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Wednesday, February 21,1996 Gamecocks \z BRYAN JOHNSTON Staff Writer Tickets didnt start being distributed until 9 a.m. Monday, but students started lining up at 630 aun. in hopes of grabbing the best seats. Judging by the turnout, you don't have to tell students and fans twice that tonight's i ice Gators in cri effective job of limiting his production in the first meeting and will have to r /4/\ ink nnain if tViaV Uiant fn win T basketball game against Florida is not only important, it's critical. The Gamecocks crane into the game after a 107-97 loss at Vanderbilt Saturday. That loss leaves USC (148, 6-6) tied for second in the Eastern Division of the SEC. Florida (10-12, 5-7) has not played since last Saturday's 70-56 loss to Vanderbilt and is a game behind the Gamecocks and the Commodores. The Gamecocks are looking to play better than they did Jan. 13 in Gainesville. The Gators defeated USC 81-69. In that game, center Nate Wilbourne scored 21 points, while Gator guard Greg Williams poured in 26 points. The Gamecocks played good ball in the first half and led at halftime, but were severely outplayed in the second half. The key to the game defensively will be shutting down Florida big-man, Dametri Hill. The Gamecocks did ar wi'iuimnu'iiur Coo Nate Wllbourne N ^ 6-11,255 s [? & si % Bi lllllllllllllllllllllillllllll I , " |s;ssss || : ~ Malik Russell 6-7220 I A >> T:m? ^ ? V Thornton S grai !-i P Just drop by ou uw vnc juu again u WIVJ *? wnv ww ifim j Hill is seventh in the SEC in scoring ( (16.4 points per game), fifth in > rebounding (8.3 rebounds per game) j and ninth in field goal percentage (46.6 ' percent). t USC will also need to limit the ] outside shots of the Gators. The three- s point shot has beer, the thorn in the ' sides of the Gamecock defense all year. I Offensively, USC will rely on the "Triple Trouble" backcourt trio once i again. Guards Melvin Watson, BJ ] McKie and Larry Davis will have to < continue to provide the offensive spark, i Davis is averaging 18.6 points per ] game (second in the SEC) and shooting i 80 percent from the freethrow line. McKie is the highest scoring freshman i in the league with 14.5 ppg. Watson is seventh in the league with 4.5 apg. As important as the guard play is, < Wilbourne and forwards Malik Russell and Bud Johnson must have solid games. Scoring points is not their main job, but besides containing Hill, r these three must continue to rebound and block shots. Johnson is averaging L six rebounds per outing and 1.4 blocks per game. IJlftMBMHM G 4 F 3 Larry Davis Brian Willia 6-3190 6-6 218 ^ r-JGio G10 lelvin Watson Greg Willlai 6-2 1 95 6-2 1 83 G 3 G 14 BJ McKie Eddie Shanr 6-2 1 85 5-11 160 ?3PHI tudios from New York iuate students. There i Second lUldtnflsftiv r booth at your convenience oi SPO icial contest This game is important for many easons. Besides the obvious hopes of jarticipating in March Madness, the jamecocks need to get back to playing veil. USC has lost four of five league james after starting off 5-2. Hie Gamecocks must continue to shoot he ball like they did Saturday (62 Dercent), but have to play better defense ind hold onto the ball. USC is allowing 74 points per game and has a -.9 :urnover margin. The good news about tonight's game is it is in the friendly confines of Frank McGuire Arena. This year, the Gamecocks are 12-1 at home. They are averaging 88.5 ppg, shooting 52.3 percent from the field and winning by an average of 17.7 point. The Gamecocks have beaten the Gators once in 10 tries since joining the SEC. Overall, Florida leads the series 16-10 and in Columbia, the Gators are 9-6. Tonight's game is the second-tolast home game of the year for USC. The Frank McGuire Arena should be packed and rowdy as the Gamecocks and Gators get ready to rumble in a crucial SEC clash that has both Southeastern and NCAA tournament implications. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. msE^m ms ? /t "C35 / Dametri Hill / 6-7 275 MA , - . i V V \ F 32 . LeRon Williams \ J 6-7 212 ion 1 I tmrm filiiliaB City, will be on cam[ is no sitting fee. Port Floor Lobl February! 