By
Joel Welser
South
Carolina will use the momentum from the NIT victory last
year, but will have to do it without star Carlos Powell. A trip
to the NCAAs will be expected, but the Gamecocks don’t have the
firepower to consistently battle with the upper echelon teams in
the SEC.
Who’s Out:
Carlos Powell led the team with 16.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per
game. However, there are plenty of forwards with starting
experience in returnees Antoine Tisby, Brandon Wallace and
Renaldo Balkman to pick up the slack for the departing Powell.
Josh Gonner is the only other significant departure. The guard
started 13 contests, averaging 8.7 points. Gonner was the
3-point specialist on the squad and the returning players will
need to be more consistent with their long balls with the
absence of Gonner. Center John Chappell started six games, but
only averaged 8.5 minutes per outing. Jon Land only appeared in
six games and Paulius Jonelius only made three appearances
before opting to transfer to American.
Who’s In:
One talented incoming freshman and three solid junior college
transfers will add some depth, especially to the frontcourt.
Dominique Archie is only a freshman, but the power forward is
ready to play immediately. The 6-7 Augusta, Georgia native can,
and probably will, play many positions. He has amazing hops and
is an effective rebounder and shot blocker. Archie’s offense
hasn’t come around quite yet, but it will. Wing Bryce Sheldon
spent a couple years at Fullerton (CA) College. Ousmane Konate
and Keving Palacios will battle for minutes in the frontcourt.
Konate, a 6-9 245 pound power forward, has loads of potential
and loads of talent. The Senegal native has room to improve but
should see some quality minutes after a stint at Redlands (CA)
College. You can never have too many experienced big men, and
Palacios will provide even more. The 6-8, 250 pound Venezuela
native played at Eastern Oklahoma State last year.
Who to Watch:
Tarence Kinsey was the unlikely hero of the
NIT last year, draining a last second three pointer to beat St.
Joe’s. The 6-7 guard isn’t a great long range shooter, but it
worked that night, at least during that last shot of the season.
If Kinsey can go with that momentum, he’ll be in good shape for
his senior campaign. Kinsey is a decent scorer, averaging 8.9
points last year. He tacked on 3.4 boards, 1.6 assists and 1.3
steals per contest. Along with point guard Tre Kelley, Kinsey
provides a dynamic and dangerous backcourt.
Projected Conference Rank:
In a slightly weakened SEC and with a decent
crop of newcomers that have experience, the NCAA is a very
reasonable goal following the NIT championship. But going on the
road has been difficult for the Gamecocks and they’ll have to
find a way to beat the inferior teams on the road and even pull
an upset or two if they want to go dancing. A 6th
place finish in the SEC and another trip to the NIT is more
likely.
Projected Post-season Tournament:
NIT
Projected Starting Five:
Tre Kelley, Junior, Guard, 8.9 points per game
Tarence Kinsey, Senior, Guard, 8.9 points per game
Rocky Trice, Senior, Forward, 5.9 points per game
Brandon Wallace, Senior, Forward, 5.7 points per game
Antoine Tisby, Senior Center, 6.6 points per game
