South Carolina

2008-09 South Carolina Basketball Preview: #80

Joel Welser — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:02:46 -0700

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South Carolina Gamecocks

Overall Rank: #80

Conference Rank: #8 SEC

2007-08: 14-18, 5-11, 5^th East

2007-08 postseason: none

After mixed results during the Dave Odom era, Coach Darrin Horn hopes to turn South Carolina into a consistent contender in the Southeastern Conference. And the future looks bright under the man who most recently led Western Kentucky to the Sweet Sixteen. However, it will take some time to transform this program into a winner, but having Devan Downey running the show is a good place to start. Downey, now a junior, averaged 18.4 points, 5.4 assists, 3.2 steals and 3.2 rebounds his first season with the Gamecocks after transferring from Cincinnati. The scary thing is that he still has room to improve.

Who’s Out:

The best news is that the top six scorers are back. Part-time starter Dwayne Day has run out of eligibility after averaging 5.1 points and 3.7 rebounds during his senior campaign. Chad Gray was dismissed from the team and Trevor Deloach transferred after seeing action in just two games.

Who’s In:

There is a depth problem at USC and some talented newcomers would help. However, there are not any…at least not yet. But former walk-ons Branden Conrad and Robert Wilder were awarded scholarships.

Who to Watch:

Despite the depth problems, the Gamecocks do have seven players on the roster that started at least ten games last season. The most dynamic group is on the perimeter where Downey has Zam Fredrick and Dominique Archie on the wings. Fredrick is a solid shooter from long range and the 6-7 Archie is a match-up nightmare for most opposing small or power forwards. Brandis Raley-Ross will provide a majority of the depth in the backcourt. Downey and Fredrick played a ton of minutes last year, averaging 37.4 and 35.2 minutes per game respectively, and they, and the team, showed signs of wearing down at the end of the 2007-2008 campaign. Even with a pretty tough schedule down the stretch, losing five of your last six and seven of your last nine games of the regular season can be partially attributed to fatigue.

Final Projection:

There is not enough depth for the Gamecocks to make a big run in the SEC. The lack of a quality big man will not help matters. Mike Holmes is the probable starter at the five spot and he is just 6-7. He is surprisingly effective around the basket against bigger defenders, but his size can create problems on the other side of the floor. Evaldas Baniulis can play either forward spot and has a nice looking stroke that extends out beyond the arc. Sam Muldrow III had a solid freshman campaign and is the defensive presence under the basket. He only averaged 13.9 minutes per game, but at 6-9, he could develop into the post threat that the Gamecocks need. There is work to be done for Muldrow as he needs to be more consistent on both ends of the floor before he will be given the opportunity to even be a full-time starter.

Projected Post-season Tournament: NIT

Projected Starting Five:

Devan Downey, Junior, Guard, 18.4 points per game

Zam Fredrick, Senior, Guard, 14.8 points per game

Dominique Archie, Junior, Forward, 10.6 points per game

Evaldas Baniulis, Junior, Forward, 5.4 points per game

Mike Holmes, Sophomore, Forward, 8.5 points per game

Complete Top 144 Ranking | 2008-09 Preview & Awards | Coach Interviews | Discuss the Preview

South Carolina Releases Chad Gray

Press Release — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:56:51 -0700

COLUMBIA, S.C. (May 22, 2008) - Sophomore forward Chad Gray has been dismissed from the South Carolina men's basketball team for repeated violations of team rules, head coach Darrin Horn announced today. "We wanted Chad to succeed both on and off the court at the University of South Carolina and gave him ample opportunity to do so," said Horn.

"Unfortunately, he was not able to meet the minimum requirements that we have established, and we are disappointed in that. We wish him nothing but the best in his future." Gray, a 6-7, 205-pounder from Kingstree, S.C., averaged 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game while playing in 19 contests, including one start for the Gamecocks during the 2007-08 campaign.

-gamecocksonline.com-

Turnarounds: 31 Teams to Watch: Part Four

Raphielle Johnson — Mon, 19 May 2008 07:49:33 -0700

With the off-season now upon us and the spring signing period well under way, this is a good opportunity to attempt to forecast some of the teams who could make the jump next season. Is there a team out there like this past season’s Drake Bulldogs, who went from ninth place to a dominating run through the Missouri Valley? Or how about Arizona State, a team that went from dead last in the Pac-10 to fifth place and could have the makings of a conference title run this season? With one pick for each conference, here are 31 teams you should keep an eye on next season.

