The Feed Pail: Gamecock women bounce back, Dozier’s debut, and more

Welcome back to the feed pail, where we take a look around the internet for some choice South Carolina Gamecocks tidbits and share them back here with you. On the menu this afternoon: All kinds of miscellany.

Wilson, Harris pace No. 7 Gamecocks in 79-66 win over Alabama — Gamecocks Online

The Gamecock women have had a tough go of it lately, losing first at home to No. 1 UConn in a blowout and then missing a huge opportunity to take out No. 2 Mississippi State on the road. Thankfully, the schedule is softening down the stretch, and South Carolina got back in the win column against the Crimson Tide on Thursday. A’ja Wilson, as usual, led the way with 21 points and nine rebounds. A home game against Florida is next on Sunday.

Graduate transfer safety from Rice eyes visit to South Carolina — Hale McGranahan, SEC Country

South Carolina has two openings still left in its 2018 recruiting class. One spot is likely still earmarked for four-star ATH and local Dutch Fork product Bryce Thompson, as the Gamecocks are simply waiting to see how his academic situation shakes out. The other spot, though, is open for business, and Rice safety J.T. Ibe has been in contact with the South Carolina staff.

Former Gamecocks gearing up for NFL combine — Hale McGranahan, SEC Country

Linebacker Skai Moore, tight end Hayden Hurst, cornerback Jamarcus King, and defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth received invites to participate in the NFL combine ahead of the draft. Hurst is expected to be the first Gamecock off the board, and could go relatively high as one of the first tight end prospects selected overall.

Watch former Gamecock PJ Dozier score in his NBA debut — Ben Breiner, The State

Former South Carolina standout PJ Dozier, who’s been doing well with Oklahoma City’s G-League affiliate, finally made his NBA debut on Thursday night against the Lakers. Hard to say how long he’ll stick around on the Thunder’s active roster, but it’s very cool to see his hard work rewarded.

USC softball picked 12th in SEC, but Gamecocks still aiming for World Series berth — Greg Hadley, The State

As baseball season prepares to crank up, the softball squad is getting ready, too. The forecast for the Gamecocks this year isn’t good in the ultra-stacked SEC, but coach Beverly Smith is still confident about a sixth-straight NCAA tournament appearance.

“A couple things to remember,” Smith said at the team’s media day on Jan. 25. “The No. 8 team in the conference last year (Ole Miss) made a run through, won the SEC tournament and went onto super regionals. We had (three) SEC teams in (the Women’s College World Series in) Oklahoma City in June. And that’s our goal. We gotta compete in our league, at the top of our league. You’re in the top of the league, you’re going to be competing in Oklahoma City in June, and that’s the goal for our players, that’s why they chose to be here at South Carolina.”

Personally, I’d love to see South Carolina softball attain the level of relevance that baseball enjoys, and I don’t see any reason why that can’t happen. Pulling for these ladies.

South Carolina Football Hall of Fame announces Class of 2018 — Gamecocks Online

The Gamecocks’ very own John Abraham has been elected for enshrinement. The defensive end enjoyed an All-SEC career at South Carolina before embarking on a long and successful career in the NFL that netted him five Pro Bowl appearances, four All-Pro selections, and has him second (Atlanta Falcons) and third (New York Jets) in sacks for two different franchises. He’s apparently still the state record holder for the 100- and 200-meter dash in track, too. Great honor for him.