The South Carolina Gamecocks (14-12, 5-8) will travel to Athens, GA to take on the Georgia Bulldogs (18-9, 7-6) Saturday evening at Stageman Coliseum.
Georgia is coming off of a tough 71-62 loss to No. 13 Florida (22-5, 11-2) on Thursday night and will be looking to repeat their first half performance against the Gamecocks that they showed in a 60-56 win at South Carolina on February 12, where the Bulldogs allowed only nine first half points to the Gamecocks.
Trey Thompkins was able to control the boards and scored 16 points for Georgia while ripping down nine rebounds as the Gamecocks weren't able to get anything going inside until late in the game.
South Carolina ended the game on a 32-17 run and almost dug themselves out of a 23 point hole, but Bruce Ellington's three-point attempt with four seconds left in the game was blocked and ended the Gamecocks' late rally.
If South Carolina wants to win against Georgia, they are going to have to drive to the basket and get some lay-ins and/or draw some fouls. They cannot rely on their three point shooting, which has been very suspect lately, where they shot a combined 4-23 in the last meeting between these two teams.
One thing Carolina does have going their way is that they are coming off of a win. Sam Muldrow led the Gamecocks offensively with 23 points and 10 rebounds as the South Carolina senior racked up another double-double in the Gamecocks' 79-73 win over Ole Miss on Tuesday.
Muldrow has been the only hope for Carolina in the past few weeks and if they want to win on the road, he is going to have to have another big night as he begins to wind down his career at South Carolina.
Prediction:
South Carolina 60 Georgia 69
Friday, February 25, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Ole Miss-South Carolina Preview
The struggling Gamecocks (13-12, 4-8) will welcome Ole Miss (17-10, 5-7) to town on Tuesday night at the Colonial Life Arena.
South Carolina has hit their lowest point of the season, losing five straight games and seven of their last eight. The NCAA Tournament talks of earlier in SEC play have long since vanished, and the Gamecocks find themselves struggling to stay above .500 on the season.
The Gamecocks have averaged right around 60 points a game in their last eight, and have had trouble throughout SEC play finding a way to put points on the board. If they want to stay above .500 and find a victory against Ole Miss, they are going to have to get the ball in the paint. In many games this season, South Carolina has been timid to drive to the basket and get some lay-ins or draw some foul calls to get to the charity stripe. This has been a big reason why they have been unable to score consistently lately. The jump shots aren't falling and the Gamecocks are paying dearly for it.
On the defensive side of the ball, Carolina hasn't done terribly but it has been an area of concern lately as they have allowed at least 70 points a game in four of their last five, including giving up a whopping 90 points to a Kentucky team that didn't play its starters for most of the second half. South Carolina must find a way to get their defensive pressure back if they want to win this ballgame.
Ole Miss is coming into the game winning four of their last six outings, but dropping a 71-58 affair to rival Mississippi State. The Rebels have been a decent team in the SEC West so far this year and has a big win over then No. 11 Kentucky at home. The Rebs have had no problem scoring for most of the year, averaging 74.4 points per game, ranking in the top 50 in the country. They lack in the rebounding department, averaging 38 rebounds per contest, ranking 113th.
I believe South Carolina has the ability to compete in the remainder of the season, but a big factor will be whether they want to or not as they find themselves in dead last in the SEC Eastern Division.
Prediction:
Ole Miss 75 South Carolina 65
South Carolina has hit their lowest point of the season, losing five straight games and seven of their last eight. The NCAA Tournament talks of earlier in SEC play have long since vanished, and the Gamecocks find themselves struggling to stay above .500 on the season.
The Gamecocks have averaged right around 60 points a game in their last eight, and have had trouble throughout SEC play finding a way to put points on the board. If they want to stay above .500 and find a victory against Ole Miss, they are going to have to get the ball in the paint. In many games this season, South Carolina has been timid to drive to the basket and get some lay-ins or draw some foul calls to get to the charity stripe. This has been a big reason why they have been unable to score consistently lately. The jump shots aren't falling and the Gamecocks are paying dearly for it.
On the defensive side of the ball, Carolina hasn't done terribly but it has been an area of concern lately as they have allowed at least 70 points a game in four of their last five, including giving up a whopping 90 points to a Kentucky team that didn't play its starters for most of the second half. South Carolina must find a way to get their defensive pressure back if they want to win this ballgame.
