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Horn evaluates USC's Europe tune-up
Gamecock coach sees room for improvement after unbeaten stretch overseas
CommentsComing off a recent unbeaten trip to Europe, USC men’s basketball coach Darrin Horn was asked Tuesday if he would petition the NCAA to count all four games.
“I don’t know if it’ll help our RPI,” Horn said.
The competition across the Atlantic may not have been steep — forward Dominique Archie said most of the games “felt like a tune-up.” But both the players and their new coach said they returned with a better feel for each other, and what needs to be done next.
The Gamecocks are coming off consecutive losing seasons, and their hope is that Horn can pump energy into the program. The former Western Kentucky coach has installed an up-tempo system, heavily reliant on defense, and the four games in Europe were the first chance for the team to put it to use against other teams.
They ended up rolling over the first three teams, then beating the final opponent on a 3-pointer by All-SEC guard Devan Downey. The team returned home on Aug. 14 after spending eight days in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria.
“The trip was great because we got to see how much we progressed from spring to summer, and also how far we have to go before the middle of October,” said senior guard Branden Conrad.
Horn chose not to single out any player as having surprised him. Instead, he took home a sense that each player did positive things, and each has things they could improve on.
He also kept things relatively simple, as far as Xs and Os. While the team was allowed 10 summer practices, NCAA rules prevent teams from practicing while on overseas trips.
“We didn’t put a whole lot in,” Horn said. “We wanted to focus on a few things, mainly playing really hard defensively, trying to play unselfish offensively, and play with a level of intensity and speed that we want on both ends. And I think all in all they did all that.”
He did get more specific when asked about certain players:
• Junior guard Brandis Raley-Ross started all four games, forming a three-guard look with Downey and Zam Fredrick. That was not necessarily an indication Horn is leaning towards that lineup. Horn said he just liked how Raley-Ross has practiced, including his shooting, feel for the game and even his defense.
• Sophomore forward Mike Holmes was hurt one game and started the other three. He impressed Horn with his effort on both ends, and needs to “do that on a consistent basis,” the coach said. Likewise, fellow sophomore post man Sam Muldrow needs more consistency.
• Fredrick was aggressive, played within the team concept, and gave a good defensive effort.
• Horn said Downey has “so much more room to improve,” which excites the coach.
Off the court, the players took a few memories home.
Conrad, Downey and the father of guard Robert Wilder were the only ones allowed to go on a Vienna rollercoaster, because of height requirements.
“That was probably the scariest moment of my life,” Conrad said.
Archie said he ate Kentucky Fried Chicken every day. Or almost every day.
“I had pizza once,” he said.
Reach Emerson at (803) 771-8676.
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