Time to lace them up tight for the Gamecocks as they head to Gainesville to take on the 13-5 Gators. Tip-off is set for 6pm at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center for this SEC East showdown between two teams that are 2-2 in the SEC thus far and both seeking a needed conference win.
Florida is riding a two game winning streak after recently defeating Arkansas 71-67. For the Gamecocks, they have lost their last two games and are looking to right the ship in a place that they have not won at since 2006.
Florida owns a 35-20 series lead over South Carolina, which includes a 97-93 victory over the Gamecocks in the most recent meeting last season.
South Carolina (11-7) will again lean on their star point guard Devan Downey, who enters Saturday’s game vs. Florida leading the SEC in scoring in overall games (21.2) and league games (30.5). Downey is also leads the nation in steals with 3.3 per game. But for the Gamecocks to leave the State of Florida with a win, it will take the other four players on the court with him to step up their game.
Florida is fortunate to have balance with five double-digit scorers and are lead by their star guard Kenny Boynton. Boynton paces the club with 14.7 ppg despite 37.7 percent shooting from the field. Erving Walker provides 12.8 ppg, and he has dished out 89 assists. Alex Tyus checks in with 11.9 ppg and 6.9 rpg, Chandler Parsons is scoring 10.7 ppg, and Vernon Macklin rounds out the group with 10.0 ppg. Florida is generating 73.4 ppg while giving up 63.2 ppg to foes on 41.5 percent shooting.
The Gamecocks will have to score points tonight as UF is 106-11 over the last five seasons when holding opponents under 70 points (12-2 this year). Also the Gamecocks must get back to fundamental basketball with blocking out on the boards, hitting free throws, making the extra pass and keeping the defender between you and the basket.
The first 12 minutes of the game is the most important for the Gamecocks. In the last two games, they have dug themselves into a first half deficit that was too deep to get out of in the second half. The Gators are tough at home and have the length underneath to hurt the Gamecocks. Look for them to try to capitalize with the height advantage and big bodies.
Something is telling me that the Gamecocks are going to play a really good game and keep it tight. If that happens look for Devan Downey to seize the moment and carry his team to victory. Gamecocks by 4.