Ole Miss is coming into the game winning four of their last six outings, but dropping a 71-58 affair to rival Mississippi State. The Rebels have been a decent team in the SEC West so far this year and has a big win over then No. 11 Kentucky at home. The Rebs have had no problem scoring for most of the year, averaging 74.4 points per game, ranking in the top 50 in the country. They lack in the rebounding department, averaging 38 rebounds per contest, ranking 113th.
I believe South Carolina has the ability to compete in the remainder of the season, but a big factor will be whether they want to or not as they find themselves in dead last in the SEC Eastern Division.
Prediction:
Ole Miss 75 South Carolina 65
Friday, February 18, 2011
Gamecocks Open 2011 on a Winning Note
The South Carolina baseball team opened their 2011 campaign with a 12-5 win over Santa Clara.
Junior Michael Roth started for the Gamecocks and threw 5.2 innings for South Carolina allowing only two runs while junior Jackie Bradley, Jr. went 4-for-4 for USC including a 2-run HR and three RBI in the opening day victory in front of a sell out crowd at Carolina Stadium.
Roth was pulled with two outs in the sixth after he failed to record the final out. He finished with a career-high six strikeouts and earned his first win of the year. Santa Clara starter Brock Simon took the loss, allowing five runs on 10 hits in 5.2 innings.
The Gamecocks took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third on a Jackie Bradley, Jr. RBI base hit that scored Scott Wingo. They later extended the lead to 4-0 with help from a Bradley, Jr. two run homer in a three run fifth inning for South Carolina.
Santa Clara narrowed the Carolina lead to 4-2 in the top of the sixth with a pair of RBI singles from Pat Stover and Kyle DeMerritt, but the Gamecocks answered back in the bottom half of the inning with two runs, thanks to the help of five consecutive walks, to make the score 6-2.
After a scoreless seventh, the Broncos tallied three runs in the top of the eighth with six straight one out singles. Ray Tanner went to the bullpen and senior right hander John Taylor was able to induce a big double play that left three Broncos stranded.
The Gamecocks answered right back in the bottom half of the eighth with six runs, thanks in part to a 12 pitch at bat by Bradley, Jr. that resulted in a RBI double in the gap, a three-run homer from Christian Walker and a two-run shot by Scott Wingo. Robert Beary also added a sac-fly to give the Gamecocks a 12-5 lead, which would turn final after the top half of the ninth.
South Carolina will host game two of the 2011 opening series with Santa Clara tomorrow at 3 p.m. and game three will be Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Junior Michael Roth started for the Gamecocks and threw 5.2 innings for South Carolina allowing only two runs while junior Jackie Bradley, Jr. went 4-for-4 for USC including a 2-run HR and three RBI in the opening day victory in front of a sell out crowd at Carolina Stadium.
Roth was pulled with two outs in the sixth after he failed to record the final out. He finished with a career-high six strikeouts and earned his first win of the year. Santa Clara starter Brock Simon took the loss, allowing five runs on 10 hits in 5.2 innings.
The Gamecocks took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third on a Jackie Bradley, Jr. RBI base hit that scored Scott Wingo. They later extended the lead to 4-0 with help from a Bradley, Jr. two run homer in a three run fifth inning for South Carolina.
Santa Clara narrowed the Carolina lead to 4-2 in the top of the sixth with a pair of RBI singles from Pat Stover and Kyle DeMerritt, but the Gamecocks answered back in the bottom half of the inning with two runs, thanks to the help of five consecutive walks, to make the score 6-2.
After a scoreless seventh, the Broncos tallied three runs in the top of the eighth with six straight one out singles. Ray Tanner went to the bullpen and senior right hander John Taylor was able to induce a big double play that left three Broncos stranded.
The Gamecocks answered right back in the bottom half of the eighth with six runs, thanks in part to a 12 pitch at bat by Bradley, Jr. that resulted in a RBI double in the gap, a three-run homer from Christian Walker and a two-run shot by Scott Wingo. Robert Beary also added a sac-fly to give the Gamecocks a 12-5 lead, which would turn final after the top half of the ninth.
South Carolina will host game two of the 2011 opening series with Santa Clara tomorrow at 3 p.m. and game three will be Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Jadeveon Clowney to South Carolina
ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 overall prospect in the country, committed to in-state South Carolina over Clemson and Alabama on Monday from his school auditorium at South Pointe High School. He made the announcement live on ESPN's "SportsCenter."
Clowney elected to stay close to home and play for the Gamecocks on his 18th birthday. The five-star prospect had narrowed his choices down to three finalists on national signing day, nearly two weeks ago.
