion. I believe this decision to be objective which is why it’s taken so long. Would surprise me if it wasn’t South Carolina to be honest.
Let’s not forget Geno and his staff has been hot on Sarah’s trail from the start… I’ve read many articles on the staff visiting her games in HS and both her and UConn are showing interest in each other… Sarah has been to UConn on an official visit on first night. She also was at the game when UConn played SC. I believe there’s a reason why she was there for that game and it’s not only because of SC like many people think. I’m sorry, but Dawn came up late in the recruiting process. I believe UConn if of any school in her sights has a good chance of getting Sarah. I believe Sarah knows what she wants to do in college ball, and she will pick the best decision for herself.
I'm guessing NC State. She can make an immediate impact there, like JuJu at Southern Cal. South Carolina is loaded with tall players, even with Cardosa leaving, she just wont get that much time, although that's the system there. It could also be a team that no one is guessing because the decision is taking so long. Like Notre Dame or Duke.
Sarah and her parents want great academics and SC's Honor College is #1. Dawn will get her plugged in there just like she did with Joyce Edwards who happens to be one of her best friends. FWIW both of Sarah's parents are from SC and Dawn and her mom played together with the Charlotte Sting.
The fact that UConn continues to have injuries to key players year after year points to a lack of expertise with their strength training program. Ever since they brought on the new strength coach from Texas they have had ongoing injury issues.Geno refuses to address this.If Sarah signs with UConn she will regret it.
Yes! I had the same thought. I was thinking that their strength and conditioning coach must be trash with all these injuries. Gamecocks rarely have injuries if ever. Molly Benetti is the best!
Injuries happen it hasn’t anything to do with UCONNS STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACHES, who buy the way or some of the best in the country. If you know anything about female athletes, they have a tendency to tear ACL and stuff like that.
Yes Molly is the best. Just look at what she has done with Chloe Kitts. Chloe has three more years of growth. I see her developing into our Cameron Brink. @@keykarissa
So you are a medical doctor. Would you recommend a helmet for Caroline, how about Jana what would you recommend for that injury. Don’t embarrass yourself anymore.
I'm not sure how she'll fit in the South Carolinas scheme. She is an offensive player who is not very aggressive on the defensive side of the court....
@@gravelymccravy9861 I agree. However let's not forget that a number of young ladies have left the program because they were primarily offensive players when they came to her program and they either weren't willing or weren't able to consistently adapt to Dawn Staleys defensive standards/requirements??? And Dawn is not known to compromise on this defensive standard which is why as you mentioned earlier they are the number one rated defensive team in the country....
UCONNs injury bug is not bad luck but bad conditioning coach and Geno's trying to run his players into the ground!Go back in time and y'all will see what im talking about! Go Gamecocks go ride gamecocks ride!
No argument here. The Lady Gamecocks got the best recruiting class. ‘They beat LSU on their floor and will probably continue to do that for the foreseeable future.
@@prettyugly per ESPN reports but anyone can see that class was overrated and not even close to being #1. SC freshmen Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson are way better.
@@kenichitamagusuku3194 They counted Kitts in the class. I just read the ESPN article. They were so wrong with rankings. If they were to do the rankings again LSU wouldn't be #1. South Carolina would be with Kitts, Tessa, and Fulwiley. All 3 are playing roles for the #1 team in the country.
@@jeromesmith3968 They were arguably the best, but how the class pans out on the court is something entirely different. Williams was the #2 ranked player, in some other reports #1. At one point she was ranked higher than JuJu. Williams and JuJu were not far apart. Aalyah del Rosario was #7, Velez #44 or #42. They had a great class, but most of it was based on Williams and del Rosario, both top 10. Most if not all rankings are based on what ESPN reports, and based on what they reported, they had arguably the best class. That doesn't mean that in 4 or 5 years time, that class will still be viewed as the best. The freshies were a great class #1. They lived up to it. So far LSU's freshman have not, but that is mainly down to Mulkey not playing and trusting them. In a blowout game, why isn't del Rosario given more run? Why isn't Velez given more run? Why is Angel still out there, gassed and running on fumes?
