The juxtaposition jumps out immediately.  Against the SEC's three fastest-paced teams, South Carolina is 3-1 - and all three of those teams have winning conference records.  Against the three slowest teams they've faced, the Gamecocks are 0-4.

 

SEC Adjusted Tempo Rankings* (Possessions/Game)                    Result

1.       Arkansas                                                                        W 75-54

2.       Ole Miss                                                                         W 63-62

3.       LSU                                                                                W 82-73 (OT),  L 64-46

7.    South Carolina

11.  Georgia                                                                           L 67-56,  L 62-54 (OT)

12.  Alabama                                                                          L 68-58

13.  Texas A&M                                                                     Saturday

14.  Vanderbilt                                                                        L 58-51                 

 

*-Tempo stats courtesy of KenPom.com.  "Adjusted tempo" takes into account a team's schedule, the preferred pace of the opponent, and the date that game was played.

               

For a team that struggles to score (12th SEC Offensive Efficiency), it seems paradoxical.  Why does South Carolina play better against teams that favor a faster - i.e., more high-scoring - pace?  

 

An "Inside The Chart" Unsolved Mystery:  why does South Carolina fare better against faster-paced teams?

 

Associate head coach Brad Underwood may have the best insight.  More than anyone on the Gamecock coaching staff, Underwood believes in the value of tempo-free statistics.  He offered his theories.

 

"When you play faster, you play less physical," Underwood explained on "Carolina Calls."  According to kenpom.com, South Carolina has the smallest average height (6'3 1/4") of any team in a BCS conference.  For undersized teams, it's hard to win a battle in the trenches over 40 minutes.  An open-floor game hides that weakness better than a halfcourt game, where opponents can deliberately target a team's height mismatch.  Underwood attributed several of the Gamecocks' late-game slides to the "grinding down" effect of facing taller, more physical teams. 

 

If a team can't exploit its height mismatch, it also can't rack up as many foul shots.  Look at South Carolina's free-throw differential against the fastest teams compared the slowest teams in the SEC:

 

FT Margin - Wins                        FT Margin - Losses

Arkansas:      +2                          Vanderbilt           -8

Ole Miss:       -1                           Georgia G1         -3

LSU G1:        +21                         Alabama            -20

LSU G2:        -3                           Georgia G2         -22

Wins:            +20                        Losses:              -53

 

It's no coincidence that fewer free throws - and less foul trouble - keep South Carolina more competitive.

 

In general, Underwood says a faster pace suits the coaches' preference.  Dating back to their Kansas State days, they aim for an average of 75 possessions per game (Carolina is averaging 67.6/game this year). 

 

Eric Smith and Shane Phillips (right) celebrate during the Gamecocks' 63-62 win over Ole Miss.  The Rebels rank 12th in the country in Possessions/Game (72.1).

 

"Our team is getting to the point where we're starting to think less.  Basketball is such a reactionary game, and it's a game of anticipation.  When you're comfortable, you see the floor open up," Underwood said.

 

Carolina's opponent Saturday, the Texas A&M Aggies (16-12, 6-9 SEC), ranks 327th in the nation in Adjusted Tempo (61.2).  The Aggies don't play with much haste, and they feature a supernova scorer in senior guard Elston Turner, who exploded for 40 points at Rupp Arena and 37 points against Ole Miss. 

 

Based on what the numbers show, the key to a victory may be as simple as one phrase.

 

"Speed kills."

 

Our pre-game coverage at Texas A&M begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on the Gamecock IMG Sports Network.  See you in College Station.  -AD--

Catch up on the day's buzz about the Gamecocks! In today's edition: Basketball hosts Missouri tonight; LB Dantzler is a candidate for Senior CLASS Award; Swimming & Diving's Michael Flach named second team All-SEC; fan photo of the day; and more!


GAMECOCKSONLINE.COM NEWS

Baseball. Baseball Faces Clemson In Weekend Series

Baseball: LB Dantzler A Candidate For Senior CLASS Award

Gamecock Club. Block Party & Gamecock Headquarters For Reedy River Rivalry Game

Men's Basketball: Gamecocks Host Missouri Thursday In Primetime Matchup On ESPN2

Women's Basketball: #14/13 Gamecocks Head to Midwest for Thursday Tilt

Swimming & Diving: Flach Named Second Team All-SEC

Women's Tennis. South Carolina Opens SEC Play at No. 6 Texas A&M on Friday

Men's Tennis: Gamecocks Host Top-20 Teams in Key Weekend Action

Cross Country. Gamecock Cross Country Posts Nation's Second Best GPA


COCK A DOODLE TWEET

Let's go Gamecocks!

