Gamecocks hit re-set after loss to Mizzou

They can’t erase it.

They can make it obsolete.

South Carolina is still in fine shape to clinch an NCAA tournament berth, despite Tuesday’s stunning loss at last-place Missouri. The Gamecocks (21-5, 8-5 SEC) have the same mission they’ve had since the detractors started being mentioned.

Bad strength-of-schedule? Member of a league that’s beating itself up so thoroughly that there are no dominant teams? None of that matters as long as USC heeds the late Al Davis’ credo – just win, baby.

“We just know that Missouri was a bad loss for us,” junior Sindarius Thornwell said of USC’s awareness of its NCAA hopes. “The next five games are crucial. We look at it as we got a five-game season.”

The Mizzou loss will be stapled to everything USC does for the rest of the year, so the Gamecocks have to make sure it’s trumped by sheer numbers. With 21 wins, two more victories means USC will leave the SEC tournament no worse than 23-9. That by itself should be enough for an NCAA bid, since USC would be a Power-5 team that won 10 games in its league, has above 20 overall wins, less than 10 losses and a strong RPI.

More wins means more comfort. The Gamecocks have five remaining games, three at home. Getting two is certainly not impossible.

So Wednesday-Friday was about making sure those two can be obtained, and forgetting the lost chance at one of them at Mizzou.

“Coach set us straight,” Thornwell said. “He put us in a place where nobody has a position right now. Back to the first day of practice right now.”

The Gamecocks’ defense, specifically on ball screens and rebounding, was targeted. Offense flows from USC’s defense, so the Gamecocks can get some turnovers and transform them into points.

Offensively, USC is moving more, fighting off screens and trying to get to the free-throw line. Missed shots can be overcome by being aggressive and getting second chances.

“That’s what personally I try to do when I’m not making shots,” Thornwell said. “Get a good look at the rim from the free-throw line.”

Florida comes in tied with USC in the SEC standings, trying like the Gamecocks to earn a double-bye in the SEC tournament. The Gators are talented among their starters but not very deep; USC’s physical nature can take advantage if it can get Florida in foul trouble.

No matter the opponent, USC simply needs to win. The Mizzou loss hurt but wasn’t a death blow.

It can be overcome, beginning Saturday.

“We feel like every game from here on out is a must-win,” Thornwell said. “Every game you play is always a must-win game.”

This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 11:09 PM with the headline "Gamecocks hit re-set after loss to Mizzou."