The South Carolina men’s basketball team (1-1) will host Tennessee State (1-2) in Columbia, S.C with a 6 pm tip-off.
Sunday’s contest begins Las Vegas Invitational play for the Gamecocks, as Carolina will host Tennessee State on Sunday, Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday and then travel to Las Vegas for Friday’s matchup against No. 1 North Carolina. The Gamecocks will conclude Invitational play against either Southern California or UNLV.
The Gamecocks are looking to bounce back after a disappointing loss to Elon and Tennessee State looks like a perfect candidate to get the confidence back with a win. Yet Tennessee State is not to be overlooked as they return their entire starting lineup from last season, including preseason all-conference selections junior Robert Covington and senior Kenny Moore.
Let’s break it down some more:
TSU Player to Watch
Robert Covington. He collected his first double-double of the season with 17 points and 14 rebounds in the loss at Western Kentucky last Monday. Covington followed up that performance with 24 points in the win over Fisk.
USC Player to Watch
Freshman forward Anthony Gill has led the Gamecocks in scoring in all three outings this season. Gill is responsible for 11.5 ppg through the first two offical outings of the season, the only player hitting for double figures at the moment, adding 6.5 rpg which makes him second on the glass as well.
As a team the Gamecocks are generating just 64.0 ppg, with free-throw shooting (.588) and three-point accuracy (.205) major issues.
USC Keys to a Win
1. Shot Selection…must connect.
2. Rebounding…this is a key for the last two years.
3. Interior Defense….USC must bang inside.
Excel in those three areas and USC should win this game. Key word is should. Cross your fingers. Gamecocks by 8.
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