Overview of GOOD FOLLOW — The Real SC has been Crowned! Is Sarah Strong the best in the NCAA? Project B Signs Another, & More!
Hosts Roz Goldon-Bere and Angel McCautry recap a busy weekend in women’s college basketball: South Carolina’s win over USC in the “battle of the SCs,” monstrous individual stat lines around the sport (especially UConn’s Sarah Strong), a DraftKings pick for the week (UConn vs Michigan), and a major roster addition to the overseas startup “Project B” — plus a discussion of what that league means for the WNBA and player bargaining.
Key segments covered
- Battle of the SCs: South Carolina defeated USC, 69–52, at Crypto.com Arena — discussion of team identities, rebounding and defense.
- Big stat lines across women’s college basketball, with a deep dive on UConn sophomore Sarah Strong’s massive all-around game.
- DraftKings Pick of the Week: UConn over Michigan (watch Olivia Olson and Sarah Strong).
- Project B update: Jonquel Jones signing; overview of the league’s business model and implications for the WNBA/CBA.
Battle of the SCs — South Carolina vs USC (game takeaways)
- Final: South Carolina 69, USC 52 (Crypto.com Arena).
- What was at stake: bragging rights and early-season identity definition for both programs.
- South Carolina strengths shown:
- Defense and physical rebounding dominated (out-rebounded USC roughly 56–32).
- Raven Johnson (fifth year / returning leader) set the tone: strong all-around performance (14 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks noted).
- Joyce Edwards (sophomore) stepped up: 17 points, 10 rebounds, strong offensive activity though with some turnovers (growing pains with added responsibility).
- New arrival Taniya Latsen (transfer) scored 12 points (6/14 shooting) — fitting into Dawn Staley’s system.
- USC weaknesses exposed:
- Poor three-point shooting (1-for-14).
- Freshman Jazzy Davidson, after a previous big game, struggled vs South Carolina (8 points, turnovers) — a reminder of early-season volatility for young players.
- Cultural point: hosts credit Dawn Staley and South Carolina’s program culture for making transfers/role changes fit quickly — summarized as “Dawn we trust.”
Major individual stat lines and context
- Sarah Strong (UConn vs Ohio State): 29 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals, 3 blocks — 12/17 FG, 2/4 3PT, and 0 turnovers. Extremely efficient, versatile, and impactful on both ends.
- Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame vs Akron): 44 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 16 steals in 28 minutes — eye-popping defensive stat line.
- Audi Crooks (Iowa State vs Valparaiso): 43 points, 7 rebounds in just 20 minutes — extremely efficient scoring performance.
- UConn team notes (vs Ohio State): forced 24 turnovers, scored 37 points off turnovers, recorded 30 assists — exemplifies the “UConn way” of pace, sharing, and conditioning.
DraftKings Pick of the Week
- Game: Michigan at UConn
- Pick: UConn to win.
- Watchlist: Michigan guard Olivia Olson (co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season) and UConn’s Sarah Strong (arguing as the best player in NCAA right now).
Scouting: Who is Sarah Strong comparable to?
- Comparisons discussed:
- Alyssa Thomas: similar versatility, elite IQ, ability to pass and rebound through contact — “a missed triple-double” feel.
- Breanna (Brianna) Stewart: comparison for two-way impact and shot blocking.
- Maya Moore: comparison mainly for physicality and competitive motor; Moore had an elite midrange game that Strong is still developing.
- Hosts emphasize: Strong’s positionless play, efficiency, defensive instincts, and UConn system magnify her impact. As a sophomore, her ceiling is very high.
Project B update — what’s new and why it matters
- Recent signing: Jonquel Jones (hosts correctly referenced as a major veteran signing). Project B already associated with players like Alyssa Thomas and Nneka Ogwumike.
- League basics (as discussed):
- Scheduled season: November–April (intended not to conflict with WNBA), targeting 2026.
- Geography: games across Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
- Compensation: reported salaries starting around $2M+ per year for top players; equity/ownership incentives included.
- Key implications and questions:
- Puts pressure on the WNBA and current CBA negotiations — may accelerate WNBA reforms or create talent/competition issues.
- Many signees appear to be veteran players (32+), which suggests they’re balancing immediate compensation with longer-term advocacy for future generations.
- Unresolved items: business model clarity (revenue sources, broadcast/visibility), how conflicts with WNBA will be handled, and what rules/penalties (if any) the WNBA might impose for participation overseas.
- Hosts’ framing: Project B is both a disruptor and a bargaining lever; some players may be protecting themselves financially now while still pushing for improvements in the WNBA for the next generation.
Notable quotes & soundbites
- “Dawn we trust.” — on Dawn Staley’s program culture and ability to integrate transfers.
- “UConn way” — pace, conditioning, ball-sharing, and making opponents pay for turnovers.
- On Sarah Strong: hosts repeatedly call out the zero turnovers in that huge stat line and her rare two-way impact as proof she’s making a case for the best player in the NCAA.
What to watch next (actionable takeaways)
- Follow Sarah Strong and UConn closely — continued high-level production could cement her as the nation’s top player.
- Watch South Carolina’s early-season development: how new roles, rebounding and defense evolve as they chase a championship identity.
- Track Project B announcements: additional signings, schedule/broadcast details, and any WNBA/CBA responses.
- Upcoming matchup to tune into: Michigan at UConn (DraftKings pick).
Conclusion
Episode highlights the emergent storylines shaping women’s basketball early in the season: UConn’s dominance and a superstar sophomore in Sarah Strong, South Carolina’s identity-building win grounded in defense/rebounding, and a potentially game-changing alternative pro league (Project B) that could alter player economics and WNBA bargaining dynamics. Hosts mix game analysis, player scouting, and broader structural questions about the sport’s future.