Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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When most USC students left town for their holiday break last month, very few. if any wore optimistic about the basketball team's chances for a successful season. Surely, the events over the break ?one-point wins over national powerhouses Auburn-Montogomery and Vermont and an overtime loss to Maine) had done nothing to instill confidence in the hearts of their supporters. In the first 12 games of the year, the Gamecocks showed very little intensity and worse, showed even less teamwork. At times, the USC players looked as though they were taking turns playing one-on-five with the opposition. The only true success for Carolina during this period was in makimi its weaker onnononts look liU<? f?nnt??nrWc v/ ? -n -- VX/.uviiviv-IO ,,;1 * 11 v national championship. BUT Jt'ST AS the Gamecocks seemed ready to slide permanently into the throes of mediocraty, they underwent a transformation over night. Now, instead of looking like a pick-up team at the p.e. center, coach Frank McGuire's troops began to resemble the USC teams of yore ? ones that just five years ago were considered as one of the 20 best teams in the country. Instead of taking 30-foot jumpshots off the running game. Carolina began to execute an organized last break. More important, they gave up the ball underneath the b.iskot for lyu-nnc anH ctortfj ivt j V? jy. J UIIVI OlUl IV.U vi aoillll^ 11 11" boards after missed shots like they were expeeted to prior to the beginning of the season. This new found teamwork paid off for the Gamecoeks as they bombed a decent Marshall team 106-66 Thursday night. In the process, they collected 71 rebounds and 21 assists as they played perhaps the best 40 minutes of basketball at USC since Alexander English wore a Gamecock uniform. ANOTIIKK IMI'KKSSIVK WIN Saturday night, USC faced its sternest test of the season when they lined up against a rugged East Tennessee State squad. On paper, the Gamecocks were the superior team, hut it was yet to he seen if they could sustain the intensity they displayed against Marshall'and stand up to the physical tactics of the well-coached Bucs. It should he noted that these same Hues came into the Carolina Coliseum last season and worked the Gamecocks over both physically and on the score board. After the game. McGuire lamented about his team's lack of guts and said that they deserved to lose after being pushed around like that in their own building. The Bucs opened this year's contest in much the same manner as they did in their victory here last year. Dominating the inside game. ETSU jumped out to a uuick eight ooint lead But unliko tho r.ampm'k? nf last few years, this llSC team fought back. With Cedrick Jlordges, Jim Strickland and Tommy Wimbush matching the smaller Hues inside. USC guards Kenny Reynolds and Mike Doyle began to swing the game in the home team's favor .Just before the end of the half. USC siezed the momentum once and for all as Doyle and KTSf guard Troy Lee Mikell squared off for a one round main event. WIULK TIIK Al'Tl AL fisticuffs resulted in a time limit draw, it I rrofl lhi> mm n/\nl'iilnn) ....1 I u..?r . i . ? .>(/? ?_*? iu\ iitxi i.wiiiiuv.wi vniiumn mi lu il.MI Ull^ MTIJIHI I lit 11 .A ISO. II Mustered the hot shooting Mikell. who hit his first seven shots at the outset of the game The Columbia native had a horendous shooting performance in the second hall as he was booed by the CSC fans every time he touc hed the ball The 11-point victory lor the Gamecocks was a big one m several respects. First, it gives them a modest three game winning streak and some hope of salvaging some pride out ol this season for their retiring head coach. Also, it gives them momentum for the tough schedule they I I J - i * i ? * ? IklUUIIWllI W \\\m 111 1< elHJl ar\ But most importantly. the win showed that I'SC's basketball team had t be uts to light back when the chips are down rWUSC-FM & ZBS MEDIA PRESENT MOON OVER MVi&MWU IB 15 minutes of thrilling adventure and mystery 6:15 pm Mon.-Fri. Ill WUSC-FM 91.9 ^ B v\' -i 'J' i > v v i ~ " ; >_"*" " ^ t ^"V '-r- ^ yr?-'= I mm iMW? mmmmgmm' ELIjopj m - W W b ^1*1*1 j (9 j^-_:-rt-v~ v Ryft^ r^tii^TinpnrTXTnnrT^TTT^Tn^ i i |VN H W ? Some people have the wrong im- 1 j pression that Nautilus is only for I 'y'Nx^: <dS) the super body . . . but, if you visit A ^ with us, you'll know that isn't true. II !> I Yes, we want to develop your I V \ \ body, but for your needs. Our goal | is to help you be the best you, and it all starts with a healthy bodv. f inJoin Now! i wMmmWWw ? \i i j- H H L0W as *Tor sPr,n9 semester) yi | ! m (Facilities for men and women) , nouiiuis & o' i".i Si'uiti i iimiMi.i r . l_ . r~ i ? - - s~- I I ramuy rnness Clinic DENTSVILLE 2}Ob Decker Blvd. 73<> OOlO ?