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The State's high school preps writer answers your questions

Steve Wiseman

High school preps writer Steve Wiseman answers your questions. Steve covered the Gamecocks for three years. Prior to joining The State, Steve was an NFL beat writer for five years, covering the Carolina Panthers for the Herald-Journal in Spartanburg and the New Orleans Saints for The Sun Herald in Biloxi, Miss. Steve also covered high school sports in the Upstate and Winthrop basketball earlier in his career. Among the writing awards Steve has won is the Mississippi Press Association's sports news story of the year in 2001.

Most Recently Answered Questions

Questions 1 - 15 of 304 (Page 1 of 16)

Submitted by Len Pasculli from Newton, NJ

Q: I'm writing an article about Bobby Richardson for the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR). Do you have a list of those USC baseball team players who played for Coach Richardson (1970-76) and made it to the pros? (please reply to my email address, too)

Answered 03/27/05 01:32:28 by Steve Wiseman

A: Len, Here are Richardson's players who made the major leagues (this from USC's baseball media guide) Gary Dean Lance (pitcher, KC Royals, 1977); Jim Pankovits (infielder, Houston 1984-89,Boston 1990), Ed Lynch (pitcher, New York Mets 1980-86, Chicago Cubs 1986-87); Garry Hancock (OF, Boston 78-82, Oakland 83-84); Jim Lewis (Pitcher, Seattle '79, New York Yankees '82, Minnesota '83, Seattle '84); Greg Keatley (C, KC Royals, 1981).

Submitted by cockit from columbia, SC

Q: Have we ever won a second round game in the Big Dance? When did we win games in the big dance? Also, do you think we need to beef up our OOC schedule for baseball? I hate seeing us beat up on crampuffs to build up W's. Maybe a more difficult schedule would have helped us in Omaha the last 4 years?

Answered 03/27/05 01:19:54 by Steve Wiseman

A: Cockit, Let me take them in order. No, USC has never won a second-round NCAA game. The Gamecocks haven't even won a first-round game since 1973. USC has four NCAA Tournament wins, but two of them were in regional consolation games which are no longer played. I agree about the baseball schedule. It's pitiful. Of course, it's hard to argue with a coach who has taken the team to Omaha three consecutive years. Maybe it would help in Omaha. Maybe not. The weak teams on the schedule allow Tanner to get a look at young players who often help out down the stretch.

Submitted by 3Rooster from Isle of Palms, S.C.

Q: Steve, Has Coach Odom ever stated how he deals with our horrible free-throw performance this season? How many games would we have won instead of losing, if we had made only 2, 3, or 4 free throws, of the many that we missed in those games? I would have each player shoot free-throws for HOURS every day! What is his drill, or practice technique to improve this vital part of the game? Thank you.

Answered 03/27/05 01:16:52 by Steve Wiseman

A: 3Rooster, They close practice nearly every day with a free-throw shooting drill. Often times the team is split up into two groups. The team that makes the most free throws doesn't have to run.

Submitted by Anonymous from No location specified

Q: Why won't there be any tv for the quarterfinals.

Answered 03/27/05 01:15:59 by Steve Wiseman

A: ESPN didn't want to go head-to-head with the NCAA games that night. A wise business decision.

Submitted by D.Rich from Sumter, SC

Q: Hello Steve. Are there any definite recruits coming in next year that's at least 6'9" or taller, which would give us help in the low post? Also, outside of Bryce Sheldon, are any more recruits coming next year that are known for their sharp shooting? I really feel that the Gamecocks are 1 to 2 players short in each of these positions to make them serious contenders for the SEC Title.

Answered 03/22/05 19:12:10 by Steve Wiseman

A: D.Rich, On your first question, Allassane Savadogo is a 6-8, 240-pound widebody for the post. No, he's not 6-9 or above. Theryn Hudson is 6-9,223 and is almost certain to come. Sheldon is the only perimeter player in next year's recruting class.

Submitted by Ed from Greensboro

Q: Steve, if Odom leads the Cocks to the NIT title, will it be the most significant athletics achievement in school history?

Answered 03/22/05 19:10:40 by Steve Wiseman

A: Ed, Given the mediocre history of USC athletics, it will rank very high. The second place finishes in the College World Series ('75, '77 and '02) are higher.

Submitted by Al from Columbia from Columbia, SC

Q: Steve, I enjoy reading the box score following a game to see the stats, but I do not think The State is putting that on it's web page? Any chance of that? Thanks.

Answered 03/22/05 19:09:16 by Steve Wiseman

A: Al, That's a good suggestion. I'll pass it on to the web guys and see what they can do.

