The Feed Pail: South Carolina vs. UConn the big draw this Monday night

Well, today’s the day.

The South Carolina Gamecocks are in Storrs, Connecticut tonight to take on the #1 UConn Huskies. And even though the Gamecocks are #6, it’s definitely a David vs. Goliath battle: UConn will be going for its 100th straight win - a relatively lesser goal that pales in comparison to their ultimate one of winning a fifth consecutive national championship.

To think that this was supposed to be a “rebuilding” year, too. From the Post and Courier:

After losing players who would become the top three selections in the WNBA draft, this was supposed to be the season Connecticut came back to the field. With no Breanna Stewart patrolling the baseline, no Moriah Jefferson running point, no Morgan Tuck on the wing — this was supposed to be the season cracks begin to show in college basketball’s greatest dynasty.

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As usual, it’s UConn head coach Geno Auriemma getting the last laugh. When No. 6 South Carolina travels to Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn., for Monday night’s showdown with the Huskies, it will face a Connecticut team that hasn’t slipped back to the pack — but only reestablished its dominance, with an iron grip on No. 1 in the poll and a record winning streak that threatens to reach an even 100 games against the Gamecocks.

You’ve got to give Geno credit for continuing to keep his group at the top of the sport. But if the Gamecocks are to break the Huskies’ streak at 99, it will turn the heads of college basketball fans everywhere and put Carolina on the radar as a team that could upset the balance of power at the top. By the way, don’t be surprised if the ESPN2 broadcast and ESPN.com coverage is more than a little slanted toward the Huskies with that 100th win looming. (It already is right now!)

More coverage:

GamecocksOnline.com preview

UConn’s winning streak by the numbers (ESPN)

A streak like no other: UConn plays USC trying for 100th consecutive win (The State)

Gamecocks feel confident going to UConn (The State)

5 keys to beating the Huskies (NCAA.com)

South Carolina heading into historic meeting with UConn (SEC Country)

South Carolina a unique challenge as UConn women look for 100th straight win (New Haven Register)

Chris has the full breakdown coming at 2pm, so you’ll want to check back then.

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Men’s basketball

It was a little white knuckle at times, but we’ll take the Gamecocks’ win at Mississippi State, especially at a place that’s given them fits in recent years. The Gamecocks will taste the comforts of home on Wednesday as Arkansas comes to town, followed by a pair of road games at Vanderbilt (Saturday) and Florida (February 21).

Carey Rich on the Gamecocks’ victory (TheBigSpur - $$$).

Setting the stage for SEC’s first-place log jam (TheBigSpur - free)

David Cloninger: Nothing ugly about a road win (The State)

Calling for a halt to handwringing about Gamecocks athletics (The State)

Will Muschamp is optimistic. The baseball team is ranked in the nation’s top five in the preseason. Staley’s squad is 20-2 and in charge of the SEC.

And Martin’s team is going to get an NCAA Tournament berth. Stop sweating it.

Sorry, Josh. We’ll try our best.

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Baseball

Four more days until first pitch, and with the scrimmages in the books, Chad Holbrook met the media.

I think they’re getting excited. Got to try to keep them on track because their mind wants to think about Friday. I think that happened a little bit today, and maybe that affected our performance a little bit. But it’s a fun time. Kids are kids, and they work extremely hard for this opportunity.

The team (ok, Kaci and Katie) are working feverishly to publish their in-depth baseball previews all this week, and are geared up for the thing to be done all season long. (And maybe some puns and puppy GIFs on the GABA Twitter if the situation calls for it.) Plus, Wil Crowe is back, and that is very good news.

Gamecocks pitching staff has potential to be best in school history (The State)

Chad Holbrook to mix up Gamecocks’ lineup early on in 2017 (The State)

Greyson Greiner makes the list of The Detroit News’ top 20 Tigers prospects.

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And more!

—Will Muschamp on attrition and how it’s not really a problem. (It isn’t!)

—SEC Country grades the SEC’s first year football hires.

—All the softball team did this weekend was mercy-rule three opponents (sorry, Ohio and Presbyterian - twice!) and walk off twice in the Carolina Classic.

—Women’s golf placed second down at FSU with their lowest-ever score in an event.

—Equestrian clipped TCU down in Texas in comeback fashion!

—Women’s tennis just clobbered Clemson, obviously in response to the Tigers football team’s beatdown of the Gamecocks in November.

—Track looked strong at the Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson.

—A Columbia company designed a custom scooter for T-Mobile CEO John Legere, and it’s pretty cool!