Part Four

SEC: South Carolina

2007-08 Record: 14-18 (5-11)

There hasn’t been a whole lot of optimism around the Gamecock basketball program since a group led by Renaldo Balkman won its second straight Postseason NIT title a couple years back. But into the desk left open by the retired Dave Odom slides Darrin Horn, who led Western Kentucky to four straight twenty-win seasons and a Sweet 16 this past season. Given what we saw from the likes of Courtney Lee and Tyrone Brazelton during the Tournament, maybe Horn can add a little more to the game of Devan Downey and unleash some of the athletic talent in the South Carolina frontcourt. While it would be far-fetched to expect the Gamecocks to win the SEC East, look for them to make a return to postseason play next year.

Southern: College of Charleston

2007-08 Record: 16-17 (9-11)

It’s tough when you’re in the same division as Davidson, but for the Cougars to finish below .500 in conference play last season had to be a disappointment for Bobby Cremins and his staff. Four players, led by Tony White Jr., averaged double figures in scoring and they’ll all be back in 2008-09. Davidson will still be the odds-on favorite to win the Southern Conference, but don’t expect Charleston to simply roll over for the Wildcats. And the scary thing is that they may be even better the following season.

Southland: Nicholls State

2007-08 Record: 10-21 (5-11)

The Colonels are another team that suffered due to its lack of experience last season. But with Adonis Gray being the lone departure, look for Nicholls to repay some of the teams who took advantage of their youth this past season. Head coach J.P. Piper should have a full complement of players at his disposal next season, including three signed recruits and Michael Czepil for an entire season. And given the fact that they’re in the division opposite Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston State, the Colonels can make a run at a division title.

SWAC: Southern

2007-08 Record: 11-19 (9-9)

Head coach Rob Spivery loses two seniors from last season’s team, Geri Guillory and Joe Holliday, but his top three scorers will all be back in Baton Rouge. Chris Davis led the Jaguars in scoring at fifteen per game, and look for Barry Honore and Steffon Wiley to increase their production in order to become better compliments to Davis on the offensive end. The key in the SWAC, like the MEAC, is to not get buried by those “guarantee games” that many of the member schools have to play for the sake of their athletic department’s finances. I think Southern will have enough returning experience to make sure they don’t suffer that kind of letdown next season.

Summit: Centenary

2007-08 Record: 10-21 (4-14)

The Centenary Gents struggled mightily at times last season, and if not for South Dakota State they would have finished last in the conference. They only lose one senior from last season’s squad, and he (Iman Shokouhizadeh) averaged a mere four minutes per game. Three players averaged double figures in scoring, led by Tyrone Hamilton and Nick Stallings. They’ll both be back, and will be focal points as head coach Rob Flaska looks to move Centenary to the top half of the Summit League, if not win the automatic bid itself.

Sun Belt: Denver

2007-08 Record: 11-19 (7-11)

The Pioneers will have quite the task this season as their location doesn’t even remotely fit into the geographical footprint of the rest of the Sun Belt. But second-year head coach Joe Scott should be more familiar with his roster and each player’s strengths and weaknesses. The Pioneers lose four seniors, most notably David Kummer and Adam Tanner, but I think they can improve their standing within the West Division thanks to key losses incurred by other teams within the division. A full off-season in the system that Scott wants to run should also help with the completion of the coaching transition.

West Coast: Portland

2007-08 Record: 9-22 (3-11)

Personally, I thought that the Pilots should have performed better than their 3-11 record within the WCC. But with their only senior loss being Sherrard Watson, I think this could be the year in which Portland get to the middle of the pack in the WCC. Nik Raivio, who led the team in scoring last season, will be back along with fellow guard Taishi Ito and forward Rob Smeulders. Look for head coach Eric Reveno to have a vastly improved team in his third season at the helm.

WAC: Louisiana Tech

2007-08 Record: 6-24 (3-13)

Kerry Rupp heads into his second year in Ruston with a lot of young players returning after getting a taste of the “hard knock life” in 2007-08. Add to this group LSU transfer Magnum Rolle combined with other WAC teams losing some key contributors and you may have a team that can move up to the middle of the conference standings in 2008-09. In regards to competing for the conference title, that may be a little premature at this stage. But the cupboard certainly won’t be bare for the Bulldogs in 2008-09.

Part One: ACC, Big East, Big Ten etc

Part Two: Big 12, CUSA, etc

Part Three: MVC, MWC, Pac-10, etc

South Carolina Announces Darrin Horn Hiring

Press Release — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:16:36 -0700

COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 1, 2008) - Darrin Horn has been named the head coach of the men's basketball program at the University of South Carolina, Gamecocks' Athletics Director Eric Hyman announced today.

