University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia vs. USC Game Notes
January 09, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 10, 2002
UGA-USC Matchup Emerges As Key SEC Showdown
The Southeastern Conference portion of the 2001-02 basketball campaign is just a week old, however, two teams with major aspirations square off in a key league date tonight in Athens.
Georgia and South Carolina meet in Stegeman Coliseum in a showdown of two of the nation's more surprising squads. The Lady Bulldogs, who lost four starters, including three WNBA first-round draft picks, from a year ago, have replenished the fold enough to grit their way to a 12-1 start. South Carolina has raced to a 14-1 mark. The Lady Gamecocks, picked to finish 10th in the SEC at the league's Media Days, now find themselves ranked No. 9 in the nation.
Andy Landers knew the Lady Gamecocks had the potential for such success this season.
"What has happened is that all the pieces that have been there have finally come together," Andy Landers said. "They recruited some players from overseas, who have been there and they have learned the American scheme of basketball. Then, (Shaunzinski) Gortman had blown a knee...now she's back. At one point, (Jocelyn) Penn was out for personal reasons for a year...now she's back.
"All the parts, really, are together for the first time...all those different parts,"Landers continued. "What you have is a very solid basketball team -one that's not only very talented and able in the starting lineup, but one that has depth."
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