South Carolina Basketball: Three thumbs up, three thumbs down vs. Utah

This thumbs up was almost “offensive efficiency,” but the turnovers and offensive fouls disqualified the Gamecocks from that honor. However, shooting the basketball went well for USC. Carolina shot 54.5% from the field, and Te-Hina Paopao and MiLaysia Fulwiley combined for 6 3-pointers. 8 Gamecocks shot 50% or better from the field, as well.. . South Carolina Gamecocks. SCORING EFFICIENCY . Thumbs Up

. South Carolina Gamecocks. FREEBIES WHEN THEY MATTERED . Thumbs Up. South Carolina basketball has not shot free throws very well this season. The 67% mark the Gamecocks shot on Sunday is pretty representative of the season’s success at the line. However, when the game was in the balance in the 2nd half, Kamilla Cardoso went 4-4 from the line and the entire team went 7-9. USC also went 19-27 on shots at the rim for the game, a good number against some good post defenders for the Utes.

Thumbs Up. South Carolina basketball coach Dawn Staley used a tight rotation on Sunday. Only 7 Gamecocks got more than double-digit minutes. The 2 bench players who saw real action were MiLaysia Fulwiley and Ashlyn Watkins, and they both delivered. Fulwiley had some turnovers that she would like to have back, but the two reserves combined for 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks while shooting 7-9 from the field (Fulwiley went 3-3 from behind the arc, too). Fulwiley and Watkins were also both in the top-4 on the team in +/-. If the Gamecocks can get consistent production from their top bench players, no one will beat them this season.. . South Carolina Gamecocks. SUPER SUBS