Michael Sauls
LightNews LightNews
banner
mcsauls.bsky.social
Michael Sauls
@mcsauls.bsky.social
94 followers 68 following 350 posts
Sports Reporter for The State Newspaper covering South Carolina women's basketball and more | Prev: The Virginian-Pilot | USBWA & FWAA | Opinions are mine
Posts Replies Media Videos
mcsauls.bsky.social
When Dawn Staley hired Winston Gandy to be an assistant in 2023 she told him he'd leave Columbia as a head coach.

Sure enough, South Carolina opens it's 2025-26 season tonight against Grand Canyon in Gandy's first game as a head coach.

More here:
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
Dawn Staley welcomes back familiar face for South Carolina’s season opener
Does he have any nerves going against Staley in his first ever game as a head coach?
www.thestate.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
South Carolina clings to hope for top goal as team limps toward season’s end
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
South Carolina clings to hope for top goal as team limps toward season’s end
The Gamecocks will likely be favored to win two of their final three games.
www.thestate.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
Recap: No. 7 Ole Miss takes down South Carolina in Oxford
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
Recap: No. 7 Ole Miss takes down South Carolina in Oxford
The Gamecocks are looking to get back in the win column on the road against the Rebels
www.thestate.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
South Carolina WBB rolls to exhibition win over UNC. Three things we learned
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
South Carolina WBB rolls to exhibition win over UNC. Three things we learned
The Gamecocks did run into some adversity, though that should be expected against a Top 25 team.
www.thestate.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
These two USC women’s basketball players are among the NCAA’s best, says ESPN
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
These two USC women’s basketball players are among the NCAA’s best, says ESPN
Two Gamecocks made the cut in ESPN’s Top 25 rankings heading into the 2025-26 basketball season -- but a UConn player tops the list.
www.thestate.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:28 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
South Carolina WBB wins big in first exhibition. Three things we learned
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
South Carolina WBB wins big in first exhibition. Three things we learned
Dawn Staley gives fans a first look at how the No. 2 Gamecocks’ rotation will look in the 2025-26 season.
www.thestate.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:28 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
‘It’s special’: Aja Wilson inducted into USC Athletics Hall of Fame
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
‘It’s special’: Aja Wilson inducted into USC Athletics Hall of Fame
Wilson is fresh off a year where she won her fourth WNBA MVP and third WNBA championship
www.thestate.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:27 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
Can South Carolina WBB replicate bench production from last season in 2025-26?
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
Can South Carolina WBB replicate bench production from last season in 2025-26?
The Gamecocks led the country with 40.3 bench points per game last season.
www.thestate.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:27 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
Top 5 recruit set to visit Dawn Staley, South Carolina WBB this weekend
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
Top 5 recruit set to visit Dawn Staley, South Carolina WBB this weekend
She’s one of the best guards in the Class of 2026 and already holds three gold medals in international play.
www.thestate.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:27 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
Dawn Staley is helping Temple women’s basketball. Here’s how
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
Dawn Staley is helping Temple women’s basketball. Here’s how
Staley coached the Owls before taking over at South Carolina in 2008.
www.thestate.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:26 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
As college athletics evolve, Dawn Staley hangs on to core recruiting beliefs
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
As college athletics evolve, Dawn Staley hangs on to core recruiting beliefs
USC’s women’s basketball coach says her philosophy with recruits hasn’t changed in the era of transfer portal, revenue sharing and NIL.
www.thestate.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:26 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
‘We’re competing with the top programs’: Dawn Staley on Gamecock WBB’s rev share
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
‘We’re competing with the top programs’: Dawn Staley on Gamecock WBB’s rev share
Staley has been publicly lobbying for her program to get a fair share of the $20 million in rev share money.
www.thestate.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:26 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
Dawn Staley, NBA coach? What the Gamecocks’ leader said about her interest level
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
Dawn Staley, NBA coach? What the Gamecocks’ leader said about her interest level
Staley has interviewed for two NBA head coaching jobs in recent years.
www.thestate.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:26 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
What to expect from South Carolina WBB’s roster after Chloe Kitts injury
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
What to expect from South Carolina WBB’s roster after Chloe Kitts injury
“You’re not going to see us skipping a beat,” Dawn Staley says.
www.thestate.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:25 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
Has Chloe Kitts played her last game as a Gamecock? Here’s what Dawn Staley says
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
Has Chloe Kitts played her last game as a Gamecock? Here’s what Dawn Staley says
She’s a senior and a pro prospect, but she’s facing surgery and recovery time after an ACL tear.
www.thestate.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:17 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
See where South Carolina women’s basketball ranks in first AP Top 25
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
See where South Carolina women’s basketball ranks in first AP Top 25
The Gamecocks will be looking up at the No. 1 team to start the year.
www.thestate.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:17 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
The best again: South Carolina women’s basketball predicted to win SEC
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
The best again: South Carolina women’s basketball predicted to win SEC
Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks sit atop the SEC media’s predicted order of finish.
www.thestate.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:17 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
South Carolina football a home underdog to Oklahoma in first betting line
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
South Carolina football a home underdog to Oklahoma in first betting line
Vegas favors Oklahoma to beat South Carolina next week in Williams-Brice Stadium.
www.thestate.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:17 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
A’ja Wilson named WNBA Finals MVP after winning third title with Aces
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
A’ja Wilson named WNBA Finals MVP after winning third title with Aces
The South Carolina women’s basketball legend capped off a historic year with a WNBA title.
www.thestate.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:17 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
What to expect from high-profile transfer Ta’Niya Latson at South Carolina
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
What to expect from high-profile transfer Ta’Niya Latson at South Carolina
“She just wants to win,” Dawn Staley says.
www.thestate.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:16 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
Why top commit Kelsi Andrews is a ‘perfect fit’ for Dawn Staley, Gamecocks
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
Why top commit Kelsi Andrews is a ‘perfect fit’ for Dawn Staley, Gamecocks
Andrews’ high school head coach, IMG Academy’s Frank Oliver Jr., says South Carolina is getting the “best post player in the country.”
www.thestate.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:16 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
See where South Carolina women’s basketball is in ESPN preseason rankings
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
See where South Carolina women’s basketball is in ESPN preseason rankings
Hint: Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks aren’t where they were in ESPN’s way-too-early rankings.
www.thestate.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:16 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
Shane Beamer reacts to South Carolina-Miami football series cancellation
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
Shane Beamer reacts to South Carolina-Miami football series cancellation
Now the Gamecocks need to add one more game to next year’s schedule.
www.thestate.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
Which South Carolina football true freshmen will redshirt? Our projections
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
Which South Carolina football true freshmen will redshirt? Our projections
Three have already burned their redshirts, and five more are getting close.
www.thestate.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:15 PM
mcsauls.bsky.social
South Carolina WBB has picked up its first 2026 commitment.

4⭐️forward Kelsi Andrews announced her pledge to Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks a few minutes ago.

She's the No. 18 ranked player in the class, per espnW's top 100. More here:
www.thestate.com/sports/colle...
4-star Kelsi Andrews is first 2026 commitment for Dawn Staley, Gamecocks
She’s a Top 25 national recruit and one of the top-rated centers.
www.thestate.com
October 7, 2025 at 10:49 PM