Justin Minaya overcoming freshman moments to make South Carolina a ‘better team’

Justin Minaya walked in a tight circle beyond the right wing, staying within earshot of Frank Martin’s fury. A freshman college basketball player had just lived up to his title – and a veteran coach wasn’t hesitating to let him know.

“I wasn’t happy with him,” Martin said.

The scene played out last Saturday at Colonial Life Arena. The clock was stopped with 1.6 seconds left in the first half to allow Texas Tech’s Keenan Evans to attempt three free throws. South Carolina’s Minaya was hearing it from Martin because he was the reason Evans had such an opportunity.

Evans, a senior in his 116th career game, made the savvy move of lunging forward on a 20-footer and creating contact with a rookie in his 21st career game.

Experience prevailed easily.

“Their best player made a great read and one of our freshmen got caught in the moment and made a bad play,” Martin said. “That’s the kind of stuff that happens when you got young guys playing against old guys. It’s as simple as that, I’m not trying to create excuses or safety nets.”

Evans made all three FTs to give the Red Raiders a 30-26 halftime lead. He finished with 31 points as Texas Tech won by seven.

USC (13-8, 4-4 SEC) returns to action Wednesday when it hosts Mississippi State (15-6, 3-5) at 8:30 p.m.

Minaya will likely start for a 22nd straight time, a nod to Martin’s continued trust in the 6-foot-5 forward. Instances such as the one described above have been less frequent this past month as the Gamecocks have surged into NCAA Tournament discussion.

Minaya totaled 11 points, five rebounds and two assists Saturday. After failing to score more than eight points in eight straight games, he’s reached double figures twice in the last three contests, including a team-best 16 against Tennessee.

“I definitely struggled at the beginning of SEC play because of the rise in competition,” Minaya said. “These last few games, I’ve just learned that there’s no time when you can just lose focus during a play. You have to be locked in each play.

“Players are so good right now that any slip-up, anything, they’re gonna beat you.”

Minaya, as seen by his Evans challenge, often draws the toughest defensive assignment. That goes for practices, too.

Brian Bowen, a 6-7 McDonald’s All-American who joined USC’s scout team Jan. 14, has given Minaya a talented sparring partner.

“They’re around the same size, same length,” said Carolina senior guard Frank Booker. “They’re always going at each other. Brian’s a really good player. He can shoot the ball, he can drive, he’s pretty athletic. So all that helps Justin know how to defend, know how to guard people in the SEC who are athletic and lengthy like that.

“As you can see, he’s starting to evolve as a player.”

Martin on Saturday praised Minaya’s composure. After the crucial foul at the end of the half, Minaya regrouped in the final period. His put-back at the 10:45 mark gave South Carolina a 46-44 lead.

“There’s a consistency with his poise, his decision-making,” Martin said. “He tends to get to the right place more times than not, offensively and defensively. That’s why he’s an important player for us.”

With Minaya on the floor Saturday, the Gamecocks scored as many points as the Red Raiders. The other six USC players who logged 14 or more minutes had a minus rating.

“He’s allowed us to become better,” Martin said, “even though he’s a first-year guy.”

This story was originally published January 30, 2018 at 4:14 PM with the headline "Justin Minaya overcoming freshman moments to make South Carolina a ‘better team’."