South Carolina

[InstiGATOR1]

From what I can see South Carolina plays lots of players 10 plus minutes. In their last game they started:

1. Two sub 6' JR guards in Ellington and Eric Smith. Neither shoot a great percentage from the arc so far this season.

2. Two 6'5" G/F types in SR Jackson and Frosh Carrera. Both rebound well as Martin's teams do.

3. A 6'11" Frosh in Chatkevicius who has not started but 4 games this year.

For backups:

4. They played one more small backup JR guard in Williams and a 6'4" guard in JR Richardson. Richardson is a good 40% shooter from the arc.

5. Two forwards in 6'7" Kacinas and 6'8" JR Slawson neither of whom are outside shooters so far this year.

As I said Frank Martin teams rebound like crazy. Only a couple of these players average 10+ points per game, but they all score. And 6'4" guard Leonard only played a minute last game but has had big SEC games in the past. UF should win but this is a deep team that UF will need to take seriously.

[themistocles]

Well, they certainly handled Arky.

[GatorLurker]

The AP sportswriter from Columbia tried to put the reverse "woof" on the Gators by voting us #1 this week. Let's show him that his juju is weak. ;^)

Added in edit: Ellington is VERY quick.

[gogators73]

We have no business keeping South Carolina in the game on Wednesday but having said that...

Their 4 losses in SEC play are by 2, 3, 7, and 6 with the last one being at Mizzou. And have a 21 point win over Arkansas.

Their whole resume suggest they suck, and they kind of do, but it certainly seems like they are putting up fights at least.

[InstiGATOR1]

Their whole resume suggest they suck, and they kind of do, but it certainly seems like they are putting up fights at least.

Yep Frank Martin teams are pesky and as you say compete. I am happy Harris is on UF's bench sitting out a transfer year when we face these guys this year.

[gatorbogey]

i think they are starting to find their game. nothing flashy. although ellington can 'flash' by u. workmanlike. or i should say 'martin-like'. should be a tough fight. Martin's stare at the ref's is worth 4-6 pts at home.

[GatorsGators]

Well, they certainly handled Arky.As does everyone, at least when the game isn't in Arkansas.

[ufgator4ever]

I think sc has some history of upset success in the odome, right?

[LoyalGatorFan]

I think sc has some history of upset success in the odome, right?

Off the top of my head they have played us close in the last few years...but the main culprit with those games was Devan Downey...I think we handled them pretty easily last year both home and away if I recall correctly....but still ya never know..and now we have to deal with the added attention of being top 5, not looking ahead to Ole Miss, and possibly being without Prather...

[GatorLurker]

I think that we had a big lead (17?) against them with about 5 minutes to go a good while back and lost.

I can't remember exactly, but it might have been when Eidson played for them.

[akaGatorhoops]

Going into last week, I noted in a column that USC ranked third in sec turnover margin, at +3 per game. They do a decent job capitalizing in transition, but struggle in half court offense. They ranked 12th in conference fg percentage, prone to poor shot selection. If Florida keeps the turnovers down.... This is a rout.

[UFreak]

Agree with aka. But I have a feeling we are set for a mini letdown. I think we will win, but in the 7-12 point range.

[GatorLurker]

So, you will take the 'Cocks and 12 points? I will take that action!

[phideltdj]

This is actually a team we should not press because Ellington is too quick and they may get some easy baskets that way...I think they would struggle big time with our half court defense. I will be interested to see what Billy decides to do with the press.

[UFreak]

So, you will take the 'Cocks and 12 points? I will take that action!

No thanks bud, i never gamble on the Gators. They are my love. I want them to win by fitty. Can't root for that with cash on the line.

[InstiGATOR1]

This is actually a team we should not press because Ellington is too quick and they may get some easy baskets that way...I think they would struggle big time with our half court defense. I will be interested to see what Billy decides to do with the press.

I concur with what you say about pressing this team. Similarly to LSU they have two small guards. I would suspect Donovan would press them about as much as he pressed LSU.

[sec1]

we will be just fine if we stay focused and do not get over confident again....

[MadduxFanII]

They'll play hard and hustle like hell, because they know if they don't Martin will kill them with his bare hands. We're still much, much better.

[gatorev12]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM0RmAGMVXY

One of my favorite victories in recent years--and one I was glad to be a live witness for. The O'Dome went nuts for a good 2-3 minutes afterwards.

[gatormann]

I was very impressed with Frank Martin's team last Saturday against Arkansas. They are obviously a very well coached team. They rebounded well. Defended well and played very unselfishly offensively. When they are hitting their shots, which hasn't been that often this year, they are tough. Once Martin starts bringing in his own players they will be one of the top teams in the SEC every year. I expect them to be a dangerous team to play this year.

[Colin]

Gators just need to put on their hard hats and go to work, and they'll beat SC. We're better man-to-man at each position. We have experienced players with great chemistry. We have a smart coach. And we play defense like SC has not seen.

[Go2gtr]

We need to maintain the rebounding margin like we have in the past few games. If we do, game over.

[themistocles]

I think sc has some history of upset success in the odome, right?

I think they won 1 earlier this Century in the ODome, but most of their upsets have occurred at Columbia.

Perhaps the most aggravating thing about just about every South Carolina upset of the Gators is that they were similar to what happened at Arizona this year, albeit not as extreme.

Every game is 0-0 at the opening tip, so, each team has an equal chance of scoring.

I agree about probably not pressing too much. That is a real advantage of hyper quick guards.

[gatorbogey]

looking forward to the game.

carolina is coming in w/ confidence w/ the big win over arkie and a near win at missouri - or at least they did play them tough.

going to be a challenge. have to stay after them on defense and on the boards. expect a tussle.

[InstiGATOR1]

I think they won 1 earlier this Century in the ODome, but most of their upsets have occurred at Columbia.

Perhaps the most aggravating thing about just about every South Carolina upset of the Gators is that they were similar to what happened at Arizona this year, albeit not as extreme.

Every game is 0-0 at the opening tip, so, each team has an equal chance of scoring.

I agree about probably not pressing too much. That is a real advantage of hyper quick guards.

Yep SoCar at home was one of 3 UF SEC losses in 2011. That team went 13-3 and one of the losses was an early season meeting with SoCar.

[qwghlmgator]

The AP sportswriter from Columbia tried to put the reverse "woof" on the Gators by voting us #1 this week. Let's show him that his juju is weak. ;^)

Added in edit: Ellington is VERY quick.

We just need to jam Ellington at the line of scrimmage and not let him get behind the defense.

[gatorbogey]

We just need to jam Ellington at the line of scrimmage and not let him get behind the defense.

LOL
that works.
bracket coverage too, safety over works, maybe man underneath

[Brewski]

This is actually a team we should not press because Ellington is too quick and they may get some easy baskets that way...I think they would struggle big time with our half court defense. I will be interested to see what Billy decides to do with the press.

Ended up pressing the heck out of them. Great game tonight.

[akaGatorhoops]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM0RmAGMVXY

One of my favorite victories in recent years--and one I was glad to be a live witness for. The O'Dome went nuts for a good 2-3 minutes afterwards.

Lol.... I see myself in the video!