TheState.com: GoGamecocks: Menand#39;s Basketball

Men's pregame: USC vs. Miami

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:06 EST

When: 6 p.m. (approximately)

Where: Carolina First Arena, Charleston

TV: ESPN2

RADIO: WNKT 107.5-FM

RECORDS: USC 4-0, Miami 4-0

Miami coach had brief USC tie

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:55 EST

Miami coach Frank Haith once had a brief association with the USC basketball program.

Haith was one of the first assistants hired by Dave Odom in 2001. But he left after several weeks to join the staff at Texas, where he stayed for three years before accepting the Miami job.

Archie's goal

Dominique Archie's 3-pointer early in the second half also fulfilled an individual goal: It gave the senior forward 1,000 in his college career. Archie became the 41st Gamecock to reach the mark. Teammate Devan Downey did so last year.

Tip-ins

USC fends off Bulls' charge

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:59 EST

CHARLESTON - For the third straight game, South Carolina trailed most of the first half then took control after halftime.

This time, however, the mid-game drama and closing minutes were more tense. Luckily for the Gamecocks, the final result was the same: a win - and, in the minds of their coach, another step in their progress as a team.

After trailing by 10 in the first half Friday, South Carolina rallied and held on for a 69-66 victory against South Florida. USC moved on to a Sunday matchup against Miami in the Charleston Classic championship.

"I thought this was a terrific win because of how we had to win it," Horn said. "A great response from our players at halftime. ... We talked about being a team, doing the little things and continuing to play with and for each other."

South Florida (3-1) was picked to finish near the bottom of the 16-team Big East, went 9-22 last year and had not had a winning season since 2003.

USC holds off La Salle

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:10 EST

After three games, two trends are becoming evident about this year's version of the South Carolina basketball team:

It doesn't necessarily need its star to have a huge game, and it has the ability to turn a close game into a runaway.

Both of those were on display in Thursday's 78-68 victory against La Salle in the first round of the Charleston Classic.

Star guard Devan Downey was held to 10 points, and he might have been better off in the second half hanging out with NBA legend Joe Dumars, who was in the crowd to see his son, a freshman for South Florida, whom USC will play tonight.

Instead the Gamecocks were spurred by numerous players during a 30-5 run that started at the end of the first half and gained steam in the second half.

USC's Charleston trip brings a boost

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:00 EST

Starting tonight, the USC men's basketball team has three chances in four days to do something it failed at once last year: Winning in Charleston.

More importantly, the Charleston Classic offers a chance for the Gamecocks to do something else they didn't last year: Build a good nonconference resume.

It starts with a first-round matchup with La Salle, a solid mid-major. Then there's a potential second-round game against a Big East team (South Florida) and a Sunday game against perhaps a team from the ACC (Miami) or Big 10 (Penn State).

"We just knew it was going to be a good tournament with quality teams, which is what we were looking for," Gamecocks coach Darrin Horn said.

Two purposes of a nonconference schedule are to find opponents that will help a team's NCAA tournament resume but also prepare it for conference play. That can be a tricky balance.

Men's pregame: USC vs. La Salle

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:00 EST

When: 9:30 p.m. today (approximately)

Where: Carolina First Arena, Charleston

TV: ESPNU

RADIO: WNKT 107.5-FM

RECORDS: USC 2-0, LaSalle 1-0

Slow start, fast finish for USC

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:50 EST

The first half was a bruising struggle, and the USC men's basketball team was playing far from its best ball. The Gamecocks trailed most of the half, by as many as seven.

Yet they still beat Georgia Southern going away, 90-66.

It was a good sign for a team that has high expectations this season.

"If you're gonna be a good team, you have to respond to that," coach Darrin Horn said. "Some nights you're not gonna be your best and you have to find a way. I thought our response was good.

"And I think the good news (was) it wasn't just because we made a bunch of shots, and Devan Downey or Dominique Archie or somebody goes for 30. It was a collective effort."

Jackson bounces back for Gamecocks

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:50 EST

Lakeem Jackson got off the schnide.