Go to UCONN. Anyone that knows basketball, knows Geno is best college bxball coach. Uconn needs, Sarah Strong. With her and healthy team....UCONN is definitely final four.
@@back2sports988 possibly I was told today not to count UConn out for Strong. Heard SC felt confident in Sarah signing after the game in Columbia, and she didn’t…
Thx for the update. So this week I am bias for SC. Last week was UConn, early in season it was LSU. Hard to be bias for one team all the time so I like to share it around a bit.
Those players stayed home meaning if she did she would go to DUKE North Carolina or NC State and SC for the fact that there right by her home state and they number 1 but NC State isn't a bad choice and probably her first choice
Definitely not boring but I just don't feel good about all the transferring. It's like a game of musical chairs. Even still I love the women's game more than the men's.
@@usveteran9893 Unfortunately, I have to agree with you on that. The WNBA Commissioner has and is missing so many opportunities to garner more interest NOW.
At UCONN the players are trained to enter the WMBA if they want to. UCONN as a world class University in the tradition of the IVY League Colleges in the are includingn Yale in New Haven. I can't imagine Strong fitting into UCONN and CT basketball culture. Nor can I see her fitting into the Northeast - a lifestyle for most that is closer to NY or Boston culturally and not at all a Southern culture like that of NC or South Carolina. Our teams and our State adore our UCONN teams! And, the reason UCONN basketball has been so successful for both teams is because of the tremendous dedicated fan base here in CT. And our teams almost always mention how much they love the fans that come to their games season after season. UCONN basketball is CT culture. No other State has the history of such a strong fan base for basketball that CT has! They are family to us! We love all of them, win or loose!
Her mom is a vice president for the Celtics so she might be more familiar with our NorthEastern sports culture than you think. Her mom also played ball for Harvard.
I’m Ct resident Uconn grad, and my son Uconn grad. I don’t understand why you don’t think strong would not be a good fit here after what you said about the whole Uconn experience and family.
@@gravelymccravy9861 think you should look at the Non-conference schedule they line-up each year…toughest in the country usually each year! A lot to be said about that.
UConn is forced to play good out of conference teams because their conference is so pathetically weak. Seeding is based on strength of schedule wins. @@champv6129
If it was UConn I think she would’ve already chose them. She left that window open for a reason and I think Dawn and SC might of just climbed through. Also her and Joyce are really good friends and Joyce said she’s trying to bring her in as well 👀
@@BuntherMilesTenn came out strong and held them down as much as they could. They limit their 3’s so they took it personal as much as LSU did. SC had Rickea scoreless in the 4th quarter. I’m looking forward on the rematch in SC.
