GoGamecocks.com
Men's pregame: USC vs. Florida
Posted on 01.21.09
CommentsWHEN: 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Colonial Life Arena
RECORDS: USC 12-4, 1-2 SEC; No. 24 Florida 16-2, 3-0.
COACHES: Darrin Horn (123-52 in six seasons, 12-4 in first season at USC), Billy Donovan (336-137 in 15 seasons, 301-117 in 13 seasons at Florida.)
TV: Raycom
RADIO: WNKT 107.5-FM
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1. Florida’s defense, especially on the wings, will be an interesting choice. The Gators have employed some zone lately. But they also could put 6-foot-6 Nick Calathes on 5-9 Devan Downey, employing the same height-versus-speed strategy that LSU and Tennessee used.
2. Horn has been unhappy with USC’s defense, and this will be another test. Florida is averaging 81.2 points during its 10-game win streak and 75.3 in the SEC. Calathes will be the biggest problem; he has scored 17-plus the past six games, including 28 against Arkansas on Saturday.
3. Florida lacks a deep bench, so South Carolina may try to force a battle of attrition. While the Gators’ starters all have at least a year under their belt, the reserves Billy Donovan has been using are all freshman. The Gamecocks hope an up-tempo style will wear out or rattle the younger Gators in a hostile arena.
KEY PLAYER
Mike Holmes, USC
Florida hasn’t rebounded very well, but it has a number of taller players, including 6-10 reserve Kenny Kadji. Holmes, who has struggled lately, needs to stay on the floor and at least make the rebounding situation negligible.
STARTING LINEUPS
GAMECOCKS
| POS. | HGT. | NAME | PPG |
| F | 6-7 | Dominique Archie | 11.6 |
| F | 6-7 | Mike Holmes | 11.4 |
| G | 5-9 | Devan Downey | 19.6 |
| G | 6-0 | Zam Fredrick | 16.3 |
| G | 6-2 | Brandis Raley-Ross | 6.7 |
| POS. | HGT. | NAME | PPG |
| F | 6-8 | Dan Werner | 9.4 |
| F | 6-9 | Chandler Parsons | 8.7 |
| C | 6-8 | Alex Tyus | 12.7 |
| G | 6-6 | Nick Calathes | 17.7 |
| G | 6-0 | Walter Hodge | 7.7 |
Each of the past two seasons, South Carolina has gone 1-9 against the Eastern Division. If it’s going to be a factor in the race this season, the Gamecocks need to defend their home court.
— Seth Emerson
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