COLUMBIA, S.C. – Just under a year ago, Indiana left the Albany regional with broken hearts.
After trailing by 17 points at the half, their comeback effort against the Gamecocks came up just short by a score of 79-75. This time around, both squads look a little different — especially in the post.
Both Mackenzie Holmes of Indiana and Kamilla Cardoso of South Carolina were picked in the WNBA Draft, and the two teams had to change some things up as a result.
This year, South Carolina found itself atop the rankings for much of the season, and now comes into the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed. South Carolina holds a 31-3 record (15-1 in SEC play), and is led in scoring by freshman forward Joyce Edwards, who averages 13.4 points per game.
The most distinctive part about this year’s Gamecocks, however, is that Edwards along with MiLaysia Fulwiley, who is second in scoring, aren’t in the starting five.
“That’s what pops out,” Indiana head coach Teri Moren said. “The difference in terms of what they bring off the bench, and how [they] can score the ball in so many different ways.”
Aside from the Gamecock bench, which pours in 42.2 points per game, the battle in the post will likely end up being the most influential part of the contest, as Indiana forwards Karoline Striplin and Lilly Meister will have their work cut out for them.
South Carolina is sixth in the country in blocked shots per game at 5.8, and is ninth in the country in rebounds, grabbing 42.6 boards per contest. South Carolina ranks 19th nationally in total rebound percentage (55.4%), while Indiana ranks 189th (50.3%). The forward group of Edwards, Sania Feagin and Chloe Kitts match up evenly with Indiana in the height department, but scoring is where they shine: the Gamecocks lead the country with 43.1 points in the paint per game.
Tip off is set for Sunday at 3 p.m. EST, and the game will be televised nationally on ABC.
