South Carolina heads to Oxford, Mississippi tonight to face the 24th ranked Old Miss Rebels. This is a must win game for the Gamecocks(11-6) after losing to Vandy on Saturday night. If USC plays like they did against Vandy, it should be a easy win for the Rebels tonight.
Overall, USC holds a 13-12 lead in the overall series against Old Miss. USC has one the past 3 against the Rebels but Ole Miss does hold a 8-1 record against the Gamecocks in Oxford. Coach Kennedy is looking for his first win over the Gamecocks, as his Cincinnati and Ole Miss teams are a combined 0-4.
Tonight’s game will show case Irmo native Murphy Holloway, who was a SC Gatorade Player of the Year and 4A Player of the Year at Dutch Fork High School his senior year of high school.
Tonight’s game will also feature a pair of Bob Cousy Award finalist, Chris Warren from Ole Miss and Devin Downey for USC. Both are ranked in the top ten in PPG, assists, 3 point FG made, and free throw percentage. This should be a great match up, as Warren was injured for this match up last year.
The game will come down to rebounding and transition points for both teams. USC loves to trap off of made baskets, which is a Coach Horn high energy style of defense. This comes with great risk and reward. USC leads the SEC in steals but is 2nd to last in field goal percentage defense. USC has giving up plenty of easy baskets this season, and I see no reason to think any differently tonight.
Old Miss leads the SEC in scoring offense and ranks 12th nationally 82.5 pts per game. On the other side, they are allowing there opponent to score 69.5 points per game on average.
Look for Ole Miss to take advantage of the size difference tonight. USC has trouble rebounding, this will play a major factor in tonight’s game as well as the rest of the season. Look for Muldrow to get off to another slow start, leaving Carolina to rely on Downey to steal the show. Ole Miss will double team Downey when needed, allowing (hopefully) for another one of the Gamecock players to step up. Look for Galloway to take some open shots tonight.
Prediction: Ole Miss wins on their home court, leaving the Gamecocks 2-2 in SEC play with Florida up next on the schedule.
Carolina 66 Ole Miss 75
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