Despite boasting a defense that ranks among the best in the nation, it was just that, their defense, that kept coming back to hurt South Carolina in their loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks.
For the first time in SEC play, South Carolina failed to force their opponent into committing at least 15 turnovers, as they only managed to force 13 out of the Razorbacks.
“It starts with us, us guards… me, Duane [Notice], the leaders of the defense, it starts with us,” said senior guard Sindarius Thornwell. “We not doing our job as we should be doing.”
Most surprising, however, was the fact that the Gamecocks’ defense, which ranks tenth nationally in opponent field goal percentage, at 38.7%, and first nationally in opponent three-point percentage, at 27.4%, allowed Arkansas to shoot 53.6% from the field and 50.0% from three-point range. This was South Carolina’s third game in their previous four in which they allowed their opponents to shoot at least 49 percent from the field.
As a result of their poor defense, Arkansas' guards Jaylen Barford and Dusty Hannahs were each able to have big nights shooting the basketball, scoring 23 and 20 points, respectively.
After cutting the Razorback lead to 55-54 midway through the second half, Hannahs took over and scored nine straight points for Arkansas, with the South Carolina defense showing very little resistance.
“We’re not guarding the basketball, we’re not protecting the rim, our ball screen coverage has gotten pathetic, and at the end of the day we’re not rebounding either,” said Head Coach Frank Martin. “We’re not doing anything right defensively right now.”
Defensive rebounding was also an issue for South Carolina, as they allowed 13 second chance points on Arkansas’ 10 offensive rebounds.
While forward Chris Silva had a big game on the boards, pulling down eight total rebounds, he was unable to have an effect on large chunks of the game because of foul trouble. Silva played just 18 minutes throughout the game, and had to sit out the final 2:28 after fouling out.
“I’m tired of talking to him about it,” said Frank Martin on Silva’s constant foul troubles.
With two road games coming up within the next week, including a trip to Gainesville, Florida to face the No. 15 Florida Gators, South Carolina will need to find it within themselves to sort out their defensive issues and get back on track towards a possible regular season SEC championship.