Dawn Staley sets her expectations from South Carolina as Gamecocks prepare for post-Christmas SEC conference games

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley wants her team to play its usual game in its last nonconference game against Wofford on Sunday at the Colonial Life Arena.

The No. 2 ranked Gamecocks face the Terriers 10 days after their 36-point victory over Charleston Southern. Four days later, they'll start defending the SEC title in a visit to Missouri.

Staley knows playing is tough when a team comes off a long break. So, the three-time champion coach set her objectives in South Carolina's clash against Wofford.

In an interview with Gamecocks Online, she said she wanted her team to play to their standards and execute well on both sides of the court.

"I just want us to play to our standard that's on both sides of the ball," Staley said (0:28)

"Unwilling to give up easy baskets, willing to be disciplined on offense, get some reversals. Play selfless basketball and find the best shot on the floor," she added (0:35).

South Carolina has played well in nonconference play and remained at No. 2 in the AP poll following that big win over Charleston Southern.

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South Carolina remains strong without a legitimate center

South Carolina dominated and swept the 2023-24 women's college basketball season with a dominant center in Kamilla Cardoso. This season, the team remains strong without a legitimate center as it approaches the SEC regular season looking to defend its title.

Although their reign of invincibility abruptly ended with a loss to No. 1 UCLA in its sixth game this season, the Gamecocks bounced back and delivered beatdowns to three-seeded teams in No. 15-ranked Iowa State, No. 8 Duke and No. 9 TCU.

Coach Dawn Staley has employed a balanced distribution of minutes with players averaging at least 15.8 minutes per game. Seven players have averaged at least 7.2 points per game, giving a lot of headaches to opposing teams wanting to guard a particular cager on the squad.

South Carolina's defense is solid this season, allowing 55.2 points per game and recording 11.0 steals and 5.7 blocks. The Gamecocks' point differential of +25.3 is a testament to their on-court tenacity.

The SEC regular season is just around the corner and South Carolina will be the target of all teams in the conference who want to supplant them and end their years-long dominance.

LSU, Tennessee, Texas and Oklahoma are expected to give the Gamecocks a run for their money in conference play.

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Will South Carolina end its nonconference season with a win against Wofford? Let us know your insights in the comments section.