USC Hosts Davidson In NIT First Round

The Gamecocks (21-9) will host Davidson College (26-7) tonight at the Colonial Life Arena. The Gamecocks are the #3 seed while Davidson is the #6 seed. Tonight’s winner will play the winner of second-seeded St. Mary’s v Washington State game.

Carolina’s appearance in the postseason NIT is its 11th overall and first since the 2005-06 season when the Gamecocks earned their second-consecutive postseason NIT Championship (back to back). South Carolina has won the postseason NIT twice (2005, 2006) and finished as the tournament’s runner-up in 2002. South Carolina owns a 21-8 record in postseason NIT contests.

Tonight, we will get to see two of the premier point guards in Downey and Davidson’s Stephen Curry. Downey leads the Gamecocks in scoring (19.9 ppg), assists (4.5) and steals (3.0), while Curry leads the NCAA in scoring (28.6 ppg), while dishing 5.5 assists and adding 2.5 steals per game. Should be good to watch those two as both are the key to each of their teams. Davidson will try to slow Devan as USC will try to defend Curry.

Besides Curry..who should SC shut down? Davidson forward Andrew Lovedale who gets 12.8 pts a game and a team-best 8.7 rebounds per game. Lovedale has recorded double-digit rebounds 10 times this season and has collected 10 double-doubles. So Mike Holmes and Muldrow should be busy working this guy down low.

Keys to a Carolina win…

1. Focus on Davidson….it is that time of year – one and done. So play the best game of the year tonight!

2. USC’s front court is key…USC must win down low and win the rebounding war. Box out, block some shots yet no foul troblue.

3. USC perimeter Defense….this has been a sore spot for Carolina the last 6 or 7 games. We need Carolina to defend on the perimeter, put a hand up and eliminate easy looks. Make Curry and Co. work tonight for open shots.

4. USC shot selection….Devan and crew need to be smart tonight and not rush shots. Also keep their heads in the game.

5. 2nd half is crucial….this is when USC has lost games in the post halftime realm. SC has to give it 110% tonight for 40 mins. No letting up and no slack play!

Go Cocks….me thinks SC by 7!