South Carolina-Texas A&M basketball: How, what to watch as Gamecocks build on UK win
South Carolina (9-7, 1-2 SEC) travels to College Station, Texas, on Saturday to take on Texas A&M (8-7, 2-2). Tip-off is 1 p.m. at Reed Arena. SEC Network will broadcast.
USC-TEXAS A&M STORYLINES
1. Keep momentum
Wednesday’s dramatic win over No. 10 Kentucky was South Carolina’s third over the Wildcats in seven tries. The Gamecocks followed the first two upsets — in 2013-14 and 2017-18 — with losses. A similar result Saturday would immediately squash some good vibes for a second time this season — see the three-game losing streak following the Virginia win.
USC’s first five SEC games were thought to be daunting when the schedule was released, but the matchup with Texas A&M, a team picked to finish 12th in the league, looked the easiest on paper. It remains that way as the Aggies, in their first year under established coach Buzz Williams, are just above .500. They are, however, 2-1 over their last three games with the lone loss coming in overtime to LSU.
2. Buzz vs. Frank
Though it’s their first time matching up together in the SEC, the coaches in this game are well aware of each other.
South Carolina’s Frank Martin, formerly of Kansas State, and Williams, formerly of Marquette and Virginia Tech, made it a long-standing tradition to have their teams scrimmage in the preseason. The only public viewing of that matchup came in 2017 when the Gamecocks hosted the Hokies in an exhibition game for hurricane relief. Asked then if he would ever consider a regular season series with Williams’ Hokies, Martin replied, “We know our teams will help each other being around each other when no one’s watching. Unless (Williams) calls me and says, ‘I got a guy looking at you and he’s got a red dot on your forehead, sign the contract,’ I’m not doing it.”
Because of Williams’ move to the SEC after least season, the two could no longer scrimmage. Martin replaced Virginia Tech with Illinois.
3. A make or miss game
For a while Wednesday, it appeared South Carolina was heading toward the worst shooting performance of the Martin era. The Gamecocks against Kentucky missed their first 10 shots and at one point late in the first half were 6 of 29. That all changed of course as Carolina rode a 56-point second half — and Jermaine Cousinard — to the win.
Reed Arena on Saturday will feature the SEC’s top two field goal percentage defenses. Carolina produced enough offense at the right time to outlast the Wildcats. Maintaining at least shades of that performance might be enough Saturday as the Aggies enter last in the SEC in field goal percentage, 3-point field goal percentage and scoring.
4. Lawson’s time?
Couisnard’s breakout games — a combined 41 points against Tennessee and Kentucky — have come during the back-half of an odd stretch for South Carolina’s most accomplished player.
A.J. Lawson, an NBA Draft prospect and preseason All-SEC pick, is 7 for his last 38 (18.4%) from the field over the last four games as USC has gone 1-3.
The sophomore, who remains Carolina’s leading scorer, seems due for a return to form.
TEXAS A&M
Coach: Buzz Williams (261-162 in 13 seasons overall; first season at Texas A&M — 8-7)
Projected starters: G Andre Goodman (8.2 ppg), G Wendell Mitchell (7.6), G/F Savion Flagg (11.4), F Emanuel Miller (4.2), F Josh Nebo (12.1)
Last game: Lost to LSU 89-85 (OT) on Tuesday at home
KenPom ranking: 138 (No. 276 in offensive efficiency, No. 55 in defensive efficiency)
NET: 121
SOUTH CAROLINA
Coach: Frank Martin (255-167 in 13 seasons overall; eighth season at USC — 138-113)
Projected starters: G A.J. Lawson (13.9), G Jermaine Couisnard (10.1), F Keyshawn Bryant (9.4), F Justin Minaya (6.8), C Maik Kotsar (10.1)
Last game: Beat Kentucky 81-78 on Wednesday at home
KenPom ranking: 104 (No. 174 in offense efficiency, No. 73 in defense efficiency)
NET: 109
Game info
Who: South Carolina (9-7, 1-2 SEC) at Texas A&M (8-7, 2-2)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Reed Arena in College Station, Texas
TV channel: SEC Network
Radio: 107.5 The Game in Columbia area
Series: South Carolina leads 5-4
Last meeting: March 5, 2019 — South Carolina 71, Texas A&M 54
KenPom prediction: Texas A&M 63, South Carolina 62