Can't wait for the basketball game tonight. Go ahead and put Missouri on upset alert. #gamecockforlife

-- TOMTOM (@Tom_TomF) February 28, 2013

SPURS UP BLOG HIGHLIGHTS

Throwback Thursday: Dual-Sport Star Bobby Bryant

Gamecocks At NFL Combine Recap

"Inside The Chart" with Andy Demetra (@GamecockRadio) - Previewing Mizzou

This Week's Home Events: Baseball Faces Rival Clemson

Photos: Softball Stadium Progress

Jadeveon Clowney Featured On Sports Illustrated Cover



VIDEO OF THE DAY

Highlights: South Carolina Baseball vs. Furman - 2013





Freshman left-hander Jack Wynkoop hurled 5.1 scoreless innings in his first career start and seventh ranked South Carolina Baseball scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to break a scoreless tie as the Gamecocks defeated Furman 5-2 on February 26, 2013.


ROOSTER CROWS

Equestrian redshirt junior Johnna Letchworth has been named SEC Co-Horsemanship Rider of the Month. Letchworth was 3-0 for the Gamecocks during the month of February, picking up MVP wins vs. No. 1 Georgia (Feb. 2) and at No. 2 Auburn (Feb. 14). In her victory over the Tigers, she set the SEC single-season record with a score of 80.5

Senior first baseman LB Dantzler is one of 30 NCAA baseball student-athletes who excel both on and off the field to be selected as a candidate for the 2013 Senior CLASS Award in collegiate baseball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence - community, classroom, character and competition. 


FAN PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's Fan Photo of the Day is from TSgt Dave Hart who drove from Langley, Virginia, for the Homecoming game vs. Arkansas!
























Send in your own fan photo submissions to GamecockAthletics@gmail.com. Include your name and any back story. Some of the best submissions include Gamecock gear and showing your spurs!

It's Throwback Thursday! This week we take a look at Bobby Bryant, who was inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 1979. Bryant was a two-sport athlete at Carolina, lettering in football in 1964-66 and in baseball in 1965-67. Bryant was a first-team All-American and All-ACC at defensive back in 1966 and was named the ACC's outstanding athlete in 1967 with the Anthony J. McKelvin Award. He still holds the school record for longest punt return (98 yards vs. NC State, 1966). He was the first pitcher at Carolina to strike out 100 batters in a season and was drafted by the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in baseball. He played in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings for 14 seasons from 1968-1981.

Bryant was among almost 50 former Gamecocks who played in the NFL who returned to Columbia for a "Gamecock Pros" luncheon on Monday. For more on the luncheon, click here (photos, video interviews, etc.)
































Have an idea for who/what you want to see featured on Throwback Thursday? Share it in the comments.

 

 

Pre-tip reads before South Carolina and the Missouri Tigers (19-8, 8-6 SEC) take their show to the other Columbia (9:00 p.m. EST, Gamecock IMG Sports Network):

 

SEC-ond Coming:  What did we learn from Carolina's last game with Missouri, a gritty, 71-65 loss January 22?  Pay attention to these four factors:

 

1.       Missouri is a different team in personnel - but maybe not in personality - from that first meeting.  Back in January, Missouri was in a funk, dogged by questions about its intensity and ability to handle adversity.  They were also playing without a pair of key starters, guard Keion Bell and forward Laurence Bowers (more on them later).

 

One month later, the Tigers still haven't escaped head coach Frank Haith's scrutiny.  "Our effort, and what we needed to do on the defensive end, wasn't there," Haith said following Missouri's 90-83 overtime loss to Kentucky, calling his team's display "disturbing" and "extremely frustrating."  Missouri enters Colonial Life Arena with a 1-7 record in true road games.  Like they did at Mizzou Arena, can the Gamecocks challenge Missouri's intensity and discipline early, and force the Tigers to respond?

 

2.       Beware the pick-and-roll.  The Gamecocks held Missouri point guard Phil Pressey in check, limiting the SEC's Preseason Player of the Year to 6 points (2-8 FG), 7 assists, and 4 turnovers.  Little of the Tigers' offense came on Pressey's forte, the screen-and-roll from the top of the key. 

