The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 18, 1996, Page 6, Image 6
6
Gamecock
BRYAN JOHNSTON Asst. Sports Editor s
tl
Ifs the middle of October and football
is in urn swing, Dut anotner uac atoienc ^
team has started practice for their e
upcoming season. ti
As Eddie Fogler's men's basketball c
squad took to the court for the first time e
Tuesday, they took with theip a load of p
expectations.
With nine players, a redshirt returning j,
from a team that went 19-12 than to the f,
third round of the NIT, along with two ^
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Junior Melvln Watson will bo ono
Improve on last year's 19-12 record.
We need yoi
Carolina C
We're making a special effort tc
for the fall of 1997 to welcome
How about lending us a hand
phone accepted freshmen ea
until 7:00 PM.
We'll have snacks for you ant
distance telephone call to the lc
can't pass this up!
Interested? Call Robert Rhinel
you the details. Don't forget,
you for Carolina Outreach.
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lie expectations be high?
"We believe we can have a very good
asketball team here," Fogler said. "Our
xperience factor, our guard play and
he number of returning lettermen are
ertainly positives. Plus our team's
xperience in last year's NIT also is a
ositive as we head into this season."
After making a'good showing in the
JIT, the team is looking to challenge
)r the SEC championship and make it
3 the NCAA tournament.
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of the SEC's premier guards this
The Qamecock's goal this year Is 1
Bring ho
.ir help with
)utreach!
3 reach alt accepted freshmen
them personally to Carolina.
? We're planning to telech
Tuesday, from 5:15 PM
J we'll give you a free longived
one of vour choice! You
lart at777-4070 and he'll give
We've reserved a phone for
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"I think we're ready to take that step t
[from the NTT to the NCAA tournament]. \
If s going to be a huge step, and we can't j
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said. ? \
"My expectations are always going
to be high," senior Larry Davis said. "I t
expect for us to win the whole thing, but i
we have to take it step by step." c
The guard play will be one of the ?
many highlights for this year's squad. ?
' Davis, McKie and junior Melvin
Watson are being touted as one of the 1
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Fit* Photo The Gamecock
yoar as ths Gamococks hops to
:ho NCAA Tournament.
me your own damn bacon!
University of J
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op-five backcourts in the nation. Davis
vas named to the first team Athlon
preseason All-SEC team. Watson was
lamed to the second team while McKie
vas selected to the third team.
The trio led the Gamecocks in scoring,
hree point shooting and steals last year
rnd were in the top five of most Carolina
>ffensive category. The three combined
in average of more than 45 points a year
igo.
"Our trio of guards are outstanding,"
Eogler said. "We believe they can play
vith anyone's backcourt in the nation."
Co-captain Davis, in his second year
it USC after transferring from North
Carolina, averaged 18.0 points per game
ast year and set four 3-point shooting
ecords in the process, including a seven)f-seven
performance against Davidson.
"Larry is a very good athlete and is
/ery explosive. He is more of a scorer
;han a shooter and can take the ball to
he basket, but can certainly get it going
rom the outside," Fogler said.
Co-captain Watson emerged as one
)f the guards in the league the past
season. The Charlestonian averaged
12.2 points and 4.5 assists per game last
season. Watson improved his shooting
rom his freshman year by making 34
percent of his 3-pointers and 74 percent
>f his free throws. After starting 30 out
)f 31 games last year, Watson comes into
his season having started 57 out of 58
career contests.
"In Melvin Watson, we believe we
lave one of the better lead guards in the
SEC and in the country. He has
remendous strength and the ability to
jenetrate and make good thing3 happen,"
fogler said.
McKie came into the league, proving
le belonged right away. The AP SEC
Rookie of the Year averaged 15.4 points
ser game while breaking four of Alex
English's freshman records, including
joints (478) and scoring average. The
sophomore from Columbia improved as
he season progressed last year, averaging
L8.4 points per contest over the last 15
james.
"BJ is an exceptional competitor and
s extremely good at taking the ball to
the basket, He was one of the finer
freshmen last year," Fogler
Also expected to contribute I
to the backcourt, redshirt I
freshman Hagen Rouse and H
true freshman Herbert Lee I
Rouse averaged 20.4 points H -;-v
per game as a senior at J.L. i
Mann High School two years Bj|J|
ago. Davis, a native of I.??-?
Georgetown, attended yi*
Winchendon Prep, Mass., the MB
past two years. He averaged
more than 21 points per game mUm
Although the backcourt will jBMB
receive most of the attention BNfl
for Carolina, the frontcourt is Jlrj
solid, also.