The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Clowney is the highest-rated prospect in the ESPNU 150 since fellow defensive end Da'Quan Bowers in 2008, who was also from the Palmetto State and signed with Clemson. Clowney, who finished his junior and senior seasons with a combined 57 sacks, officially visited South Carolina on Nov. 5 and becomes the third consecutive Mr. South Carolina (RB Marcus Lattimore in 2009, ATH Stephone Gilmore in 2008) signed by the Gamecocks.
The addition of Clowney caps off a giant year for Steve Spurrier and South Carolina both on and off the field. On it, they finally broke through and won the SEC East, something the Gamecocks had never done before. Off the field, South Carolina finishes with the No. 15-ranked class.
By: Jamie Newberg
ESPN Recruiting
Monday, February 7, 2011
Is Football Back in Ellington's Future?
By: Travis Haney, Charleston Post & Courier
That is the one question the former Berkeley High star keeps hearing
The internal conflict has always been there. It has existed within Ellington. It has existed in Moncks Corner, his football-frenzied hometown that watched Ellington lead the Stags to a state title his senior season.As a college freshman, Ellington is the South Carolina basketball team's leading scorer. But all anyone seems to want to talk about with the former Berkeley High School star is how he can help the Gamecocks football team.
Ellington is extremely affable, greeting strangers like old friends. So, it's not as if he tires of the football question.
That is the one question the former Berkeley High star keeps hearing
Why don't you play football?
Basketball became Bruce Ellington's first love the day his mother signed him up in fourth grade. But football has never been all that far behind.
The internal conflict has always been there. It has existed within Ellington. It has existed in Moncks Corner, his football-frenzied hometown that watched Ellington lead the Stags to a state title his senior season.
And now it exists at USC, an environment that is defined more by what happens at Williams-Brice Stadium than inside Colonial Life Arena.
Students meet Ellington and immediately bring up football. Current football players do the same. Even his cousin, Clemson running back Andre Ellington, talks in the Upstate about settling on the field which Ellington is the better football player.
Ellington is extremely affable, greeting strangers like old friends. So, it's not as if he tires of the football question.
"I still get asked to this day if I'm going to play or not," Ellington said. "I guess they think I'm pretty good in football and should have played."
"I knew it was going to come," he said. "I just give them the same answer: Basketball's my passion, and that's what I am going to play."
But that doesn't mean Ellington could not play both at USC.
The two-sport athlete is becoming a rarity at the college level. But so is one that gets heavily recruited to play both basketball and football by major Division I programs, as Ellington was.
In most cases, a football player will walk on with the basketball team, scarcely providing an impact in both sports.
North Carolina's Ronald Curry was really the last prospect to be sought after by high-level programs in both basketball and football, but his college career never lived up to the high school hype.
Already Ellington, leading the Gamecocks with 14.5 points and 3.5 assists a game, has shown he is an SEC-level point guard.
But could he juggle both, potentially helping the football team as a wildcat quarterback, receiver and return man?
"I mean, I can't close the door on it," Ellington said, choosing his words carefully. "I think about it a lot. I can't lie to you. I do think about playing football."
When he's back home, Ellington said he sometimes watches his Berkeley High School football videos.
"It's still a part of me," he said. "I'm a competitor and I love to compete. I'm just not sure if I'm going to play it in college."
Ellington said he asked Gamecocks All-America receiver Alshon Jeffery why he didn't try to play both football and basketball. Jeffery told him he didn't want to do the stringent workout plan for both sports -- something that also causes Ellington to hesitate.
Basketball coach Darrin Horn said he's focused right now on what Ellington is doing for the Gamecocks on the hardwood. He said he hasn't recently talked with Ellington about football. Ellington said he's spoken a couple of times with members of coach Steve Spurrier's football staff, but nothing has formally materialized.
Multiple sources close to the football team, though, are convinced that Ellington is seriously considering going out for spring football.
One reason Ellington might eventually explore football is because of a brighter professional future in the sport. Making a 15-man NBA roster is far more difficult than a 53-man NFL squad.
"I think he could probably get to the next level playing both sports," said Ryan Stewart, who played five seasons with the Detroit Lions and is thought of as one of the top athletes to come out of Berkeley County. "Because of the numbers game, with football versus basketball, football probably would be the easier route. But to each his own. I know that he loves both sports -- and that he really loves basketball."
USC's basketball staff also thinks Ellington could make it in the NBA, likening him to former North Carolina guard Ty Lawson.
Ellington was a virtually unknown basketball commodity until a couple of West Coast AAU tournaments in the summer of 2009 vaulted him to a top-50 recruit.
