Fred Chmiel Reflects on Facing His Former Team After South Carolina’s 114–47 Rout of Bowling Green
Former South Carolina assistant coach and current Bowling Green head coach Fred Chmiel returned to Colonial Life Arena on Friday night, this time on the opposing bench. Following his team’s 114–47 loss to the Gamecocks, Chmiel spoke candidly about the experience, his players’ effort, and the challenge of going up against one of the nation’s elite programs.
Opening Thoughts: “They’re No. 2 for a Reason”
In his opening statement, Chmiel praised his former program while acknowledging the immense challenge his team faced.
“Yeah, it’s the number two team in the country for a reason,” Chmiel said. “Not only do they have great players, they have great coaching. The environment is incredible. It’s a lot to handle, and it was a lot for us to handle.”
Chmiel noted that while the first half was “a little overwhelming,” his team showed more fight and composure after halftime.
“You try to warn these young people about what they’re about to walk into,” he said. “But there’s nothing that duplicates Colonial Life Arena. Nowhere in the country duplicates that. I’m proud of my team for their fight in the second half. And I’m very impressed with Staley’s team — they’re a national championship-type team.”
On South Carolina’s Transition Dominance
Asked what threw his team off in the opening half, Chmiel pointed to the Gamecocks’ speed and relentless transition play.
“The shots came off the rim rather quickly. They were quicker to the ball, and they got out in front of us,” he explained. “We’ve got a freshman point guard, the recognition is a little bit slow, and our other guards were playing their hearts out but got exhausted. We gave up a lot of transition points that way. But no excuses — they’re a hard group to wrangle. Once they get going downhill, I don’t know many teams in the country that put up much fight with that.”
Returning to Columbia: “A Little Out-of-Body Experience”
For Chmiel, who spent years as an assistant under Dawn Staley, the return to Columbia was emotional and surreal.
“It was different for me,” he admitted. “Rolling into town, seeing some of the areas I used to frequent, and the routes I used to take to work — it’s a little out-of-body experience.”
He reflected fondly on his time at South Carolina and the relationships he built there.
“I had great moments here, great times. I still love all the people here — they’re like my family. You spend more time with that staff than your own family. Seeing them again was great. We took it on the chin, but I think it’ll be a learning experience.”
On South Carolina’s Explosive Offense
The Gamecocks have topped 90 points in every outing so far, including exhibitions, and Chmiel broke down what makes their offense so dangerous.
“They’re extremely long and athletic. They’re quick off the floor and in transition,” he said. “They’ve got a great floor leader in Raven Johnson. Their guards fill the wings quickly, the posts rim run fast — they’re hard to contain.”
Even when South Carolina missed shots, Chmiel noted, they were relentless on the glass.
“Once they get that ball up on the glass, even when they’re missing, they’re monsters on the boards,” he added. “They just play above you.”
Defensively, Chmiel admitted his team wasn’t prepared for the Gamecocks’ length and switching.
“We planned on attacking their fives and getting downhill, but there just wasn’t enough room,” he said. “We did a better job in the second half, but they were overwhelming.”
On Lessons and Takeaways for Bowling Green
Despite the lopsided score, Chmiel saw value in the experience for his young team.
“You can’t be afraid,” he emphasized. “They’re a great team with McDonald’s All-Americans and a Hall of Fame coach, but you still have to play the game — possession by possession.”
He said he was proud of his team’s second-half effort and reminded them that the goal is to grow through challenges like this.
“It doesn’t do you any good to be afraid of the other side,” Chmiel said. “You’ve got to fight and compete. I thought we did that better in the second half. We’ve got young players, transfers, a freshman point guard — we’re still figuring it out.”
A Night of Reflection and Respect
Though it was a humbling defeat, Chmiel’s return to Columbia was filled with mutual respect and gratitude. Facing his former mentor, Dawn Staley, and seeing the program he helped build continue to thrive reminded him why South Carolina remains one of the nation’s powerhouses.
“We’ll learn from it,” he concluded. “They’re everything you expect from a championship team.”
