Garnet And Black Attack - South Carolina vs. No. 10 Florida: Gamecocks lose SEC opener 74-58
#SpursUp
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2014-01-08T22:23:46-05:00
http://www.garnetandblackattack.com/rss/stream/5054491
2014-01-08T22:23:46-05:00
2014-01-08T22:23:46-05:00
VIDEO: Frank Martin's postgame comments
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<div class="source source-img"><p><p>South Carolina head basketball coach Frank Martin hopes the Gamecocks can learn a lesson from the middle part of the 74-58 loss to No. 10 Florida</p></p></div>
https://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2014/1/8/5290416/south-carolina-vs-no-10-florida-frank-martins-postgame-comments
Connor Tapp
2014-01-08T21:40:47-05:00
2014-01-08T21:40:47-05:00
Gamecocks can't keep pace with Gators
<figure>
<img alt="Tyrone Johnson and the Gamecocks couldn't keep pace with the Florida Gators on Wednesday night." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gOoJQ1tEH8kv3w5K3Isfu5W1_is=/0x114:4000x2781/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26515717/20140108_mje_sv7_311.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tyrone Johnson and the Gamecocks couldn't keep pace with the Florida Gators on Wednesday night. | Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A run of 14-1 to start the game and a 12-0 run in the second half were more than enough for the Florida Gators to beat South Carolina 74-58 in both teams' opening SEC game.</p> <p>After 11 turnovers in the first 16 minutes, it seemed like the story of the game would be easy to tell - the Gamecocks couldn't protect the ball, and the Gators jumped out to 30-14 lead.</p>
<p>But Carolina settled down over the next 24 minutes, and while they were never likely to beat Florida (the lead only shrunk to eight points once before the Gators extended it back into double digits for the rest of the night), South Carolina hung with the favorite to win the SEC over the rest of the game, though a 12-0 run late in the second half extended the lead to over 20 for a spell. It's not a victory - moral or otherwise - but it certainly suggests this team's come a long way from the group that trailed 55-15 in the second half of last year's contest in Gainesville.</p>
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<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border: 1px solid #cccccc;" colspan="3">Advanced Box Score</td>
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<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">USC</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90.0%; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc;"></td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">FLA</td>
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<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">18-41</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">FG</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">26-45</td>
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<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">5-10</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">3P</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">5-19</td>
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<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">17-26</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">FT</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">17-24</td>
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<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">9</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">OREB</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">5</td>
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<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">19</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">DREB</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">20</td>
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<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">21</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">TO</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">15</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">66</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">POSS</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">66</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;" colspan="3">Four Factors</td>
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<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">50.00%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">eFG</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">63.33%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">31.88%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">TO</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">22.77%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">31.03%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">OReb</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">20.83%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">63.41%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">FTR</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">53.33%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;" colspan="3">Shooting</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">41.94%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">2P%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">80.77%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">50.00%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">3P%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">26.32%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">24.39%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">3PA%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">42.22%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">65.38%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">FT%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">70.83%</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;" colspan="3">Score</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">58</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">Score</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">74</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">0.880</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">PPP</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">1.123</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">1.292</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">Non-TO:</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 90%; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">1.455</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><br>By the end of the night, the story of the game was only partially turnovers - thanks to the Gamecocks edge in rebounding on the defensive end, they only allowed four additional FGs (and took two more FTAs) to the Gators.</p>
