The fans in the Colonial Center on Saturday and those watching on ESPN2 will be in store for a hard fought SEC basketball clash as the USC Gamecocks host the VU Commodores at 5:00 pm tonight.
Acquiring a win versus Vanderbilt would be huge for Coach Horn’s squad in kicking off the 2011 SEC campaign. The ‘Dores are a Top 25 team, ranked #22, so South Carolina will need to step up on all levels to get the win tonight. USC is 0-2 record against nationally ranked teams thus far but remember Kentucky in 2010, meaning USC can overcome what may be viewed as impossible. Overall, the Gamecocks have a record of 9-4 and are playing their first SEC game. The Commodores, heading into their first SEC clash, have a respectable 11-2 record and a #18 RPI.
Let’s break this game down a bit…
This season, the Commodores are one of the best shooting teams in the league at 47.4-percent, which ranks third in the Southeastern Conference. Vandy also brings the second-best team in scoring offense averaging 79.3 points per game. This translate to the fact USC will have to play their best game of the season to win this game. Limiting VU’s Taylor and Ezeli is key as they are the studs for Vandy.
Three things USC must do to win –
1. Win the Rebound war.
2. Get the best interior play of the season. Looking for Muldrow to step up big and also Harris/Cooke to have a special game.
3. Outside shooting from USC must be on point. No brick laying tonight please.
Breakdown –
| PPG | FG% | FT% | 3P% | RPG | ORPG | DRPG | APG | TPG | SPG | BPG | FPG | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Vandy | 79.3 | 47.4 | 72.4 | 37.9 | 40.0 | 10.9 | 29.1 | 15.3 | 14.2 | 5.8 | 6.0 | 16.7 |
 |
USC | 72.8 | 43.1 | 61.8 | 36.3 | 40.0 | 14.1 | 25.9 | 12.8 | 15.2 | 7.6 | 6.2 | 18.2 |
 |
Vandy Opps | 63.3 | 38.2 | 65.5 | 28.3 | 34.1 | 11.9 | 22.2 | 10.8 | 14.1 | 6.8 | 2.5 | 21.2 |
 |
USC Opps | 67.5 | 40.2 | 66.3 | 32.4 | 37.4 | 12.8 | 24.6 | 13.7 | 15.9 | 6.5 | 3.2 | 16.8 |
Last season, the Gamecocks went 1-1 against the Commodores. Over four years, South Carolina has gone 2-6 against Vanderbilt, including 1-3 at home. The all-time series for Men’s Basketball vs. Vanderbilt is 23-23.
The Colonial Center needs to be loud to aid the Gamecocks as they put on the line their 8-1 home record. We must protect the house. A win is possible but not likely. Surprise me Carolina….. Go Cocks!
