Basketball
Just got to say that being part of the SEC Power Poll (for both basketball and football) is a lot of fun and LOHD is proud to be a part of it.
We must pause for a minute to take in the fact that our little piece of the college sports world was featured on 2/20/09 in the NY Times College Sports Blog - HERE.
That is right kids the NY Times.....all of us bloggers that are part of the SEC Power Basketball Poll need to brag for a moment.
We must pause for a minute to take in the fact that our little piece of the college sports world was featured on 2/20/09 in the NY Times College Sports Blog - HERE.
That is right kids the NY Times.....all of us bloggers that are part of the SEC Power Basketball Poll need to brag for a moment.
Big thanks to the boys at Garnet and Black for all they do!
Those blogs that conduct the SEC Basketball Power Poll are -
Those blogs that conduct the SEC Basketball Power Poll are -
- Ghost of Chucky
- Georgia Sports Blog
- A Sea of Blue
- UK Wildcat Country
- Garnet and Black Attack
- Leftover Hot Dog
- Gate 21
- The Bruce Ball Blog
- Save the Shield
- Vanderbilt Sports Line
- Alabama Basketball Blog
- Razorback Expats
- The Red Solo Cup
The Gamecocks (19-6, 8-4 Southeastern Conference) had to go to overtime, but beat lowly Arkansas 82-78 on Saturday night. But heck it is a WIN and USC remains in the hunt for the SEC East crown.
Thank goodness for Devan who made all four of his free throws in the final 15 seconds of overtime to help secure the win.
Quote of the day - “I guess we’re not going to be boring,” South Carolina coach Darrin Horn said after the game.
Geez...got that right but a W is a W.
The Gamecocks remain in a tie on top of the SEC East with Florida and Kentucky. The Wildcats come to Columbia Wednesday, as the Gamecocks will try to sweep them for only the second time since joining the SEC in 1991.
South Carolina is now guaranteed to finish at least .500 in the SEC for only the second time in past 11 seasons. The Gamecocks haven’t had a winning conference record since 1998. They also stay on track for their first bid to the NCAA tournament since 2004.
What to work on before the next game?
TURNOVERS! Stop it...25 in the Ark win and 16 in the MSU win. Come on...play smarter basketball! no comments
Thank goodness for Devan who made all four of his free throws in the final 15 seconds of overtime to help secure the win.
Quote of the day - “I guess we’re not going to be boring,” South Carolina coach Darrin Horn said after the game.
Geez...got that right but a W is a W.
The Gamecocks remain in a tie on top of the SEC East with Florida and Kentucky. The Wildcats come to Columbia Wednesday, as the Gamecocks will try to sweep them for only the second time since joining the SEC in 1991.
South Carolina is now guaranteed to finish at least .500 in the SEC for only the second time in past 11 seasons. The Gamecocks haven’t had a winning conference record since 1998. They also stay on track for their first bid to the NCAA tournament since 2004.
What to work on before the next game?
TURNOVERS! Stop it...25 in the Ark win and 16 in the MSU win. Come on...play smarter basketball! no comments
South Carolina (18-6, 7-4 SEC) will take on the Arkansas Razorbacks (13-11, 1-10 SEC) at home tonight after the baseball game. Play begins at 7pm and the gamecocks look to overcome the MSU loss.
Arkansas leads the all-time series with South Carolina, 12-8. The series is tied at 4-4 in games played in Columbia. USC is 14-1 at home and Ark-Kansas is 1-6 on the road.
The gamecocks must focus on this game and not let this one turn into a loss as this team has showed signs of good play, granted it was to start the season with wins over OU and Texas. Nonetheless, USC come out fighting and play the entire game. MSU they started out hot but came out slow in the 2nd half. Can not do that again. SC must slow the play of Preseason All-SEC forward Michael Washington as he can be a beast. Another area that USC must control is the Hogs backcourt as junior guard Stefan Welsh (12.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and freshman guard Rotnei Clarke (11.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg) join Fortson in a backcourt that contributes nearly 38 points per game. So Zam and Devan time to play some serious D and don't give up open looks. Contest each shot.
I feel USC can win this game if they continue to play as a team, be aggressive on D but limit the hogs on easy baskets. Also USC needs to cut out the TOs! Also it would be nice to see some FTs being made and a hot hand behind the arc today.