"It took about a second and a half to realize we had a special talent," said Jeff DiBattisto, the former Bishop England High School coach who worked with Ellington's AAU team. "I'd never seen a kid that fast with a basketball in his hands."
Horn thought so, too. USC was the first major program to recruit Ellington. Ellington appreciated Horn's loyalty and stayed in state.
"We expected him to be a major contributor and one of the best point guards in our league early on," Horn said. "I think he's done that.
"We're not surprised by anything he's doing."
Ellington is currently blazing his own path, he said, by playing basketball. Then again, playing two sports would accomplish the same thing.
He's one of USC's best basketball players; some close to him believe the same could be true on the football field.
"He won a state championship in high school. He can play on either side of the ball. He can play anywhere," said Stewart, an Atlanta radio host who is Ellington's distant cousin. "I'm sure for him playing football would be like riding a bike. He's never going to forget. He's an incredible kid and an athlete. I'm sure he'd be a hell of a football player in the SEC.
Courtesy: Post & Courier and Travis Haney
Friday, February 4, 2011
South Carolina-Vanderbilt Preview
South Carolina (13-7, 4-3) will travel to Nashville, TN this Saturday afternoon to take on the 24th ranked Vanderbilt Commodores (15-6, 3-4) at Memorial Gym.
These two teams will be meeting for the second time this season as the Gamecocks took the first match-up 83-75 in OT back in early January.
The Gamecocks are coming off of a 64-56 road win over LSU on Wednesday night, snapping a two-game losing streak.
Bruce Ellington led the Gamecocks with 20 points, going 3-8 from three point range and hitting five of his six free throw attempts. Lakeem Jackson was back in the lineup after sitting out of the Auburn game with a foot injury, he led the Gamecocks with eight rebounds and four assists while adding four points.
Malik Cooke also had a good game for the Gamecocks off the bench, going 4-5 from the field and scoring 12 points. He also recorded two rebounds, a steal and a block. LSU was able to keep Sam Muldrow fairly quiet, although he added four rebounds, four blocks and six points for South Carolina.
Vanderbilt is coming into the game on two losses, an unexpected home loss to Arkansas and a heartbreaking overtime loss at Florida.
In the loss at Florida, John Jenkins led the Commodores with 22 points going 2-6 from three point range and hitting 8-14 from the field. Brad Tinsley added 15 points for Vanderbilt but it wasn't enough to stave off the Gators who have won four of their last five, including two overtime victories.
If the Gamecocks want to upset Vanderbilt again, they'll need another strong game from Bruce Ellington and Ramon Galloway. In most of Carolina's wins this year, they have been able to hit the three point shot consistently and that will be a big factor in whether the Gamecocks are able to play well. Sam Muldrow will be a factor as well, he needs to play well and be able to score inside to give South Carolina another option besides jump shooting.
Look for Vanderbilt to come out strong after two consecutive losses and try to snap their losing streak at home against South Carolina. If the Gamecocks can hit the three and make their free throws, this should be another entertaining match-up.
Prediction:
South Carolina 69 (24)Vanderbilt 75
These two teams will be meeting for the second time this season as the Gamecocks took the first match-up 83-75 in OT back in early January.
The Gamecocks are coming off of a 64-56 road win over LSU on Wednesday night, snapping a two-game losing streak.
Bruce Ellington led the Gamecocks with 20 points, going 3-8 from three point range and hitting five of his six free throw attempts. Lakeem Jackson was back in the lineup after sitting out of the Auburn game with a foot injury, he led the Gamecocks with eight rebounds and four assists while adding four points.
Malik Cooke also had a good game for the Gamecocks off the bench, going 4-5 from the field and scoring 12 points. He also recorded two rebounds, a steal and a block. LSU was able to keep Sam Muldrow fairly quiet, although he added four rebounds, four blocks and six points for South Carolina.
Vanderbilt is coming into the game on two losses, an unexpected home loss to Arkansas and a heartbreaking overtime loss at Florida.
In the loss at Florida, John Jenkins led the Commodores with 22 points going 2-6 from three point range and hitting 8-14 from the field. Brad Tinsley added 15 points for Vanderbilt but it wasn't enough to stave off the Gators who have won four of their last five, including two overtime victories.
If the Gamecocks want to upset Vanderbilt again, they'll need another strong game from Bruce Ellington and Ramon Galloway. In most of Carolina's wins this year, they have been able to hit the three point shot consistently and that will be a big factor in whether the Gamecocks are able to play well. Sam Muldrow will be a factor as well, he needs to play well and be able to score inside to give South Carolina another option besides jump shooting.
