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MBB Non-Conference: Clemson

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Who: Clemson Tigers

When: December 6th, 1 p.m.

Where: Littlejohn Coliseum, Clemson, SC

  • Clemson finished the '08-'09 season with a 23-9 record and a 9-7 mark in ACC play. The Tigers reached the first round of the NCAA Tournament, losing to Michigan 62-59.
  • Clemson handed Duke its worst loss in 13 years last year at Littlejohn, defeating the Blue Devils 74-47. However, the Tigers lost eight of their last twelve after the game.
  • The Tigers lost three starters from last year's squad, but return ACC Player of the Year candidate Trevor Booker. A senior forward, Booker averaged 15.3 ppg last season. He also was a member of Team USA this summer at the World University Games and helped the Americans to a bronze medal finish. Basketball Times named Booker a preseason first-team All-American.
  • Clemson is picked to finish third in the ACC this year. The Tigers are ranked in several preseason polls ranging from No. 13 on CBSSports.com to No. 24 by Athlon Magazine.


South Carolina men's basketball season tickets starting at just $125 are on sale now at the South Carolina Athletics Ticket Office.  Visit GamecocksOnline.com or call 800-4SC-FANS. To purchase single game tickets to South Carolina's non-conference matchups, contact the Ticket Office.

WBB Non-Conference: San Diego State

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Who: San Diego State Aztecs

When: November 28th, 1 p.m.

Where: U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

  • The Aztecs finished last season with a 24-9 record overall and a 13-3 mark in conference action in the Mountain West Conference. San Diego State reached the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament, losing to Stanford 77-49 after a 76-70 win over DePaul.
  • The Aztecs were picked to win the MWC this season were listed as No. 22 in Lindy's College and Sporting News' preseason polls. ESPN.com listed San Diego State as a "team to watch" this year.
  • San Diego State returns four starters and 10 letterwinners from last year's squad. Among the returners is last year's leading scorer and senior guard Jene Morris. Morris averaged 16.1 ppg, 2.9 rbg and 3.3 steals per game.
  • Morris was named to the preseason watch lists for both national player of the year awards the Wade Trophy and the John R. Wooden Award. She was also an honorable mention All-American last season.
  • San Diego State assistant coach Fred Chmiel was a member of South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley's staff at Temple from 2006-2008.

Season tickets for South Carolina women's basketball season tickets are on sale now at the South Carolina Athletics Ticket Office. Visit GamecocksOnline.com or call 800-4SC-FANS. A reserved season ticket is priced at $50. You can also purchase a pack of four general admission season tickets for just $100.

Tickets for Combat Veterans

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This season, the athletics department has provided tickets for combat veterans, active duty military and their families for them to enjoy a game at Williams-Brice Stadium. Below is a photo of Deputy Athletics Director Marcy Girton with "Tickets for Combat Veterans" organizer Mike Murphy holding a thank you card from individuals who have benefited from the program.

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The 411 on the No. 1 Florida Gators

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What happened last week...The Gators beat Vanderbilt 27-3 to extend their winning streak to 19 games. Click here for recap

The last time they played the Gamecocks...The Gamecocks struggled offensively, losing 56-6 on the road at Florida Field. Click here for recap

Trivia tidbits going into Saturday's game...

  • The Gators are in the midst of the nation's longest active winning streak and the longest win streak in school history.
  • Since 2005, the Gators allow just 94.4 rushing yards per game. That's best in the SEC and 6th best nationally in that time frame.
  • This season, Florida has allowed 10.1 points per game - good for tops in the nation. The Gators have the 2nd best defense in the country, allowing 232.4 yards per game.
  • Since 1990, the Gators have more wins than any other program (197).

