South Carolina-Wyoming: How to watch, what to watch for
Wyoming (6-2) at South Carolina (6-2)
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Colonial Life Arena
KenPom prediction: South Carolina 77, Wyoming 67
TV: SEC Network Plus/WatchESPN app
Radio: 107.5 The Game
Series: Tied, 1-1
Last meeting: Dec. 9, 2002 – Wyoming won 77-63 in Laramie, Wyoming
WYOMING
Coach: Allen Edwards (29-17 in two seasons at Wyoming)
Projected starters: G Nyaires Redding (4.9 ppg), G Justin James (14.1), G Alexander Aka Gorski (7.8), F Alan Herndon (14.0), F Hayden Dalton (16.5)
Last game: Beat Drake 96-87 in two overtimes on Saturday at home
Notes: The Cowboys have wins over Drake, Chattanooga, Oregon State (road), South Dakota State, Louisiana and New Mexico Highlands. They’ve lost to Denver and 12th-ranked Cincinnati. … James, a junior, was a preseason pick to make the All-Mountain West Conference team. ... South Carolina will play both participants of the 2017 CBI finals this week. Wyoming beat Coastal Carolina last season to capture the third-tier postseason tournament. The Chanticleers come to CLA on Saturday.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Coach: Frank Martin (219-130 in 10 seasons overall; Sixth season at USC — 102-76)
Projected starters: G Hassani Gravett (9.1); G Frank Booker (9.9); G/F Justin Minaya (10.5); F Chris Silva (12.9); F Maik Kotsar (10.8)
Last game: Beat Massachusetts 76-70 on Saturday at home
Notes: USC is playing consecutive games at home for the first time this season. ... Gravett is fourth in the SEC in assists (4.6 per game). He’s 48th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.85). Kotsar is third in the league in steals (2.0 per game). … The Gamecocks enter Wednesday with an RPI of 132.
STORYLINES
1. USC’s response
Martin didn’t hold back Saturday when analyzing USC’s effort in the UMass win. He called the Gamecocks “soft,” placing a chunk of the blame on himself and his assistants.
The need for more practice was Martin’s message Monday. The Gamecocks surely got some pointed sessions in this week. How will it translate to the game?
2. Perimeter shooting
The Gamecocks did something Saturday that wasn’t previously accomplished this season: They won a game despite shooting below 30 percent from 3-point range.
Carolina’s offense is still 3-reliant. Its 184 attempts from beyond the arc are second-most among SEC teams. The Gamecocks on Wednesday face the fourth-best 3-point shooting defense in the Mountain West Conference. Wyoming is holding opponents to a 3-point percentage of 31.2.
3. Avoiding the swats
Despite the high 3 numbers, Martin still wants his team to play inside-out. This is proven by forwards Silva and Kotsar being USC’s leading scorers.
Wyoming, though, leads the MWC in blocked shots per game (4.9). Carolina had issues near the rim last week, getting a combined 14 of its shots blocked against Temple and FIU.
This story was originally published December 5, 2017 at 1:35 PM with the headline "South Carolina-Wyoming: How to watch, what to watch for."