Upon final 2019 game, 1 Gamecock has direct New Year’s resolution: Make NCAA Tournament
On the brink of 2020, Maik Kotsar is seeking 2017 vibes.
The South Carolina senior forward, two days ahead of the Gamecocks’ non-conference season finale against Stetson, was asked for his New Year’s resolution.
“Get to the tournament,” he responded.
Making the Big Dance — something USC hasn’t done since the Final Four run of three seasons ago — seemed like a longshot earlier this month. The Gamecocks were 6-4 and coming off a 20-point home loss to Houston. The immediate future included trips to Clemson and Virginia.
Get to the NCAA Tournament? Even having a respectable seed for the SEC Tournament appeared far-fetched.
But here was Kotsar on Saturday, beaming with confidence as he stated his goal for the next three months.
South Carolina is 8-4 entering Monday’s 3 p.m. home game with Stetson (5-9). The Gamecocks beat the Tigers and the ninth-ranked Cavaliers by a combined 24 points. They’re now a good performance over a team with a No. 327 NET ranking away from entering SEC play on a three-game win streak — and perhaps with a résumé that is trending toward tournament-worthy.
Reasons behind the sudden improvement have been well-documented — a lineup tweak that made A.J. Lawson the point guard and Jair Bolden the shooting guard, Keyshawn Bryant’s return from injury and plain better shooting — but how can Frank Martin tell if things will continue this way?
The first post-Christmas practice usually offers a hint.
Martin, in the college coaching business for nearly 20 years, has learned that players often return from an extended holiday break somewhat sluggish and out-of-sync. When the Gamecocks were crisp in that session last December, Martin could sense his team was setting up a second half run — which happened.
The 2019-20 Gamecocks, off since the Virginia win on Dec. 22, came back to a light, conditioning-based practice Friday evening. A real, full-on practice was scheduled for Saturday afternoon, after Martin spoke to the media.
“Last year, we headed into the Christmas break playing pretty good, but losing games,” Martin said. “This year, we went into the Christmas break playing pretty good, but winning games. So I’m kind of anxious to see how we go about our business here in a little while.
“They appeared to be in good spirits (Friday) night. We did some stuff early (Saturday) morning, nothing competitive, and they appeared to be engaged and anxious.”
Added Kotsar: “I feel like we’re really excited and ready to go.”
STETSON AT SOUTH CAROLINA
Where: Colonial Life Arena
When: 3 p.m. Monday
TV: SEC Network Plus via WatchESPN app
Radio: 107.5 The Game in Columbia area
Three things to watch
1. South Carolina is 6-1 under Martin in games played just prior to the SEC opener. The last two such contests have come against Division II opponents. Stetson isn’t from the lower level — it competes in the Atlantic Sun Conference — but is 3-9 this season against Division I competition. While the Gamecocks enter red-hot, the Hatters are on a four-game skid.
2. The slow-paced competition continues for USC. The Hatters enter 341st nationally in adjusted tempo, according to kenpom.com, averaging just under 65 possessions a game. Virginia, Carolina’s last opponent, is last (No. 353) in adjusted tempo. The Gamecocks play at a much quicker pace, ranking No. 47 with 73 possessions a game.
3. It’ll be a reunion of sorts for Stetson guard Christiaan Jones. The junior is a Columbia native, Cardinal Newman graduate and a regular participant in the SC Pro-Am. He’s third on the Hatters with 8.4 points per game.
Projected starting lineups
Stetson (5-9)
G Rob Perry 15.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg
G Terry Ivery 2.4 ppg, 1.1 rpg
G Wheza Panzo 5.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg
F Joel Kabimba 4.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg
C Mahamadou Diawara 13.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg
South Carolina (8-4)
G Jair Bolden 10.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg
G A.J. Lawson 16.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg
F Justin Minaya 7.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg
F Keyshawn Bryant 8.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg
F Maik Kotsar 9.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg
