ShareThe Souh Carolina Gamecocks (14-13, 5-8 SEC) are on a four-game losing streak but have a chance to end that streak today at 6 p.m. when the Mississippi State Bulldogs (20-8, 8-5) visit the Colonial Life Arena on ESPN for this SEC Clash.
MSU owns a 13-8 lead in the series and is 5-4 in encounters taking place in Columbia. The teams met twice last season with the Bulldogs claiming a 75-70 regular season win in Starkville, Miss., and an 82-68 victory in the second round of the SEC Tournament.
USC’s last win was against Florida on Feb. 10 so time to sound the alarm folks. As the Gamecocks are in desperation mode and the need for “W’s” is high to savage any hope of getting a NIT bid. I think they need to win at least 2 of the final 3 games to have a valid argument. Beating MSU today and then Alabama could give them the edge to get the phone call for NIT play. The other game in their final three is against Vandy which may again prove to strong to handle but stranger things have happened for Carolina just see the UK win about a month ago. Nonetheless it is simple – just win and you are in.
With the ‘dogs in town, SC will again lean on the shoulders of Devan Downey to carry them to victory. Downey, who scored 26 points but shot 9-25 from the field vs UK this past Thursday, has cooled off from those 30-plus point games he put up in five of the first seven league games. He’s averaging 22.7 on the year and 27.5 in league play. He will need help again with the scoring load and Muldrow and Jackson need to play big on the inside. I hope Raley-Ross and/or Galloway enter tonight’s game with a hot hand and can get some three ball’s to fall.
SEC West-leading MSU, which has won three straight over USC, is led by center Jarvis Varnado, who became the NCAA’s career leader in blocked shots (536) against the Tide on Wednesday. He also leads the SEC in rebounding at 10.9 per game and his team in scoring at 13.3 points per contest. Slowing his play is a key to a USC win today.
Another kid, USC must contain is MSU senior co-captain Barry Stewart, who broke the school record of 258 made 3-pointers in the win over Alabama. So make sure not to leave him open please.
What will happen: The streak of never losing consecutive home games under Horn will be on the line tonight for USC against the Bulldogs. For Carolina they must improve their shooting as it needs to be more in the range of 40% from the field and 40+% from 3 ball range. Lately, they have been laying bricks from behind the arc and this must change tonight. They need to find the hot hand and Downey has to get to the rim. He can not just throw it up as he needs to be aggressive tonight by either penetrating then dishing or scoring or getting to the foul line. Muldrow and Jackson (and the other supporting cast down low) have to play big tonight for Carolina to have a shot. They must hold their own in the rebounding category. Big thing for SC is getting MSU to turn the ball over, South Carolina ranks 10th in the nation in turnover margin (4.3 – Feb. 25 NCAA stats).
Also the home crowd has to be loud today….give SC the advantage. South Carolina is 11-3 in games played at Colonial Life Arena this season, scoring 78.0 points per game in those contests. The Gamecocks are 4-2 in conference home games this season with wins over LSU, then-No. 1 Kentucky, Georgia and Florida.
I think Carolina has a strong chance to pull a upset if they can hit shots for the entire game and not let MSU abuse them down low. My heart is telling me that a upset is going to take place and that Carolina will linger then late in the second half begin to drain some key shots to pull within striking distance. From their the Devan Downey show will be on display as he guides them to a 4 point victory. But logic must be seen here and I can see MSU winning this by 8-12 points. What is your prediction?
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