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The wait is over. Frank Martin and the Gamecocks lace them up against the visiting Louisiana Tech Bulldogs tonight at Colonial Life Arena. It’s an unfamiliar opponent: the teams have tangled only once before, back in the 1960-61 season. Needless to say a lot has changed since then.
Start time: Friday, November 11, 6:30 p.m. ET
TV: None | Internet: SEC Network+ | Announcers: Burch Antley (pxp), Carey Rich (analyst)
Radio: 107.5 The Game in Columbia | Live Stream: Gamecock IMG Sports Network | Announcers: Derek Scott (pxp), Casey Manning (analyst)
ICYMI: Season preview roundtable
Three-Point Preview
- Don’t toss the Bulldogs aside as just another opponent. La. Tech was a 23-game winner last year, but it is still trying to maintain the momentum it picked up before former coach Mike White’s departure for Florida a few years back. While the Bulldogs play in a much weaker Conference USA, the Gamecocks can’t afford to let them hang around.
- The Bulldogs offense will go through All C-USA pick Eric McCree. The redshirt senior averaged 16.2 ppg and 7.2 rpg in the 2015-16 season. With Alex Hamilton’s graduation, this is now McCree’s team. Dayon Griffin (11.3 ppg as a freshman) and Qiydar Davis are a few more players to watch.
- Frank Martin went with Sindarius Thornwell, Duane Notice, and PJ Dozier in the backcourt against Newberry, while starting Chris Silva and freshman Maik Kotsar up front. However, Khadim Gueye and Justin McKie saw some big minutes off the bench. Dozier did have three turnovers against the Wolves in the exhibition game (to three assists), but was also 7-19 from the floor, showing the combo guard tendencies that the staff looks to build off of this season.