 

The reason was twofold:  first, Carolina jammed Missouri's screeners, preventing them from rolling easily to the basket.  Carolina also "flattened out" the screens, forcing Pressey to move laterally or backwards.  Unable to turn the corner at his desired speed, Pressey couldn't get into the lane - and put the Gamecocks on their heels.  "If you keep him out of the lane, you have a chance," Frank Martin said on "Carolina Calls." 

  

 

 

Missouri point guard Phil Pressey (#1) setting up a screen-and-roll at the top of the key with junior Earnest Ross (#33).

 

The Gamecocks' 3-2 zone was also an effective screen-and-roll deterrent.  Carolina could make guard-to-guard switches on Pressey up top, so they wouldn't lose any quickness in defending him.  Meanwhile, their back-line defenders could sit back, and wait on Missouri's forwards to roll to the rim.

 

Pressey exploded for a career-high 27 points (12-24 FG) and 10 assists against Kentucky, the Tigers' first 20-10 game since 1993.  When he's on, he's one of the most dazzling, dynamic guards in college basketball.  When he's off, Missouri's offense can unravel with him.  The key to which Phil Pressey shows up may rest in how well South Carolina defends the pick-and-roll.

 

3.       Missouri's guards are hard to stop north-south.  Sophomore Jabari Brown and junior Earnest Ross, both 6'4" and 200-plus pounds, use their body well.  Against South Carolina, they consistently lowered their shoulders and drove to the rim, resulting in 17 points for Brown and a team-high 21 points for Ross.  Those attacks helped Missouri to a 28-11 edge in free throws.  To pull the upset, the Gamecocks need to put the brakes on their fouls.

 

4.       Offensive rebounds weren't the problem.  Cashing in off them was.  South Carolina held its own against Missouri's mammoth front line, equaling the Tigers with 16 offensive rebounds.  However, Missouri outscored South Carolina by 10 points off its offensive rebounds.

 

January 22                          ORebs                  Pts. off OReb

Missouri                               16                         20

            South Carolina                      16                         10

 

Between 6'9," 255-pound Alex Oriakhi and 6'9," 240-pound Tony Criswell, Missouri has arguably the SEC's biggest "grown man" front line.  Like they did against Ole Miss, the Gamecocks need to avoid foul trouble and take the ball up fearlessly. 

 

Bowers Power:  He watched the game at Mizzou Arena in a blue button-down, a gold tie, and khaki slacks, an unassuming ensemble better suited to an insurance salesman than one of the SEC's most gifted inside-outside threats.  Redshirt senior Laurence Bowers, sidelined by a knee injury in the Gamecocks' first meeting, returns to his normal uniform tonight.  The senior from Memphis, Tenn., leads Missouri with 14.1 points per game and ranks second with 6.1 rebounds per game.

 

"He's long.  He's athletic," Martin said on "Carolina Calls."  "He's got an ability to block shots.  He impacts the game in a positive way on both ends of the floor." 

 

Missouri leading scorer Laurence Bowers (right) did not play vs. South Carolina January 22.

 

He'll also be joined by Bell, another starter who was sidelined by a sprained ankle against South Carolina.  A 6'4" pure scorer, Bell averages a team-high 14.5 points per game in SEC play while shooting 58.0% from the floor.  He'll try to improve a ghastly 5-of-27 three-point shooting night by the Tigers.

 

Another Note On Pressey:  Pressey's game against Kentucky erased a spate of poor outings on the road.  Can the Gamecocks make him regress Thursday?

 

Phil Pressey                           3pt. FGM/FGA       Assists            Turnovers

At Kentucky                             3-7                        10                   4

Prev. 6 SEC road games           1-23                       30                   33

 

Fate of Free Throws:  The fact that a team attempts more free throws in wins isn't exactly groundbreaking news.  But the disparity in free throw attempts between Carolina's wins and losses is startling.

 

                              South Carolina       Opponents

Wins:                     20.7                       13.3

Losses:                  17.2                       27.9

 

In six of their 11 losses, the opponent made more free throws than the Gamecocks attempted. 

 

And Finally... Carolina's first game against Missouri hatched an odd superstition.  Over the course of the game, Missouri head coach Frank Haith shed his jacket, then his necktie.  He joked afterwards that he almost took everything off.  Haith's gradual disrobing continued the next game against LSU, when the Tigers again needed a second-half rally.