I put this game on the shoulders of Archie, Muldrow and Holmes. Devan and Zam will get theirs but the other 3 must step up today to ensure a letdown is not given to the gamecock nation.
I say SC by 9 today....?
News related links - no comments
Arkansas leads the all-time series with South Carolina, 12-8. The series is tied at 4-4 in games played in Columbia. USC is 14-1 at home and Ark-Kansas is 1-6 on the road.
The gamecocks must focus on this game and not let this one turn into a loss as this team has showed signs of good play, granted it was to start the season with wins over OU and Texas. Nonetheless, USC come out fighting and play the entire game. MSU they started out hot but came out slow in the 2nd half. Can not do that again. SC must slow the play of Preseason All-SEC forward Michael Washington as he can be a beast. Another area that USC must control is the Hogs backcourt as junior guard Stefan Welsh (12.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg) and freshman guard Rotnei Clarke (11.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg) join Fortson in a backcourt that contributes nearly 38 points per game. So Zam and Devan time to play some serious D and don't give up open looks. Contest each shot.
I feel USC can win this game if they continue to play as a team, be aggressive on D but limit the hogs on easy baskets. Also USC needs to cut out the TOs! Also it would be nice to see some FTs being made and a hot hand behind the arc today.
I put this game on the shoulders of Archie, Muldrow and Holmes. Devan and Zam will get theirs but the other 3 must step up today to ensure a letdown is not given to the gamecock nation.
I say SC by 9 today....?
News related links - no comments
SEC Power Poll Results at Ghost of Chucky
This was my ballot for week 7 -
1. LSU
2. USC
2. MSU
4. UK
4. UF
6. UT
7. Auburn
8. Vandy
9. Ole Miss
10. 'Bama
11. Arkansas
12. UGa
no commentsThis was my ballot for week 7 -
1. LSU
2. USC
2. MSU
4. UK
4. UF
6. UT
7. Auburn
8. Vandy
9. Ole Miss
10. 'Bama
11. Arkansas
12. UGa
Cold start to the 2nd half mixed in with some poor defense and numerous mental errors like not guarding 3 pt shots by msu and missed free throws....well all that leads to a loss for the gamecocks by 5 points to the bulldogs. MSU seemed to want it more at the end.
no comments
Starting Lineups
Gamecocks
F 6-7 Dominique Archie 11.7 ppg
F 6-7 Mike Holmes 11.3ppg
C 6-9 Sam Muldrow 6.3ppg
G 5-9 Devan Downey 19.9ppg
G 6-0 Zam Fredrick 15.6ppg
Bulldogs
C 6-9 Jarvis Varnado 13.4ppg
G 6-7 Ravern Johnson 12.1ppg
G 6-2 Barry Stewart 11.4ppg
G 6-2 Dee Bost 11.0ppg
G 6-3 Phil Turner 8.2ppg no comments
Gamecocks
F 6-7 Dominique Archie 11.7 ppg
F 6-7 Mike Holmes 11.3ppg
C 6-9 Sam Muldrow 6.3ppg
G 5-9 Devan Downey 19.9ppg
G 6-0 Zam Fredrick 15.6ppg
Bulldogs
C 6-9 Jarvis Varnado 13.4ppg
G 6-7 Ravern Johnson 12.1ppg
G 6-2 Barry Stewart 11.4ppg
G 6-2 Dee Bost 11.0ppg
G 6-3 Phil Turner 8.2ppg no comments
Holmes with a tip at the end of the game to lift USC over Bama. Another closing seconds win for Carolina, who has aged the fan base this year with so many close victories this year. Horn's boys came back from 10 down at half.... this was a big time win and a much needed 'W.'Downey, Archie, Ross and Holmes all in double figures. Great Job and Go Cocks! no comments
Time for the gamecocks to 'man-up' as they enter mid Februay tied for the SEC East division lead, the Gamecocks enter a two-game road stretch that could prove crucial to their championship chances and a berth in the NCAA tourney.
It starts today for South Carolina (17-5, 6-3 SEC) at Alabama (13-10, 3-6) then continues Wednesday night at Mississippi State. South Carolina is 1-10 all-time at Alabama, the lone victory coming in the Gamecocks’ 1997 SEC championship season. Bama has a 11-3 record in Tuscaloosa this season.
