“Her 3-ball is better, mid range is not”: Dawn Staley compares Texas’ Madison Booker to LSU legend Seimone Augustus

After a dominant 90-49 win over Texas A&M, Dawn Staley’s South Carolina team is set to host the Texas Longhorns on Sunday. The No. 2-ranked Gamecocks, boasting a 15-1 overall record, will look to extend their 10-game winning streak.

On Friday, Staley spoke with the press in a pre-game interview, where she was asked about Texas sophomore Madison Booker. When asked to compare her to any player, the coach said (01:00):

"She's tough. Seimone Augustus. Her 3-ball is better than Seimone's but her mid-range is ... 'Mone was money from mid-range."

One of Augustus' nicknames in the WNBA was "Money Mone," owing to her shooting precision. Dawn Staley was also asked about her strategy to stop Booker and said:

"I mean, you got to make it make it difficult for her to catch. She's in great shape as well, a lot better shape than she was last year."

"I think she's just understanding college and the whole dynamics of your body. Just make it real hard before the catch because you know when she catches it you're at her mercy."

After a great freshman season, Madison Booker is putting up consistent performances with Texas this season. She is averaging 15.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting an efficient 51.4%, including 46.4% from 3-point range.

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Dawn Staley and South Carolina prepare for tough stretch ahead

Starting Sunday, Dawn Staley and her team face five straight games against ranked teams in the SEC. This includes No. 18 Alabama, No. 10 Oklahoma, No. 6 LSU and No. 16 Tennessee.

When asked about the Gamecocks' preparations for this stretch, Staley said:

“I think that the habit of defending is one of our stronger points. The habit of sharing the basketball and moving the ball has become a habit. Our ability to rebound has been inconsistent. Our box-out has been inconsistent. That’s what we got to get better at."

"We got to clean up some of those extra opportunities that we’re giving teams. And I think, over the past probably two or three games, we’ve really concentrated on that, but we’re certainly are going to be pushed to the limit with Texas.”

South Carolina will be on the road for the tip-offs against Oklahoma and Tennessee while hosting the others at Colonial Life Arena.