 

The superstition inspired one of the funniest headlines in college basketball this year, courtesy of the Columbia-Star Tribune:  

 

"Haith Hopes To Stop His Stripping."

 

Our pre-game coverage begins at 8:30 p.m. EST on the Gamecock IMG Sports Network.  See you at CLA.  -AD--

*Written by student assistant Kelly McAlindin

Seven Gamecocks were evaluated by NFL scouts, general managers, and coaches this past weekend at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Players are able to attend the Combine by invitation only and work out in their different position groups in addition to medical exams and multiple interviews. Gamecock NFL-hopefuls will also have a chance to impress scouts at our Pro Day on March 27, where scouts come to Columbia. 



















MARCUS LATTIMORE

Lattimore did not perform in any of the drills during the Combine as he continues to recover from his knee injury, but he did undergo a medical evaluation that was reportedly attended by representatives from all 32 NFL teams, and conduct multiple interviews and generate a lot of media attention for his ahead-of-schedule rehabilitation and recovery. His NFL.com draft grade is 74.9

Marcus Lattimore doing good in the NFL Combine that's good to hear. #GamecocksNation!

-- Ferris Bueller (@cunnka92) February 27, 2013

Marcus Lattimore way ahead of schedule in bid to play this year (USA Today)
"This time, I'm progressing faster even though it was a worse injury, because this time I'm not timid to do certain things." - Marcus Lattimore

NFL Fan Pass: Marcus Lattimore's road to recovery (NFL.com)

Marcus Lattimore Says He Will 'Shock' Doctors at NFL Combine With Progress in Recovery From Knee Injury (NESN.com)

VIDEO of Marcus Lattimore's press conference here


D.J. SWEARINGER

Hard-hitting safety D.J. Swearinger has built a name for himself as a dynamic defender and a guy who loves to hit. Swearinger has the highest NFL.com draft grade at 81.4.

Results:
40 yd Dash - 4.67 sec.
Bench Press - 17 reps
Vertical Jump - 37 in.
Broad Jump - 124 in.
3-Cone Drill - 6.70 sec. (TOP PERFORMER)
20 yd Shuttle - 4.11 sec.

all I know is, wherever @jungleboi_swagg goes in the nfl, I want his jersey.

-- Kimberlyn Roosa (@kimmy_roo93) February 27, 2013

2013 NFL Combine: SEC safeties standing out (CBSSport.com)
*Swearinger believes in his abilities at the professional level - "I haven't played in the NFL, but a lot of my past teammates say it's no different that the SEC, just more professional. I think that will be a big help with me going into the next level."



DEVIN TAYLOR

With guys like Melvin Ingram and Jadeveon Clowney on the other end of the line, it was easy to get distracted. But having a player like Devin Taylor to deal with too helped the Gamecocks' D-line wreak havoc the past several seasons. Taylor's long, lean ideal athletic build has a lot of teams interested. He had the widest wingspan of any defensive lineman at the Combine (87 inches) and was a top performer in several of the drills.





Results:
40 yd Dash - 4.72 sec.
Bench Press - 14 reps
Vertical Jump - 35 in. (TOP PERFORMER)
Broad Jump - 128 in. (TOP PERFORMER)
3-Cone Drill - 6.89 sec. (TOP PERFORMER)
20 yd Shuttle - 4.3 sec. (TOP PERFORMER)

Combine could help shape Packers' draft strategy (Green Bay Press Gazette)
*Taylor as possible candidate to lengthen Green Bay's defensive line.




DEVONTE HOLLOMAN

Holloman's NFL.com draft grade was 70.5 coming into the Combine. Holloman moved to the Gamecocks' hybrid Spur position last season after three seasons at strong safety and worked out as a linebacker at the Combine. He was said to be a versatile defender with a strong build.  He is projected to be a solid Saturday draft pick but has the potential to outplay his draft position.

Results:
40 yd Dash - 4.76 sec
Bench Press - 15 reps
Vertical Jump - 33 in.
Broad Jump - 113 in.
3-Cone Drill - 7.3 sec.
20 yd Shuttle - 4.26 sec. (TOP PERFORMER)

What Dolphins decide to do in free agency will dictate direction they go in draft (Yahoo Sports)
*Holloman's potential not overlooked by Miami - "Holloman is a hammer."