Carolina must slow Bama Senior guard Alonzo Gee today and I hope Bama Freshman forward JaMychal Green will not play today. For USC, Downey has to score as last game he was not the scoring force he has been which was okay as the team stepped up. I feel again that it will take the entire USC team playing togther, rebounding, eliminating TOs and making some FTs to win. I think they will do just that by making it a 7 pt victory today.
Related story
--Horn, Gamecocks race toward new ground
As many of you know by now LOHD is part of the SEC Power Poll Blog Network. From time to time a round table is conducted amongst the group to share insight on their perspectives of the SEC. This is the first round table for the basketball season and here are LOHD's thoughts -
1. What were the biggest surprises in the SEC over the first half of the season?
I feel the biggest surprise has been how the SEC East is wide open. I really thought going into the season that that UT would walk away with it. But the surprise has been that the play of USC, stepped up game of UF and weaknesses shown by UK and UT. Never would have thought that in mid-February that the SEC East would be a 4 horse race. I do hope that USC can win it all in the East.
2. Who is the SEC Player of the Year over the first part of the season?
Not just because we are a USC blog but I have to say Devan Downey gets my first place vote. He is 5th in scoring, 4th in assists and 1st in steals. Besides that he has made clutch shots and been the leader that USC needs. If I get to say who is my second place vote getter I am going to have to say Korvotney Barber at Auburn. Averaging a double double and has improved his team over that last few weeks.
3. Is the SEC really this down? Why or why not? What can the conference do in the postseason? Is there any hope for a Final Four team? Where does the conference go after this year?
I would have to say that the SEC is down when you compare it to prior years but the league is not soft by any means. Talent has moved on to the NBA and made a lot of teams level in playing ability which has made for a see-saw kinda year so far. I think 1 or 2 teams will make the NCAA tourney interesting but I don't see a final 4 team amongst the bunch as of right now. I feel this conference will improve and next year be stronger. Lots of young kids earning their stripes right now.
4.Which teams will make the Big Dance?
I would say LSU, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, and Kentucky. Mississippi State has an outside shot if they keep 2nd place in the SEC West locked down. Ole Miss, Auburn, and Vandy make the NIT.
Make sure to check on the complete wrap up of the round table at The Garnet and Black Blog no comments
1. What were the biggest surprises in the SEC over the first half of the season?
I feel the biggest surprise has been how the SEC East is wide open. I really thought going into the season that that UT would walk away with it. But the surprise has been that the play of USC, stepped up game of UF and weaknesses shown by UK and UT. Never would have thought that in mid-February that the SEC East would be a 4 horse race. I do hope that USC can win it all in the East.
2. Who is the SEC Player of the Year over the first part of the season?
Not just because we are a USC blog but I have to say Devan Downey gets my first place vote. He is 5th in scoring, 4th in assists and 1st in steals. Besides that he has made clutch shots and been the leader that USC needs. If I get to say who is my second place vote getter I am going to have to say Korvotney Barber at Auburn. Averaging a double double and has improved his team over that last few weeks.
3. Is the SEC really this down? Why or why not? What can the conference do in the postseason? Is there any hope for a Final Four team? Where does the conference go after this year?
I would have to say that the SEC is down when you compare it to prior years but the league is not soft by any means. Talent has moved on to the NBA and made a lot of teams level in playing ability which has made for a see-saw kinda year so far. I think 1 or 2 teams will make the NCAA tourney interesting but I don't see a final 4 team amongst the bunch as of right now. I feel this conference will improve and next year be stronger. Lots of young kids earning their stripes right now.
4.Which teams will make the Big Dance?
I would say LSU, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, and Kentucky. Mississippi State has an outside shot if they keep 2nd place in the SEC West locked down. Ole Miss, Auburn, and Vandy make the NIT.
Make sure to check on the complete wrap up of the round table at The Garnet and Black Blog no comments
SEC Basketball Power Poll is up at http://www.garnetandblackattack.com/ so check it out by clicking HERE.
This was my ballot for week 6 -
1. LSU
2. UT
2. UK
2. UF
2. USC
6. MSU
7. Vandy
8. Auburn
9. Ole Miss
10. 'Bama
11. Arkansas
12. UGa no comments
This was my ballot for week 6 -
1. LSU
2. UT
2. UK
2. UF
2. USC
6. MSU
7. Vandy
8. Auburn
9. Ole Miss
10. 'Bama
11. Arkansas
12. UGa no comments
