Happy Holidays Video from the USC Gamecocks Men's Basketball Team

Gamecocks Backup RB Eric Baker Out with Serious Knee Injury

Bad news out of the Gamecocks practice yesterday, reserve running back Eric Baker hurt his knee in practice Thursday and it looks like he will need surgery.  Rumored to be a ACL issue or at very least significant ligament damage.  Spurrier seems to think surgery will be required and that would likely cost Baker his 2010 season.


LOHD has always been a big fan of Mr. Baker - here & here - he just got buried in the depth chart.  He was rumored to be thinking about a transfer and if that is true this certainly does not help that issue.  Eric is a sophomore and does have a redshirt year available.  LOHD hopes he bounces back very soon!

Gamecocks Downey nominated for 2010 Bob Cousy Award

South Carolina Gamecocks PG Devan Downey is listed as a candidate for the 2010 Bob Cousy Award, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced on Thursday.

The annual award, named for the Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic Bob Cousy, recognizes college basketball's top point guard. Downey is one of 72 athletes nominated for the award.

Make sure to visit - http://www.downey2therim.com/

Notes and Thoughts on arachnophobia

The Richmond Spiders gave the Gamecocks all they could handle last night in the Colonial Life Areana. If it wasn't for Spiders guard # 5 David Gonzalvez getting into early foul trouble this game might not have had the same out come. Gonzalvez was a tough match up for the gamecock guards early in the game. Lucky for the Gamecocks Gonzalvez had a couple of touch fouls early in the 1st half that keep him on the bench for long periods of time.

Devon Downey had probably his best game of the season so far. After a rough start Downey took over the game both on offense and defense. Sam Muldrow carried the Gamecocks in the first half. Sam's post play has come a long way from last season. He can also make free throws which is a giant plus, as Carolina seems to struggle in that department just about every year.

Once again Evaldas Baniulis was ice cold from behind the 3 point line, throwing up a couple shots that didn't have a prayer of going in. He did finally hit a three late in the game from the corner in transition.

The most impressive player of the night was Jr college transfer Johndre Jefferson who had a season high 12 points. The General was getting a little worried that we might have wasted a scholarship on Jefferson, but last night he showed intensity, and a knack for getting on the offensive glass and putting back rebounds with some authority.

Does anybody know where Mike Holmes is? He has not been on the bench supporting his team the last 2 games. If you have see Mike please let us know.

Picture credit

Know your UConn Huskies: QB Zach Frazer

Leading up to the Jan. 2nd matchup in the PapaJohns.com Bowl between UConn and Gamecocks, LOHD will ensure you know who it is the Gamecocks will be beating in the Bowl game. 

First up, a quick look at who their man under center is....

Well believe it or not, it is a former Notre Dame Quarterback. 
UConn Starting QB Zach Frazer left Notre Dame after being told by now former ND Coach Weis that he would finish fourth in the four-man competition to replace Brady Quinn in May 2007.  He picked UConn over Cinncy to continue his football career and lead his current team to a win against his former team a few weeks back.

Frazer, a former Elite 11 QB participant, was UConn's starting quarterback to begin the 2009 season, but lost the job to Cody Endres when he hurt his knee.  Endres then ends up hurting his left shoulder during a 28-24 loss to Rutgers.  Enter the 'Zach Attack' or better known as Zach Frazer.

Here is Zach's stats in 2009 ---

The 6 foot 4 inch QB has passed for 1354 yds, was 107 for 197 with 9 INTs in 7 games.  He has been sacked 6 times in '09.  Since getting the starting job back after the Rutgers game he is 3-1 with wins vs. ND, Syracuse and USF.

As you can see, UConn has a capable passer to go along with their strong run game so again as LOHD has been saying this is not going to be a walk in the park.  It will be a good match-up and one that Carolina will have to be ready to execute.

thoughts?  stay tuned for more looks at the Huskies team.....

South Carolina Gamecocks Bowl History

With a bowl game coming up, take a gander at this below.

Record: 4-10

Jan. 1, 2009 Outback Bowl-Iowa 31, South Carolina 10

Dec. 29, 2006 Liberty Bowl-South Carolina 44, Houston 36

Dec. 30, 2005 Independence Bowl-Missouri 38, South Carolina 31

Jan. 1, 2002 Outback Bowl-South Carolina 31, Ohio State 28

Jan. 1, 2001 Outback Bowl-South Carolina 24, Ohio State 7

Jan. 2, 1995 Carquest Bowl-South Carolina 24, West Virginia 21

Dec. 28, 1988 Liberty Bowl-Indiana 34, South Carolina 10

Dec. 31, 1987 Gator Bowl-LSU 30, South Carolina 13

Dec. 28, 1984 Gator Bowl-Oklahoma State 21, South Carolina 14

Dec. 29, 1980 Gator Bowl-Pittsburgh 37, South Carolina 9

Dec. 29, 1979 Hall of Fame Bowl-Missouri 24, South Carolina 14

Dec. 20, 1975 Tangerine Bowl-Miami (Ohio) 20, South Carolina 7

Dec. 30, 1969 Peach Bowl-West Virginia 14, South Carolina 3

Jan. 1, 1946 Gator Bowl-Wake Forest 26, South Carolina 14

Abbeville's Gilchrist signs with the Gamecocks

Toquavius Gilchrist signed a letter of intent to play at South Carolina in a Wednesday afternoon ceremony at Abbeville High School via this report.

The 6-foot-3, 230 pounds linebacker has 3 yrs to play D 1 and will do that at Carolina.  Gilchrist chose the Gamecocks over offers from Houston, Kansas, Kansas State, North Texas and Toledo. Gilchrist originally committed to Newberry out of high school, but eventually signed with Butler.

Welcome Home and Go Cocks!

Gamecocks Nick Ebert Named to the NCBWA Preseason All-America Team

Congrats to the Gamecocks Third Baseman Nick Ebert for being named to the 3rd team of the 10th annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Pro-Line Athletic 2009 Preason All-America Team.

Gamecocks Baseball lands 11th Commitment for the Class of 2011

Wade Hampton High School star Kyle Martin becomes the 11th player to say they will be a gamecock in 2011.  This comes after the Class of 2010 was solidified.

Martin, who gave his verbal last week, becomes the third player in his class that can both hit and pitch. Martin joins Laurens Academy’s Alex Satterfield and Austin Gambrell from Belton-Honea Path as the two-way players in the class of 2011.

The six-feet-one, 200-pounder is the top first baseman in the state and is known for swinging a big bat both in high school and for his Canes AAU team.  He is ranked the No. 8 overall prospect in the state in Diamond Prospect’s summer rankings.  A southpaw, Martin becomes the first left-handed pitcher to commit in his class.

Coach Tanner continues to stock the baseball roster with talent year after year.  Great to see, go cocks and welcome Mr. Martin.