2008 Woodie Awards
Tide roll into town to face USC
After two game skid, Carolina comes home in hopes of winning against Alabama
Ty Zeigler
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: Sports
When the Gamecocks tip off against Alabama on Wednesday night they will be coming off of a rather embarrassing loss to Georgia on the road Wednesday night, which followed a devastating last-second home loss to a very good Vanderbilt team who came to Columbia ranked in the top 25.
The two losses came after Carolina was finally gaining some momentum. They entered the Vandy game on a two game winning streak with a chance to reach the .500 mark in SEC play.
Instead, USC will have to face Alabama with a 11-12 record overall, and a 3-6 record in the SEC. Alabama 14-11 (3-7) is coming off a win against SEC West rival Ole Miss. The Tide is winless on the road this year at 0-4.
The Crimson Tide rank next-to-last in the SEC in opponents' points per game (72.4), opponents' three-point field goal percentage (36.7) and tenth in opponents' field goal percentage (43.6).
Needless to say, the Gamecocks should have no problem scoring on Alabama, especially considering Carolina's ability to shoot from three-point range.
Since the Arkansas game, USC coach Dave Odom has applied a smaller lineup to overcome his team's lack of size under the basket. Undoubtedly, the strategy has worked well as the team had little trouble scoring until the Georgia game.
The downside to the smaller lineup has been enormous deficits in rebounding between the Gamecocks and their opponents. Carolina ranks last in the SEC in rebounding margin at -4.5.
Carolina will have to deal with the Tide's Richard Hendrix, who is averaging more than 10 rebounds per game. The junior forward is 6-foot-9, 225 pounds and is averaging nearly 20 points per game.
While leading the team in rebounds and points, Hendrix, a two time all-SEC selection, also leads the team in blocked shots (54) and is second in minutes played per game (30.8).
Though the two players will not be matched up against each other, Carolina's sophomore guard Devan Downey and Bama's Hendrix are second and third in scoring in the conference respectively. The game may hinge on which player can take over the game.
Downey may have to face Hendrix if he can find some lanes to drive into, but it's more likely that he will be faced with junior guard Brandon Hollinger. The two players are comparable in size, ability and style of play. However, Downey is more of a scorer.
A plus for the Gamecocks could be Brandis Raley-Ross. If he can regain the form he showed earlier in the season when he was leading the nation in three-point shooting. Ross is still leading the team in three-point shooting percentage at 57.1 percent. Evka Baniulis is second at 44.8 percent.
The game will be televised by FSN. The Gamecocks are 7-6 at home this season.
The two losses came after Carolina was finally gaining some momentum. They entered the Vandy game on a two game winning streak with a chance to reach the .500 mark in SEC play.
Instead, USC will have to face Alabama with a 11-12 record overall, and a 3-6 record in the SEC. Alabama 14-11 (3-7) is coming off a win against SEC West rival Ole Miss. The Tide is winless on the road this year at 0-4.
The Crimson Tide rank next-to-last in the SEC in opponents' points per game (72.4), opponents' three-point field goal percentage (36.7) and tenth in opponents' field goal percentage (43.6).
Needless to say, the Gamecocks should have no problem scoring on Alabama, especially considering Carolina's ability to shoot from three-point range.
Since the Arkansas game, USC coach Dave Odom has applied a smaller lineup to overcome his team's lack of size under the basket. Undoubtedly, the strategy has worked well as the team had little trouble scoring until the Georgia game.
The downside to the smaller lineup has been enormous deficits in rebounding between the Gamecocks and their opponents. Carolina ranks last in the SEC in rebounding margin at -4.5.
Carolina will have to deal with the Tide's Richard Hendrix, who is averaging more than 10 rebounds per game. The junior forward is 6-foot-9, 225 pounds and is averaging nearly 20 points per game.
While leading the team in rebounds and points, Hendrix, a two time all-SEC selection, also leads the team in blocked shots (54) and is second in minutes played per game (30.8).
Though the two players will not be matched up against each other, Carolina's sophomore guard Devan Downey and Bama's Hendrix are second and third in scoring in the conference respectively. The game may hinge on which player can take over the game.
Downey may have to face Hendrix if he can find some lanes to drive into, but it's more likely that he will be faced with junior guard Brandon Hollinger. The two players are comparable in size, ability and style of play. However, Downey is more of a scorer.
A plus for the Gamecocks could be Brandis Raley-Ross. If he can regain the form he showed earlier in the season when he was leading the nation in three-point shooting. Ross is still leading the team in three-point shooting percentage at 57.1 percent. Evka Baniulis is second at 44.8 percent.
The game will be televised by FSN. The Gamecocks are 7-6 at home this season.
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