South Carolina’s Bold Move: Four-Guard Lineup Could Be Here to Stay
Something unusual happened on Thursday—South Carolina rolled out a four-guard lineup for an extended stretch. And judging by the results, this might not be a one-time experiment.
Basketball is evolving, and traditional two-post lineups are becoming rare. Yet, Dawn Staley has remained steadfast— and wildly successful— in sticking with a dominant post presence. The last time the Gamecocks won a national title with four guards? 2017—and even then, it was out of necessity due to injuries.
But on Thursday, South Carolina torched Florida for 101 points with just one forward on the floor.
Why the Shift?
Staley has tested the lineup in small doses this season, but never for such long stretches. Given her stacked backcourt, it makes sense. Raven Johnson, Te-Hina Paopao, MiLaysia Fulwiley, and Tessa Johnson are all game-changers. Add in Bree Hall and Maddy McDaniel, and suddenly, there aren’t enough minutes to go around.
Meanwhile, Maryam Dauda, Adhel Tac, and Sakima Walker haven’t solidified themselves as go-to options since Ashlyn Watkins was lost for the season. That’s left South Carolina with just three consistent post players.
Desperate for a spark against Texas, Staley first turned to the four-guard lineup, admitting that the Longhorns were “blowing up” everything South Carolina tried to run. Against Florida, early foul trouble forced her hand again.
“Foul trouble made us do it, and it might be a lineup we have to utilize if teams are going to go small on us, so we might as well get a little bit of practice in it,” Staley said.
Speed and Spacing: A Winning Formula
What the lineup lacks in size, it makes up for in speed and shooting. With four shooters on the floor, defenses are forced to spread out, leaving Joyce Edwards free to dominate inside. And dominate she did—dropping a career-high 28 points, nearly all at the rim.
“They went four guards, so Coach was just trying to match that,” Edwards said. “We saw that a little bit at Texas, and I feel like Coach just wanted us to get exposure to it.”
Staley has experimented with different combinations. Against Florida, it was McDaniel, Paopao, Tessa Johnson, and Fulwiley. Against Texas, she swapped in both Johnsons, Paopao, and Hall.
Looking Ahead: A Weapon Against UConn?
This new wrinkle could prove valuable soon. UConn essentially plays a four-guard lineup, with Sarah Strong functioning as a hybrid forward/guard. If nothing else, it’s another weapon in South Carolina’s arsenal—and a new headache for future opponents.
Staley’s Gamecocks have always adapted to stay ahead of the competition. If Thursday was any indication, the four-guard lineup could be the next big adjustment on their road to another championship.
