Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks are once again having a splendid season. They are first in the SEC and have a conference record of 13-1. Overall, they’re 27-2. They are on an eight-game winning streak at the moment. With just two games left before March Madness, South Carolina is in perfect form.
Multiple Gamecock players have shown that they are ready to take responsibility and perform in high-pressure situations. Tessa Johnson, Raven Johnson, Joyce Edwards, and Ta’Niya Latson have all contributed to multiple wins this season. One of the names on the Gamecocks roster that seemed not to have Dawn Staley’s full confidence was Madina Okot. Staley even spoke about her expectations and demanded better from Okot at a press conference.
Ever since that, Okot has been phenomenal. She has had five double-doubles in her last five games. In the last two games, she has scored 17 points with 10 rebounds and 16 points with 16 rebounds. In 28 games this season, she has been averaging her career-best numbers with 13.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. In her latest game, she seemed absolutely unstoppable and even impressed Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin.
“When I saw her start making threes, I was like, it’s over for us. You know what I mean? Like, it’s one thing to have to battle with her around the basket, but she started looking like Steph Curry. I was like, we might as well pack it up, you know,” Yolett said.
“I just think they did a great job, Dawn, giving her confidence. I always thought she was super talented. I remember at Mississippi State, like I was scared straight about her. It makes a difference when you’re around the level-type players she’s around,” she added.
“Um, and it’s when you’re around championship players, like you start to move like that and embody that identity. And I think she’s doing that. She always had all of this skill, you know, it’s just really being brought out because now she’s with some really good players,” Coach Yo said as Okot ended up with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 crucial three-pointers to help the Gamecocks win 85-48.
Fans React to Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin Mentioning Stephen Curry to Praise Madina Okot
Fans online loved coach Yo’s take and honesty about South Carolina’s Madina Okot.
“I love a coach that’s honest like that,” one fan appreciated.
“I love coach Yo, man,” another fan expressed.
“I love me some Coach Yo, she’s another real one,” another shared.
“Coach Yo is a real one,” another fan said.
“A coach saying this crazy… fan girl behavior,” one fan commented.
Read more:
Lauren Betts Drops 2-Word Reaction As UCLA Wins First Outright Big Ten Title
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in baseball, tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
