Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] On this episode of Cox Talking Gamecocks, women's basketball Sweet 16 matchup. Baseball is in a slugfest, and we're talking 2025, Gamecock football. Okay, here we go.
[00:00:55] Ok, welcome to episode 229 of Cox Talking Gamecocks. I am your host, Tim Cox, where I will keep every episode from 1801 to 2001. And I hope y'all are ready to have a great weekend out there. Gamecock Nation, big weekend. A lot of excitement going on holiday weekend, if you do observe. But we got march madness back. We got the women's basketball team back in action. High stakes matchups, SEc baseball rolling. No matter which way you look, there's action going on. And I hope that some of y'all's brackets are still in shape. Mine is just God awful. But I hope for some of y'all sake it's out there and you have a vested interest in some of the men's college hoops that's going on as well. But nonetheless, hope y'all had a fantastic week and are looking forward to an even better weekend here. Got a fun episode for y'all. Going to really focus in on the action from this week here, particularly the upcoming game for the women's basketball team as it's really crunch time. It's really crunch time for the ladies here. They are on the road, but I'll get more into that in a second here. May get you out of here a little early as well, but let's see how this goes here, starting with some news from this past week here. News and scores. On Monday, softball lost to Tennessee eight. Nothing. Kind of feels like softball hasn't had the best start to SEC play, unfortunately. I feel like a lot of the scores against conference opponents here have not been on the good side, but I have faith that the ladies will correct course there. And then on Tuesday, men's golf finished fifth at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate tournament. And then the women's golf team, they won the old Barnwell Derby match play, which actually is their fourth win of the season for this team. So they are having a fantastic year, is the women's golf team, so shout out them. And then Wednesday, softball was on the right side of one, this time against Charleston Southern 60.
[00:03:12] And that's all the scores I got for y'all. But I do have some news and updates here from a couple of teams here, starting with the men's basketball team. Some roster updates here. Abrima Diba has entered the transfer portal. Abrima, he saw very limited action at his time at USC, dealt with an injury when he first came to campus and then played very limited minutes this past season. And best of luck to you. I mean, really, like, you know, he didn't play a whole lot, right? So it's not like you're missing a whole lot from the rotation or anything like that. But there was some big news that came out from the men's team, and it was a bit of a gut punch. I'm sure you all have seen by now that Meechy Johnson has entered the transfer portal and also said that he will gauge the NBA potential as well. But he's going elsewhere. Like, that's what this is. I doubt that his NBA grade is fantastic right now, but this one hurts to see. It just does. You know, Meechy was part of the greatest turnaround in program history from Lamont's first year to second, and he really gave his all to the program and was someone that I really hoped to see on the court next year as that leader alongside CMB to try and replicate a high level of success next year as well. And you just even look back to that first year, and he just was that ray of sunshine in what was a very dark season, and he was still hitting those deep shots and had a couple games where he absolutely went off, and there were tons of moments this year where you needed a big shot. And he delivered. And yes, he had his ups and downs in conference play, but he was still that consistent player for us. And even when he wasn't scoring the basketball, he was doing other things to impact the game, rebounding, assist, and things like that.
[00:05:26] And while I understand that it's definitely doable to replace his production from guys in the transfer portal, like, you know, like, that's what you see now. Someone leaves and there's always these people out there who say, well, you can find a guy who averages 14 points in the transfer portal, no problem. You can find a guy who is bigger, faster, stronger, like, you know, just even thinking about all sports, right?
[00:05:53] But there is something to be said about having your guy leading the team and a guy who's been at the school for multiple years who understands the culture and the fans and the coaches, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. Like, there is something to be said, still in college athletics of when you have your guy and you quite literally see them grow up and mature and get better year over year over year, and then do great things with your program, and then they go on. I understand that this is the way of college athletics now.
