THE GAMECOCKS WILL BE THE TOUGHEST CHALLENGE WE'VE FACED THIS SEASON. BUT WE CAN BEAT'EM!!

I know everyone talks about Aliyah Boston, but it appears to me that

Zia Cooke on the move

Zia Cooke and Destanni Henderson are the keys to beating the Gamecocks. If Kiana and Anna can deal with them adequately on defense, we will play on Sunday. Both Zia and Destanni are fast, strong, and lethal. And our fast able guards can't expect a lot of help in their crucial task, because both Zia and Destanni are good passers and will find whoever we leave to give help. So, if Lexie leaves Brea Beal or Haley leaves Victaria Saxton to help cut off the driver,  whoever we leave will get the ball and score. They use both this drive and dish and pick and roll offense and they're both quick and dynamic.  It's a simple, but highly effective scheme - just ask the Longhorns.

Boston is big, strong, and fundamentally sound, but she typically gets the ball when our defense is set and can be doubled. In my estimation her lack of speed makes her less of a game-changer than the two guards mentioned above. This is why Tara and Kate make the big bucks. They've recruited and coached Kiana and Anna to be able to control this fast two-headed Gamecock attack. Lexie and Lacie will take over when Anna and/or Kianna need a break. Isn't it great that we have four players who can play Final Four level defense!!

Live ball turnovers are deadly against their speed. You may have watched the Oregon State guards get picked clean repeatedly and helplessly watch Dawn's speedsters make layups. Our ballhandlers have to be extremely careful with the ball every minute. No live ball turnovers!  

Needless to say, our air raid offense needs to be at its best. We can't dig ourselves into a hole with a bad start against this group. And by the way, Anna needs to shoot. 

It'll be tough - but we can do it . . . SO YEAH! 

(I learned this approach to ending a thought from Anna.)

GO CARDINAL!!! WE'RE ALL BEHIND YOU!!!