The South Carolina Gamecocks dug a first half hole that was too deep for their basketball abilities to prevail against the visiting Georgia Bulldogs.  UGa's Thompkins proved too much, not in his 16 points, but in his block of USC's Bruce Ellington's three point try with six seconds to go.  The Bulldogs (17-7, 6-4 Southeastern Conference) nearly blew a 23-point lead but held on to defeat the Gamecocks (13-10, 4-6) by the score of 60-56.

Let's review this game more...

The South Carolina Gamecocks need this win today against the Georgia Bulldogs.  Tip-off happens at 4 p.m. at the Colonial Center.  This game is a toss-up when you look at the stats -

		PPG	FG%	FT%	3P%	RPG	ORPG	DRPG	APG	TPG	SPG	BPG	FPG
	UGA	71.0	45.5	68.1	33.5	38.6	12.7	25.9	15.6	13.5	6.6	5.6	17.3
	USC	69.8	41.5	62.8	33.8	38.5	14.3	24.2	11.5	14.4	6.7	6.5	18.7
	UGA Opps	66.1	40.5	68.8	34.6	33.2	11.3	21.8	8.9	12.9	6.6	3.3	17.7
	USC Opps	68.7	41.9	68.0	33.5	37.2	12.6	24.6	12.7	14.9	6.1	3.3	16.8

As said before USC needs the win today as Carolina is 13-9 overall and are 4-5 in the SEC. The Bulldogs maintain a record of 16-7 with a 5-4 record in the conference.  South Carolina has lost four out of five games and must end the skid today if they have any shot at postseason play.  UGa has a RPI of 45 so a USC win would look nice on the resume.

For USC to win they must do three things:

1. Play great inside defense -- UGa can not be allowed to make easy shots.  The one person that USC must shut down is UGa's Thompkins.  He averages 16 points a game and if USC can disrupt his game then it aids in the chance for USC success.
2.  USC must win the rebound war by a +7 margin --  USC has their best success win they outrebound their foe.  This is no different today.
3.  USC guards must make shots -- the last few games, USC has sucked from the outside.  If USC is to win then the shots must fall.

So can USC do it?  I am thinking yes.  I can see Ellington having a career game today.  Am I crazy...maybe...I feel USC wins today by the score of 67-63.

The South Carolna Gamecocks play host to the Florida Gators in Columbia tonight and will try to escape the Colonial Center with a win.  Can the Gamecocks beat the Gators like they did on January 15th?  If so, it will take USC point guard Bruce Ellington and forward/center Sam Muldrow playing "above the rim."  Putting it straight it will take a huge team effort from the inside-out in beating Florida, meaning the USC interior has to play big while the three ball must fall for Carolina.

Here are some more thoughts on the game...

The college basketball landscape keeps changing and the top teams keep moving as some of the heavyweights suffer a loss here and there.  I feel the top teams are pretty decided going into the final weeks of the season.  Below is my votes for the "Bloguin Fab Four Plus One" for the last two weeks and my ballot for college basketball's All-Americans right now:

SEC basketball has reached the middle point of the conference play.  Lots of movement from where the teams started to where they are heading into the final weeks before "March Maddness" kicks in.

Here is this Gamecocks Blog's ballot for this week's SEC Basketball Power Poll:

The South Carolina Gamecocks went up to Nashville to battle the Vanderbilt Commodores, result was a 78-60 loss.  The loss drops USC to 13-8 overall and 4-4 in the SEC. 

The Gamecocks played a really good first half as the halftime score was 30-23.  There was a shot to make this a game.  But Vandy went on to put forth a 25-7 run and never looked back.  The Gamecocks got a little sloppy in their play in the second half.  I was hoping that my preview was wrong but when USC depends on "street ball" play it never ends good.  At some point, some set plays have to be worked into the motion offense and try to make a higer percentage shot.  Maybe it is just a thought but the Gamecocks sit at the bottom of the SEC East, seems a good time to try to develop this team.  Not saying give up but teach the young team to play basketball in the SEC.  The Gamecocks played good but Vandy played better.  You could see that Vandy was the better team and also Vandy could not miss it seemed in their shots.  I hope USC can get good play from Ellington, Galloway, Cooke and Muldrow going forward.  USC needs a run in the next few games to state a reason why the NIT should look at them.  Don't give up just yet on these boys.

