The USC Gamecocks basketball team will take on tonight the Arkansas Razorbacks in Columbia, SC. With a USC win, the Gamecocks claim first place in the SEC East. Tip-off is 8pm tonight and will be on the SEC Network.
The Gamecocks come in at 11-5 overall and are 2-1 in the SEC. Meanwhile, the Razorbacks have a record of 12-4 including 2-1 in the conference. The Gamecocks rank higher in RPI as they stand at #95 and the Razorbacks at #111. So USC should win right?
Let’s preview the game…
Last year, the Gamecocks took a 92-79 loss against the Razorbacks. In four years, the South Carolina record against Arkansas is 3-2, including 2-0 at home. South Carolina will have their hands full against the Razorbacks are a good shooting team that can put some points on the board.
Three keys to a SC win:
1.The Cocks will have to shut down two Arky players – Johnson and Clarke. Do that and the Arky will not muster enough to win.
2. USC must win the rebounding war.
3. USC has to have under 14 turnovers as a team.
Here is a comparison of the two teams –
| PPG | FG% | FT% | 3P% | RPG | ORPG | DRPG | APG | TPG | SPG | BPG | FPG | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
ARK | 72.1 | 43.8 | 68.7 | 34.1 | 35.1 | 10.5 | 24.6 | 13.1 | 14.0 | 9.5 | 6.9 | 19.0 |
 |
USC | 71.8 | 42.4 | 62.2 | 36.0 | 40.2 | 14.4 | 25.8 | 12.5 | 14.6 | 6.9 | 6.8 | 17.8 |
|
ARK Opps | 63.3 | 38.9 | 68.8 | 29.8 | 38.9 | 13.5 | 25.4 | 11.8 | 17.2 | 6.2 | 3.7 | 19.0 |
 |
USC Opps | 67.4 | 40.6 | 65.9 | 32.5 | 37.8 | 12.8 | 24.9 | 13.2 | 15.1 | 6.3 | 3.4 | 16.6 |
USC is 9-1 at home and Arky is winless on the road. I expect a USC win, something like 73-62.
