Time has come in the ongoing NCAA season when discourse about the primary position has started creating din. Locking horns over the top slot, the South Carolina Gamecocks and the UCLA Bruins are positioned at the first and second spots in the AP Polls. Both teams have a formidable lineup and their players have performed exceedingly well. Hence, it leaves the fans confused as to who has a better chance of winning the title between the two.

The picture will be clearer once an analysis of their strengths and weaknesses is done and it will reveal a lot about both of them.

South Carolina Gamecocks’ analysis

The South Carolina Gamecocks have won all their 11 matches so far and occupy the first rank in the South Eastern Conference. They have battled tough ranked teams playing their season opener against the Notre Dame. Other than that they have also tackled the North Carolina. They emerged victorious in both the games, defeating the Notre Dame by a 100-71 margin whereas against the North Carolina they trumped them by a 65-58 tally. 

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The two stars that have been instrumental in their victories are their center Kamilla Cardoso and guard MiLaysia Fulwiley. While Cardoso has potted an average of 14.1 points per game, Fulwiley has besotted 12.1 points per contest. Things seem to be going great for them this season, and Fulwiley has been a breakout star. She has been pushing her team by performing her best. The freshman baller has bucketed an astounding 48.1% field goal percentage and a remarkable 75% free throw percentage.

In eight out of the 11 matches she has played so far, Fulwiley has scored in double digits. What is interesting to note is that Fulwiley even stepped up her rebounding game during their match against the Duke Blue Devils when she nabbed 9 rebounds. This has been a trademark style of this team for this year’s NCAA season.

The roster looks to go a substantial depth with players performing together in unison and always coming up with brilliance whenever given a chance to do so. Cardoso leads the team in three stats. She is the highest average points getter along with a dominant show in rebounds and blocks. Thus, she has played a conventional center role to perfection. Along with 14.1 points per contest she also has a dependable 10.1 rebounds per game, and 3.4 blocks per contest. 

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Furthermore, they also have reliable players in their fourth and fifth which has been the secret to their success. If any team is to win over the Gamecocks, then they would have to make sure that they deploy their defense and neutralize the scoring tactics of the Gamecocks. Furthermore, they can also take advantage of the fact that the Gamecocks don’t have a singular alpha dominance. This way they can hit on the spirit of the team during a game and contain them to make them lose. 

UCLA Bruins Analysis

The UCLA Bruins have been the other team to have an 11-0 record and are positioned at the 3rd spot in the Pac-12 conference. They have defeated ranked teams such as the Ohio State and the University of Connecticut Huskies. While they upended the Ohio State by a 77-71 margin, they outclassed the Huskies by a 78-67 tally.

In their stats, two players dominate most of the tally. Their center Lauren Betts and guard Kiki Rice have been the go-to for their team. While Betts has marked her presence in points scored, rebounds, and blocks, Rice has played the role of a second fiddle superbly leading in the team’s assists and steals.

All their starting five have performed quite well and can bear the onus of uplifting their team on any particular day. However, the issue will the Bruins is their depth. Though, as stated they have a great starting five, the team falls flat on depth. Hence, if unfortunately if an athlete gets injured or for some reason the head coach decides to rotate then it would be an issue for this team. Taking cognizance of the same, their top players will have to be answerable on most occasions. The next best points average after their top five is a decent 9.4 points which falls to 6 points per match with their seventh-best player.

If the Bruins are to win this championship, they will have to make sure they execute all their plans with precision since they don’t have many options in rotating players. Barring that, they have performed exceptionally well and if they continue to implement their plans, then they will be a tough team to battle.

Which is the better team?

The Gamecocks would be a difficult team to defeat because everything has been falling perfectly for them this season. Their guards, center, and forwards have all taken the initiative. Though none of them would stand out alone as a 30 pointer or 40-pointer case, collectively they have gelled in really well and performed exceptionally. The Gamecocks would land in trouble if the scoring opportunities are blocked in such a way that they have to over-rely on one particular player. But if this situation would come in this year’s NCAA season is a thing to ponder over. If the Gamecocks are able to continue their dominance then they are a better team.

Whereas for the UCLA Bruins, the thing that goes against them is their lack of depth. They do occupy the second spot in the AP Polls but the point in question is if they can replicate their brilliance in knockout games. If the opposition neutralizes their tactics then it would become difficult as they don’t have many players to rotate.

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Therefore, the Gamecocks are a better team than the Bruins, but the results can vary on the given day depending on how the opposition plays. But for now, the Gamecocks look more in control and better contenders to win the title.