Sour spot - South Carolina was 6-of-21 from 3-point range and struggled just as much from the foul line, hitting 6-of-21 free throws.

Bright spot - Ramon Galloway totaled 16 points and Bruce Ellington added 13 for the Gamecocks.  The improved play of Malik Cooke stands out as he had 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and two blocks.

Quote that sums it up - "I really think this game is pretty simple. It came down to Vanderbilt making tough shots and I credit them for knocking them down," said South Carolina head coach Darrin Horn.

Next - UF Gators on Wednesday in Columbia with a 8pm tip.

The USC Gamecocks are visiting the number 23 ranked Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday.  South Carolina has seen Vanderbilt already this season, and beat them 83-75 on January 8th. Last season, the Gamecocks went 1-1 against the Commodores. Over four years, South Carolina has gone 3-6 against Vanderbilt, and 1-3 at Memorial Gym (TN).

Can USC beat them again?  Let's provide a short preview of this game:

South Carolina had a better RPI coming into this game than LSU, #112 to #183, so USC winning by the score of 64-56 should not shock you.  USC is suppose to win games like these.

They won due to good shooting, good free throw shooting (14-17) and good defense.  South Carolina has won 100% of the time this season (8-0) when its had a field goal percentage of 44.0% or better.  USC is unbeaten when they hold their opponents to less than 56 points and 35% FG.

I still want to see USC work on its inside scoring and not be so dependent on the three point shot (6-16 vs LSU).  Maybe I should accept that this is what this team is about?  I don't want to as I know this team can play better on the low-blocks and spread the court more to allow penetration.  For this team to really dominate, as they can, those two things must occur.  Ellington can do it and Muldrow can do it.  Now having them do it during the same game is to be seen.  Maybe Saturday...

The Gamecocks sit at 13-7 (4-3 SEC) and in 3rd place in the SEC. They have won 3 of the last 5 games but face a road challenge with the Commodores coming up.

The University of South Carolina lost to the Auburn Tigers by the score of 79-64 in SEC hoops play.  This loss is unacceptable no matter how you try to spin in.  USC has no business losing to a team that lost to the Presbyterian Blue Hose (no offense to my PC friends); on top of this how does a guy named Rob Chubb school Sam Muldrow and Malike Cook with 18 points?

Coach Horn can say what they will and talk about "it's a young team" and this is "a growth year."  Don't feed me nor the Gamecock faithful.  We love our Gamecocks and have supported Coach Horn since day one.  He brought USC a share of the SEC East crown but this is a new low for USC.  Auburn is and was horrible in basketball as evidenced with a RPI over 300.  USC gave AU their first win in the SEC.  Gald we could be the whipping boy.

If you want a full recap of the game go to a mainstream news site or read ESPN's story HERE.

We could talk on and on about how bad the loss is but that is not going to change the outcome.  All we can offer is what changes need to be made for USC to "right the ship" before the season swirls out of control.  So here are our eight thoughts on what needs to be changed moving forward:

The South Carolina Gamecocks clash with the Auburn Tigers in basketball today.  USC comes in at 12-6 overall as well as 3-2 in the SEC. Meanwhile, the Tigers have a record of 7-13 and are 0-6 in the conference.  One thing that is good for USC this time around as they face the Auburn Tigers is no Cam Newton.  I know it was different sport but he alone was the catalyst for the Auburn wins against USC in 2010.  Now, in a different sport, the Gamecocks should have success against Auburn.  Let's be honest...Auburn sucks in basketball, just like at the RPI ranking for AU -  #305 (USC is #86).

Last season, the Gamecocks beat the Tigers 80-71. In four seasons, South Carolina has a record of 3-1 against Auburn, including 1-1 at home.  This season USC should win and here are three keys to the win: