Why a demanding Frank Martin is a good thing for USC new point guard

Hassani Gravett checked out, walked past a stern Frank Martin and plopped down next to Chris Silva on South Carolina’s bench. On the floor, Western Michigan’s Jarrin Randall attempted the last of three free throws.

Over 12 minutes remained in the first half of Monday’s game and the Gamecocks point guard wasn’t going anywhere soon. Gravett picked his second foul when he bumped Randall on a 3-point try with one second left on the shot clock.

The situation was less than ideal for a USC player who views himself as a leader of this 2017-18 team.

“I got frustrated,” Gravett said.

But as he watched the rest of the half unfold, Gravett went from pouting to scouting. He noticed the Broncos were executing their offense with little variety.

“They were kind of just repeating the same plays over and over again,” he said, “so when I got back in the game I was able to pick out which plays they were running and was able to talk to my teammates and call out what they were about to do.”

USC limited WMU to 35 percent shooting in the second half en route to a 78-60 win at Colonial Life Arena.

Gravett scored 13 of his career-high 15 points over the final 20 minutes. He never fouled again.

“Last year he probably pouts and probably tries to change the channel and tries to disengage from the game,” Martin said, “I think you saw the way he played in the second half. He engaged. He obviously paid attention to what was said and paid attention to the game and went out in the second half.

“And it’s not just because he made 3s. He ran our team, he played defense. He was really good in the second half.”

South Carolina (2-0) is in Conway on Thursday for the relocated Puerto Rico Tip-Off tournament. The Gamecocks at 11:30 a.m. take on Illinois State (0-1) inside Costal Carolina’s HTC Center.

This will be the second of what’s guaranteed to be a four-game week. It’s a unique challenge for a bunch still getting to know one another. Veterans like Gravett and Silva are familiar with tournament setups and how Martin manages them.

Newcomers such as Justin Minaya, Felipe Haase, Frank Booker and Kory Holden are in for an education.

“I think we just got to keep them motivated and keep them going,” Gravett said, “We got a lot of games over a short period, so we just got to keep the guys fighting and pushing through.”

Gravett on Thursday is likely to start his third game this season, matching his total from all of 2016-17. The junior has had to step up in role, responsibility and production.

He’s averaging 10 points, 2.5 assists and just one turnover.

Martin, though, has found satisfaction in Gravett beyond his numbers.

“When we’re playing Virginia Tech (in a Nov. 5 exhibition game), I asked him to sub and I didn’t tell him for who on purpose because somebody made a bad mistake,” Martin recalled Monday. “He had no idea who he was going in for. So I sat him back down and then I kind of drilled him the next day.

“That’s responsibility. He wants to lead. If he didn’t want to lead, I wouldn’t be on him. He wants to lead, so I got to give him responsibility and hold him accountable every opportunity I have. “

Gravett passed Martin’s demanding test against Western Michigan.

“He showed a lot of growth (Monday) because I dug in him in the first half,” Martin said. “I dug in him when he committed his second foul and kept digging in him as the half progressed about our point guard play not being good.”

The winner of USC-Illinois State faces the winner of Boise State-UTEP in a Friday semifinal game. The losing teams will play Friday in the consolation bracket.