What’s holding back Kory Holden and other lingering questions as USC breaks for exams
The question was directed to Hassani Gravett, but Frank Booker provided the first and last word.
South Carolina’s basketball team had just escaped heavy underdog Coastal Carolina with a last second-shot, giving the Gamecocks a hint of momentum heading into an extended break for final exams.
What are you envisioning for the next week-plus of practice?
“Running,” Booker said before his USC backcourt mate could chime in.
South Carolina is 8-2 through a third of its 2017-18 season. This marks the third-best 10-game start in Frank Martin’s six years as Gamecocks coach. But, as Booker was alluding to, the record’s not matching Martin’s level of satisfaction.
“A lot of drills with guards trying to stay in front of the ball,” Gravett said of his practice expectations. “It starts with me up top when I pick up somebody from half-court. If I don’t do my job, then I’m failing the rest of my teammates.
“So just be ready for that, and a lot of running – like he said.”
Booker, for emphasis, then added: “Running.”
It’s been a roller coaster of a beginning for the Gamecocks in their post-Final Four year.
Some lingering questions between now and when USC resumes play next Tuesday at Clemson:
What’s holding back Kory Holden?
Carolina was always going to struggle to replace the offensive production authored by Sindarius Thornwell and P.J. Dozier, but Holden was at least expected to play a significant role.
Martin in the preseason told tales of Holden once “toying” with Thornwell and Duane Notice in summer workouts. Holden averaged close to 18 points per game in his final season at Delaware.
But the transfer’s numbers through 10 contests in a USC uniform: 2.8 ppg with a field goal percentage of 31.3. He’s gone scoreless in four games this season. That never happened in two years at Delaware.
Couple things to consider: 1. Holden is coming off knee surgery slowly. 2. He’s up 32 pounds since his last season with the Blue Hens.
“I’m just trying to get used to my body,” Holden said following the UTEP win on Nov. 17. “I’m on a different weight, so I’m just getting used to playing on that weight as well.”
Holden was 165 at Delaware. He’s now 197.
“He had no idea where the weight room was at Delaware,” Martin said.
How often has the ‘best shooting team I’ve had’ showed up?
Martin might sound down now, but he was upbeat just a few months ago. It was in October when the coach labeled this current bunch of Gamecocks the best shooting team he’s had in his 10 years as head coach, including his successful run at Kansas State.
Through 10 games, USC is shooting 44.5 percent from the field. As it stands now, that’s the best for a Martin-coached Gamecocks team. Carolina is also attempting (22.7) and making (7.8) more 3-pointers per game than any previous Martin-coached team.
USC has only shot less than 45 percent from the field twice this season. Those performances – 29.5 against Illinois State and 37.9 against Temple – led to its only losses.
Since the beginning of last season, the Gamecocks are 21-0 when shooting better than 45 percent from the field.
How can perimeter defense be improved?
If there’s one thing Martin likely wants to get out of this extended break, it’s that his guards start defending the basketball.
Gravett, a veteran of his coach’s system, knows he’s struggled in that area. Hence his outlook for the upcoming practices.
But Booker, a summer transfer from FAU, can sense the frustration as well.
“That’s something we’ve been dealing with for the past 10 games,” Booker said after Coastal’s starting guards combined for 34 points. “If we don’t end up being more solid on the ball, it’s gonna bite us later on. Now, during practice, we got to keep working on it, keep working on it until we become better. Also, our help-side defense has to become better also. Just in case we do get beat, it’s set up to where it’s supposed to be help and rotations. So we just got to get better.”
Can Chris Silva stay out of foul trouble?
Among USC’s starters, no one has averaged fewer minutes a game than Silva (24.3). Yet he leads the Gamecocks in points per game (13.7), rebounds per game (8.0), blocks (15), free throws made (60) and free throws attempted (83).
The junior’s value is unquestioned. But he’s not helping USC when he’s not on the floor.
Silva scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds against Coastal. It also marked the only game this season in which he committed less than three fouls.
As the physical SEC slate approaches, Silva’s ability to avoid the whistle is crucial.
What impact will Evan Hinson have on this team?
Hinson has played in two games since moving over from the football team, making a memory in each. Against Wyoming on Dec. 6, the guard/tight end lost both of his shoes. Three days later against Coastal, Hinson went baseline for a two-handed dunk.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound sophomore will be a full-timer on Martin’s squad after the bowl game. Hinson could be key as Holden, Wes Myers and David Beatty haven’t given the Gamecocks much depth in the backcourt.
“He helped us last year in practice,” Martin said last week on his radio show. “I think he’s going to help us by performing in games (this year).”
This story was originally published December 12, 2017 at 3:55 PM with the headline "What’s holding back Kory Holden and other lingering questions as USC breaks for exams."