The highly touted freshman had nine points on Monday after going scoreless in his college debut three nights earlier. But it did not come easy.

Saddled with foul trouble, Jackson played seven minutes in the first half, making two free throws in the process. When he picked up his third early in the second half, he looked at the bench, only to have Horn wave him off and yell at him to "just play!"

It worked. A few minutes later Jackson made his first college field goal a couple minutes into the second half. It was a dunk.

"I was a little happy about that. Got the first-game jitters out of the way. I came back, got a little dunk, got going, played hard on D."

Men's basketball pregame: Gamecocks vs. Eagles

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:12 EST

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.

Where: Colonial Life Arena

TV: SportSouth

RADIO: WNKT 107.5-FM

RECORDS: USC 1-0, Georgia Southern 1-0

Archie thrives by being strong, silent type

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:09 EST

The forward always seems to have that ho-hum air about him. The slow gait, the sleepy eyes, the gum chomping, the stare that is part blank, part annoyed.

This is Dominique Archie, who is beginning his fifth season as a college basketball player. Seemingly every step at USC has been met with a similar "whatever" attitude:

Redshirt his freshman year, a rarity in college basketball? Sure, why not.

Get thrown in the starting lineup the next year? Well, if that's what coach wants.

Declare for the NBA draft after his junior year, when many snicker at his pro prospects? Hey, what's the harm.

Downey gets into gear as USC cruises

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:53 EST

The South Carolina men's basketball team opened its season Friday night. But Devan Downey felt like last week's exhibition game - when the star guard had a pedestrian performance - called for a response.

It started at the tip. Downey hit his first five shots, two of them 3s, and had 15 points in the first eight minutes.

As the game turned into a laugher, Downey sat and had to settle for a team-high 23 points in an 88-50 victory against Alabama A&M. But he had made his point, and was able to shake off his six-point performance in a 78-55 victory against Kentucky Wesleyan on Thursday.

"You know, I felt like in the exhibition game I wasn't really aggressive," Downey said. "So I just wanted to come out and be very aggressive."

The blowout allowed USC to experiment. Coach Darrin Horn played a little zone defense and tried different lineup combinations as he works in four new players, three of whom are set to see significant playing time.

[Video] USC-Alabama A&M post-game

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:01 EST

University of South Carolina head men's basketball coach Darrin Horn speaks with the media after the Gamecocks' win over Alabama A&M Friday.

Basketball: 5 questions facing USC

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:20 EST

It may be the most anticipated season in a decade for the USC basketball team. But with Alabama A&M as the first opponent, and a big football game the following day, the hype may take a while to ramp up.

USC still has a number of issues to sort out, some minor and some major. Here are five questions facing the Gamecocks as the season tips off:

HOW GREAT CAN DOWNEY BE?

The star point guard took a supporting role in last week's exhibition, but don't expect that to happen often.

Devan Downey has a chance to cement himself as one of the best players in school history and make a run at the All-America team. It's the next step for someone who has already been a two-time, first-team All-SEC pick.

Future of basketball signed into focus

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:13 EST

The day after he was hired 18 months ago, USC men's basketball coach Darrin Horn was on the recruiting trail, targeting the 2010 recruiting class.

Horn knew he would have five seniors leaving after the 2009-10 season. Hitting the trail early came to fruition Wednesday, as five letters-of-intent arrived on the first day of the fall signing period.

"We are thrilled with our recruiting class, and that might be an understatement," Horn said. "We think this is a special class."

The class is ranked 10th by Scout.com and 12th by Rivals.com, pending the spring signing period. It includes three instate players and center Damontre Harris ranked by Scout.com as one of the top 50 players in the class.

The class also has two point guards, both under 6-foot, who were signed to replace current senior guard Devan Downey.

[Video] Coach Horn previews Alabama A&M

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:10 EST

South Carolina men's basketball coach Darrin Horn spoke with the media Wednesday on the team' new recruits and the upcoming Alabama A&M game.