[00:06:39] You know, Michi said he's got to do what's best for him and his family, right? So the speculation is he's probably going back to the Ohio area, the midwest, where he and his family are from. Like, can't blame a guy for doing that, but it just still stinks. And like, yes, we probably can replace that production, but he's just going to be sorely missed by me, at least I know by a lot of our fans that like, that was a shock. I did not see that coming. It felt like it was going to be his deal, him and CNB rallying the troops and everything like that, but evidently not. I mean, he gave his all to the program, brought it to heights. It hadn't been for almost a decade, had records, it was part of records and things like that. So I hope he finds what he's looking for. And in that very same breath, I hope Lamont has already started scouting for guys to take in from the portal because there's some youth on this team that is exciting. But between Michi and then some of these other guys that have just moved on. So it's time. It's time to replace that. And I know he will. And that team and that program is getting more resources really by the day, nil wise and, and things like that. But nonetheless, Meachi will be missed. And yeah, that news kind of stunk. And then moving on to the football team here, got some news for y'all. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Kelton Henderson is no longer with the team. Don't really have any real info behind that. He's just not with the team. And it's kind of odd. Not funny, it's just odd. He was part of that recruiting class where there's like six or seven guys who are just not on the team anymore. You know, Rames, you know, Xavier McLeod, but yeah, Kelton Henderson, I don't even know if he really saw the field much at all last year. He is red shirt, so probably not. But nonetheless, down a wide receiver. And then also got some old news, but good news. So I don't care that this has been out there for like a week or two. Sorry I missed it, whatever it happens. But the 2025 SEC opponents were revealed and that's right, we're talking 2025, not next year, two years.
[00:08:57] And the real surprise is that there is no surprise.
[00:09:01] The opponents are the same as this upcoming season, but it is flipped to be home and home. So the Gamecocks will welcome Alabama, Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Vandy to Willie B while traveling to LSU Ole Miss Mizzou and A and M and this we just really can't get rid of A and M. Can we just leave us alone? So annoying. Like I'll play Mizzou every year. I don't care. Kentucky. I'll play them every year, too. A and M. They are just annoying.
[00:09:34] Go play Oklahoma. Go play Mississippi State. Just get out of here. Just tired of them. But nonetheless here. Like, I am actually really excited for football. Like, it's funny because there are really great things going on right now in Gamecock Nation, most notably what I'm going to talk to in a second here, women's basketball. But I have spent so much of this week watching the press conferences from the coaches and the players from this past week and the one prior, just spring practice related and everything. It's got me hype and I'm just back on the hype train. Like five wins. Who cares? We can go undefeated this year. I don't care. Lenore Sellers is him. Mike Fury, greatest wide receivers coach I've ever seen.
[00:10:20] Kyle Kennard, Beast it's just, it's got me so excited again and I've already started to run through thought processes and thinking of depth charts and reasons to be excited for this team, but trying to temper it all because it's only March, almost April. Like when we get to the spring game, we'll talk about that and then I'll let the excitement slowly build. And then when we get to the summer and once baseball wraps up, then it's full go full send. SEC media days, too.
[00:10:55] But if you haven't already, go ahead and watch the press conferences. The ones with the players are short like 510 minutes, so you can just knock them all out. It's fun to hear their perspective on things, especially guys who are with new coaches, like new position coaches, talking like tight end, running back, et cetera. But nonetheless, Gamecock football right around the corner. Absolutely love it. And also, Beamer did a interview with Josh Pate. Late kick Josh. Really insightful. It is a little bit long. It's like 40 minutes or so. If you have the time, I highly recommend doing it. It is incredibly insightful. Not just about Beemer's point of view on Gamecock football, but what it's like being a head coach in the SEC. What it's like being a head coach in college athletics right now. Other things that are impacting the sport. Other things that are impacting college athletics. Really, really cool interview. Highly recommend.
[00:11:54] But let's get down to brass tacks here.
[00:11:58] Games that are happening, games that are really important here. And I'm talking women's basketball, y'all. And the ladies are raring to go for their sweet 16 matchup. Play resumes for the Gamecocks Friday about 05:00 p.m. Let's call it against Indiana, who is a four seed. So to date, Indiana is 26 and five. They finished third in the Big Ten in the regular season. South Carolina currently sitting at 16 and a half point favorites. But, you know, this is really where the rubber meets the road. Things are really serious now. You're on the Sweet 16.
[00:12:41] You're towards really the meat of the tournament here. Not that the second round was a slouch matchup going against UNC, but this is really where the rubber meets the road, right? And despite being the number one seed, this game is at a neutral location. So there very well could be strong Indiana support. You don't know what you're going to face up there. This team is in unfamiliar territory in Albany. And as someone who lives in New York, like, I don't know first thing about Albany State capital, but that's really all there is going on. So, like, they're going to be in a strange place and there very well could be an adjustment period once this game tips off. So you have to take it seriously. And a four seed is no slouch. And South Carolina has the biggest targets on their backs in this tournament.
