Non-conference Report Card:
Shooting: B-
At first, this was brutal. The Gamecocks picked up where they left off last year, taking way too many attempts from 3-point range. The low came against Providence, where USC attempted 30 3-pointers and only made six of them. Since that game, USC has played more inside out and though it was a slow start to that at first, it ultimately paid off for the Gamecocks. They went on to win six of their next seven, only losing to then No. 2 Ohio State. The Gamecocks are still ranked near the bottom of scoring offense in the SEC.
Offensive Rebounding: B
The Gamecocks are sixth-ranked offensive rebounding team in the SEC, with 12.4 offensive rebounds a game. USC coach Darrin Horn has stressed that improving the fundamentals will be a key factor in his young team becoming more complete. With the shooting being spotty at times for the Gamecocks, getting second-chance opportunities will be beneficial to them entering SEC play, especially if they continue to play inside out more.
Defensive Rebounding: C
South Carolina is last in the SEC in defensive rebounding. Part of that can be attributed to the new zone defense that Horn implemented, which got off to a slow start as players adjusted to it. The zone worked wonders in the first half against the Buckeyes, in which the Gamecocks were ahead in that game, but Ohio State was able to make adjustments, getting around the zone. Rebounding is something Horn can’t talk enough about, and so there’s no shortage of emphasis on it, but perhaps a lack of execution at times.
Turnover Margin: B
USC is in the middle of the pack when it comes to turnover margin, being up 1.2 a game; however, it is second to last in assist to turnover ratio. I’d expect that number to level out with more stability at the point guard position, as two-sport star Bruce Ellington permanently makes his return to the hardwood, as oppose to some mixture of Ellington, Eric Smith, Lakeem Jackson, and Brenton Williams. Smith and Ellington will likely continue to split time at first, but look for Ellington to eventually take back his starting role.
Non-conference MVP: Malik Cooke
The lone senior on this young squad has been a bright spot. With Ellington, who was last season’s leading scorer, out of the lineup for much of the non-conference slate, Cooke picked up where he left off and has been a threat to opposing defenses. Furthermore, his leadership was been invaluable through the losing stretch the USC underwent at the start of the season.
Overall: B
Yes, the Gamecocks had some bad losses. Tennessee State and Elon were some of them, but also, the Gamecocks were able to hang in there against high-level competition like Ohio State. Ultimately, USC is young, the youngest team in the SEC, and so it was going to take some time for all the pieces to fit. Add the absence of Ellington and some of the low points of the season can be forgiven. This grade almost has to be a little inflated with the circumstances and because of the streak that the Gamecocks ended non-conference. With the winning streak that USC is on and with everyone healthy, the conference slate can go one of two ways for the Gamecocks. They have the opportunity to prove their doubters wrong and the challenge in the SEC, or they can fall apart as they have in the past.
Scouting Kentucky:
Horn referred to this UK squad as the best Kentucky coach John Calipari has had. I’d have to agree because it’s essentially an NBA lineup. With Anthony Davis, the Wildcats have unbelievable defensive inside presence, as they lead the SEC in blocked shots by a comfortable margin. They’ve also been able to beat their opponents by an average 22.3 points per game behind freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and sophomore Doron Lamb. Davis can also be a high scorer inside the paint with his long reach. He already has eight double-doubles as a freshman.
