South Carolina Basketball Preview: Gamecocks Vs. Eagles

The University of South Carolina (8-3), fresh off a win versus Jacksonville State, will put the seven game home winning streak on the line versus the Boston College Eagles (10-3) tonight in Columbia, SC.

The Coach Horn led boys need this win on their resume heading into SEC play as the BC Eagles have a #23 RPI ranking.  Last year, the Eagles played the Gamecocks hard and won 85-76. 

Let’s provide you a quick look at the two teams and offer you what we feel is the keys to the game for USC…

The Gamecocks will need to execute the following three keys to win today –

1.  Flex the Inside Muscle — the Gamecocks need a strong showing on the inside with quality shots and aggressive rebounding.  Sam Muldrow has to play big.  He needs a double-double while his help (Harris, Jefferson, Cooke) also step up.

2.  Ball Movement Leading to Good Shot Selection — the Gamecocks must have good ball movement and try to work it on the inside.  Don’t just pass around the perimeter and rely on deep shots.  Make the extra pass and get a higher % shot.

3.  Gamecocks Must Have Under 10 Turnovers For the Game — USC averages 15 per game.  To win this game, USC must reduce that number.  Simply put…don’t give BC reasons to win.

Here is a quick glimpse of the two teams –

	PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
	BC	75.2	48.0	74.5	39.6	30.7	9.1	21.6	15.7	10.3	5.1	2.6	15.2
	USC	71.5	42.7	61.1	36.8	40.7	14.4	26.4	12.5	15.8	7.3	5.6	18.9
	BC Opps	68.2	44.2	68.8	35.3	32.4	11.8	20.5	13.2	11.6	4.0	3.0	17.0
	USC Opps	66.9	39.7	66.8	31.9	37.3	12.7	24.5	13.5	15.9	6.8	3.5	17.0

My gut tells me Ellington and Muldrow are bringing their “A” game today and a late rally win put USC on top by 3.  Let’s hope so as this team has loads of talent and getting a win today will boost the confidence going into 2011.  Tip-off is at 5:30EST and you can catch it on ESPNU.