ACE SANDERS

Sanders didn't wow scouts with his 40-time, but impressed with his quickness in the other drills (as anyone who has watched him on punt return knows, his lateral moves are killer!) and his hands in running routes.

Results:
40 yd Dash - 4.58 sec.
Bench Press - 7 reps
Vertical Jump - 32 in.
Broad Jump - 117 in.
3-Cone Drill - 6.81 sec.
20 yd Shuttle - 4.37 sec.
60 yd Shuttle - 11.29 sec. (TOP PERFORMER)

Watching the combine on NFL Network. South Carolina ace sanders is tough

-- Ethan Coman (@EComan20) February 24, 2013

Chargers Draft Watch: Acing The WR/PR Value - Ace Sanders (Bolt Beat - San Diego Chargers)
* "Ace is a special teams ace."



JUSTICE CUNNINGHAM

Cunningham's NFL.com draft grade is 63.0. He was said to be a great blocker, be quick on his feet, and have savvy route running against defenders.

Results:
40 yd Dash - 4.94 sec.
Vertical Jump - 31.5 in.
Broad Jump - 116 in. (TOP PERFORMERS)
3-Cone Drill - 7.12 sec.
20 yd Shuttle - 4.45 sec.
60 yd Shuttle - 11.88 sec.

Watching this NFL combine, Justice Cunningham is a beast

-- Sam Lourie (@samlourie5) February 23, 2013

2013 Bengals draft team needs: Defensive turnover will make for a busy spring in Cincinnati (Yahoo Sports)
*Cunningham considered a tight end option for his blocking - "Justice Cunningham is a good blocker, as well, and became a seam target in the passing game as the season progressed."



T.J. JOHNSON

Johnson's NFL.com draft grade was 59.0. Although he lacks the physical numbers, his size, smarts, and amount of experience will potentially help him earn a late-round draft pick.

Results:
40 yd Dash - 5.33 sec.
Bench Press - 32 reps
Vertical Jump - 25.5 in.
Broad Jump - 96 in.
3-Cone Drill - 7.83 sec.
20 yd Shuttle - 4.74 sec.

After several rainy days, we took advantage of a gorgeous sunshine and 60-degree day to get some new photos of the Gamecocks' softball stadium as construction continues to progress. Please note a few game location changes to maximize working time on the stadium. Check out a couple of the photos below. To see more, check out our Facebook photo album for the project! 






Season ticket deposits for the 2013 softball season are available now for just $25 for adults! Click here to purchase online.

 Catch up on the day's buzz about the Gamecocks! In today's edition: Baseball Earns 5-2 win over Furman; Softball updates schedule with changes; First football game of the season set for August 29th; Jadeveon Clowney Featured on Sports Illustrated Cover; Fan photo of the day; and more!



GAMECOCKSONLINE.COM NEWS

Baseball: Baseball Earns 5-2 Win Over Furman

Softball: Gamecocks Update Softball Schedule with Site Changes, Game Additions

Football: South Carolina-North Carolina Set for Thursday, August 29

Football: Jadeveon Clowney Featured on Sports Illustrated Cover

Football: Carolina Hosts Luncheon For NFL Gamecocks

Men's Soccer: Dates Announced for Gamecock Men's Soccer Spring Season

Swimming & Diving: Gamecock Men Climb To No. 12 In Endless Pools Top 25

Track & Field:  Women's Track & Field at 15th in USTFCCCA Rankings



GAMECOCKS AROUND THE WEB

Football: Former Gamecocks With NFL Ties Reunite (WLTX.com)

Football:Clowney lands 'Sports Illustrated' cover (FOXcarolina.com)

General: Tanner leading push to reunite ex-Gamecocks with their school (theTandD.com)

Baseball: USC- Furman Diamond Extra   (GamecockCentral.com)



COCK A DOODLE TWEET

Really loving how @cholbrook2 is leading the gamecocks in his first games as Head Coach. Expecting awesome things from him & the gamecocks

-- Joey Andrews (@Broseph_andrews) February 27, 2013

SPURS UP BLOG HIGHLIGHTS

This Week's Home Events: Baseball Faces Rival Clemson

Photos: Softball Stadium Progress

Jadeveon Clowney Featured On Sports Illustrated Cover

Facebook Fan of the Week: Jason and Jaxon Romanstine

Carolina's 1977 College World Series Team Recognized

Gamecocks At NFL Combine Recap


VIDEO OF THE DAY

South Carolina Men's Tennis discusses the importance of team chemistry.









