1. What do the Gamecocks do offensively? How do they score?
South Carolina hasn’t gotten what it needs offensively out of its bigs, so the
offense goes through the Gamecocks’ stable of guards and on if shots are falling.
They started the season shooting the ball well but struggled the last two games
putting the ball in the net. When the offense is clicking, South Carolina is hitting
jump shots, getting in the open court and getting second chance points with
offensive rebounds. They’ve struggled protecting the ball and getting to the free
throw line early in the year.
2. What do they do defensively? What are schemes are utilized?
The Gamecocks are much improved defensively compared to what it was last
year. They’re top 75 in defensive efficiency entering the weekend. Defensively,
they like to clog passing lanes and make an opponent work for every shot it gets.
They’re really good defensively on the interior and their guards—James Reese,
Erik Stevenson and Jermaine Couisnard—are good on-ball defenders. It’s a
primarily man-to-man scheme where guards play up the line and bigs play in
front of post players in the paint.
3. Whose the go to guy (s)?
So far this year Erik Stevenson is the guy who, when on, making the offense go.
He’s as streaky a shooter as there is on the team but has had a few games
where he really is on fire from three and then goes long stretches without a
make.
James Reese is a tough shot maker and Jermaine Couisnard—who’s dealing
with a groin injury—is the most consistent three-point shooter. Keyshawn Bryant
is also an athletic freak who can make plays slashing to the basket.
4. What happened vs. Princeton and Coastal?
In both games the Gamecocks couldn’t buy a shot and really struggled from
three (a combined 11-for-56 in those) and would force things offensively. The
defense played well against Princeton but really struggled inside against Coastal.
Really, South Carolina didn’t look ready to play against Coastal and turned in
probably it’s worst defensive performance of the season. They looked really
disjointed Wednesday night.
5. Is Martin losing his mind?
If South Carolina turns in another performance like they did against Coastal he
might. In reality, last year was really hard on him from losing his mentor Shakey
Rodriguez and having COVID twice but has really bounced back physically and
feels much better. He likes this team and the personality seven games into the year.
6. How is my guy AJ Wilson doing?
He actually missed the first four games with a back injury, death in the family and
then an illness and has struggled offensively in three games: 3.3 points per game
on 23.1 percent shooting. He’s been a good rebounder and should be a key
piece for South Carolina at the four this season.
South Carolina hasn’t gotten what it needs offensively out of its bigs, so the
offense goes through the Gamecocks’ stable of guards and on if shots are falling.
They started the season shooting the ball well but struggled the last two games
putting the ball in the net. When the offense is clicking, South Carolina is hitting
jump shots, getting in the open court and getting second chance points with
offensive rebounds. They’ve struggled protecting the ball and getting to the free
throw line early in the year.
2. What do they do defensively? What are schemes are utilized?
The Gamecocks are much improved defensively compared to what it was last
year. They’re top 75 in defensive efficiency entering the weekend. Defensively,
they like to clog passing lanes and make an opponent work for every shot it gets.
They’re really good defensively on the interior and their guards—James Reese,
Erik Stevenson and Jermaine Couisnard—are good on-ball defenders. It’s a
primarily man-to-man scheme where guards play up the line and bigs play in
front of post players in the paint.
3. Whose the go to guy (s)?
So far this year Erik Stevenson is the guy who, when on, making the offense go.
He’s as streaky a shooter as there is on the team but has had a few games
where he really is on fire from three and then goes long stretches without a
make.
James Reese is a tough shot maker and Jermaine Couisnard—who’s dealing
with a groin injury—is the most consistent three-point shooter. Keyshawn Bryant
is also an athletic freak who can make plays slashing to the basket.
4. What happened vs. Princeton and Coastal?
In both games the Gamecocks couldn’t buy a shot and really struggled from
three (a combined 11-for-56 in those) and would force things offensively. The
defense played well against Princeton but really struggled inside against Coastal.
Really, South Carolina didn’t look ready to play against Coastal and turned in
probably it’s worst defensive performance of the season. They looked really
disjointed Wednesday night.
5. Is Martin losing his mind?
If South Carolina turns in another performance like they did against Coastal he
might. In reality, last year was really hard on him from losing his mentor Shakey
Rodriguez and having COVID twice but has really bounced back physically and
feels much better. He likes this team and the personality seven games into the year.
6. How is my guy AJ Wilson doing?
He actually missed the first four games with a back injury, death in the family and
then an illness and has struggled offensively in three games: 3.3 points per game
on 23.1 percent shooting. He’s been a good rebounder and should be a key
piece for South Carolina at the four this season.