South Carolina at USC

The USC Trojans finally get themselves out of the LA Memorial Sports Arena, which was more like a home-court disadvantage, than an advantage. They will unveil the Galen Center on campus, and expect the atmosphere to be frenetic. There is a second ingredient to to-night's game, and it is the tragic off-season death of Ryan Francis, who was killed in a Louisiana shooting. The players have dedicated this game to him, and sporting a new arena, and a house full of fans, there is no question they will display 40 minutes of intensity. South Carolina's coach Dave Odom, would like to shed the title of MR. NIT. He is 21-3 in 6 appearances, has made it to 4 finals, won 3 championships, and has won it back-to-back. That will be a tall order especiallt with the departure of three graduated starters, and leader Ranaldo Balkman took his game to the NBA. The early signs are that this team will be hard pressed to even make it back to the NIT. A home opener unveiled some serious weaknesses as t hey stumbled past SC ST 55-52. They shot just 35% and 16% beyond the arc, and were outrebounded by 9. There are no bluechip FR. to come in and make an impact, so this team will struggle for points. The first road test came at UC Irvine and it was ugly. They shot an abissmal 1-18 from 3, and 34% for the game, and were soundly beaten. The rotation goes just 7 deep, with 4 players logging 32 minutes or more, 2 with 39, and they were again outrebounded. It is difficult to win when the 2 players that you run your offense through are a combined 18-54 33%, and just 3-23 from beyond the arc. USC will be without Gabe Pruitt (academically ineligable 1st semester), but do have a lot of talent returning. Last year Tim Floyd took over a program that left him with just 4 returning scholarship players, and posted a 17-13 season. They had wins vs UCLA,Arizona, and N.C. The man can coach. He also motivated a USC to play some defense. They went through an 11 game stretch where the opponents were hel d to under 70 points for 11 straight games, which hasn't happened since 1959! he has also brought in a nationally ranked recruiting class, led by Taj Gibson, touted as one of the top forwards in the country, and several others that will bring immediate help. South Carolina has had 2 games where FR. have contributed 131 minutes 10-28 shooting 0-6 on 3's, but the baptism by fire is a necessity, and S. Carolina will take its lumps, at least early on. We have a very motivated team playing for a fallen teammate, three returning starters, opening a new arena, with a coach that has hit the trifecta...he can coach, he can recruit, and he can motivate! USC BIG!