GoGamecocks.com
5 questions for Horn, Gamecocks
Darrin Horn
BrettFlashnick.com/Special to The State
Written by SETH EMERSON
semerson@thestate.com
Posted on 01.10.09
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For the first month or so, the grade was “incomplete” for the South Carolina men’s basketball team. It beat up on a creampuff home schedule, and lost a close game on the road.
Then came the make-or-break week, which, for the moment, has made the Gamecocks. They played well despite losing to undefeated Clemson. They defeated then-No. 19 Baylor in a confidence-boosting game.
Starting tonight, the Gamecocks have the next two months and 16 games to apply what they’ve learned to the SEC. Guard Devan Downey agreed that the team was eager to do so.
“I feel like if we go out and play we can win any game, we can beat anybody,” Downey said. “If we go out and perform and play, I feel like the sky’s the limit for this team — if we do those things.”
There are plenty of more “ifs” for this team. Here are five questions entering SEC play.
1. Is Darrin Horn and his young staff — which has no BCS-conference coaching experience — ready for the rigors of the big-time?
Horn thinks it goes both ways. While he and his team will have a learning exerience, his team’s style of play will give the other 11 teams something to worry about.
“I think in league play the experience that you gain comes in the form of some familiarity with teams and how they want to play, what their strengths are and what they’re trying to do. So we will have a learning curve for that without question as a staff because it’ll be our first time through,” Horn said.
“But our team is a new team and is playing a different way, so, hopefully, the same will be true the other way around.”
2. How will Horn’s up-tempo style work in the SEC?
The hope is that the system is a great equalizer, especially against the better teams. But much of that depends on the players’ execution of it.
There might even be instances where Horn abandons the style. The Gamecocks went to a 3-2 zone at Baylor, a strategy that worked splendidly, and at times have backed off the full-court trap.
“It all depends on who we’re playing, and what night it is and how things are going and all that kind of stuff,” Horn said. “I’d like to tell you that there’s a formula to it, but there’s really not.”
3. Will the team’s depth wear out come the dog days of February?
The Gamecocks have yet to play a game this season with their full complement of 11 players. Sophomore center Sam Muldrow’s return, likely tonight, will bring the dress list to 10, and the team hopes to get guard Branden Conrad back in a few weeks.
Even then, the team’s style of play could lead to some wear and tear. Horn has been stealing bench minutes for his starters, especially Downey. The energetic point guard is averaging 31.6 minutes a game, six less than last season.
In fact, the minutes are being spread around well, with Austin Steed eighth on the team in average minutes at 16.9.
4. Can the Gamecocks win when their outside shots aren’t falling?
USC leads the SEC in 3-point percentage (40.5), which Horn has credited to taking the right shots. Obviously, that has to continue.
Forwards Mike Holmes and Dominique Archie are good low-post scorers, but each is 6-foot-7. So it doesn’t figure that either will explode against bigger bodies in the SEC. That puts the onus back on the perimeter game.
The Gamecocks also can create chances off their transition game, which requires good defense and rebounding. Those two factors will be the biggest keys to overcoming the inevitable cold-shooting nights.
5. Will attendance improve?
This might be more than a cosmetic question, since Horn’s style requires a high energy level, and his players feed off of big crowds.
“If the crowd’s not there, you’ve got to find it yourself. It doesn’t make it easier, but you just like a hyped atmosphere,” senior guard Zam Fredrick said.
So far the turnout at Colonial Life Arena has been weak. Horn on Friday expressed hope that fans will offer their support.
“Hopefully, it’ll come from the fans partnering with us and seeing that our style of play and that these guys are playing hard. We’ve got one of the most exciting guards in the country in Devan Downey. We’re playing in the SEC,” Horn said. “Hopefully, we can partner together to build this thing and create a home atmosphere that helps us win games.”
Reach Emerson at (803) 771-8676.
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