 "Photo: Juan Blas")
As the Carolina Gamecocks prepare for their third game of the season against USC Upstate, USC coach Darrin Horn continues to stress high-energy play and intense defense in order to continue to see success on the basketball court. Yet with key starter junior guard Brandis Raley-Ross and some much needed size in 6'9 sophomore forward Sam Muldrow both missing from the lineup on Saturday, improving to 3-0 won't be so easy for Coach Horn and the Gamecocks.
"What has changed [with our missing players] is our ability to substitute as freely," Horn said. "But nobody is logging too many minutes right now, which is a good thing. I think overall, the guys have responded well."
Against Winthrop, starting in place of Raley-Ross was senior guard Branden Conrad. Horn, however, when speaking to the media on Wednesday, acknowledged the fact that it was early in the week and the starting five is yet to be determined.
"Right now, [Conrad is still the starter], but it's only Wednesday," Horn said.
In addition to Conrad, sophomore forward Austin Steed and junior guard Robert Wilder will see increased minutes due to the Gamecocks' temporary lack of depth. Horn admits that these role players will be pivotal in not necessarily winning games single-handedly but in contributing in their own ways.
"We literally need [Wilder] to go in and be solid and not hurt us," Horn said. "He needs not necessarily to be a producer, but somebody who doesn't bring us negatives. I thought [players coming off the bench] did a really good job with the minutes [they] got."
Sophomore forward Mike Holmes was able to step up for the Gamecocks over the weekend by posting 31 points and 20 rebounds in the two games combined. With Muldrow out, Holmes and junior forward Dominic Archie represent the team's only presence in the paint. Another big performance is surely needed from both players.
"My mentality is playing hard and doing the little things that help the team win..." Holmes said. "Is real big on defense and he wants us to run the ball a lot. Its running and doing the little things and the wins will come."
Senior guard Zam Fredrick echoes the mentality that Holmes brings to the court and says that's the difference in the team this year.
"We give high-energy play and we fly around out there," Fredrick said. "If you make a mistake, make an aggressive one. As long as we have good consistent effort on both ends of the court, we'll have a very good year this year."
Horn has certainly transformed Gamecocks' basketball into a new team, which was evident in the first two victories of the season. Now, facing some mild adversity early on, the team will need aggressive and intense play in order to continue the early winning tendencies. Carolina will take on USC Upstate at 1 p.m. this Saturday at the Colonial Life Arena.
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