<p>Carolina started with man defense in the first five minutes, until it became immediately apparent that they were not going to be able to stop Florida's dribble-drive with that strategy. So instead, the Gamecocks settled into a zone defense for most of the evening, and that led to Florida taking a high percentage of its shots from outside - 19 of their 45 field goal attempts came from beyond the arc, and their 26% conversion rate helped keep Carolina from getting blown out.</p>
<p>The Gamecocks did nice work from downtown themselves, hitting 50% of their shots (5-10), though their choice to take less than a quarter of their FGAs from there meant the advantage didn't really help out as much as it could've if they'd shot more from outside.</p>
<p>So what was the difference? Inside. The Gators were 21-26 from 2PA, while Carolina was 13-31. Of those 21 makes, 20 of them were in the paint. The zone helped keep the Gators out of the paint at times, but when they got the ball inside, Patric Young (6 of 7), Casey Prather (5-5), Dorian Finney-Smith (3-4), and Will Yeguette (2-2) couldn't miss. Carolina's interior defense still remains a huge liability.</p>
<p>For Carolina, Tyrone Johnson led the Gamecocks with 12 points, though he only shot 3-10 from the field (his 6-7 effort from the line helped out). Brenton Williams scored 10 points on 10 FGAs (2-4 from 2PA, 2-6 from 3PA) and added three steals as well. For the second straight game, Duane Notice couldn't avoid turnovers, with five in 33 minutes offset only by three assists.</p>
<p>Thornwell struggled with turnovers as well (four), though he did score 10 points and helped atone with 3 steals on the defensive end. Inside, South Carolina didn't actually play too terribly, with the post players shooting a combined 6-11 from the field (and 6-10 from the line). The problem wasn't that they were terrible when they shot, but that they didn't shoot enough, which again put too much pressure on the guards to avoid turnovers and create shots against the swarming Florida defense.</p>
<p>It's never fun to lose, but it's good to see Carolina put in 40 minutes of effort and find some positives in the game, though not really from the scoreboard. It's a game that Carolina never really expected to see land in the win column, so to the extent its realistic goals centered around getting to .500 in SEC play, those weren't really impacted by the effort tonight. Instead, Carolina actually did a fair bit to validate what people were beginning to believe based on recent play - this team may not be great, and certainly isn't ready to make the NCAA tournament, but they're a lot better than they were not just 12 months ago, but even 2 months ago.</p>
<p>The Gamecocks return home to open SEC play on Saturday against LSU, which is reeling off two straight losses - a disappointing 74-70 home loss to Rhode Island and a 68-50 shellacking at the hands of the rapidly improving Tennessee Volunteers. The game tips off at 1:30pm from the Colonial Life Arena and can be watched on the SEC TV network.</p>
https://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2014/1/8/5290162/gamecock-basketball-cocks-falter-early-falter-late-against-gators
ChickenHoops
2014-01-08T18:18:39-05:00
2014-01-08T18:18:39-05:00
Game thread: Gamecocks versus Gators
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HxJ2irHkfTqnnin7cpx97jsrL_E=/0x74:4000x2741/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26513629/20140108_mje_sv7_311.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Watching the game? Join us in the comments.</p> <p>Carolina opens SEC play tonight against the Florida Gators at 7pm on Comcast SportsSouth (or on <a href="http://watchespn.com">ESPN3</a>).</p>
<p>The preview is <a href="http://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2014/1/8/5281844/south-carolina-vs-florida-basketball-preview-tv-time-channel">here</a>.</p>
<p>Join us in the comments below to discuss the game.</p>
https://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2014/1/8/5289616/gamecock-basketball-open-thread-south-carolina-versus-florida
ChickenHoops
2014-01-08T08:00:15-05:00
2014-01-08T08:00:15-05:00
Gamecocks open SEC with stern test in Gainesville
<figure>
<img alt="Brenton Williams hopes to continue his strong senior season in Gainesville on Wednesday." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/f6V4n9DvGZ-_yYMJCZVe3w1Xnyw=/0x37:2346x1601/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26456207/20140103_kkt_ay3_109.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brenton Williams hopes to continue his strong senior season in Gainesville on Wednesday. | Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>South Carolina basketball draws a difficult opening night match-up in their conference opener against Billy Donovan's Florida Gators.</p> <p>The last time the Gamecocks went down to Gainesville, they were pummeled mercilessly by the Gators, <a href="http://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2013/1/31/3935902/south-carolina-at-florida-hoops-gamecocks-crushed-by-gators" style="background-color: #ffffff;">a 75-36 blowout</a> that somehow wasn't as close as the score made it appear.</p>
<p>Twelve months later, the Gamecocks bring eight new faces with them to take on the 10th ranked Gators, winners of 11 of their 13 non-conference contests, including wins over Kansas and Memphis. It will take a terrific effort for Carolina to have a chance to win on Wednesday night, but given the improvement in Carolina over the past year (and a bit of a drop-off from the Elite Eight Gator squad from 2012-13), the Gamecocks enter the opener with a much better chance of putting together an effort that should result in a far more competitive game than last season's contest.</p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" dir="ltr" style="table-layout: fixed; font-size: 13px; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif;">