@@BuntherMilesTennessee missed a lot of shots that LSU will make😂😂😂😂. If they leave us open the way they did Tennessee, it’s time to turn on the air fryer😂😂😂😂😂😂
Like all gamecock fans, I would love to see her don the garnet and black, but the truth is, I'm not sold on all the theories of why she would. To start, if she is looking for development, UConn should be her top choice, not SC. Geno has sent 43 players to the WNBA 11 of which he developed into NPOY. Three are arguably the best to ever play in college and the WNBA. Dawn has only developed 14 total WNBA players and just 2 were NPOY. As for as playing the 3, that's not something exclusive to SC. Because of her skill set, she will be utilized multiple ways wherever she goes, similar to Alissa Pili. Geno doesn't need her to play the post. He already has posts- a 6'6" junior, a 6'5" redshirt freshman, a 6'3" redshirt freshman and a 6'2" sophomore expected to return next season. Regardless of position, he wouldn't be recruiting her if he didn't have a scholarship to offer. For the record, SC has only beaten them 4 of the last 5 times, and only once when they were fully healthy. Additionally, NC State has a 6'3" center and a 6'2" forward. However, if maximizing minutes is her goal, then NC State might be her best choice, especially with her dad having played there. NC State plays in a stronger conference this year than the gamecocks, with 5 ranked teams. SC is the only team ranked ahead of them with less than 3 losses. NC State is about as elite as you will get. But who said she was looking for an elite team? She might want to carve her on path. Fulwiley, Watkins and Edwards may be good athletes, but they haven't won a championship together. Who wouldn't want to play with them? *Answer:* Jaloni Cambridge, Allie Ziebell, Kateryna Koval and Kennedy Smith just to name a few. USC and NDU are in the upper 5% of Women D1 basket ball; that's far from being mediocre and has nothing to do with Sarah's own individual choice. Furthermore, no player does more than Caitlin Clark, yet she didn't look worn down at all when she scored 41 on the gamecocks in her 37th game of the season and has only gotten stronger since. If Sarah wants to win, get a good education, develop for the pros and play the wing, she has quite a few options, and SC may or may not be one of them. †
Whats funny to me is how South Carolina fans say that coaching staff develop players yet they only got 1 star in the wnba over the 17 years coach staley been there..i need south carolina fans to stop the cap..because i dont see much developing..why Dawn has no star PG in the w considering thats her position that she played..😮
Had to pick up other teams players that were more developed. Their players couldnt get by Iowa. Underdeveloped shooters. In fact 3 were drafted by the WNBA then cut in training camp.
NC State is the best choice ironically out of them, UConn, USC, and LSU. All 3 of them come with question marks. NC State could plug her in seamlessly at the 4 next to Saniyah, Aziaha, & Madison - and with an already top 15 rated recruiting class? She can be JuJu of the East Coast.
Her Mom is from Chester, SC. Her Dad is from Great Falls, SC. So again, what's home when both parents are from SC? Family ties are in Dawn's backyard. Home is where you make it right?
@@goldz79 her mom went to harvard in massachusetts....and currently works with the celtics in massachusetts...and storrs is only 1.5 hrs away. her basketball-minded parents understand what geno can do for her. i cant see her picking any other school than uconn
I think SC is definitely out she's not coming to sit on Dawn's bench. Plus Dawn's player rotations are sometimes terrible. She seams to punish her starters to the bench too much. That's what practice is for. You have to let your starters work through shit that builds cohesiveness with your first unit. In the tournament this could hurt SC because other teams let their starters make mistakes and adjust so they might catch themselves at a disadvantage with an opponents polished first team.
She doesn’t necessarily pull them because of mistakes she keeps them rested and develops the bench. Which nearly half their points & production comes from the bench. This is how they wear teams down. By the end of the 3rd the opponents starters are all fatigued meanwhile SC is just starting to heat up to take the lead.
SC is a great team with a great coach. It’s hard for anyone to beat them BUT if we see SC again in the tournament , it’s gonna be a lotta slow singing and flower bringing cuz we know how to beat them. You must didn’t watch the whole game; just highlights. LSU was putting belt to azz all game until AR fouled out so it kinda threw everyone off but i guarantee that won’t happen again. Sometimes you need to fail in order to know how to win.
SC did not play anywhere near their best but beat LSU in a very hostile environment. Next time they meet maybe in Greenville, SC or on a neutral court where SC will once again wear down that short bench. The last time the game was played in SC it was a 25 point curb stomping. @@nextdayheir3329
Why should she want to play for Dawn Staley i wouldn’t. She needs to play for a team who will respect her and unfortunately Dawn Staley will not give her any respect. Dawn Staley continues to abuse her authority and power. She doesn’t care about her players. Sarah play play for a team that will give you respect because you won't get that from Dawn Staley.
You woke up smoking crack this morning! Aja, Aliyah, Tiffany, Ty, Zia, and Allysa would like a word dont catch them in the summer though. They will be playing in the W!
