If you read this Gamecocks Blog you know we cover all of the USC sports programs, we do not shy away from providing our opinion on how things go down from recruiting to the Gamecock Club. Well, we recently gave USC men’s basketball player Sam Muldrow a lot of flack after some poor outings and last night he totally redeemed himself with a triple-double. So this is our public apology to the big guy as he played like a man among boys in aiding his team’s efforts in beating Vandy to earn the first SEC win for Coach Horn this season.
Why the flack in the first place? Well, let’s explain…
Muldrow when out in a game that could’ve been won on the home court and laid a “goose egg” type performance against Boston College that led to a loss. This was his stat line – 0 points, 1 rebound, 2 blocks. Keep in mind he was is a senior. Oh, let’s not forget right before that game, he posted a stat line that reads – 6 points, 2 rebounds and 2 blocks – against Furman that resulted in a loss.
When you read those type stats, do keep in mind he stands 6’9 and weighes in around 225 lbs. He has loads of talent and by no means has business posting horrible stats like that. I know, everyone has a bad game. But USC needs “Big Sam” to bring his ‘A’ game each night to stand a chance in 2011.
Just last night, he did this according to USC Sports Department…
• Had his first career triple-double with 16 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks. It was the first triple-double in Muldrow’s career and just the second by an SEC player this season – the other being Vanderbilt’s Brad Tinsley in the Commodores’ season opener.
• This triple-double performance was just the second in South Carolina history.
• Muldrow’s 10 blocked shots are a single-game high for an SEC player this season, surpassing the previous SEC individual single-game high of eight set by Arkansas’s Delvon Johnson (Seton Hall, Dec. 8, 2010).
• Had a career high with 10 blocks and is now just 34 blocks away from surpassing Brandon Wallace (249) for first place in Gamecock history.
• Had his fourth double-double of the season and fifth of his career. It was his third double-double in the past four games.
Again…sorry Mr. Muldrow. All I ask going forward is to keep it up. Having performances like the one’s we know you are capable of is what will put USC in position to win each and every night.