<colgroup>
<col width="78">
<col width="78">
<col width="78">
<col width="78">
<col width="78">
<col width="78">
<col width="78">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border: 1px solid #cccccc;" colspan="6">The Four Factors (Pomeroy Rankings)</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; border-top: 1px solid #ccc;"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;" colspan="3">When USC has the ball</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc;"></td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;" colspan="3">When UF has the ball</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">USC Off.</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">Florida Def.</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">Edge</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc;"></td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">Florida Off.</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">USC Def.</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">Edge</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; text-align: right; border-left: 1px solid #ccc;">235</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; text-align: right;">55</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; direction: ltr; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc;">UF BIG</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">eFG%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;">104</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;">75</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; direction: ltr; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc;">PUSH</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; text-align: right; border-left: 1px solid #ccc;">221</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; text-align: right;">22</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; direction: ltr; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc;">UF BIG</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">TO%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;">133</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;">91</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; direction: ltr; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc;">PUSH</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; text-align: right; border-left: 1px solid #ccc;">11</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; text-align: right;">91</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; direction: ltr; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc;">USC BIG</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">OReb%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;">16</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;">258</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; direction: ltr; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc;">UF BIG</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; text-align: right; border-left: 1px solid #ccc;">102</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; text-align: right;">17</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; direction: ltr; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc;">UF BIG</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">FTR</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;">90</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;">327</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; direction: ltr; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc;">UF BIG</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<table style="table-layout: fixed; font-size: 13px; font-family: arial,sans,sans-serif;" dir="ltr" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<colgroup>
<col width="78">
<col width="78">
<col width="78">
<col width="78">
<col width="78">
<col width="78">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td colspan="6" style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border: 1px solid #cccccc;">Shooting</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td colspan="2" style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">When USC has the ball</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc;"></td>
<td colspan="2" style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; direction: ltr;">When UF has the ball</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc;"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">USC Off.</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">Florida Def.</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc;"></td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">Florida Off.</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">USC Def.</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-decoration: underline; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">68.8</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;"></td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">FT%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">65.9</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;"></td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">45.6</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">42.5</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">2P%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">49.7</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">47.3</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">36.5</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;"></td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">3P%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">36.4</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;"></td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; border-right: 1px solid #ccc;"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 17px;">
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: #cccccc;">24.2</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">32.6</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; direction: ltr; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">3PA%</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">27.6</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;">34.2</td>
