GoGamecocks.com
Five questions USC faces for 2009-10
Posted on 03.22.09
CommentsRelated Content
1. What will Devan Downey do?
It seems unlikely the Gamecocks’ star will leave for the NBA. He is far from a surefire draft pick, and another season in college likely would boost his profile.
Downey, a junior, has the option of entering his name in the NBA draft, going through the camp process, then withdrawing his name as long as he does not hire an agent. Clemson’s K.C. Rivers did that last season.
Occasionally a player will enter his name with every intention of returning, then get caught up in the idea of going pro and stay in the draft. That happened with South Carolina’s Renaldo Balkman three years ago.
Downey could be tempted to start his pro career early. Ditto for forward Dominique Archie, another fourth-year junior who might explore his options.
2. How much will Zam Fredrick be missed?
Whatever might be said about his all-around game, Fredrick could score — he was the team’s second-leading scorer in his two seasons at USC.
This season he did more than hit 3-pointers, and he was involved in two of the team’s biggest moments: the buzzer-beating layup to beat Florida and the game-winning basket in the final seconds at Baylor.
It is uncertain who will take Fredrick’s spot in the starting lineup. Brandis Raley-Ross, a junior who started seven games this season, or incoming freshman Lakeem Jackson are the leading candidates.
Raley-Ross is a good rebounder and can hit 3s. Jackson (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) is built like an SEC player and can do everything well except shoot 3s. But neither can match Fredrick’s scoring ability.
3. How much will improved depth help?
Coach Darrin Horn had a basic rotation of eight players in his up-tempo system. Compare that to his team last year at Western Kentucky, when Horn used 10 players and the Hilltoppers were playing their best basketball heading into the NCAA tournament.
The Gamecocks have four recruits for next season. Assuming no players leave other than Fredrick and senior Branden Conrad, USC would have the maximum number of players allowed on its roster and could expand its rotation.
Jackson and two high school guards, Ramon Galloway and Steve Spinella, will help replace Fredrick and Conrad. Junior college forward Johndre Jefferson should give the team more frontcourt depth.
4. Will the schedule be more difficult?
It would be difficult for it to be weaker. The Gamecocks’ nonconference schedule ranked 279th in the nation and was a factor in the team not being invited to the NCAA tournament.
Horn indicated he was planning to beef up next season’s schedule, since the players would be entering their second year in his system. The snub by the NCAA might lead Horn to add another big game or two.
The Gamecocks are committed to at least three games: at Wofford and Clemson and at home against Baylor. They also will start a four-game, home-and-home series with Western Kentucky as part of Horn’s contract at his old school.
5. How high should expectations be for next season?
If Downey returns, the Gamecocks will be in great position to improve. Of course, the SEC East figures to be much stronger.
Florida is getting guard Kenny Boynton, one of the nation’s top recruits, while forward Vernon Macklin, a potential star, becomes eligible after sitting out a season after transferring. If Nick Calathes returns for his junior year, the Gators would be division favorites.
Tennessee might lose junior forward Tyler Smith to the NBA but is set to return every other key player. Vanderbilt will return everyone from a young team as long as sophomore center A.J. Ogilvy comes back, and incoming guard John Jenkins is a top-50 recruit. Kentucky and Georgia are mysteries because of their unsettled coaching situations.
USC could be picked to finish almost anywhere in the division, depending on what happens between now and the NBA draft.
— Seth Emerson
Most Viewed Stories
- Archie hurt as USC falls to Miami
- Jones Commits To USC
- Recruiting: Moses' interest grows away from Virginia
- Gamecocks Take A Pass On Neal
- Basketball buzz: Has Miami found Achilles’ heel?
- Former USC player Hawkins hospitalized
- Stephens, USC women teach Penn St. lesson
- Gamecocks' Gilmore wise beyond his years
- Bama ties flow through USC-Clemson rivalry
- Fulton Still Working On Decision
@Nyx.CommentBody@