Frank Martin’s view of the Gamecocks heading into Kentucky? ‘Fun to watch’

Justin Minaya was matched up with Brian Bowen. Hassani Gravett was battling Wes Myers. Rakym Felder’s voice was echoing throughout the Carolina Coliseum.

“It was fun to watch,” Frank Martin said of Sunday’s practice.

South Carolina’s basketball program, on a very unique roll since the middle of last week, will seek further enjoyment Tuesday when it hosts No. 18 Kentucky at Colonial Life Arena.

Martin, the head coach who landed Bowen last Wednesday, brought back Felder a day later and led an all-important road SEC victory on Saturday, is feeling good about the Gamecocks (11-6, 2-3). He tweeted as much Sunday evening.

“I went to church this morning to ask for forgiveness and give (thanks) for all my blessings, which include a great group of guys that I get to coach everyday,” Martin shared with his 84,000 followers. “Then we had practice and had @juicecrew_rah (Felder) & @20tugs (Bowen) join us for the first time. What a great day.”

This has potential to be a great two weeks for South Carolina. After the Wildcats, it’s the 21^st-ranked Tennessee Volunteers coming to CLA on Saturday night. Perhaps by that 6 p.m. tip-off, the Gamecocks will know Zion Williamson’s college decision.

“Definitely,” Gravett said Monday when asked if he can feel positive vibes around the program. “I think we had some great practices leading up to the Georgia game, which is why we were able to pull through. Rah and Brian, the addition of them to practice, just helps all of us get even better each and every day.”

Neither Felder nor Bowen will be available at 9 p.m. Tuesday when Carolina tries to break a four-game losing streak to UK (14-3, 4-1). Both the point guard and small forward are out this season for different reasons, but their added practice presence has already paid dividends.

“Practice was different (Sunday),” Martin said. “Was it different in the sense that all of a sudden we were a great team and every shot went in the basket? No. It was competitive. We had multiple players at different spots every time. We were competing, which was fun.

“As a coach, you’re No. 1 ally is competition.”

Bowen, the former Louisville recruit and McDonald’s All-American, is a 6-7, 195-pound wing with the kind of handle to play the guard positions. He’s become a sparring partner for Minaya, the 6-5, 210-pound freshman who’s started every game this season.

“Brian’s a really cool kid,” Minaya said. “I’ve gotten along with him so far. In practice, he’s a real good player, so he’s pushing me every day. When I got to guard him every day, it’s definitely going to make me a lot better. It’s good for the both of us.”

Felder, a 5-10, 210-pounder who averaged 5.6 points and 1.3 assists a game last season, is back to mix things up with the likes of Gravett and Myers.

“He’s so glad,” Gravett said. “You can just tell from the energy he’s already brought in the first day that he practiced. He’s a great player for us, and we’re looking forward to having him available for our team.”

Gravett, who missed the first three SEC game with a sprained ankle, returned with 11 points off the bench in the Georgia win. Martin, who mentioned recently having to use graduate assistant Justin McKie to help with practice numbers, is a tad more at ease.

“Now you got multiple guys at every spot, high level competition,” Martin said. “It’s fun.”

This story was originally published January 15, 2018 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Frank Martin’s view of the Gamecocks heading into Kentucky? ‘Fun to watch’."