South Carolina Basketball: 3 thumbs up, 3 thumbs down from another dominant win at Arkansas
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Basketball vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
Thumbs Up 1: Post Proficiency
The best post team in college basketball did what they were supposed to do on Thursday night, and they dominated the paint. Kamilla Cardoso, Ashlyn Watkins, Chloe Kitts, and Sania Feagin combined for 49 points on 21-30 shooting, and the group pulled down 28 rebounds (7 more than Arkansas' whole team).
The Gamecocks won the points in the paint battle 56 to 22 and outrebounded the Razorbacks 53 to 21. Perhaps most importantly, though, USC's top-4 bigs had just 2 turnovers and 2 fouls for the entire game.
South Carolina Basketball vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
Thumbs Up 2: Efficient Shooting
For the game, South Carolina shot over 60% from the field and over 40% from behind the 3-point arc against Arkansas. Those numbers are good enough to win any game in runaway fashion, and that was true for Dawn Staley's team in Bud Walton Arena.
It was especially encouraging that the efficiency came from some unlikely candidates. Tessa Johnson made 4-5 perimeter jumpers, and MiLaysia Fulwiley shot 7-13 from the field despite missing 5 outside shots.
Because of how good the team's defense and rebounding always are, South Carolina is unbeatable when they score efficiently on offense.
South Carolina Basketball vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
Thumbs Up 3: Ball Security
The Gamecocks have struggled a bit with turnovers this season, but they held onto the basketball against Arkansas. In the first 3 quarters, Carolina logged just 6 assists. They struggled with giveaways in garbage time, resulting in their 14-turnover total for the game. Tessa Johnson and Sakima Walker had 5 of those 8 late-game giveaways,