WBB: South Carolina hits Music City

South Carolina is looking to bounce back from a home loss to Tennessee last weekend. Playing without A’ja Wilson, South Carolina gave Tennessee all it could handle before fading down the stretch. Despite the loss, there were some bright spots, including Tyasha Harris, who scored a career-high 28 points, and freshman LeLe Grissett who tied her career-highs in points and rebounds. However, Dawn Staley has no interest in moral victories.

“We don’t want moral victories, we had those five, six, seven years ago,” Staley said. “We go into games thinking we’re going to win basketball games. That’s our mentality.”

The Gamecocks have a chance to right the ship a little this week with games against a pair of teams at the bottom of the SEC standings, Vanderbilt and Kentucky. After this week, they return home for a crucial stretch against Arkansas, Missouri, and Connecticut.

All About Aj’a’s Ankle

The biggest story around South Carolina continues to be Wilson’s health. She missed the Tennessee game with a sprained ankle, and her foot was in a cast over the weekend. The cast was removed Monday, and Wilson is now moving around in a walking boot. Staley said Wilson wants to play Thursday night, but she will err on the side of caution and hold Wilson out for at least another game.

“A’ja thinks she’s playing, but she’s probably not playing,” Staley said. “She’ll go on this trip, she’ll rehab, and we’ll reevaluate her on Friday.”

Knowing KiKi’s Knee

When sophomore Mikiah Herbert Harrigan collapsed in the fourth quarter against Tennessee, most people feared the worst. She immediately grabbed her left knee, and could put no weight on it when she was helped off the court. But the initial examination was encouraging, and Herbert Harrigan ended up being diagnosed with a bone bruise, and no ligament damage.

Herbert Harrigan, who goes by “KiKi,” will not play against Vanderbilt, another blow to South Carolina’s depth. She is further away from returning than Wilson, but she is still day-to-day.

“We don’t talk about A’ja and KiKi,” Staley said. “We talk about what is in front of us and that is Vandy.”

Scouting the Commodores

Vanderbilt leads the series with South Carolina 21-14, but it has been lopsided of late. South Carolina has won eight straight against Vanderbilt, including 30-point victories in the last two games in Columbia. The last two games in Nashville have been much closer, with South Carolina winning 61-57 four years ago, and 71-61 two years ago.

The Commodores are 1-4 in the SEC, a game out of the cellar, but they are just 5-14 this season as the rebuilding project under second-year coach Stephanie White bottoms out. Freshman guard Chelsie Hall leads Vanderbilt in scoring at 13.3 points per game, and senior Rachel Bell is the only other player in double figures, at 12.8 points.

Vanderbilt is 10th in the SEC in scoring, and 12th in points allowed and turnover margin. The struggles extend to defense, where Vanderbilt is dead last in opponents’ field goal percentage. Vanderbilt does shoot well, hitting 41 percent from three. Cierra Walker and Christa Reed are the primary threats. Walker is hitting 46 percent and Reed is 44 percent from long range.

Even without Wilson and Herbert Harrigan, the game plan won’t change much.

“We’ll still look to work inside out,” Staley said. “Thank goodness we’ve got Alexis down in there. Alexis has taken her game to the next level.”

The Ws

Who: #10 South Carolina vs Vanderbilt

When: Thursday, January 18, 8:00 pm

Where: Memorial Gymnasium, Nashville, TN

Watch: SEC Network+