The Gamecocks are a quarter of the way through their conference basketball schedule and are 3-1. Now seems like as good a time as any to begin our series on the Gamecocks’ post season chances. We’ll update this periodically as more games are played and the post season becomes more clear.
Here is the first breakdown:
Records: 12-5 (3-1) T-1st in the East; T-1st overall
RPI: 79
Last 3 games: L @ Alabama 47-57, W @ Florida 72-69, W v. Arkansas 81-74 (OT)
Bracket Projections including South Carolina in the field and seed: The Bracket Mensa, 12
Projected Record Needed to Receive Bid: 20-9 (11-5)
Games the Gamecocks need to win: AUBURN, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, OLE MISS, TENNESSEE
Swing Games: KENTUCKY, @ LSU, @ Miss St, @ Georgia
Long Shots: @ Kentucky, @ Vandy, @ Tennessee
It’s no secret the SEC is not having its best year as a basketball conference. I don’t think that a 9-7 or 10-6 team is guaranteed to make the tournament. Tennessee might be the exception because of their strength of schedule, but South Carolina probably won’t have a strong enough schedule to go to the dance without 11 conference wins. The team already has 3 with 12 games to play, so they need 8 more.
You have to win most of your home games to make it, and this year’s team will be no exception if they make a run. The remaining home schedule isn’t as bad as it could be. Ole Miss and Auburn should be wins. Florida, Georgia and Tennessee are all talented, but who knows which team will show up for those teams.
Road games are difficult for most teams. The games at Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky will be the hardest for this team, so a win at any of those venues will be a bonus. The road games against the West teams and Georgia will be where this team can make their season.
Check back with leftoverhotdog.com for more updates as the season progresses and until then Go Cocks!
