Gamecocks take on Bulldogs Today

Georgia holds a close 46-44 all-time advantage over South Carolina in basketball. Either the Bulldogs or Gamecocks have finished last in the SEC East in eight of the last 10 seasons.
This time, when Georgia (9-13, 0-7 SEC) travels to Columbia today to face South Carolina (16-5, 5-3) at 5 p.m. on Fox Sports South the teams are going in two different directions. SC on the upswing with Horn and a team that is playing with no fear. UGa is quickly becoming the joke of the SEC basketball circle. USC is in the mix for the SEC East lead while UGa has a lock on last place. Let's hope this trend continues....

The Gamecocks have already eclipsed their overall win total from each of the past two seasons and stand a chance of earning the school’s first 20-plus win regular season since 2003-04. In today’s game, USC will look to improve upon its 13-1 home record.
The Bulldogs have lost nine consecutive games, their longest stretch since 1973. Georgia’s seven SEC losses have been by an average of nearly 14 points per contest. The gamecocks can not look past them! So don't take the game too easy and stick to playing aggressive basketball. Oh and make some dang FTs!

Other links -
Downey, Gamecocks look for a sellout against Georgia
USC's free throw woes
Gamecocks Host Georgia On Operation Sellout Saturday

Going to say gamecocks by 12 today.......thoughts?

Week 5 SEC Basketball Power Poll

Make sure to check out the results of Week 5 which are on "The Ghost of Chucky."

Here is my ballot -

1. LSU
2. UT
3. UF
4. USC
5. MSU
6. UK
7. Ole Miss
8. Vandy
9. 'Bama
10. Aub
11. Ark
12. UGa

Gamecocks whatca think of this spin?

Let me set this up for you....Gamecocks have a Top 15 class on signing day...wait HERE is a not so kind spin for gamecock faithful to think about.....

So there you have it- 30% of Spurrier's recruits are from Military Academies. Don't kid yourselves- most players who go to Military Academies have academic issues, and considering South Carolina's propensity to sign players who are red flags, you have to think a few of these guys will not make it past their second year.

Again go HERE to read full article.

thoughts?

USC Signing Day Re-Cap

The Gamecocks had the 12th-ranked recruiting class nationally, according to both Rivals.com and Scout.com. Clemson's class was ranked 37th by Rivals and 42nd by Scout.

Rivals Top 25 classes

Gamecocks reel in 'solid' recruiting class

2009 Gamecock Football Signing Day Central
USC set to retire McKinley's No. 11
Kiffin says Meyer violated recruiting rules
Signing day a good one for Gamecocks
S.C. standout adds final prize to deep recruit class
Player bios: Meet USC's class of 2009

Sharpe: Keep No. 2 retired

Receiver Jeffery cherry on top of USC's recruiting class

Also check out the SEC recruiting ranks from Scout and Rivals and Team Speed Kills and Garnet and Black

The other team -

Clemson's Dandy Dozen provides no surprises

Nasty dunk

As you all know this blog does not favor clemson but I was at the game last night and this was a nasty dunk kids....

Gamecock Recruiting for the future

Here is an article on Maxprep.com that has a list of its high school sophomore All American’s. There are a couple kids in USC back yard that might turn out to be gamecocks down the road.

QB Justin Worley Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.), 6-3, 179

MaxPreps’ National Sophomore of the Year, Worley was flat out dominant. His 50 touchdown passes is three short of the state record set by former Byrnes quarterback Willy Korn. His 3,641 passing yards is a school record.

QB Everett Golson Myrtle Beach (S.C.), 6-0, 167

Ironically, Worley’s stiffest competition for National Sophomore of the Year came from only 200 miles away. Golson, already a highly coveted prospect, finished second in the state in yards (3,587), completions (238), and touchdowns (44) – all behind Worley.

OL Brandon Shell, West Ashley (S.C.), 6-8, 280

Nephew of Hall of Famer Art Shell, Brandon is similarly endowed with talent. He excels at both football and basketball, and may look to play both in college.

WR Charon Peake, Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.), 6-3, 185

Peake was one of the first players in his class to receive scholarship offers. The gifted athlete is dangerous each time he touches the ball. Expect him to explode as a junior as Dorman should shift to a more pass friendly offense.

DL Jadaveon Clowney, South Pointe (Rock Hill, S.C.), 6-5, 220

A key defensive ingredient to South Pointe’s undefeated run, Clowney is already hearing from local schools, and could be a national recruit as an upperclassman. A 4-AAAA all-region selection, Clowney had six sacks and forced four fumbles to complement his 65 tackles.

Alshon Jeffery is a gamecock

Calhoun County WR Alshon Jeffery will be a Gamecock per 107.5 the game here in Columbia. 

Will Jeffery become a gamecock?

Calhoun County WR Alshon Jeffery will announce a decision sometime between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM at his school this morning.

This is the last big name on the board for Carolina and one that I hope we land......Giles has said that he expects Jeffery to be a gamecock and his roommate.

Rumor is that it is between USC and USC. Trojans or Gamecocks....stay tuned!

Signing Day Notes - Gamecock Edition

Some links for ya -

• Kiffin, Vols losing prospects as Signing Day nears
• Clayton Hears From USC
• Geathers Won't Sign Wednesday - USC wanted him to be a OL not DL
• Washington, Montgomery Leaving The State
• South Carolina 2009 football recruiting capsules
• Clemson's 2009 football recruiting capsules
• Spurrier, USC expect big day
• 2 get away; 1 USC target remains
• USC's biggest recruits already on campus
• ACC rules snares DT Mackey

Gamecocks lose a tough one to UF

Florida holds off Downey, Gamecocks in SEC battle

97-93

Seems the FT dilemma came back to haunt them late in the 2nd half. Also the refs sucked for the game as their betting lines must have been on the UF side. UF shot 40 FTs and made 31 of them.

