South Carolina-LSU basketball: How, what to watch with big upset chance today
South Carolina (16-10, 8-5 SEC) hosts LSU (18-8, 9-6) on Saturday in Columbia in Colonial Life Arena. Tip-off is 6 p.m.; broadcast is on the SEC Network.
Here are some storylines to watch for the game.
1. Strength on strength
The Tigers live on their offense, boasting one of the most efficient attacks in the country. That goes against a Gamecocks defense that comes in at No. 41 in the KenPom rankings.
Under Will Wade, LSU does a lot of damage inside, shooting 55.1% from 2-point range and hammering the offensive glass. The Tigers have a lineup heavy on guys who are neither short not particularly tall. Seven of the eight rotation players are between 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-6, with only Trendon Watford standing at 6-foot-9.
Gamecocks coach Frank Martin lamented the state of his guard play against Mississippi State, and the Tigers’ backcourt is formidable. Skylar Mays and Javonte Smart average 28.8 points combined.
2. Maik’s last run
Gamecocks big man Maik Kotsar is making the most of his final season on campus. He was long known as a defensively solid big whose offense sometimes pulled him down.
After posting 24 points on 11-of-17 shooting against Mississippi State, he’s averaging 10.9 points, 6.5 rebounds 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1. blocks per game. He also anchors the team’s defense, regularly taking on the opponent’s best big and often switching out onto the perimeter.
He’ll have his hands full with Watford, one of the more productive big men in the conference.
3. A big one for the resume
The loss in Starkville didn’t hurt the Gamecocks’ resume, but it was a missed chance to give it a boost. As of Friday, the LSU game just barely qualifies as Quad 1 for NCAA tournament purposes.
The Gamecocks possess three of those valuable wins — at Virginia, Kentucky, at Arkansas — but likely need one or two more to boost their at-large chances. This coming game and a trip to Alabama are the only chances left in the regular season.
The Gamecocks also have the Bulldogs on the schedule again, in Columbia. USC is a projected favorite in four of the final five games, but the LSU and Mississippi State games are functional toss-ups.
LSU
Coach: Will Wade (155-75 in seven seasons overall; third season at LSU — 64-30)
Projected starters: G Skylar Mays (16.5 ppg), G Javonte Smart (12.3), F Emmitt Williams (13.5), F Darius Days (11.8), F Trendon Watfor (13.8)
Last game: Lost to Kentucky 79-76 on Tuesday at home
KenPom ranking: 34 (No. 3 in offense efficiency, No. 184 in defense efficiency)
NET: 30
SOUTH CAROLINA
Coach: Frank Martin (263-169 in 13 seasons overall; eighth season at USC — 146-115)
Projected starters: G A.J. Lawson (13.7), G Jermaine Couisnard (12.1), F Alanzo Frink (4.4), F Keyshawn Bryant (7.2), C Maik Kotsar (10.9)
Last game: Lost to Mississippi State 79-76 on Wednesday on the road
KenPom ranking: 67 (No. 139 in offense efficiency, No. 41 in defense efficiency)
NET: 62
Game info
Who: LSU (18-8, 9-6) at South Carolina (16-10, 8-5)
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Colonial Life Arena
TV channel: ESPN2
Radio: 107.5 FM in Columbia area
Series: South Carolina leads 18-16
Last meeting: Jan. 19, 2019 — 89, South Carolina 67
KenPom prediction: South Carolina 80, LSU 79