Offensive Stats
Points Per Game:
35
Yardage Per Game: 438.67 (198 passing, 240.67 rushing)
Turnovers: 13 (9 fumbles, 4 interceptions)

Defensive Stats
Points Allowed Per Game:
10.1
Yardage Allowed Per Game: 232.4 (134.4 passing, 98 rushing)
Turnovers Forced: 18 (12 fumbles, 6 interceptions)

Offensive Leaders
Passing:
Ryan Mallet - 11 TD, 4 INT, 1,531 yards, 65.9% completion rate; Averages 170.1 yards per game
Receiving: Aaron Hernandez 43 rec for 541 yards, 2 TD; Riley Cooper 32 rec for 481 yards, 5 TD
Rushing: Tim Tebow 155 carries for 578 yards, 9 TD; Jeffery Demps 70 carries for 545 yards, 6 TD; Chris Rainey 61 carries for 392 yards, 3 TD

Defensive Leaders
Tackles:
Ryan Stamper 53 (26 solo); Ahmad Black 50 (21); Joe Haden 44 (34)
Tackles for Loss: Jermaine Cunningham 8.5 for -31 yards; Carlos Dunlap 8 for -47 yards

Kicking Game
Field Goals:
Caleb Sturgis 22-23 XP; 17-20 FG, Long 56 yards
Punting: Chas Henry 25 punts, 42.88 yard average


Special on Football Player Matt Grooms

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As part of ESPN's companywide celebration of Veterans Day, ESPNU is saluting student-athletes who have served in the military. Through Wednesday, ESPNU will air an animated montage of the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as Veterans Day videos showcasing testimonials of student-athletes who have served in the military. The yearbook-style illustrations include photos and stories about how life in the service has prepared them for college, life and the future.

Matt Grooms, a former Marine and current walk-on for the Gamecock football team was featured in one of these videos.


WBB Non-Conference: Notre Dame

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Who: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

When: November 27th, 1 p.m.

Where: U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

  • Notre Dame finished the '08-'09 campaign with a 22-9 record overall and a 10-6 mark in the Big East. The Fighting Irish reached the first round of the NCAA Tournament, losing 79-71 to Minnesota. Notre Dame has made 14 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
  • Ranked at No. 4 in the first poll of the '09-'10 season, Notre Dame returns all 12 players from last year's squad that includes a starting five that has combined for 268 starts and 445 games played to date, not to mention 27 NCAA Tournament games.
  • Notre Dame was picked to finish second in the Big East behind preseason No. 1 Connecticut. Senior guards Lindsay Schrader and Ashley Barlow were selected to the preseason all Big East team. Rookie guard Skylar Diggins was an unanimous choice for Big East Preseason Player of the Year.

Season tickets for South Carolina women's basketball season tickets are on sale now at the South Carolina Athletics Ticket Office. Visit GamecocksOnline.com or call 800-4SC-FANS. A reserved season ticket is priced at $50. You can also purchase a pack of four general admission season tickets for just $100.

MBB Non-Conference: Western Kentucky

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Who: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

When: December 2nd, 7 p.m.

Where: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC

  • After reaching the Sweet Sixteen in Coach Horn's final season at the helm, the Hilltoppers returned to the Big Dance in '08-'09, winning a first round match up against Illinois before falling to Gonzaga 83-81. Western Kentucky finished the season with an overall record of 25-9 and 15-3 in the Sun Belt Conference. 
  • Western Kentucky returns four starters from the previous season, but must replace Sun Belt Player of the Year Orlando Mendez-Valdez.
  • Senior shooting guard A.J. Slaughter is expected to be a big presence again after averaging 16 points per game last season. Slaughter was the Sun Belt Tournament MVP and second-team all-conference.
  • Western Kentucky is favored to win the Sun Belt East this year and placed four players on the preseason all-conference teams. Slaughter was picked as the Preseason Player of the Year.
  • In the recent ESPN/Sagarin All-Time Rankings release, the Hilltoppers' program was ranked as the 44th best out of 330 programs.

South Carolina men's basketball season tickets starting at just $125 are on sale now at the South Carolina Athletics Ticket Office.  Visit GamecocksOnline.com or call 800-4SC-FANS. To purchase single game tickets to South Carolina's non-conference matchups, contact the Ticket Office.