[00:13:35] But the ladies do have to come into this game locked in and staying focused for that goal of a final four. It's right there, but you have to stay absolutely laser focused on it.
[00:13:48] So my crow to the game in this matchup here is lockdown Mackenzie Holmes, she is a forward and is Indiana's leading scorer and rebounder. So this is going to come down to our post. Players playing good, clean defense. You can't get into foul trouble in this one. Ashlyn Watkins and Camila Cardozo have to be up for the challenge. And I do believe that after having faced Angel Reese twice this season, this team and those players specifically know how to manage good post play. And it wouldn't surprise me, too, if also, you know, Dawn Staley, maybe she has some of the strategy of, you know, Holmes is going to get hers to a degree, but we can't let anybody else beat us type of deal, you know what I mean? You kind of, you didn't see a lot of that in the LSU game, but like Angel Rhys Geik, she scored some points on us, right? Well, you weren't locking her down quite like you did maybe two years ago or last year rather, but nonetheless, lockdown. Mackenzie Holmes, strong, good post play, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Don't give Indiana any additional chances.
[00:15:03] But the interesting thing with this matchup is that in our quadrant, the game taking place earlier on Friday afternoon, is the team that ultimately these two will play. So Indiana and South Carolina, they will know which team awaits them and that will be the winner between Oregon State and Notre Dame. Now, I don't want to get ahead of myself, right? I'm not going to say assume anything, right? This is sports.
[00:15:35] Things don't always go according to plan.
[00:15:38] So I don't want to get ahead of myself. You have to take care of Indiana, focus on the job at hand.
[00:15:45] But how poetic would it be for this team to meet new Notre Dame in a Wynn or go home matchup with a final four berth on the line after starting this year against them in Paris? I mean, that would be a very beautiful full circle moment that you just have to appreciate.
[00:16:08] But we got to get there first, and Notre Dame's got to get there first. Oregon State's pretty good, so lot of reason to be excited for this game. Get up, get loud. Perfect start to the weekend. Friday, 05:00 p.m.
[00:16:22] Slam that laptop shut, get yourself a drink, and cheer on the Gamecocks. Let's go. Let's go, ladies.
[00:16:32] I absolutely love it. I'm pumped up. Our team. Our team kicks ass. Our team kicks ass, y'all.
[00:16:39] But moving on here, moving on to baseball. The yard. Cox are in an absolute barn burner Tuesday afternoon against Presbyterian that took about 4 hours to play thanks to a ton of offense coupled with a weather delay. It's a real where were you moment. Where were you when South Carolina played Presbyterian for darn near 4 hours on a random Tuesday in March? I know where I was. How about you? But there really was no shortage of excitement in this one as Carolina got the win 19 to 14. I mean, that sounds like a Big Ten west football score. Nonetheless, here, the Gamecocks got it going right away with seven runs in the first inning, including home runs by Parker Nolan, Ethan Petry, and then a nuke from Dalton Reeves. Carolina put up two in the second, including an Ethan Petrie home run, four in the fourth, two in the fifth, two in the 6th, and two in the 8th.
[00:17:42] It was the 7th inning where Presbyterian made things interesting thanks to getting the bases juiced and bringing some guys home. Walks, hits by pitch, base knock, etcetera. Mark Kingston had a plethora of pitchers in and out of this game, but once it got a little too close for comfort late in the game, he brought in Veatch to close the door, which he did. Of course you never like seeing giving up 14 runs to anyone, let alone a small school, but you do love scoring 19 runs, so maybe it cancels out a little bit. But I'm choosing not to read too much into giving up 14 as it is a midweek game with it being a blowout from the jump. I think Kingston was giving different guys longer leashes so choosing not to read too much into it there. But up next or I should really say currently as you're listening to this, the Gamecocks are in a series against Alabama. This series started Thursday night, so hopefully it's going good. Alabama heads into the series with a 19 six overall record, two four in the SEC. My pro to the series here is keep the bats hot, right? Prior to the Vandy series, hitting with runners in scoring position was a big concern. So while you can never expect it to stay perfect, that needs to be something the guys continue to do well while on the road and looking to keep up this momentum.
[00:19:16] But that wraps up this episode. Y'all. Please follow me on social media, Twitter or X is Cox Gamecocks. Instagram is just the name of the show Cox talking Game Cox. And please like subscribe and review the podcast. I appreciate all y'all go Cox.