I also did not like the fact that it seemed USC played UF's game instead of dictating the game. I know the offense/defense is a "pressure...high risk...high reward" type which leads to easy baskets. That happened too often in the game and the lead UF built was too much.

Downey is the man and I have already started to pray that he stays for his senior year.

Did the hype get to USC?

USC v UF tonight

Men's Hoops Travels To Florida For Primetime ESPN Matchup Tuesday

The University of South Carolina men's basketball team (16-4, 5-2 SEC) will travel to face the Florida Gators (18-4, 5-2 SEC) in an SEC East Division matchup to be broadcast in primetime on ESPN.

Florida is undefeated at home this season so this will be prove to be a big test for Horn's boys.

Keep a eye on UF point guard Nick Calathes as Carolina has to slow his roll this game. Also just like last game Carolina has to make UF center Alex Tyus a non factor this game. For the gamecocks, well they have to bring their 'A' game again. Downey and crew must play as a unit, pressure the hell out of UF, limit TOs and drain some 3's.

What to watch for.....if Downey gets 16 points. This will put him over 1,000 pts during his USC career as he is sitting right now with 984 career points.

thoughts on the game?

What the hell happened

Per The State Newspaper and Phil Kornbult

Two of the Gamecocks' three top remaining uncommitted targets are heading out of state.

As of early afternoon Tuesday, offensive lineman Quinton Washington of Timberland was headed to Michigan over USC.

Defensive end Sam Montgomery of Greenwood has eliminated USC and Clemson and will choose from among North Carolina, Tennessee and LSU.

Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will announce Wednesday morning between USC, Southern California and Tennessee.

??????

Gamecock Recruit changes mind???

So Leon Mackey did not commit to USC? Or did he as reported earlier? I guess we will see on signing day....either you want to be a gamecock or you don't....

Full Story - Teammate: Mackey did not commit to USC

Gamecock Named SEC Player of the Week

Devan Downey Named SEC Player of the Week

Here is what secsports.com has to say about him -

"South Carolina's Devan Downey was named the SEC Player of the Week after averaging 20.5 points, 4.0 assists and 3.5 steals in leading the Gamecocks to wins over Vanderbilt and at Kentucky. Downey tallied 18 points, while adding four assists and a team-best three steals in the Gamecock victory over Vanderbilt on Wednesday. Downey backed that up with one of his top performances of the season in USC's upset of then-No. 24 Kentucky at Rupp Arena on Saturday when tallied 23 points, four assists and four steals in the victory. With three seconds left, he nailed a turnaround jumper to give the Gamecocks the one-point victory."

(h/t: http://www.garnetandblackattack.com/)

Bobby Knight to Georiga?

With the "kicking to the curb" that UGa did to Felton recently, well it has opened up a coaching slot in the SEC circle and I am sure by now you all have heard the rumor that Bobby Knight is interested .

What do you guys out there think....is it a good move for Bobby and UGa? Will it happen? I am not sold yet that UGa wants him even if he is the winningest coach and needs something else to do besides be a ESPN analyst. He brings some baggage with him and he likes it his way. Not sure if the UGA AD department likes that kind of approach.

Having Bobby Knight amongst the SEC coaching circle could prove to be very fun as he is not only a great basketball coach but entertaining as well.

This little drama outside the upcoming signing day should be fun to watch.

Gamecocks get commitment #27 & #28

USC gets the QB in the recruiting class that everyone was worried about....QB Andrew Clifford (6-3 210) of Tampa committed Sunday to USC after receiving an offer from Steve Spurrier. Last season Clifford passed for 2263 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Also the Gamecocks got DE Leon Mackey (6-6 260) of Hargrave Prep, VA to committ. Seems this was a steal from Clemson with a little help from VT!!!

Leon signed with VT out of high school but backed off that after being at Hargrave. He then committed to Clemson in early January, but according to a source, "Mackey was never denied admission to Virginia Tech and was never given a release from his national letter. The Hokies would not release him to sign with another ACC school." Whatever he is a gamecock now and this pisses Dabo off...

This class is shaping up to be huge! Just think in 4 years....nevermind don't as we do not want to get our hopes up.

All we need now is Quinton Washington, Sam Montgomery and Alshon Jeffery to become Gamecocks.

Rumor is Montgomery is going to sign with UNC. We do have a very strong shot at landing Quinton and Alshon so cross your fingers!

Signing day is going to be fun.....

USC Baseball Report

Capital City Sports, which is a student run Gamecock organization (I think), has some interviews and clips from South Carolina's baseball practice today. The website, which is available at the above link, really has some good stuff. You should check them out---

In case you missed the Gamecock win over UK

Michael Phelps using bong at South Carolina Party

Puff Puff give....Mike-y Like-y.....

Seems Super Mike was testing his lungs at a USC house party back in November. This was the same time he was spotted at a USC football game.

The winner of a record eight gold medals last summer in Beijing was spotted knocking back shots and chugging beers at a house party at the University of South Carolina in Columbia on Nov. 6, when a partygoer handed him the water pipe etched with red writing. "He grabbed the bong and a lighter and knew exactly what to do," a witness said of the swimming superstar, who was in town visiting a gal pal and South Carolina coed.

Full Story HERE on FoxSports.