MBB Non-Conference: Jacksonville Dolphins

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Who: Jacksonville Dolphins

When: November 27th, 7 p.m.

Where: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC

  • The Dolphins finished last season with an 18-14 overall mark and a 15-5 record in the Atlantic Sun conference to win the regular season title. Jacksonville lost in the championship game of the conference tournament to East Tennessee State.
  • After accepting a bid to the NIT, the Dolphins lost their opening round game to the Florida Gators.
  • The Dolphins return four starters from last year's squad, including senior point guard Ben Smith (16.9 ppg, 4.0 apg). Smith was a first-team, all-conference selection last year is a prolific scorer. He scored 30 against Georgia Tech, 29 against a tough ETSU defense and reach 1,000 points for his career in the '08-'09 season. He was selected by the media as the conference's Preseason Player of the Year.
  • Jacksonville is the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Sun this season while Smith, senior forward Lehmon Colbert and junior forward Ayron Hardy were named to the preseason all-conference team.
  • Jacksonville's head coach Cliff Warren was named by Athlon Sports as one of the top 10 coaches "under the radar." Warren has directed one of the biggest turnarounds in NCAA history as head coach of the Dolphins. The Dolphins won just one game during Warren's first season but became the first program in modern NCAA history to go from one win to conference champions in three years or less.
South Carolina men's basketball season tickets starting at just $125 are on sale now at the South Carolina Athletics Ticket Office.  Visit GamecocksOnline.com or call 800-4SC-FANS. To purchase single game tickets to South Carolina's non-conference matchups, contact the Ticket Office.

WBB Non-Conference: Oklahoma

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Who: Oklahoma Sooners

When: November 26th, 1 p.m.

Where: U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

  • From the Big 12, the Sooners finished last season with a 32-5 mark and lost to Louisville in the Final Four. Oklahoma had a 15-1 mark in conference action, but lost in the Big 12 tournament semifinals to Texas A&M.
  • Oklahoma is ranked at No. 13 in the first Associated Press poll of the season. The Sooners return three letterwinners from last year's squad, but lost superstar Courtney Paris and her sister Ashley.
  • The Paris sisters accounted for 38 percent of the Sooners' offense last year. The pair combined for over 4,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 7,500 minutes in their careers.
  • The defending Big 12 champions were selected to finish fifth in the conference in preseason voting.
  • Oklahoma has appeared in the NCAA Tournament 10 consecutive times.

Season tickets for South Carolina women's basketball season tickets are on sale now at the South Carolina Athletics Ticket Office. Visit GamecocksOnline.com or call 800-4SC-FANS. A reserved season ticket is priced at $50. You can also purchase a pack of four general admission season tickets for just $100.

SEC Football Week 10 Wrap

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Georgia 38 (5-4), Tennessee Tech 0 (5-4)
Georgia rebounds, takes apart Tennessee Tech

Kentucky 37 (5-4), Eastern Kentucky 12 (5-4)
Newton's TD passes lead UK rout of E. Kentucky

Auburn 63 (7-3), Furman 31 (4-5)
Todd completes first 14 as Auburn rolls Furman

No. 3 Alabama 24 (9-0, 6-0), No. 9 LSU 15 (7-2, 4-2)
No. 3 Alabama holds off LSU, books trip to Atlanta

Tennessee 56 (5-4), Memphis 28 (2-7)
Crompton sets career mark, Vols roll Memphis

No. 1 Florida 27 (9-0, 7-0), Vanderbilt 3 (2-8, 0-6)
No. 1 Florida puts away Vandy despite struggles

Mississippi 38 (6-3), Northern Arizona (5-4)
Snead, Hodge boost Ole Miss past N. Arizona

Bye: Mississippi State


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Women's Soccer Celebrations

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Join the South Carolina women's soccer team at Carolina Ale House in the Vista tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. as they look to see who they'll face in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament this weekend. With an RPI of 8 and the SEC title win, the Gamecocks have a good chance of hosting the first and second rounds.

