LAS VEGAS — There’s some beauty in an ugly win.
No. 1 South Carolina women’s basketball snuck by Michigan 68-62 on Monday in the season opener at T-Mobile Arena.
“I like the fact that we’ve been challenged, I like the fact that we’ve been exposed,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “We were exposed against (a team) that was determined to play and they made an impact as a collective unit. It’s great film, lessons, gut check, great opportunity for us to learn.”
The defending champions have not lost a game since March 31, 2023.
The Gamecocks are a different team right now. Not necessarily new with four of its five starters returning from last season.
There is no 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso anymore. She already played one season in the WNBA. And right now, no Ashlyn Watkins, who is suspended.
In the exhibition games, it felt as though the Gamecocks filled those voids with ease, but Monday’s challenge is a better long term.
If they came out on Monday against a team that couldn’t scheme and execute like Michigan did, the Gamecocks may be in a lot more trouble than they are now. If they opened the season with rose-colored glasses, and unrealistic expectations of what teams can do against them, bad habits would subconsciously start.
Junior forward Chloe Kitts stood out on offense with 19 points, 15 rebounds but struggled on defense. The Gamecocks got outrebounded early on and when they settled for standstill shots, all four perimeter players just stood and watched.
Michigan capitalized on misses and makes from South Carolina, pushing the ball down the court against a slower, less-together offense. The sagged zone defense from the Wolverines was a prime example of what happens without Cardoso. Missed 3-pointers feel a lot worse when Cardoso isn’t there for the put back, which also highlighted poor shot selections overall.
Rushing shots and getting beat in transition will happen a lot for a guard-heavy team without a dominant post player but as both Kitts and sophomore guard Tessa Johnson acknowledged after the game, it’s something to learn from.
South Carolina finished 33.3% from the floor, and hit just 5-of-26 3-point attempts. Both posts and guards missed easy two-point opportunities, and from the foul line the Gamecocks made 13-of-21 attempts.
Aside from Johnson’s 15 points, the guards underperformed. Starting point guard Raven Johnson finished with two points but no field goals, Bree Hall had two quick fouls and seven points, and Te-Hina Paopao added nine. Sophomore MiLaysia Fulwiley, the top returning scorer, finished with four points on 2-of-10 from the field, and 0-of-4 from behind the arc.
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In the second half, the Gamecocks made productive adjustments which is the key thing to take away going forward. Improvement comes from being forced to learn and being challenged, which they were for the first two quarters especially. Analyst and former coach Carolyn Peck was asked Monday on ESPN what impresses her most about Staley’s team and she highlighted their ability to adjust. That critical element is what will decide South Carolina’s season.
The game didn’t ignite extreme worry or doubt. It’s just too early for conclusions like that. If South Carolina doesn’t adjust soon, a gritty, ugly win may be the best sign for a team that wants to be challenged, wants to succeed and wants another national title.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: It’s good South Carolina women’s basketball was challenged right away
