We’re certainly not calling it a “rebuild.”
Through three games, the No. 1 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks are a relentless rampage of excellence and excitement. After opening the season with a domination of then-No. 10 Notre Dame in Paris, South Carolina ran then-No. 14 Maryland out of Colonial Life Arena on Sunday. Thursday night, it was an evisceration of in-state rival Clemson, 109-40.
Here are three observations from South Carolina’s sensational start to the 2023-24 season:
Look out when the Gamecocks press the gas
South Carolina’s two games against ranked opponents unfolded similarly.
After a tightly-contested first quarter, the Gamecocks would gain some separation in the second period. Then, all of the sudden, it was off to the races, with the Gamecocks’ hustling into halftime with a comfortable lead before pouring in on in the second half. Both games became absolute routs as South Carolina crossed the century mark in victories over Notre Dame and Maryland.
When South Carolina establishes that second-quarter advantage, it seems that head coach Dawn Staley turns up the dial on the defense. That smothering defense then turns into high-flying, highlight-worthy transition offense. And once that feedback loop gets rolling, it appears as if there’s no…