TTie forwards will provide
Fogler with height and
quickness. Butifthe
Gamecocks play the three-guard
lineup, look for Davis to play
the role of small forward on
defense.
"We think our forward play
brings a lot of versatility to our
team," Fogler said. "We can
go small with a three-guard
lineup or we can go very big BJ Met
and play Ryan Stack at 6-foot- In ths
finish i
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Read Gamecock Sports.
(Game On)
>outh Carolina
ment of
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House
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lents
ber 18,1996
n, HESC 103
iblic Health
Ireene Streets
7353
for nation;
11 at the small forward, as well."
Stack averaged 4.2 points per game
and will see action at small forward The
junior from Chapmansboro, Tenn., has
above-average agility and can hit the
outside shot. Stack continues to improve
his shooting, making better than 50
percent of his field goals and 77 percent
of his free throws.
"Ryan Stack shows the skill level to
be a very good basketball player at USC.
Ryan can play both the three and four
positions for us, which is highly unusual
for someone of his size to be able to play
small forward," Fogler said.
Arthur Carlisle, a swingman who
played at the small forward last year,
will be looking for more playing time.
The sophomore from Goose Creek
averaged 2.2 per game, but played just
77 minutes in 17 games last year.
Freshman Antonio Grant from North
Augusta will step in and contribute at
small forward.
At 6-foot-5,225 pounds, Grant has
the size to play the position. A strong
player who can run the floor well, Grant
averaged 22.0 points last season at New
Hampton Prep.
Stack, William Gallman and Bud
Johnson will take the roles of power
forward.
Gallman, a sophomore, played in 29
games last year averaging 3.5 points
and 2.1 rebounds per game. A native of
Chester, Gallman is one of Carolina's
better athletes and has low-post skills.
Johnson, who will see time at power
forward and center, was a part-time
starter a year ago.
The ?foot-10,240-pound sophomore
from Columbia started 14 games and
played in all 31 games. Johnson averaged
5.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game
and ranked sixth in the SEC with 1.2
blocked shots per contest.
"Last year, I was playing the game
as a freshman, and this year, I'm a
sophomore so I'm looking to step up my
game offensively and defensively," Johnson
said.
"Bud is our best shot blocker, and we
hope he has improved in the offensive
area to give us a low to medium post
scorer," Fogler said.
*
Uo Is an Important part of tho roturnl
nation by Athlon Sports. Ths magazl
kocond to Kontucky this year In tho SI
'I ^^^' F^prv
11 Wednesday Oct.
Friday, October 18.1996
)l respect
Three players, Johnson, Nate
Wilbourne and George Formanek, will
vie for time at the center Dosition for the
Gamecocks.
Wilboume averaged 10.6 points and
5.4 rebounds per game last season. The
senior will be expected to pick up the
rebounding slack after Malik Russell,
the lone senior from last year's squad.
Wilboume is regarded as one of the most
under-rated players in the conference
by some magazines.
"Nate Wilboume, at his size, gives
us a very good offensive basketball player.
He can catch, pass and shoot the
basketball well, and has very good skills
and feel for the game," Fogler said.
George Formanek is back for his
fourth and final season at USC. The
senior from Slany, Czech Republic
averaged 0.5 points and 1.1 rebounds
per game last season.
Fogler will be preaching defense this
season. According to Fogler, the better
defense one plays, the more one will play.
"I think we have a lot of offensive
threats on the team, but I think our main
focus this year will be on defense. I don't
think we guarded the ball particularly
well last year," McKie said.
The Gamecocks will be playing
perhaps their toughest schedule ever.
With the highly competitive Maui
Invitational and the Hairis Teeter Pepsi
Challenge, Carolina will be challenged
early. USC will be the host for Clemson
Dec. 17.
The Gamecocks head into their 16game
SEC schedule beginning Jan. 4
against Auburn.
"Our schedule is extremely
challenging," Fogler said. "We believe
it's one of the toughest schedules USC
has ever had and is definitely the most
difficult since we've been here."
"If you want to be up there with the
elite, you have to play with the elite,"
McKie said.
The Gamecocks have hit the hardwood
for what promises to be an exciting year.
Larry Davis sums up perhaps all of
the South Carolina faithfiils' thoughts
saying "Tm just excited about the season.
I just wish we could go out there and
play tomorrow. I can't wait, I can't wait."
4(B^p
FN* Photo The Gamecock
ng backcourt that was rated No. 5
lite also picked the Gamecocks to
EC East
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