ho has preferred to use more dynamic players in the midfield

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Dawn Staley doesnt hesitate when asked about No. 4 South Carolinas strength -- its all that offense.With high-scoring transfers Kaela Davis and Allisha Gray joining a lineup that returns double-digit scorers Aja Wilson and Alaina Coates, the Gamecocks look poised to break records and maybe a few scoreboards this season.From an offensive standpoint, we just have layers and layers and talent, said the ninth-year coach of the three-time defending Southeastern Conference champions. Its just making sure the ball finds the right people in the right moments.Wilson is the reigning SEC player of the year who averaged 16.1 points a game last season while senior returnee Coates averaged 12 points last fall as a third option most times behind Wilson and Tiffany Mitchell, a two-time SEC player of the year and the ninth overall pick in the 2016 WNBA draft.Davis, a lighting quick, smooth-shooting 6-foot-2 guard was third in the Atlantic Coast Conference at 19.1 points a game when she last played for Georgia Tech in 2014-15. That was also Grays previous season when she averaged 15.8 points a game.Davis smiles when looking at the offensive potential. She likens the Gamecocks to a college version of the Golden State Warriors and their four-headed offensive monster of Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.Yeah, this is fun, Davis said. I have such high caliber people around, it makes everyones job a lot easier.Except, maybe, South Carolinas opponent.Staley has wanted to push the pace since arriving at South Carolina before the 2008-09 season, but has rarely had the consistent scoring from all spots on the floor to make the offense as fluid as she liked. The Gamecocks have relied on sticky defense, Mitchells clutch scoring and dominant inside play from the 6-5 Wilson and 6-4 Coates to win the past three SEC regular-season titles and last two SEC tournaments.The formula, though, has not been enough to get the Gamecocks what Staley ultimately wants, a national title.South Carolina reached its first Final Four two years ago, falling by a point to Notre Dame. The Gamecocks have also lost high-profile showdowns with four-time national champion Connecticut the past two seasons, unable to keep up with UConns torrid scoring pace.Staley believes she now has those options.Its a team full of talent and we can do a lot more, she said.The Gamecocks head back to No. 3 UConn for another marquee matchup on Feb. 13.Coates likes the blend she has seen from the team since Davis and Gray joined practice -- both sat out last season but worked out with the Gamecocks -- and feels the team has the potential to take the next step. She said Davis and Gray both bring Mitchells scoring punch to the lineup.Instead of having that one person to do so much, we have it coming from all these different people, she said.The seemingly always upbeat Gray spent her time away from games working on her pull-up jumper. The 6-foot junior is also adept at three-point shooting, rebounding and defense. When all four are on the floor and clicking, Gray said the team is close to unstoppable.We are capable of big things, she said.Staley, like most coaches, is tapping the breaks this time of year until she sees how they blend in games. She has been pleased so far at how unselfish and pass-oriented the players have been in practices. That attitude comes from the two-year college partnership of Wilson and Coates, who can both dominate the middle but often give up open looks for a better shot by the other.Were not all selfish players, Gray said. Were not forcers and `Im going to get mine. We go with the flow of the game.For now, Staley likes what shes seen.Theres good team chemistry, she said. But weve got a ways to go.---More AP College Basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org Phillies Jerseys China . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. 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MADRID -- Unhappy with his lack of playing time, James Rodriguez has become a nuisance for Real Madrid.As most players were celebrating the teams victory at the Club World Cup in Japan, Rodriguez was telling reporters about his disappointment of not playing enough minutes under coach Zinedine Zidane.He hinted that he may leave Madrid, which means the club will begin the new year either trying to make Rodriguez happy again, or trying to find him another team.Rodriguez, who arrived amid high expectations after thriving with Colombia at the 2014 World Cup, has a contract until June 2020, but he said he will use his time off during the winter break to try to make a decision about his future.I cant guarantee that I will stay, the 25-year-old Rodriguez said. I have to think about everything very carefully. Im happy here, but I want to play more. And if I want to play more, I have to think about all of my options.Rodriguez played the last 20 minutes of Madrids semifinal match against Club America at the Club World Cup, and said he was disappointed for not having a chance to play in the final.His complaints after the match didnt sit well with some of his teammates.Madrid captain Sergio Ramos said it wasnt the time to be thinking about personal issues.I respect him and I hope that he stays, but today is a day to be happy, not to focus on other things, Ramos said after Madrid defeated Kashima Antlers 4-2 in extra time to win the title.Rodriguez quicckly became a first-choice selection for coach Carlo Ancelotti after his arrival following the World Cup, but his playing time gradually diminished the following seasons.ddddddddddddThe talented playmaker has had very few opportunities under Zidane, who has preferred to use more dynamic players in the midfield. Rodriguez has been relegated to the bench most of the time, and even then he hasnt been getting many chances as a substitute.I wouldnt leave if I were James, Zidane said recently. I would stay in this great club. I think he will have minutes here. We know of his quality. He will be an important player for us.The top scorer at the World Cup in Brazil, Rodriguez has only two goals in 16 appearances this season, one of them in the 6-1 win over Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey, when nearly all of the teams top players were rested.If Rodriguez ends up deciding to leave, its likely that Madrid will try to negotiate either a trade or a loan instead of keeping the midfielder. He is still likely to be wanted by some of Europes top teams, and Spanish media has already linked him to clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Inter Milan.Madrids next game is Jan. 7 against Granada in the Spanish league, a competition it leads with 37 points from 15 matches.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni ' ' '