ROOSTER CROWS

Freshman left-hander Jack Wynkoop hurled 5.1 scoreless innings in his first career start and seventh ranked South Carolina scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to break a scoreless tie as the Gamecocks defeated Furman 5-2.

Standout Gamecock defensive end and top player in college football Jadeveon Clowney is featured on a regional cover of Sports Illustrated this week!

The South Carolina men's swimming and diving team climbed 28 spots to No. 12 in the latest CollegeSwimming.com Endless Pools Top 25 after a stellar showing at the SEC Championships last week in College Station, Texas.


FAN PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's fan photo of the day was sent to us by Benton Boyd of Hartsville, SC. Benton is currently studying abroad in Ireland. She showed her Gamecock pride on a trip to see ancient monuments, including Newgrange pictured here, which she tells us is older than the pyramids and Stonehenge!























Send in your own fan photo submissions to GamecockAthletics@gmail.com. Include your name and any back story. Some of the best submissions include Gamecock gear and showing your spurs!

THIS WEEK IN GAMECOCK COUNTRY...

Baseball starts the week off taking on Furman on Tuesday before prepping to host arch rival Clemson in a three-game series this weekend. Game 1 on Friday is at Clemson, Game 2 on Saturday is at Fluor Field in Greenville (our allotment of tickets is sold out), and Game 3 is at home at Carolina Stadium (sold out). Men's Tennis also faces the rival Tigers this weekend, facing Clemson on Sunday at 1:00. Sunday is a full day in Gamecock Country as Women's Basketball hosts the final game of the season and Senior Day for Ashley Bruner, Ieasia Walker, and Sancheon White with tip-off vs. Florida at 1:00. Make a day of it and come check out women's hoops and men's tennis before you head over to the baseball game! Equestrian will host their final home meet of the season vs. Delaware State Friday afternoon at 1:00 out at One Wood Farm. After nearly upsetting them in the other Columbia, Men's Basketball takes a shot at Missouri at home in Colonial Life Arena this Thursday at 9:00 PM airing live on ESPN2. Be sure to stay tuned for a special halftime - the University Army ROTC will hold their contracting ceremony.



Tuesday, February 26, 2013

#7 Baseball vs. Furman - 4:00 PM - Carolina Stadium
-  First mid-week game of the season; freshman Jack Wynkoop expected to get first career start on the mound.
-  Notes/Preview


Thursday, February 28, 2013

Men's Basketball vs. Missouri - 9:00 PM - Colonial Life Arena
-    Coke towels given out to fans (while supplies last)
-    USC Army ROTC Contracting Ceremony at Halftime
-    Academy Sports Game Sponsor


Friday, March 1, 2013

#5 Equestrian vs. Delaware State- 1:00 PM - One Wood Farm
-  Final home meet of the season
-  Free admission

#48 Men's Tennis vs. #14 Texas A&M- 5:00 PM - Carolina Tennis Center
-  Fan Ball Toss - each fan will receive a numbered tennis ball when they arrive and during the break between doubles and singles matches, will toss their tennis ball from the stands into a bucket for a chance to win a free iPod Shuffle


Sunday, March 3, 2013

#14 Women's Basketball vs. Florida - 1:00 PM - Colonial Life Arena
-    Senior Day - final game of the regular season! Pre-game senior ceremony to honor Ashley Bruner, Ieasia Walker, and Sancheon White
-    Read with the Gamecocks Day - Elementary schools who participated in the Read with the Gamecocks program will be highlighted at halftime. Click here for more info on our reading program!
-    Youth Day - FREE admission for youth 17 and under

#48 Men's Tennis vs. #51 Clemson - 1:00 PM - Carolina Tennis Center
-    Fan Ball Toss - each fan will receive a numbered tennis ball when they arrive and during the break between doubles and singles matches, will toss their tennis ball from the stands into a bucket for a chance to win a free iPod Shuffle

#7 Baseball vs. Clemson - 3:00 PM - Carolina Stadium


Gamecocks on the road...