<td style="padding: 0px 3px; vertical-align: bottom; border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: #cccccc; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: #cccccc;"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>The Gators and Gamecocks actually match up relatively well when the Gators have the ball in some areas, but then you keep looking - the Gators hammer the offensive glass and get to the line, and Carolina has a tendency to let teams get away with doing both. While the zone defense has helped South Carolina prevent dribble-drive penetration from some teams, it's weakness has been allowing rebounds on the defensive end. Given how the Gators shun 3PAs, it'll be absolutely imperative for Carolina to stop the Gators on the inside. Florida seems primed to cause Carolina to pick its poison on the defensive end (play zone and give up rebounds or play man and let the Gators into the paint, running up the foul trouble), and it's not clear that Carolina can do enough to stop Florida consistently.</p>
<p>On the other end, Florida presses its advantages in the other two areas - shooting and turnovers. The Gators force turnovers on over 22% of defensive possessions, and the Gamecocks hand it over at almost a 20% rate, so ball security could end the Gamecocks night before it starts (its two worst offensive nights this season came in games with their two worst turnover rates - against Oklahoma State and Boise State).</p>
<p>Carolina also needs to figure out how to score the ball on its end, since it may not have as many extra possessions from offensive rebounds as it normally does given the Gators' efforts on the glass. The Gamecocks shoot 24.2% of their FGAs from 3, one of the lowest percentages in the nation. Given how weakly they shoot the ball from 2, it seems Carolina needs to figure out another way to score. Since Florida doesn't put teams on the line too often, it may need to adjust its offensive strategy to take more 3PAs. With five players (Shaw, Williams, Thornwell, Notice, and Johnson) shooting over 34% from downtown, it's not that Carolina doesn't have the players who can hit shots from outside, it's that the offense chooses not to take them. That's a strategy that may need to be re-assessed on this night.</p>
<p>For Florida, the man to watch will be small forward <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123534/casey-prather" class="sbn-auto-link">Casey Prather</a>, who consistently makes and takes a high percentage of shots (a 61.4% eFG while taking 26% of the Gators' shots while on the court). He also gets to the line at a terrific rate (a 59.6 free throw rate (FTA/FGA), which rates top 200 in the nation. He'll be a total handful for whoever draws that assignment.</p>
<p>In the backcourt, sophomore Michael Frazier shoots nearly 50% from 3PA, which puts his eFG at 66.8%, one of the top 20 in the nation. His backcourt mates, senior <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123532/scottie-wilbekin" class="sbn-auto-link">Scottie Wilbekin</a> and freshman <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/231057/kasey-hill" class="sbn-auto-link">Kasey Hill</a>, contribute primarily through assisting on nearly a quarter of the buckets taken while they're on the court while turning the ball over on less than 20% of possessions. That level of ball control keeps the Gator offense humming.</p>
<p>In the post, senior <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123531/patric-young" class="sbn-auto-link">Patric Young</a> is good offensively and a nightmare defensively - he blocks almost 5% of 2PAs (264th in the nation) and creates steals on 2.5% of possessions he plays (top 500). He rotates in the two post positions about evenly with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/123533/will-yeguete" class="sbn-auto-link">Will Yeguete</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146441/dorian-finney-smith" class="sbn-auto-link">Dorian Finney-Smith</a>, neither of whom create a ton offensively relative to their teammates (though Finney-Smith shoots over a quarter of the time he has the chance, which doesn't seem warranted given his production).</p>
<p>For the Gamecocks, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/146099/brenton-williams" class="sbn-auto-link">Brenton Williams</a> will look to continue his run of fine play , as he has strung together four straight games of at least 20 minutes and 12 points, while adding nine assists against only two turnovers. Joining him in the backcourt will likely be <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/231355/duane-notice" class="sbn-auto-link">Duane Notice</a> starting his seventh straight game, where he'll look to continue his fine offensive performances of late, though he'll also have to cut down on turnovers, a problem that once seemed solved but creeped back up again in his last outing <a href="http://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2014/1/4/5272902/gamecock-basketball-carolina-escapes-sc-state-82-75">against SC State</a>.</p>
<p>In the frontcourt, the Gamecocks will need someone to step up and defend against the Gators interior presence. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/231361/demetrius-henry" class="sbn-auto-link">Demetrius Henry</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/175985/michael-carrera" class="sbn-auto-link">Michael Carrera</a> both post block rates over 4% (the former 4.4%, the latter 7.1%, both good for top 300 in the nation), but each commits over five fouls for 40 minutes played, which limits how effective they can be on the interior. Kacinas, Ringer, and Chatkevicius will all need to step up to fill in for minutes these two may miss due to fouls, though each of them brings foul troubles of his own (the lowest fouls per 40 minutes rate of the three is Kacinas at 4.9, while his compatriot posts a 6.7 and Ringer logs a shocking 9.0).</p>
<p>The Gamecocks have come a long way in the last 12 months. They'll get a chance to show themselves and the Gators just how far they've come on Wednesday evening. The game tips off at 7pm ET and can be watched on Comcast SportsSouth or ESPN3, depending on your location and cable provider.</p>
https://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2014/1/8/5281844/south-carolina-vs-florida-basketball-preview-tv-time-channel
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