Dawn Staley makes her feelings clear on benefits of having Ashlyn Watkins in South Carolina

Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley on Sunday discussed the value of having forward Ashlyn Watkins in South Carolina's rotation, describing her as a crucial piece of the team’s defense.

The three-time NCAA champion coach highlighted Watkins’ contributions during a postgame interview after No. 2 South Carolina dominated Wofford 93-47 on Sunday at Colonial Life Arena.

"I mean, it's really important. Ashlyn is a shot blocker — she's able to cover ground and help and recover," Staley told reporters after the game (3:56 mark).

Watkins came off the bench and played 17 minutes of efficient basketball, tallying six points, eight rebounds (including six defensive boards), two steals and four blocks.

The 6-foot-3 forward was a force in the paint, disrupting Wofford’s shots and turning defensive stops into additional possessions for the defending champions in a dominant all-around performance.

"She does a great job at blocking shots. She does a great job at deterring shots. She has a great job at deflecting (shots)," Staley added (4:31 mark).

Watkins, a junior, has appeared in 12 games this season, averaging 7.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.0 blocks per game. She has been a defensive anchor for South Carolina’s second unit, which has garnered praise throughout the season.

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Dawn Staley talks about maintaining South Carolina’s standards ahead of SEC play

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley also discussed the team’s mentality going into SEC regular-season play. The three-time national champion is aware of how the conference is viewed nationally, with experts calling it the best and toughest in the country.

Staley wants her team to play to its standards as much as possible and avoid playing mediocre basketball, as the SEC is made up of the top teams in the nation.

"We got to play to our standard. We got to play to who we are and we can't play according to how our opponents are playing us," the Gamecocks coach said (2:57 mark).

Dawn Staley believes her team is a work in progress and will find its identity in the middle of SEC action, which begins Thursday against Missouri.

South Carolina is expected to have tough matches against LSU, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Alabama during the SEC regular season. The Gamecocks will also take on No. 7 UConn in their final nonconference assignment on Feb. 16.

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