The South Carolina Gamecocks got their first stunner of the regular season when the UCLA Bruins defeated them recently. As the team seems to be recovering from the loss, their HC Dawn Staley points out the main problems in their pursuit while taking, what would many consider, a bold decision for the future.

On Wednesday’s news conference, Staley reflected on her team’s flaws that she looks to cover up in the next game against the Iowa State Cyclones, while also remaining unchanged at heart.

“When we don’t get ball reversals, you know it’s a drastic shift in our efficiency. So we got to incorporate a little bit more of that, and we got to open the floor up a little bit for them to have some room to operate,” Staley stated. The Gamecocks against the Bruins had only 1 fast break point whereas the latter had 8 which speaks volumes about the offensive capability of the South Carolina-based team and how they were stranded in scoring.

“I mean the only painful thing was our offense, our defense was decent. UCLA doesn’t shoot as well as they shot, so they were ready for us. Like we bring out the best in people. So we’re going to shift that and give it to UCLA,” The Bruins shot 47.5% field goals whereas the Gamecocks could only shoot 36.4%. Therefore, Staley was clear that she needed her team to improve their offensive gameplay.

Staley further stressed that the next time they meet the Bruins, they should feel “targets on their back,” and “we’re going to be better our offense has to 60 points is not going to win you a whole lot of basketball games now day,” Staley further added.

While the Bruins hit 77 points, the Gamecocks could only score 62, which disappointed the 3x NCAA Championship-winning coach since as per her 60 60-point games aren’t going to win them games. Once again reminding all that their offense will win them games, Staley concluded while stressing the importance of the collectivity of the group, something that was a key factor in their win last season too. However, despite all these changes, she stuck to one of her decisions.

Dawn Staley wants no change in this area

The Gamecocks had an undefeated season last year when they won all of their 38 games, subsequently clinching the title. Next, the South Carolina team won their first five games this season which sent across a message that irrespective of the fact that their mainstay from last year Kamilla Cardoso had been drafted in the W, Staley had made a formidable team. However, when they were defeated by the Bruins by a 77-62 margin, questions were raised about their starting five.

But shutting all doubters, Staley in the same interview opined that she wouldn’t be changing the starting five. “I take that to mean no lineup changes?” asked the reporter. “No.. no… no… no… no… not at all,” Staley was clear as she repeated her answer multiple times assuring she would stick on her path, and was rather surprised when asked that question. In the last game, Staley played Chloe Kitts, Sania Feagin, Bree Hall, Raven Johnson, and Te-Hina Paopao in the starting five while one of the main stars MiLaysia Fulwiley didn’t find much time due to her “defense,” as per Staley.

Hopefully, the Gamecocks will make sure not to repeat the same mistakes and try to start a new winning spree, which might ultimately end with them clinching consecutive Championship titles.