South Carolina Basketball: 6 thumbs up from a historic national championship win

South Carolina Basketball vs. Iowa Hawkeyes
Thumbs Up 1: Kamilla Cardoso and the Phenomenal Forwards

South Carolina basketball had the deepest group of forwards and centers of any team in the nation this season. Kamilla Cardoso led the group as the starting center, but players like Ashlyn Watkins, Chloe Kitts, Sania Feagin, and Sakima Walker were excellent contributors. They were so good, in fact, that there were games in which Watkins, Kitts, and Feagin were the Gamecocks' best players.

The post presence Carolina has been known for having was on full display in this game as the Gamecocks outscored Iowa in the paint 48-32.

Cardoso could not be stopped as she scored 15 points and brought down 17 rebounds. She shot 50% but cleaned up her own miss 4 times (and had 7 total offensive rebounds), and on defense, she swatted away 3 Hawkeye shots. She won the Most Outstanding Player honor for the Final Four as she simply dominated both NC State and Iowa.

Chloe Kitts had a double-double, as well, scoring 11 points and securing 10 rebounds. She also added 2 assists and posted that impressive stat line in just 17 minutes of action.

Ashlyn Watkins was hampered by foul trouble, but in her limited minutes, she still grabbed 5 rebounds, swiped 2 steals, and blocked a shot.

Sania Feagin was a steady contributor, rebounding 4 missed shots and scoring 6 points, all of them either to grow a Gamecock run or stop an Iowa one.