| 21 December 2011
The South Carolina basketball team (4-6) will square off against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions (5-4) tonight at the Colonial Life Arena at 7 p.m.
USC should win this game as the Gamecocks have better overall talent but as seen before that does not mean the win will be handed to them. The Gamecocks will have to play stronger on the interior and get the outside shots to fall. SLU has good ball movement so the Gamecocks will have to play solid defense and play as a unit.
This is the first meeting between the two squads. The Lions are 0-4 on the road and sport a RPI of #323. The Gamecocks are 3-3 at home and have a RPI ranking of #213.
Gamecocks Key Player
Malik Cooke. He dropped 21 points in a loss to No. 2 Ohio State. Over the course of the last five games Malik Cooke is averaging 14.4 points per game and he will need to continue to lead the team.
Lions Key Player
SLU is paced by senior guard Brandon Fortenberry, averaging 17.6 points per game. USC must limit him around the basket.
Key Stat
- South Carolina ranks first in the SEC in rebounding defense, as Carolina opponents collect just 31.2 rebounds per game. The Gamecocks have out-rebounded seven of 10 opponents this season.
Look for USC to win this game by 10 points.