In related news, the soccer team was greeted at the airport by Coach Staley and the women's basketball team. In fact, it was Coach Staley's tweet of the SEC Championship trophy that made it on the morning news today. Click here and here for her tweets of the celebrations.

The Week Ahead for the Garnet and Black

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Monday

6:30 - 8:30 p.m - Women's soccer will host a Selection Show Watch Party at Carolina Ale House in the Vista in Columbia. The selections will be broadcast on ESPNews from 8-8:30 p.m.

7 p.m. - Inside the Roost with host Derek Scott and Athletics Director Eric Hyman is on the air from Staybridge Suites on Huger Street in Columbia. South Carolina head women's basketball coach Dawn Staley and South Carolina's all-time leader in interceptions Bo Davies will be on the show.

Wednesday

7 p.m. - Women's basketball opens its season with an exhibition game against Augusta State at the Colonial Life Arena.

Thursday

7 p.m. - Carolina Calls with Coach Spurrier is at Wild Wing in the Vista from 7 to 8 p.m. Listen live on 107.5 FM.

Friday

TBD - Women's soccer will be competing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Site and opponent will be determined today.

7 p.m. - Men's basketball opens the regular season at home against Alabama A&M at the Colonial Life Arena.

7 p.m. - Volleyball travels to Orangeburg to face S.C. State.

Saturday

3:30 p.m. - Football faces No. 1 Florida at Williams-Brice Stadium on CBS.

Sunday

1:30 p.m. - Volleyball hosts LSU at the Volleyball Competition Facility.

Gamecocks Gameday Live: Arkansas Edition

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Gamecocks Gameday Live will provide you with instant information, key stats, drive summaries and sideline updates during Gamecock football games.  Whether you're in the stands, at home or out watching the game with a group of Gamecock fans, you can make sure you have the most up-to-date info on game day.  The best part of all - it's free!


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How can I access Gamecocks Gameday Live?

  • Twitter - Follow The Editor @SpursUpBlog for in-game tweets.
  • Text Messaging - Text "livefb" to 32391 to receive free in-game text messages (Standard carrier rates apply).
  • Facebook - Become a fan of GamecocksOnline to see game updates on Facebook.
  • Gametracker - Visit www.GamecocksOnline.com to get instant stats with Gametracker.
  • Radio - Tune your radio to the Gamecock Radio Network to hear Todd Ellis, Tommy Suggs and Terry Cousin broadcast the game.  Click here for an affiliate in your area. If you're in the stadium on Saturday, tune your Live Sports Radio to E2.
  • Television - Look for the Gamecocks on your television.  Saturday's game is available on the SEC Network at 12:21 p.m. ET.

WBB Non-Conf: Penn State

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Who: Penn State Nittany Lions

When: November 22nd, 3 p.m.

Where: Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC

  • Hailing from the Big Ten, Penn State finished the 2008-2009 campaign with an 11-18 record and a 6-12 mark in conference play.
  • The Nittany Lions return two starters and nine letterwinners from last year's squad. Senior guard Tyra Grant, a First Team All-Big Ten selection last year, is among the preseason candidates for the 2009-2010 Women's John R. Wooden Award.
  • Grant is on pace to become just the fourth player in Penn State history to reach the 2,000-point plateau. Last season, she averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
  • Penn State has reached the NCAA Tournament 21 times in 45 seasons of competition.
  • Penn State's incoming recruiting class was ranked No. 14 in the country.
  • What's a Nittany Lion? Penn State's unique mascot refers to the mountain lions that once roamed near the school in State College, Pennsylvania. Nittany refers to Mount Nittany, a prominent landmark in the area.

Season tickets for South Carolina women's basketball season tickets are on sale now at the South Carolina Athletics Ticket Office. Visit GamecocksOnline.com or call 800-4SC-FANS. A reserved season ticket is priced at $50. You can also purchase a pack of four general admission season tickets for just $100.