by Paul Jordan
GAME 28 – 2/25/2010
SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS 14-12 (5-7)
RUPP ARENA, LEXINGTON, KY
TV – ESPN2 – 9 PM
KENTUCKY LEADS SERIES 41-9
RECENT MEETINGS:
1/26/2010: SOUTH CAROLINA 68 KENTUCKY 62
2/25/2009: SOUTH CAROLINA 77 KENTUCKY 59
1/31/2009: SOUTH CAROLINA 78 KENTUCKY 77
03/5/2008: KENTUCKY 71 SOUTH CAROLINA 63
1/26/2008: KENTUCKY 78 SOUTH CAROLINA 70
2/7/2007: KENTUCKY 95 SOUTH CAROLINA 89
1/16/2007: KENTUCKY 87 SOUTH CAROLINA 49
In a way, the Wildcat’s season turned around when they first faced the Gamecocks. The Cats were brash and undefeated and full of confidence and they needed to be taken down. That’s my opinion now, in retrospect. After UK tasted the bitter taste of defeat, they became a different team and they went on a string of games (five as a matter of fact) where they beat their SEC opponents by double digits and barely allowed them to breath. Then, to answer critics that they may not be a good road team, came away with two nail biting wins over very good SEC teams on their home floor. The Wildcats have emerged as a national contender since that first South Carolina game … and the Gamecocks have, well been average. Let’s take a look at the Gamecock starters.
THE STARTERS
G – DEVAN DOWNEY – SR 5’9 175
22.7 ppg, 3.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists
G – BRANDIS RALEY-ROSS – SR 6’2 193
11.4 ppg, 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists
F – LAKEEM JACKSON – FR 6’5 215
6.7 ppg, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists
G – RAMON GALLOWAY – FR 6’2 175
7.1 ppg, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists
F – SAM MULDROW – JR 6’9 216
9.9 ppg, 6.4 rebounds, 0.4 assists
Once again, the key to this game is to stop Devon Downey. Simply put, he is one of the SEC’s top scorers and defenders. And I would have to say that he is without a doubt, the best 40% shooter the Wildcats will face this season. Downey is a true shooter, and apparently there is no red light for him to stop shooting. Perhaps the strain of carrying the Gamecock offense is starting to wear on Downey. He has shot just 30% his last five game (32-106). The reason that South Carolina was successful against Kentucky was due to the fact that Brandis Raley-Ross stepped it up and became a second scoring option. It is a role he is relishing as he has averaged 17.5 ppg over the last four games and he is still a deadly shot from 3-point land. He has seen his 3-point % drop nearly four points since the last time the teams met, but he is no stranger to letting 10 shots fly from beyond the arc. Freshman Ramon Galloway has moved into the starting lineup and is another 3-point threat, but is not terribly accurate (31.6%). He does have 30 treys on the year and is a decent 3rd scoring guard option at 7.1 points a game but he has seen his productivity slip since becoming a starter.
Lakeem Jackson is the player that took Dominique Archie’s spot in the lineup and has had a pretty good year for a freshman. He has had a few good games both scoring and on the boards but like most freshman is inconsistent. He has the odd stat of shooting 48.2% from the floor and 29.4% from the free throw line. Speaking of odd stat lines, Evaldis Baniulus is having the oddest season for a D-1 player. He has been banished to the bench now, and averages just 12 minutes a game. He has 19 3-pointers on the year out of just 22 FG’s made. And it’s not he is a terribly accurate shooter from 3-point land at just 27.9%. Sam Muldrow has stepped up the scoring since the Kentucky game, with games of 19, 16, and 23 points. He also averages 3.2 swats and is a pretty consistent rebounder.
OUTLOOK
We know that Devan Downey will get his against Kentucky, whether it takes 15 or 25 shots. Kentucky needs to dominate the boards and not allow South Carolina to grab any offensive rebounds. That said, this is a game that Kentucky should win rather easily. The re-emergence of Patrick Patterson in the offense is something that South Carolina should not have an answer for and Cousins and Patrick could both post double doubles. We have seen a motivated Kentucky team before, but this is the first time we will see a UK team out for blood and revenge. It could get ugly. Kentucky 90 South Carolina 75
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