Pregame: USC vs. Princeton

Posted on 12.02.08

email print reprint or license

Comments (0)

Related Content

• Quiet road test less than ideal for USC

WHEN: Tonight, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Jadwin Gymnasium, Princeton, N.J.

TV: None

RADIO: WNKT 107.5-FM

RECORDS: USC 4-1, Princeton 2-2

COACHES: Darrin Horn (4-1 in first season at USC, 115-49 in six seasonsl); Sydney Johnson (8-25 in second season at Princeton)

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

This promises to be a huge clash of styles, with one team trying to run and the other trying to get in the half-court. Princeton has its classic offense of backdoor passes, constant motion and long possessions. Horn said his team would not change its approach, so as not to risk getting out of its own gameplan.

The Tigers are similar to the College of Charleston in two respects: Depth and a few big guys. They have gone nine deep in each game so far, and reserve Nick Lake, a 6-foot-5 guard, is their third-leading scorer. The Tigers can also bring 6-9 Zach Finley (7.3 points, 5.5 rebounds per game) off the bench.

South Carolina’s opponents have shot more free throws in three of five games, including a 23-13 disparity in Charleston. Horn attributed part of that to being on the road, but he also wants his players to be more aggressive, particularly when it comes to attacking the basket.

KEY PLAYER

F Evka Baniulis, USC

Plenty of people assumed the junior would be in the starting lineup by now, but his defense continues to be an issue for the coaching staff. The sharp-shooting Lithuanian is 13-for-21 on 3-pointers this season, so if he can find his way to playing more than half the game, it would provide an offensive boost.

STARTING LINEUPS

GAMECOCKS

Princeton lost its first two games at home to Central and Michigan, then went on the road and won its next two at Army and Fordham. All told, it should be an easier game for USC than Friday’s loss at College of Charleston.

— Seth Emerson

Most Viewed Stories

• Five reasons USC will be better, five reasons they might not be
• Joe Cox: UGA's leader of the pack
• Florida's arrests under Meyer gain attention
• Four state players get academic All-America
• James Looking at an Official Visit
• Florida Safety Holds USC Offer
• Are all NCAA rule breaks mistakes?
• Whitlock clears Hyman hurdle; Spurrier next
• Dunkley Not As Strong On USC As He Was
• Gamecocks A Favorite Of Florida Corner

Recent Video

Latest Forum posts

• Is anyone not in favor of a playoff?
• Interesting Private Message
• The State newspaper implies USC?s ?Secondary Violations? are on purpose!!!
• The ACC removes its Baseball tournament from Myrtle Beach
• Kadeem Green, 6?8 PF, Charlotte, NC