Basketball Schedule (Men's and Women's)

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:41 EST

MEN'S SCHEDULE
11/5/09	vs. Kentucky Wesleyan (Exh.) *	Columbia, S.C.	W, 78-55
11/13/09	vs. Alabama A&M TV	Columbia, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
11/16/09	vs. Georgia Southern TV	Columbia, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
Charleston Classic
11/19/09	vs. La Salle TV	Charleston, S.C.	9:30 p.m. ET
11/20/09	TBD	Charleston, S.C.	TBA
11/22/09	TBD	Charleston, S.C.	TBA
11/27/09	vs. Jacksonville TV	Columbia, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
12/2/09	vs. Western Kentucky TV	Columbia, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
12/6/09	at Clemson TV	Clemson, S.C.	1:00 p.m. ET
12/16/09	vs. Richmond TV	Columbia, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
12/19/09	at Wofford TV	Spartanburg, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
12/21/09	vs. Furman TV	Columbia, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
12/30/09	at Boston College TV	Chestnut Hill, Mass.	9:00 p.m. ET
1/2/10	vs. Baylor TV	Columbia, S.C.	1:00 p.m. ET
1/5/10	vs. Longwood TV	Columbia, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
1/9/10	at Auburn # TV	Auburn. Ala.	1:30 p.m. ET
1/13/10	vs. LSU # TV	Columbia, S.C.	8:00 p.m. ET
1/16/10	vs. Vanderbilt # TV	Columbia, S.C.	6:00 p.m. ET
1/20/10	at Mississippi # TV	Oxford, Miss.	9:00 p.m. ET
1/23/10	at Florida # TV	Gainesville, Fla.	6:00 p.m. ET
1/26/10	vs. Kentucky # TV	Columbia, S.C.	9:00 p.m. ET
1/30/10	vs. Georgia # TV	Columbia, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
2/6/10	at Tennessee # TV	Knoxville, Tenn.	6:00 p.m. ET
2/10/10	vs. Florida # TV	Columbia, S.C.	8:00 p.m. ET
2/13/10	at Georgia # TV	Athens, Ga.	4:00 p.m. ET
2/17/10	at Arkansas # TV	Fayetteville, Ark.	9:00 p.m. ET
2/20/10	vs. Tennessee # TV	Columbia, S.C.	1:30 p.m. ET
2/25/10	at Kentucky # TV	Lexington, Ky.	9:00 p.m. ET
2/27/10	vs. Mississippi State # TV	Columbia, S.C.	6:00 p.m. ET
3/3/10	vs. Alabama # TV	Columbia, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
3/6/10	at Vanderbilt # TV	Nashville, Tenn.	2:00 p.m. ET
SEC Tournament
3/11/10	SEC Tournament TV	Nashville, Tenn.	TBA
3/12/10	SEC Tournament TV	Nashville, Tenn.	TBA
3/13/10	SEC Tournament TV	Nashville, Tenn.	TBA
3/14/10	SEC Tournament TV	Nashville, Tenn.	TBA
WOMEN'S SCHEDULE
11/11/09	vs. Augusta State (Exh.) *	Columbia, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
11/16/09	at Charlotte	Charlotte, N.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
11/19/09	at Clemson	Clemson, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
11/22/09	vs. Penn State TV	Columbia, S.C.	3:00 p.m. ET
U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam
11/26/09	vs. Oklahoma	St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.	1:00 p.m. ET
11/27/09	vs. Notre Dame	St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.	1:00 p.m. ET
11/28/09	vs. San Diego State	St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.	1:00 p.m. ET
12/2/09	vs. High Point TV	Columbia, S.C.	11:00 a.m. ET
12/13/09	vs. NC State TV	Columbia, S.C.	2:00 p.m. ET
12/17/09	vs. Wake Forest TV	Columbia, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
Carolina's Challenge
12/20/09	vs. North Carolina	Myrtle Beach, S.C.	3:00 p.m. ET
Saint Joseph's Hawk Classic
12/28/09	vs. Boston University	Philadelphia, Pa.	4:00 p.m. ET
12/29/09	Brown/Saint Joseph's	Philadelphia, Pa.	2/4 PM ET
1/3/10	vs. LSU # TV	Columbia, S.C.	6:00 p.m. ET
1/7/10	at Tennessee # TV	Knoxville, Tenn.	7:00 p.m. ET
1/10/10	at Alabama #	Tuscaloosa, Ala.	3:00 p.m. ET
1/14/10	vs. Kentucky #	Columbia, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
1/17/10	vs. Auburn #	Columbia, S.C.	3:00 p.m. ET
1/21/10	at LSU #	Baton Rouge, La.	7:00 p.m. ET
1/24/10	at Florida # TV	Gainesville, Fla	1:00 p.m. ET
1/28/10	vs. Mississippi #	Columbia, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
1/31/10	vs. Tennessee # TV	Columbia, S.C.	2:00 p.m. ET
2/4/10	at Auburn #	Auburn, Ala.	7:00 p.m. ET
2/7/10	at Georgia # TV	Athens, Ga.	2:00 p.m. ET
2/11/10	vs. Mississippi State #	Columbia, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
2/14/10	vs. Arkansas # TV	Columbia, S.C.	3:00 p.m. ET
2/21/10	at Kentucky #	Lexington, Ky.	2:00 p.m. ET
2/25/10	vs. Georgia #	Columbia, S.C.	7:00 p.m. ET
2/28/10	at Vanderbilt # TV	Nashville, Tenn.	1:00 p.m. ET
SEC Tournament
3/4/10	SEC Tournament TV	Duluth, Ga.	TBA
3/5/10	SEC Tournament TV	Duluth, Ga.	TBA
3/6/10	SEC Tournament TV	Duluth, Ga.	TBA
3/7/10	SEC Tournament TV	Duluth, Ga.	TBA