Submitted by Gamecock fan from fargo, nd

Q: What purpose does the NIT serve except to give a few teams some extra playing time? The only way it would be worth anything is if the NIT winner played the NCAA winnner for the National Championship. The NIT winner doesn't even get the title of co-national champion. Without the chance of a national championship the whole thing is a waste of time and money.

Answered 03/22/05 19:08:26 by Steve Wiseman

A: That's one opinion. Others compare the NIT to bowl games like Independence or Silicon Valley or Motor City. They get extra playing time but that's it. Are those bowl games a waste of money? Some believe they are.

Submitted by chris from sumter

Q: Tough typical loss in the SEC tourney for the gamecocks. Any chance for the NIT? if so whats your thoughts on how we will do? thanks

Answered 03/22/05 19:05:53 by Steve Wiseman

A: Chris, As long as USC keeps getting home games, the team has a chance to advance. The Gamecocks are far better at home (14-3) than on the road (1-9).

Submitted by Mike from Ohio

Q: Steve, My son and I are coming from Ohio to watch the spring game. I noticed that the baseball team plays the same day at home vs. Vandy. How do I get tickets to the baseball game? Is it even possible? Thanks.

Answered 03/22/05 19:05:17 by Steve Wiseman

A: Mike, You can try the ticket office at 803-777-4274 to see if any single-game or standing room tickets are available. Otherwise, there are always people selling them outside the stadium prior to the first pitch. On that day especially, so many people will be fawning over the football spring game that many may skip the baseball. Good luck.

Submitted by LD from Columbia

Q: Has SC ever won an NCAA tournament game? If so, what's the deepest they have gone in the tournament? Thank you.

Answered 03/22/05 19:03:14 by Steve Wiseman

A: LD, South Carolina last won an NCAA Tournament game in 1973. The deepest USC has gone in a tournament is the second round.

Submitted by Mike C. from Rock Hill, SC

Q: As a long-time follower of Gamecock basketball, going back to the Roche-Owens era, I am frustrated by the on going mediocrity of the program. I am firmly convinced that Odom, while a good floor coach, cannot recruit the talent needed to elevate the USC team into a constant top 25 program. I am a Winthrop grad and follow the Eagles closely. Carolina needs to hire a coach like Gregg Marshall, who is full of fire and energy. Marshall has taken the worst program in Division I and gone to the NCAA tourney 5 times in 7 years. I'd gladly take that for the Gamecocks. Is there any chance the new USC AD will see the light and bring in Marshall?

Answered 03/22/05 19:02:24 by Steve Wiseman

A: Mike C., There's always a chance, but my guess is that Marshall will be leaving Winthrop this offseason for a bigger job, which would make him unavailable to USC. Odom isn't going anywhere this offseason. He's got three years left on his contract.

Submitted by Ejones from Washington, DC

Q: Steve, I'm glad somebody actually wrote a column on S. Walvius's future. My question is how do you end up w/ so many International players on one college bball team?..over 40% How do you effectively recruit international players? The majority of those girls are extremely tall & slow & the SEC has been running circles around carolina. Hint: Strategy ain't working & we may need to spend a little more time around the Carolina's vs. overseas on vacation.

Answered 03/22/05 19:01:00 by Steve Wiseman

A: Ejones, She probably looked overseas because the few good players that S.C. produces go to other schools (see: Ivory Latta to UNC). That's been a constant problem with USC basketball for years.

Submitted by TIPP from FLORENCE S.C.

Q: Personally Ibeleive POWELL can be a good NBA HOOPSTER! His best basketball is ahead of him!Don,t you agree?

Answered 03/22/05 18:59:31 by Steve Wiseman

A: Tipp, He'll get a look but his outside shooting (3-pointers) is a concern to the scout. He won't get drafted but should go to a summer-league camp. After that, he's probably looking at Europe.

Submitted by GAMECOCKRICHIE. from CHESTER,S.C.

Q: hi steve. odom has got too be run out of town with his tail tied between his legs. this man cannot coach. he has lost games too teams we should have beat in clemsuck,auburn,tenesuckers.,and vandermelt., fire him. don't you agree.

Answered 03/04/05 17:41:53 by Steve Wiseman

A: No. I don't agree. I'll admit he's made some decision that have backfired this year. Not playing Stephen McDowell more in December has left Tre Kelley out of gas and the end of the season. That's just for starters. But with three years left on his contract that wouldn't be prudent. Obviously you disagree. That's fine. This is America.

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