USC has new RB Coach

Graham in, Rychleski out?

Mr. Graham, 33, comes to SC from Miami of Ohio and before that he had gigs at Tennessee-Chattanooga and Tennessee-Martin. I like the hire, he has big time college playing experience and has NFL playing experience (he played five seasons with the Ravens, Seattle and Green Bay before pursuing coaching). Graham becomes the fifth assistant hired by Spurrier and South Carolina since Jan. 6.

I really hope USC tight ends coach/special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski does not leave for the NFL gig that he has flirting with him. We all should know something by the end of the week on this front. He has been a great coach for USC and I would love to see him stick around for another few years....not to mention the gamecocks do not need another coach to leave as it would make 6.....

thoughts? Is Graham a good hire? Will Ray go?

Gamecock Basketball a good example

We all know now that the USC Men's basketball team lost to UT over the weekend by the score of 82-79. The Gamecocks now stand at 12-4; 1-2 in SEC play. As the team begins to prepare for their 4th SEC game I desire to see 3 areas improve moving forward ---

1. Interior Play--- Carolina has given up 96 points in the paint during the last two SEC. Our boys down low have to step up and get down to basics. Box out, keep man in front and be tough.

2. Playing as a unit--- The type of style USC plays is up-tempo with costs and rewards. It can create TOs and easy baskets but also the pressure USC places on the ball,when broken, can lead to easy buckets for the opposing team. SC needs to play as a unit. The next game will be another test but if played as a solid unit then great things can occur. Communicate on the court and play with your instincts.

3. D --- Carolina got back in the hunt vs LSU and UT by locking down on Defense. This should go along with the up-tempo style of play.

I have to say I really like the direction Horn has the boys going. I hope the USC Football team watched or read about the game and how the basketball team did not give up. Do you hear this...they did not give up. They battled, they fought and yeah they came up short but they showed more heart in the second half of the UT loss than the USC football team did the last 3 games of the season. I hope the entire USC athletic program can learn from the USC men's basketball team as they are a great demonstration of heart and leadership. I much rather watch (and pay gamecock club dues) to watch (and support) USC teams that give it 110%.

Is this true?

I heard from someone the other day say that "South Carolina has the highest per capita basis of players in the NFL than any other state."

Is that true?

Gamecock Draft Day Preview

According to Scott Wright at draftcountdown.com this is a breakdown of the draft hopes for the 7 Gamecocks heading to the NFL ---

Jared Cook, TE
Projection: Rounds 2-3
The buzz: Fast, athletic former wide receiver who could be one of the first players selected at his position.

Jamon Meredith, OT
Projection: Rounds 2-3
The buzz: Versatile blocker with excellent athleticism and quickness who could project to tackle or guard.

Emanuel Cook, S
Projection: Rounds 3-4
The buzz: Short, lacks great timed speed and has some character concerns but is very tough and physical.

Captain Munnerlyn, CB
Projection: Rounds 3-5
The buzz: Certainly doesn’t have the ideal height that you look for but is extremely fast and very athletic.

Kenny McKinley, WR
Projection: Rounds 4-6
The buzz: Average size and speed but has good hands and probably profiles as a slot receiver in the NFL.

Jasper Brinkley, ILB
Projection: Rounds 5-7
The buzz: Massive linebacker whose best fit at the next level will likely come inside in a 3-4 scheme.

Mike Davis, RB
Projection: Round 7 or undrafted free agent
The buzz: Short, compact runner who could compete for a roster spot but won’t be more than a backup.

Ryan Succop, PK
Projection: undrafted free agent
The buzz: Kickers don't get drafted so he will have to wait and see where he ends up

Garnet Army?

Am I hearing this right that USC Basketball Coach Darrin Horn has coined the phrase "Garnet Army" to describe the SC Student Section? And this will be rolled out next home game vs. Florida.


Any truth to this? If so what do you think of the name?

Gamecocks Offer Montana

Seems the Gamecocks have become the 4th team to offer Nick Montana, son of Joe, and the 2nd from the SEC. He is a 2010 Prospect and sure he will get many offers by the time it is all done. Seems ND is strong as that is Joe's alum but hoping Spurrier can work him. Don't feel we have a chance here but as the saying goes...you never know until you ask.

Gamecocks Set to Take on UT

Men's Hoops Travels To No. 24 Tennessee For Saturday SEC Showdown

The South Carolina men's basketball team (12-3, 1-1 SEC) travels to Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday to face No. 24 Tennessee (10-5, 1-1 SEC) in Southeastern Conference action. It is going to take a great game from USC to topple UT. What scares me after the LSU loss is much what UT has and that is the size factor. If USC does not go cold in making baskets then they can hang but if not...we may hear Rocky Top 1,000 times. This is a big game for UT also as they are slow out the gates in the SEC and most picked them to win the East so they will be hungry...can SC conquer Rocky Top?

Does USC have a chance during this recruiting weekend?

To land WR Alshon Jeffery?

I hope so as the rumor is the other USC is not as "hot" on him as they once was and he is leaning to staying closer to home. Just a rumor though....

The Gamecocks are set to play host to 19 prospects as part of their official visits to campus this weekend. Out of the 18, only 3 of them are not committed to the Gamecocks---

ATH Travante Stallworth of Leesville, LA
OL Quinton Washington of Timberland
WR Alshon Jeffrey of Calhoun County

The other 15 scheduled official visits are with prospects already committed to becoming part of Gamecock Nation---
DE Duane Chisolm of Beaufort
DB DaMario Jeffery of Columbia
ATH Chris Payne of Columbia
TE Justice Cunningham of Central
DB DJ Swearinger of Greenwood
LB Chaun Gresham of Winder, GA
LB Matt Coffee of Fort Walton Beach, FL
DE Aldric Fordham of Timberland
OL Nick Allison of Asheville, NC
LB Quin Smith of Lenoir, NC
DB Jimmy Legree of Beaufort
RB Ben Axon of Bradenton, FL
WR Charles Holmes of South Pointe
WR DeAngelo Smith of Kingsland, GA
WR DeMario Bennett of Douglas, GA

SEC Basketball Power Poll Week 2

Alright kids it is Week 2 of the SEC Basketball Power Poll and the results are up HERE.

This was my ballot-

1. UF
2. UK
3. MSU
4. UT
5. LSU
6. USC
7. Vandy
8. Bama
9. Ole Miss
10. Arkansas
11. Auburn
12. UGA