South Carolina Gamecocks at Mississippi St. Bulldogs Basketball: Carolina Looks to Finish over .500
by Gamecock Man on Mar 4, 2011 10:00 PM EST
in South Carolina Gamecocks Basketball
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PrintOne more chance for some semblance of respectability, folks. Carolina travels to Starkville this weekend for an afternoon game against the Mississippi St. Bulldogs. A win for Carolina would ensure a +.500 record.
Let's take a closer look at the game.
Implications
Not many, to be honest. South Carolina is likely out of the running for an NIT berth barring a strong SEC Tournament run. Carolina may have a shot at the CBI, depending on whether or not Darrin Horn would accept a berth. The game may mean slightly more for MSU, who are still in the running for the NIT with a 16-13 record and a Pomeroy RPI of 115.
What to Watch For
I was impressed with Horn's halftime adjustments against Tennessee. We moved to taking much higher-percentage shots in this game, with players like Lakeem Jackson and Malik Cooke attacking the basket off the dribble and Sam Muldrow working the post. Against MSU, I'd like to see us try to do these things early on, too. Maybe then we wouldn't go into halftime down 15.
The second thing to watch for is just how MSU looks in this game. The Bulldogs are one of the conference's most high-variance teams. MSU has no shortage of talent, as Renardo Sidney, Dee Bost, and Ravern Johnson are all guys who at times look like they should be household names. MSU is also a fairly experienced team with several upperclassmen. However, this Bulldogs team has only occasionally played up to its potential. Who wins this game could depend on which MSU shows up, because I think it's safe to say that the Bulldogs are better than us when they're on.
Why Carolina Could Win
South Carolina has tended to be a much better offensive rebounding team than MSU, and it showed a knack for offensive boards when it went to a big lineup against Tennessee. Perhaps we can scrap together a victory. Check out the Four Factors comparison:
Why MSU Could Win
Shooting. Mississippi St. has a fantastic set of shooters, and teams that shoot the ball well win games. We don't, unfortunately.
Prediction
5-10 point MSU victory.
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I meant 2800.
Is that too negative? 2791 then.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Mar 4, 2011 10:18 PM EST up reply actions
Teams' big men have whooped our tails this season.
This team is tall and bulky. Sidney (6’10", 275), Lewis (6’8", 253), and Augustus (6’8", 224) all play significant minutes. Thank goodness their 7’1", 250 pound forward rarely plays, or some of our guys may not walk out of their stadium alive. What has hurt us the most lately, however, is other teams’ three point shooters. Benock at 43.8% is going to light up our players’ worlds. This may be one of the uglier Carolina games of the season.
stuff 'bout stuff.
On paper, Miss. St. looks like one of the conference's best teams.
And for sure, they look like a nightmare for us. The problem for them is that they haven’t played like an elite team this season.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
Auburn didn't look good 'til they played us.
Let the nightmare commence!
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Mar 5, 2011 1:55 PM EST up reply actions
CBI
1. I can’t decide what is worse … being invited to the CBI or not even making the cut for a third tier tourney.
2. I fully expect us to be destroyed in Starkville, followed by a merciful coup de mort at the first round of the SEC tournament at the Georgia Dome.
3. I think we need seriously and soberly evaluate whether to chance another season on Darrin Horn. We’ve clearly regressed in the years following Davey Odom’s tenure; heck, we’ve clearly regressed during the course of the season … the past month has been a recurring (literally) nightmare of first half no-shows and inexplicable line-up decisions. Why will next year be any different? It’s time for a change. There is no upside to waiting.
They wore garnet helmets.
I can see where you're coming from, because I've been as upset as anyone about what Horn has done this season.
But it’s just not going to happen. No way we fire Horn.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
You're probably right, but
we’re only delaying the inevitable. This program is going nowhere. We have no mojo this year. We’re not going to miraculously find it next year.
They wore garnet helmets.
By contrast
Gregg Marshall, a Greenwood native, basically created a basketball tradition at Winthrop out of nothing, and has Wichita State aimed for a third consecutive post season (probably an NIT bid again) in his fourth year.
Both USC and NCSU passed on Marshall. The Pack will probably let Sydney Lowe go this year despite a 20 win season and NIT 2nd round appearance last year. Carolina will keep Horn another year despite not even doing that well. I can’t help but think both State and USC would be doing a lot better with Marshall at the helm.
They wore garnet helmets.
I'm with you. I love what Marshall did at Winthrop, and he's a USC guy who would bring passion to the program. Not that Horn lacks in passion; that seems to be the thing he does best.
And don’t forget Anthony Grant, of course.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog By and For Gamecocks Fans.
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