Look for Vanderbilt to come out strong after two consecutive losses and try to snap their losing streak at home against South Carolina. If the Gamecocks can hit the three and make their free throws, this should be another entertaining match-up.
Prediction:
South Carolina 69 (24)Vanderbilt 75
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
South Carolina-LSU Preview
The South Carolina Gamecocks (12-7, 3-3) will travel to LSU to take on the Tigers (10-11, 2-4) Tuesday night at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, LA.
The Gamecocks are coming off of two disappointing home losses to No. 11 Kentucky and Auburn. South Carolina had started the SEC schedule off with a 3-1 record before those two games and now find themselves toward the bottom of the Eastern Division race.
If South Carolina wishes to compete for a spot in the NCAA Tournament, they must win some key games coming up in their schedule, starting with this big road contest.
In the Gamecocks' loss to Auburn, Coach Darrin Horn decided to get some work in for some of the bench players throughout the first half and for much of the second. Guards Stephen Spinella and Eric Smith saw a lot more action than usual and it seemed to stall the Gamecock offense. I would expect the usual starters, Bruce Ellington and Brian Richardson, to see some more time in the lineup against LSU if South Carolina wants to stop their two-game skid.
Ramon Galloway led the South Carolina offense with 20 points on Saturday and continues to be a threat for the Gamecocks. He is averaging 15.6 points per game in his last three outings and is becoming a leader on this young South Carolina squad.
Sam Muldrow continues to be a force inside for Carolina, leading the way with five blocks against Auburn. He has been a big reason why South Carolina leads the nation in blocked shots and has also helped the Gamecocks average nearly 40 rebounds a game, good for 19th in the country.
LSU is coming into the contest on a four-game losing streak, including a 70-46 dismantling at the hands of Alabama. LSU has had trouble finding any offense lately, averaging only 48.5 points per game during their four-game slide, and their defense has been suspect as well, allowing 76 points per game in their last four.
If the Tigers are going to stop their losing streak, they must stop the jump shot for Carolina. The Gamecocks have lived and died by the jumper this season and have struggled in their last two games shooting from three point range. If LSU can contain South Carolina's guards, they should have a chance to win at home. If not, the Gamecocks should easily win this game.
After a tough loss to Auburn, I see the Gamecocks coming out strong against the Tigers and winning a hard fought game to snap their losing streak as they hit a critical point in their SEC schedule, with two of their next three games coming against ranked opponents.
Prediction:
South Carolina 69 LSU 63
The Gamecocks are coming off of two disappointing home losses to No. 11 Kentucky and Auburn. South Carolina had started the SEC schedule off with a 3-1 record before those two games and now find themselves toward the bottom of the Eastern Division race.
If South Carolina wishes to compete for a spot in the NCAA Tournament, they must win some key games coming up in their schedule, starting with this big road contest.
In the Gamecocks' loss to Auburn, Coach Darrin Horn decided to get some work in for some of the bench players throughout the first half and for much of the second. Guards Stephen Spinella and Eric Smith saw a lot more action than usual and it seemed to stall the Gamecock offense. I would expect the usual starters, Bruce Ellington and Brian Richardson, to see some more time in the lineup against LSU if South Carolina wants to stop their two-game skid.
Ramon Galloway led the South Carolina offense with 20 points on Saturday and continues to be a threat for the Gamecocks. He is averaging 15.6 points per game in his last three outings and is becoming a leader on this young South Carolina squad.
Sam Muldrow continues to be a force inside for Carolina, leading the way with five blocks against Auburn. He has been a big reason why South Carolina leads the nation in blocked shots and has also helped the Gamecocks average nearly 40 rebounds a game, good for 19th in the country.
LSU is coming into the contest on a four-game losing streak, including a 70-46 dismantling at the hands of Alabama. LSU has had trouble finding any offense lately, averaging only 48.5 points per game during their four-game slide, and their defense has been suspect as well, allowing 76 points per game in their last four.
If the Tigers are going to stop their losing streak, they must stop the jump shot for Carolina. The Gamecocks have lived and died by the jumper this season and have struggled in their last two games shooting from three point range. If LSU can contain South Carolina's guards, they should have a chance to win at home. If not, the Gamecocks should easily win this game.
After a tough loss to Auburn, I see the Gamecocks coming out strong against the Tigers and winning a hard fought game to snap their losing streak as they hit a critical point in their SEC schedule, with two of their next three games coming against ranked opponents.
Prediction:
South Carolina 69 LSU 63
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