#14 Women's Basketball @ Missouri - Thursday, 8:00 PM - Radio: 1320 AM, Listen Online
Men's Basketball @ Texas A&M - Saturday, 7:00 PM - TV: ESPNU | Radio: Gamecock IMG Sports Network

#38 Women's Tennis @ #10 Texas A&M - Friday, 6:00 PM
#38 Women's Tennis @ #55 Missouri - Sunday, 1:00 PM

#7 Baseball @ Clemson - Friday, 6:30 PM - No TV (online stream TBD) | Radio: Gamecock IMG Sports Network
#7 Baseball vs. Clemson (at Fluor Field) - Saturday, 2:00 PM - TV: ME-TV in Columbia (Over the air on channel 25.4, Time Warner Cable digital channel 106 and other cable systems in the Midlands. Not available on U-Verse, DirecTV, or Dish. | Radio: Gamecock IMG Sports Network

Softball at Eagle Classic - Statesboro, Georgia - Follow @GamecockSoftbll on Twitter for updates

vs. Alabama State - Saturday, 9:30 AM
vs. Kennesaw State - Saturday, 11:30 AM
vs. FIU - Sunday, 12:00 PM
vs. Georgia Southern - Sunday, 2:00 PM

Standout Gamecock defensive end and top player in college football Jadeveon Clowney is featured on a regional cover of Sports Illustrated this week!


































It's Great to be a Gamecock!  If you can't wait until this 2013 season either, season ticket deposits are available now at GamecocksOnline.com/tickets

Catch up on the day's buzz about the Gamecocks! In today's edition: Baseball sweeps three-game series against Albany with first no hitter since 1975; Men's
Golf places third in Bayou City Collegiate Championships; Swimming & Diving finish up a week at SEC's in Texas; NFL combine with 7 Gamecocks underway; and more!


GAMECOCKSONLINE.COM NEWS

Baseball: Baseball Opens Series With 8-3 Win Over Albany

Baseball:Baseball Defeats Albany 14-1 in Game One of Doubleheader

Baseball:Baseball Sweeps Albany With 6-4 Win In Series Finale

Men's Basketball: Gamecocks Fall In Overtime At Georgia, 62-54

Football: Watch Marcus Lattimore's NFL Scouting Combine Press Conference

Men's Golf: Gamecocks Claim Third At Bayou City Collegiate Championships

Equestrian: Schmidt's 2-for-2 Day Leads Carolina Past No. 6 Texas A&M on Senior Day

Swimming & Diving: Gamecocks Close Out Strong Week At SEC Championships

Men's Tennis: Gamecocks Fall at No. 34 VCU 5-2

Women's Tennis: South Carolina Posts 5-0 Victory Against Charleston Southern



GAMECOCKS AROUND THE WEB

Sarge Fry-E sandwich unveiled at Grand Market Place (dailygamecock.com)

Marcus Lattimore hopeful injuries won't jeopardize NFL career (nfl.com)

NFL Combine 2013: Marcus Lattimore motivated to return from injury (sbnation.com)

Taylor hopes to show versatility (247sports.com)



COCK A DOODLE TWEET

@acesanders1 had the two best catches today at the combine. #gamecocks #draftstock #risingup

-- John Johnson (@daduke928) February 25, 2013

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Highlights: South Carolina Men's Basketball vs. Ole Miss - 2013




South Carolina Men's Basketball defeated Ole Miss 63-62 courtesy of a three pointer by Eric Smith and good defense down the stretch.





SPURS UP BLOG HIGHLIGHTS

Carolina's 1977 College World Series Team Recognized

Looking Back at the 1977 Gamecock Baseball Team

Follow the Gamecocks in the NFL Combine

Behind The Scenes: Jadeveon Clowney Photo Shoot



ROOSTER CROWS

Colby Holmes, Forrest Koumas and Josh Knab combined for the first no-hitter by a Gamecock baseball team since March 26, 1975 as fifth ranked South Carolina exploded for nine runs in the bottom of the fifth inning on the way to a 14-1 win over Albany in game one of a doubleheader at Carolina Stadium. The no-hitter is the seventh in school history and the first combined no-hitter as well.

The South Carolina swimming and diving teams posted four more NCAA provisional qualifying times and swam seven lifetime bests on Saturday night to wrap up competition at the 2013 SEC Championships.


FAN PHOTO OF THE DAY

Fan Photo Of The Day sent in by Brian Murrell: "These are my nephews from Charleston, SC, Lawson (12) and Ellis (7). This was Ellis' first game. After the game Ellis changed his Christmas gift list to all things Gamecocks!"



















Send in your own fan photo submissions to GamecockAthletics@gmail.com. Include your name and any backstory. Some of the best submissions include Gamecock gear and showing your spurs!