The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, February 21, 1996, Page 7, Image 7
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
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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
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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
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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
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/ Dametri Hill
/ 6-7 275
MA
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V
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. LeRon Williams
\ J 6-7 212
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City, will be on cam[
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spons
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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
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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
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