The men’s basketball team at the University of South Carolina travels to Clemson, S.C to take on the Tigers on their turf. USC won last year, 64-60, when the two teams clashed in Columbia but it is safe to say these are two different teams now.
The Gamecocks do lead the all-time series, 87-74, but the Tigers hold a 45-30 advantage over their in-state rival in home games.
The two teams enter going in different directions as the Tigers enter the game with a 4-2 record and defeated Iowa on the road, 71-55, as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Tuesday. Whereas, the Gamecocks are 2-5 on the season, most recently falling at home to Providence on Thursday in the Big East/SEC Challenge.
Here is a some quick thoughts on the upcoming game:
For USC to win, they must do these three things:
- Knock Down the Open Shots.
- Win the Rebound War.
- Limit Clemson’s Inside Play.
Clemson Player to Watch:
Andre Young. The guard is among the ACC’s top 10 statistical leaders in points per game, assists per game, free throw percentage, three-point percentage, three-point goals per game, assist-to-turnover ratio, steals per game and minutes per game.
USC Player That Must Step Up:
Bruce Ellington, the team’s leading scorer last season, joined the team earlier this week after the completion of a successful football season. He played 27 minutes against Providence in his first time back on the court. Ellington scored 14 points in the win over Clemson last year. He must have a good game for USC to win.
If USC needs motivation, then I hope Coach Darrin Horn has Dabo’s comment below on the locker room bulletin board…
“That’s why Carolina is in Chapel Hill, USC is in California and the university in this state always has been, always will be in Clemson,” Swinney said. “You can print that. Tweet that.”
Believe it or not, I feel USC is going to win this game somehow much like last season. USC by 5 points as Ellington plays big just like in football versus Clemson.
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