In the Finale — Gamecocks v Bulldogs

I know we have stated how the UK game was the biggest game for USC then this past UT game was the biggest game but the game today may just be the biggest game for USC. As the NCAA tourney hopes linger around this game….win and USC is in….lose and USC is NIT bound barring a SEC tourney run. At least most experts feel this way and I have to agree. The NCAA looks, among various factors, at the last 12 games which Carolina is 8-4….but have lost 3 of last 5 games.

Garnet and Black Attack has the recap of the last game that I feel sums up my exact thoughts—

Georgia (12-18, 3-12 SEC) owns a slight 46-45 lead in the all-time series with South Carolina. The series is tied 5-5 in the last 10 meetings between the two schools, however, UGA has won three of the last five.

South Carolina (20-8, 9-6 SEC) has a RPI of 46 and a strength of schedule of 83. Good news is Carolina has already got a 1st round bye in the SEC Tourney . But a win today is a must! The last two games have been, outside the College of Charleston loss, the worst games Carolina has played. Time for the ego check at the door and get back to playing team basketball on both offense and defense.

The Bulldogs have caught fire of late, winning two of their last three contests, including a 90-85 victory over Kentucky at Rupp Arena on Wednesday.

Carolina must stop Terrance Woodbury , Trey Thompkins and Dustin Ware for UGa as they are the shining stars of a bad bulldog team. If USC can slow these 3 or at least 2 then SC is okay.

USC must do these 5 things today to win as UGa is going to come out swinging—

1. Go back to playing USC basketball — SC must play as a unit and control the pace of the game. USC needs good shot selection today and not rush things. Carolina must do something they have not down in the last two games b/c of lack of effort on the surface– get back to high octane pressure defense and their interior D to reverse the weak play. But that leads to point #2

2. Carolina has to step it up defensively— Two weak areas have to improve – interior and perimeter. Need to help out on the weak side and eliminate easy baskets for UGa. USC guards have to play at a high level on D today. Box out and win the rebounding war today. USC must stop the penetration of the opposing guard and watch the dish. Really, USC justs needs to tighten up their D.

3. USC Offense needs Muldrow/Holmes/Archie to be more active—Zam and Devan will be just fine. Zam just needs to take better shots and Devan will continue to shine. BUT USC needs Archie/Holmes/Muldrow to step their offensive game up today. USC plays best win 7 or 8 players are sharing the scoring load and the burden is not on Devan or a 3 from Zam.

4. Eliminate mistakes—USC has to think in this game, don’t rush things, communicate, help each other, rotate off ball screens,be active on the glass, don’t get in foul trouble and stopping the TOs.

5. Intensity—USC has to forget those teams from Tennessee and the losses. We need the fight of Gamecock Jesus on display. Coach Horn knows Gamecock Pride is on the line today and the Gamecocks need to be hungry. 40 mins of flat out basket to basket high level of desire to win! Get after it and I want to see some diving for loose balls, ripping down rebounds, power dunks…..emotion is a must today!

LOHD says Gamecocks by 13 today!

Related coverage —

LOHD is also a huge Bama fan this weekend as South Carolina could still earn a share of the SEC Eastern Division title with a Gamecock victory over Georgia and a Tennessee loss to Alabama on Sunday.