The South Carolina Gamecocks clash with the Auburn Tigers in basketball today. USC comes in at 12-6 overall as well as 3-2 in the SEC. Meanwhile, the Tigers have a record of 7-13 and are 0-6 in the conference. One thing that is good for USC this time around as they face the Auburn Tigers is no Cam Newton. I know it was different sport but he alone was the catalyst for the Auburn wins against USC in 2010. Now, in a different sport, the Gamecocks should have success against Auburn. Let’s be honest…Auburn sucks in basketball, just like at the RPI ranking for AU – #305 (USC is #86).
Last season, the Gamecocks beat the Tigers 80-71. In four seasons, South Carolina has a record of 3-1 against Auburn, including 1-1 at home. This season USC should win and here are three keys to the win:
1. USC should limit AU’s Earnest Ross — he is AU’s best player. Ross paces Auburn with 12.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game this season. He provides 13.8 points and 6.8 rebounds in league play. This means simply that USC should limit their best player.
2. USC outrebounds AU — this is a constant for USC due to the fact when they outrebound the opposing team…good things happen. USC averages 40 per game to AU’s 35 per game.
3. USC just needs to perform at home — In home games, South Carolina has held its opponent to under 41% shooting in nine of 12 contests. Carolina averages 73.1 points per game in home contets and hits 43.6 percent of shot attempts at Colonial Life Arena this season. The Tigers have not scored more than 66 points in any SEC contest this season. So doing the math and looking at averages if AU does what they do and USC does what they do at home then USC wins 73-66.
The key player to step up is sophomore guard Ramon Galloway for USC as he gets his first start today with Lakeem Jackson being out with a injury. He needs to help create for the offense and work the ball to the inside. Galloway needs a 12 point type performace today.
When the buzzer sounds, USC should win this game by double digits. If they do not win by more than 10, it is a shame. I would like to see a 77-61 type win today.
