South Carolina women's basketball: Five Things to Watch - Clayton State

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South Carolina hosts Clayton State in its final tune-up for the regular season. Here’s what to look for and how to follow the game.

1. What is the rotation?
This is a repeat from the first exhibition against Memphis. Raven Johnson, Te-Hina Paopao, and Bree Hall started in the backcourt, and that lineup probably only changes if there is an injury. 

Chloe Kitts and Sania Feagin started at forward. Kitts had a strong game with 15 points and 13 rebounds on 7-11 shooting. But Feagin didn’t play as well and got in early foul trouble, although she finished with nine points and six rebounds. 

Feagin’s position seems the most likely to change. Could she be more effective as a veteran presence off the bench? Or has one of the freshmen shown enough that Dawn Staley wants to make room for them?

We shall see…

2. What does Joyce Edwards do for a follow-up? 
Edwards was spectacular in her unofficial debut, reminding everyone why she was the subject of one of the fiercest recruiting battles in recent memory. She had 19 points, 12 rebounds, and two assists in just 18 minutes.

“Joyce played extremely well. She played like she’s been practicing,” Staley said the next day at SEC Media Day. “I didn’t know how she’d be just because it’s her first college game. She was a little nervous at the beginning of the game, right before we started the game. I think sometimes with a player like that, they might need to see the game a little bit and anticipate what’s going to happen out there on the floor. But the moment we inserted her into the game, she imposed her will on both sides of the basketball. Super, high intelligent, high competitor, just plays the right way. Very mature for her age.”

Edwards has made a compelling case that she is one of South Carolina’s five best players. Does Staley want to go ahead and insert Edwards into the starting lineup, or does she want to simplify things for Edwards and bring her off the bench, the way she did with A’ja Wilson?

3. The bigs
We knew replacing Kamilla Cardoso would be a challenge, and it got more difficult following Ashlyn Watkins’s suspension. As her court case drags on, it looks like the suspension will last into the season. 

The initial returns on South Carolina’s new-look post game were mixed. We mentioned Feagin above, and her performance was similar to the other Gamecock bigs. 

Maryam Dauda had nine points and two rebounds in 14 minutes. Adhel Tac had six points, five rebounds, and a block in eight minutes. And Sakima Walker had six points and three rebounds in 13 minutes. 

Along with Feagin, each player had a mixture of good plays and bad plays, and each brought a different set of skills to the table. Can one of those players step up?

4. What will Fulwiley do?
By her lofty standards, MiLaysia Fulwiley had a quiet game against Memphis even before she left with an ankle injury at the end of the third quarter. 

The injury wasn’t serious and there shouldn’t be any lingering effects. But knowing Fulwiley, she’s going to want to put on a show Monday night. 

5. No Mouse
Freshman point guard Maddy McDaniel did not play against Memphis as she recovered from minor surgery on her right knee. At the time, Staley was optimistic that McDaniel would be ready to play against Clayton State. However, on Carolina Calls last week, Staley sounded more pessimistic.

As much as everyone would like to see McDaniel play, being cautious is the smart move.

The Ws
Who: #1 South Carolina vs Clayton State (exhibition)
When: 7:00 pm, Monday, October 28
Where: Colonial Life Arena
Watch: There is no TV or radio for the game. Admission is free but parking is $20 cash. There will be game updates on The Insiders Forum. 

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