Horn, 35, has spent the past five seasons as the head coach at his alma mater, Western Kentucky University. Under Horn's tutelage, the Hilltoppers compiled a record of 111-48, a .698 winning percentage, including a 29-7 record and a Sun Belt Conference title during the 2007-08 campaign. The 29 wins tied the school record. He averaged over 22 wins per season during his five-year stint in Bowling Green. He took his latest squad to the "Sweet 16" as a No. 12 seed with wins over fifth-seeded Drake and No. 13 San Diego before their season came to an end in a 10-point loss to top-seed UCLA. He also led the Toppers to a pair of National Invitation Tournament appearances, including 2006 when lost to South Carolina in the Colonial Center.

Known for his up-tempo offense and pressure defense, Horn 2006-07 squad posted a 22-11 record, their third straight year of 20-or more wins. They were 12-6 in the Sun Belt Conference with all six losses decided by five points or less. No Hilltopper head coach had led WKU to three straight years of 20 or more wins in his first four seasons until Horn accomplished the feat.

Along with his record on the court, Horn's players have also been successful off it. Every player who has completed his eligibility under Horn at WKU has earned his degree.

Horn joins a long list of former WKU coaches that have moved up to bigger programs including Gene Keady (Purdue), Clem Haskins (Minnesota), Ralph Willard (Pittsburgh) and Dennis Felton (Georgia).

Horn is taking over for Dave Odom, who coached the Gamecocks for seven seasons before announcing on January 18 that he would retire at the end of the season.

Coaching Experience:
Western Kentucky, assistant coach, 1995-97
Morehead State, assistant coach, 1997-99
Marquette, assistant coach, 1999-03
Western Kentucky, head coach, 2003-08

SEC: All-January

Jeff Fox — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:53:40 -0800

The SEC Freshman of the Year race looks like it will be a three player battle. Two of the three (A.J. Ogilvy didn’t make the cut) make a return appearance on the monthly All-SEC list.

Guard – Devan Downey – South Carolina – SO
19.4ppg, 5.3apg, 3.3spg
Best game – Jan 2nd – Radford – 23 points, seven steals, five assists, three rebounds

The little man certainly has a nose for the ball – he averaged four steals a game for January. Add to that his 22 points and five assists a game and you have one of the best Januarys by a player in the SEC.

Guard – Marcus Thornton – LSU – JR
19.5ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.4spg
Best game – Jan 30th – Auburn – 38 points, seven boards, 8-15 3pts

Unfortunately Marcus Thornton’s play wasn’t good enough to save Coach John Brady his job, but it was good enough for the All-January SEC list. Thornton finished the month off with five-straight games with 20 or more points.

Guard/Forward – Nick Calathes – Florida – FR
15.4ppg, 6.2apg, 5.0rpg
Best game – Jan 19th – Kentucky – 24 points, eight rebounds, eight assists

The rookie Calathes seems to be getting better as the season goes on. In January he averaged 18 points, five boards, seven assists and only two turnovers per game. He has to be considered the front runner for SEC Freshman of the Year.

Forward – Patrick Patterson – Kentucky – FR
16.9ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.4bpg
Best game – Jan 12th – Vanderbilt – 23 points, 12 boards, two blocks

Another impressive freshman is the Wildcats’ Patterson. He put up 16 points, eight boards and two blocks per game in January as Kentucky makes a late push for the NCAA tournament.

Forward – Richard Hendrix - Alabama – JR
19.0ppg, 10.3rpg, 2.2bpg
Best game – Jan 8th – Florida – 24 points, 16 boards, four assists, three blocks, two steals

This has been a disastrous season for the Crimson Tide, yet very successful for Richard Hendrix on a personal note. He notched five more double-doubles in January, including the monstrous game versus Florida listed above.

Cousy Award Finalists

Press Release — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 05:30:34 -0800

2008 BOB COUSY AWARD PRESENTED BY THE HARTFORD FINALISTS

DIVISION I
DJ Augustin Texas
Darren Collison UCLA
Devan Downey South Carolina
Jamont Gordon Mississippi State
Mike Green Butler
Dominic James Marquette
Ty Lawson North Carolina
Eric Maynor VCU
Tyrese Rice Boston College
Brian Roberts Dayton
Derrick Rose Memphis
Sean Singletary Virginia

DIVISION II
Luke Cooper Alaska - Anchorage
Johnny Reibel Rollins

DIVISION III
David Arsenault Grinnell College
Andrew Olson Amherst College

Picture of the Day: Dave Odom

Shawn Siegel — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:16:09 -0800

Picture of the Day

Thanks to our friends over at Icon Sports Media, we now have access to thousands of great college basketball photos to use on the site. Each day, CHN will feature a Picture of the Day, which might include a newsworthy, funny, or simply interesting subject. At the bottom will be a caption or headline that might be informative or amusing. The possibilities are endless!

