USC dispenses with hoops tuneups

Normally, the hardest nonconference games get spread around a men’s college basketball schedule. It affords a team a chance to get a tuneup or two in between big games, improving the chance to earn quality wins.

South Carolina did it the other way this season, which first-year coach Darrin Horn said was far from his first choice. But the Gamecocks are getting ready to play their second top 25 opponent of the week, Baylor.

The back-to-back games are a bit of a culture shock for the Gamecocks, whose first 10 games were against non-BCS conference opponents — one of the nation’s weakest schedules.

As a result, USC had just this week to earn a quality nonconference win. The first chance disappeared Tuesday in a blizzard of turnovers and Clemson 3-pointers. Today comes the trip to No. 19 Baylor.

The back-to-back arrangement was the result of the annual Clemson game moving from its usual early December date.

“I think they’ll respond emotionally,” Horn said of his players. “I’m more concerned with the basketball part of it.”

That part will be tough.

Baylor (12-1) has defeated No. 17 Arizona State and Washington State. Its loss was to No. 6 Wake Forest. Horn called the Bears “an ultra-talented team.”

Essentially, they are the same group of players that handed South Carolina its most devastating loss last season. USC blew a 20-point lead at home as Baylor went on a 47-12 run on its way to an eight-point win.

Within a month, coach Dave Odom announced his retirement.

“That was a turning point in our season,” Gamecock senior guard Zam Fredrick said. “But that was last year, we’re not trying to look back on things like that. We’re just trying to move forward.”

This will be third consecutive year USC has played Baylor; the Bears are scheduled to make a return trip next season. The Gamecocks won in Waco two seasons ago, and guard Devan Downey was hoping his team would have a better matchup situation than Tuesday.

“Baylor is a talented team like Clemson, but I don’t really think they can get after you like Clemson. I think they’re a half-court defensive team,” Downey said. “We’ve just gotta bounce back and be ready to play, go to Waco. They’re a top-25 team, and I know they’re gonna be ready.”

Muldrow back for SEC? Sophomore Sam Muldrow, still nursing a sprained elbow, is out. The 6-foot-9 center has yet to play this season due to academics and the elbow injury.

USC’s goal is to have Muldrow available for the SEC season, which begins Jan. 10 against Auburn at the Colonial Life Arena. Horn said the staff was not considering a redshirt for Muldrow, provided he is ready for the conference season.

“We’re shooting for the start of SEC play; there’s no guarantee or promise of that,” Horn said. “It’s a unique injury and let’s see how it progresses.”

Reach Emerson at (803) 771-8676.