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
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