Muldrow surprises in exhibition

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:39 EST

Beyond the empty seats in Colonial Life Arena, this was the surest sign it was just an exhibition game: The first shot of the game was a 3-pointer by center Sam Muldrow - and it went in.

Yes, it was the same Muldrow who had never attempted a 3-pointer in his first two years at South Carolina. He tried another one late in USC's 78-55 victory against Division II Kentucky Wesleyan, and he made that too.

"He was slinging that thing tonight," USC coach Darrin Horn said.

Muldrow led the Gamecocks with 17 points on Thursday night. The stats will not count, but Horn was happy to see the aggressiveness out of Muldrow as the Gamecocks look for more scoring options.

"He told me in practice that whenever I get the ball to score and be aggressive," Muldrow said.

Auditions open for new Zam

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:28 EST

When the South Carolina men's basketball team takes the court for its exhibition game tonight, there will be a new starter at shooting guard. Zam Fredrick is gone, replaced by ...

Well, who knows yet. The coaching staff will decide before the game, and coach Darrin Horn emphasized Wednesday that the selection might not be much of an indicator for the season.

But more remains to be decided than simply who will be the fifth person announced during pregame introductions.

Much has been made of the Gamecocks returning four starters from a team that went 21-10 and ended a two-year postseason drought. The problem is the one who left averaged 15.7 points a game last season and was the second-leading scorer the past two seasons.

Fredrick was the second player after Devan Downey who the team knew would take the big shot. Fredrick hit two game-winners last year, at Baylor and home against Florida.

USC puts two on All-SEC team

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:47 EST

Two Gamecocks players were named to the coaches' All-SEC preseason team.

Downey was a unanimous selection to the first team, while senior forward Dominique Archie made the second team.

SEC Coaches All-SEC mens team

First team

Devan Downey, South Carolina, G, 5-9, 175

Nuggets sign ex-Gamecock Balkman to extension

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:08 EDT

DENVER | The Denver Nuggets have signed backup Renaldo Balkman to a contract extension and also exercised the fourth-year option on guard Arron Afflalo, who was acquired from Detroit last summer.

Known for his hustle and ability to slip through defenses for easy baskets, Balkman averaged a career-best five points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting a career-high 55.8 percent in 53 games with Denver last season.

Terms of Balkman's deal were not disclosed.

Afflalo has averaged just over a point and an assist in 18.5 minutes in his two games with the Nuggets.