The NFL will command center stage today, but there will still be some important hoops in the collegiate ranks.
One game that is quite intriguing involves a battle for bragging rights in the state of South Carolina. The Gamecocks enter as 5.5 point dogs against a Clemson team that has the more well perceived program. While S.C. still has a lot to prove, they are coming along nicely under Frank Martin and should make for a good play in as a dog of this number.
South Carolina has only one performance to real bank on, with that being a two point loss last tuesday afternoon to Baylor. Out-rebounded by 11 during the game, the Gamecocks refused to give in and challenged shots with regularity. They hung tough and nearly pulled off a road win against a ranked opponent.
Frank Martin took over this program a year ago and things didn’t go so well in his first season. The Gamecocks illustrated some promise late in the season, but their record spoke volumes regarding how dire the program had slumped too prior to Martin’s arrival.
The most obvious and glaring need was twofold: S.C. needed more size and increased scoring. While they can still struggle to score at times, they appear to have considerably more size than 2012, and that should be a major factor here.
Demetrius Henry, a 6’9 freshman from miami brings both energy and a rugged rebounding style to the front court. he is joined by 6’7 sophomore Mindaugas Kacinas, a player physical enough to battle on the boards despite having other offensive limitations.
Sindarius Thornwell and Tyrone Johnson give them a more polished back court as well. Johnson, a transfer from Villanova, is a physical specimen who knows how to distribute the basketball. He grades out quite well in terms of SEC point guards, but can be a little too prone to distribute on this team given their limitations regarding scoring options.
While South Carolina has upgraded significantly given the roster it now has, Clemson really has not. The Tigers were a dismal offensive team last season and I doubt that will change all that much in 2013.
They mustered only 71 points against Stetson and 58 versus Delaware State. Through two games they have two bodies averaging over double figures in PPG, with three guys averaging right around 8.
While South Carolina will struggle to get back to mediocrity against some SEC competition, this ACC match-up should;t be much of an issue. You need to be able to put the ball in the basket and rebound at a high level to beat these Gamecocks.
I highly question the ability of this Clemson team to score enough to win this game as a favorite of this number. I also don’t see their front court having anywhere near the experience or talent level necessary to take advantage of South Carolina. The Gamecocks gave up a certain amount of agility and defensive flexibility in order to increase their size, but that just isn;t going to matter against an offensive group such as Clemson.
I would pounce on the number of 5.5 now before it gets bought down. I really see no likelihood to the possibility that it gets higher than the current value.
South Carolina +5.5