9 a.m.' spons G QIM r sign-up for a time at the R? RTS NCAA or NIT ir The SEC Conference Basketball b a s e b Tournaments will be in full swing players before you can say "slam dunk," and now repoi some interesting things are happening for the sta in the world of college hoops. spring tra Just where will the Gamecocks Althoi finish in the SEC, and are they going early in t] to the big dance? to have a BJ McKie is playing his best ball line to ha1 of the year, and Lany Davis is shooting are much the ball extremely well. However, will be ti freshman Bud Johnson, after several addition o strong performances (including a The Yi complete shutdown of Erick Damper), of the bes has slowed a bit and is looking like a if they sta ?aa11?t olon V? r?\rc reclliy IIlCAycilCIl^CU. piajci . aiou hutc Nevertheless, Melvin Watson is addition o: playing great despite some injuries, the abilit: and the leadership of Malik Russell And t has proven positive this season. Windy Cil What does this all mean? It means in unifon the Gamecocks are sporting one of things fr the most potent backcourts in the Grace an nation this year, and they are playing some excellent offense led by the three ITK Gar guards. I woui But the inside game is hurting, of momei and the defense is struggling. This ITK Gair means the Gamecocks are giving up of the woi way too many points to win many is only 94 SEC games, especially on the road. Women's I think the Gamecocks will show and led tl they are talented but will not have points ag enough muscle and experience to Tenr make it to the NCAA Tournament, as the Nc However, they will make some waves had thor in the NIT and gain some yaluable but behi post-season experience along the way. senior fi Gameco Spring Training game int Atlanta sports fans can finally This1 rejoice that they no longer have to Rick Bar rely on the Hawks for their tohimw entertainment, as major league to the ot Q) Stui @ The Un * *pgf Na# f'?lX fPMpnHHp r,i(A] I f i [J iivai ius for one week only to p rait packages may be pure by (Russell I 26 - Friday, I - 5 p.m. ored by 3 lRTERLY issell House Information desk. Caps i Gamecocks' f a 1 1 ACHIM C0111"86 ?f a S? a^e hunt that many coach ting ^ n!TrjnrTan'^J other players th irtof i^js js legal accoi lining. Barnes is deai jgh it is tough to tell this at Smith becaus he spring, the Braves look they had at the 11 of their big weapons in last year. Barnes re a big year. The Dodgers the rules that the improved, and the Cardinals get off Dean's Sn ough this year with the f Ron Gant to their outfield Parting Shots ankees look strong with one The Lady Gar t pitching staffs in baseball has started out y healthy. The Indians will and are looking j a potent line-up with the NCAA Tournam f Julio Franco to compliment They are led by 7 ies of Albert Belle. Trinity Johnson a here is excitement in the ty as Ryne Sandberg is back Dale Denied, A n. The Cubs will expect big Dale Earnha om him, along with Mark denied the Daytor d Sammy Sosa. driver Dale Jar early in the race,' aeballs, Goofballs able to regain th Id like to take just a couple tried many crea nts and award this week's a valiant run at leball to Shannon Johnson I find it amazi men's basketball team. She he has won sever r points away from the USC titles, he always i All-Time Scoring Record short in the Dayl le Lady Gamecocks with 35 looks to be tougl ;ainst Tennessee. out for a comeba lessee came into the game Dawsonville, Ge >. 5 team in the country and In closing, th ights of a blowout victory, better and bettei nd the spirited play of the Brad Scott has tt x JII ii T . J__ ^1 rom narisviiie, tne ijaay recruiting ciaaj cks were able to force the . has his young p] o overtime. every time tl week's ITK Goofball goes to Remember to gc nes, who let Dean Smith get and cheer on th< ith the simple ploy of talking look to gain som her team's players during postseason. lent Me iversity of South Carol iMM i- " > ...ASB (holograph USC's senior based later if desired. louse) March 1 and gowns will be available for | 7 uture? >? ime. I have noticed es often talk to the i iroughout a game, ding to NCAA rules, rly trying to get back e of the altercation ACC Tournament j needs to recognize NCAA enforces and u??l, - Ill til 25 UatA. II t necocks softball team 4-0 again this year y to go back to the ont again this year. ill-American pitcher md junior Tina Hew. igain rdt once again was ia 500 title by veteran rett. After leading Earnhardt was never le lead, although he tive moves and had the end of the race, ing that, even though i Winston Cup Pbints manages to come up xina 500. Earnhardt i this year, but look ck for the man from i., Bill Elliot, ings continue to look r for the Gamecocks, brought in a great i, and Eddie Fogler ayers playing better ley hit the floor, i to the game tonight i Gamecocks as they e momentum for the dia ina i I "" I ; t I f s and I