Dave Odom

The news has been circulating that South Carolina's head coach will be retiring at the end of the season. Odom has been a head coach for 18 years at East Carolina, South Carolina, and most notably Wake Forest where he won two ACC championships. His last 10 teams however have not finished over .500 in league play and he's become known more for NIT success (not a good thing for a Power Conference coach).

Here he can be seen gazing at the heavens during a game, asking god to drop another Tim Duncan on his lap.

Daily Dribble: Weekend Guarantees!

Shawn Siegel — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:03:08 -0800

Because nothing happens on Friday's in college basketball, I have a little extra time to write about tomorrow's action. What follows are not predictions, but mathematical certainties. I GUARANTEE: .. that Roy Hibbert will not hit another game-winning three against Notre Dame .. that Antoine Agudio will lead Hofstra in points, and that the Pride will lose again .. that an ESPN announcer will mention Greg Paulus was a quaterback in high school .. that OJ Mayo will have more turnovers than assists against UCLA .. that somewhere Vance Walberg is questioning whether it was a good idea to leave Pepperdine .. that Wichita State - Southern Illinois would have been a great MVC game last year .. that you don't know where half the D1 schools are located .. that Deron Washington will have a sick dunk against Georgia Tech .. that Oregon State and Rutgers lose yet again in conference play .. that one of Drake or Illinois State will still be undefeated in Valley play on Sunday .. that Dave Odom fantasizes about having Tim Duncan on his team As always, email your thoughts & comments.

SEC: All-December Team

Jeff Fox — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 22:03:37 -0800

Freshmen are heating up in the SEC, as three of them pop up on the All-December list, as opposed to only one on the All-November one.

Guard – Devan Downey – South Carolina – SO
18.6ppg, 5.4apg, 3.3spg
Best game – Dec 22nd – College of Charleston – 18 points, 7 assists, 6 boards, 3 steals

The little man is playing big for the Gamecocks, including in December with averages of around 18 points, six assists and three steals.

Guard/Forward – Shan Foster – Vanderbilt – SR
21.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 65/122 3pts
Best game – Dec 22nd – Tennessee State – 22 points, 12 boards, 3 steals

Foster followed up on a superb November with an even better December for the surprising Commodores. Along with four 20-point plus games in the month, Foster also shot a blistering 27/51 from deep.

Guard/Forward – Nick Calathes – Florida – FR
14.8ppg, 5.7apg, 4.7rpg
Best game – Dec 3rd – Jacksonville – 24 points, 9 assists, 6 steals

Native son Calathes has been doing it all for the Gators this season. His stellar December including averages of about 16 points, seven boards, six dimes and three steals per contest.

Forward – Patrick Patterson – Kentucky – FR
16.8ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.4bpg
Best game – Dec 22nd – Tennessee Tech – 24 points, 15 rebounds, 3 blocks

It’s been a nightmare season down in Lexington, but Patterson is doing his best to change that. He had another monstrous month in December, averaging a shade less than 20 points to go along with about eight boards.

Center – Andrew Ogilvy - Vanderbilt – FR
19.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.2bpg
Best game – Dec 8th – Lipscomb – 26 points, 10 rebounds

The big Aussie and Foster (as in Shan, not as in the Aussie beer) have joined together to form an unbeatable (literally) combo this season. Ogilvy had four games of 20-points or more this past month including the first double-double of his career.

Downey is SEC Player of the Week

Press Release — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:25:05 -0800

COLUMBIA, S.C. (December 10, 2007) - University of South Carolina point guard Devan Downey was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week for the week of December 3-9, the conference office announced today.

Downey, a 5-9, 175-pounder from Chester, S.C. led the Gamecocks to a 68-67 win over Providence in the Pizza Hut Big East/SEC Invitational, totaling 21 points with five steals and five assists in the victory. His fifth steal of the game led to a fastbreak layup for a 65-59 Carolina lead, ending a six-minute Gamecock scoring drought.

The South Carolina win was the only SEC victory in the four-game set against the Big East Conference.

Downey ranks fifth in the SEC in scoring (18.4 ppg), is fourth in assists (4.8 apg) and second in steals (3.4 spg). The transfer from Cincinnati has scored in double figures in all nine games this season.

The Gamecocks swept the league's Player of the Week awards this week, as Demetress Adams was named the SEC women's basketball Player of the Week as well.

-gamecocksonline.com-