South Carolina-Providence Preview

The South Carolina Gamecocks (2-4) will welcome Big East foe Providence (5-2) to Colonial Life Arena Thursday night in the Big East/SEC Challenge.

Providence comes into the game after a win against Holy Cross, but have lost two of their last three, including back to back losses to Iowa State and Northern Iowa.  The Friars are led by junior guard Vince Council, who averages 18.0 points per game, and sophomore guard Gerard Coleman, who averages 16.7 points per contest.

In the rebounding department, freshman forward LaDontae Henton leads the Friars with 8.1 boards per game and also averages 11.4 points per game, making him one of Providence's most versatile threats on the hardwood.

In Providence's win over Holy Cross, guard Bryce Cotton led the Friars with 24 points.

The Gamecocks are coming back home for the first time since a 61-57 win over Mississippi Valley State.  South Carolina is coming off of losses to then-No. 1 UNC and Southern California in the Las Vegas Invitational.

Senior Malik Cooke leads the Gamecocks with over 11 points per game followed by guard Eric Smith, who averages 8.3 per game.  R.J. Slawson and Demontre Harris both lead South Carolina in rebounding, averaging 5.3 boards per contest.

Harris led the Gamecocks in scoring in their 63-60 loss to So. California, but has struggled scoring the ball so far this season. South Carolina had trouble guarding the three vs. So. California, allowing Maurice Jones to go seven for seven from beyond the arc, scoring 28 points in the Trojan victory.

The Gamecocks are going to need a strong game out of freshman Anthony Gill if they are going to want to win this game.  Gill, despite not playing many minutes due to foul trouble, has been able to make a strong impact for South Carolina.  He averages over eight points per game and over five rebounds per contest and if he's able to avoid foul trouble early, he could keep the Gamecocks in this one.

The Friars aren't in great form right now and the Gamecocks are coming off of a close loss to one of the best teams they've played so far this season.  I think South Carolina has the edge in this game with the home court advantage and see the Gamecocks recording their third win of the season on Thursday night over the Providence Friars.