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Tonight Devon Downey and the Gamecocks take on UT in Thompson-Boling Arena at 6pm on ESPN. Can USC conquer “Rocky Top?”
USC should be well rested after having the week off from SEC play, compared to Tennessee having to play 2 games in 3 days. Despite losing a couple players earlier in the season due to a routine traffic stop gone wrong, if you consider having drugs, a handgun and alcohol in the car when you are pulled over as being wrong. The biggest loss for the Volunteers, was senior forward Tyler Smith, who has given the Gamecocks trouble in the past. But he will not be around for this match-up. The SC test will be tough as UT is 66-8 at Thompson-Boling Arena since the 2005-06 season.
This isn’t a must win for Carolina ( 13-8, 4-3 SEC) but it would go a long way in getting in the NCAA tournament as UT ( 17-4, 5-2) is nationally ranked at 14th. It would also help in the standings in the SEC East as Tennessee has a 1 game lead in the standings.
Gamecocks to Watch: G Devan Downey, 5-9, sr. (22.9 ppg, 3.6 apg); G Brandis Raley, 6-1, sr. (10.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg); F Sam Muldrow, 6-9, jr. (9.7 ppg, 5.9 bpg).
Vols to Watch: G Bobby Maze, 6-3, sr. (8.7 ppg, 3.3 apg); G Scotty Hopson, 6-7, so. (13.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg); F Wayne Chism, 6-9, sr. (12.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg).
What will happen: Tennessee will look to slow down the “National Player of the Week” Devon Downey just as everybody in the SEC has tried. Look for Downey to get off to a slow start but to have a strong finish. Last year, the Gamecocks were down big in Knoxville before making a comeback after halftime that fell just short of a victory. Muldrow and Steed will need to be strong on the boards, as well as Steed will need to stay out of foul trouble. If USC can stop the much larger guards of Maze, Prince and Hopson, I think USC will have some success on the defensive end. Chism has given USC trouble in the past as he can shoot from the outside as well as dominate the boards. Look for Chism to take it directly at Muldrow and Steed early. Something says to me that this game will not end in the Carolina favor after a strong showing in recent games. Luck may run out in Knoxville. UT will prove to difficult of a match-up and Devan will not be able to carry his team to victory again. But let me do say, I hope I am wrong and for that to happen some person on this team has to step in big and help contribute with 15+ points. Anyone?
Prediction: South Carolina 66 Tennessee 70
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