5 Things To Know About The South Carolina Gamecocks

Tonight at 7 p.m. ET, your University of Kentucky Wildcats take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia. We’ll have a thorough scouting report for you later today, but first, here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know about the Fighting Frank Martins.

1. They’ve beaten Vanderbilt, Georgia, and Texas A&M in the SEC

The Gamecocks are 13-9 this season, 4-6 in the SEC. In league play, they’ve swept Vanderbilt, beaten Georgia at home, and beaten Texas A&M in College Station. They’re currently riding a two-game losing streak, falling to Mississippi State 78-64 in Starkville and then-No. 22 Tennessee 81-57 in Columbia. In their three wins prior (Georgia, Vandy, Texas A&M), the Gamecocks rallied from second-half deficits, outscoring their opponents by an average of 17.0 points in the final 20 minutes. It wasn’t in the cards vs. Tennessee, with the Vols holding the Gamecocks to just seven field goals in the second half.

2. They rank in the top 20 in blocks and offensive rebounds

The Gamecocks struggle to score, averaging 70.8 points per game and 42.5% shooting. They rank 227th in offensive efficiency, but they’re 33rd in defensive efficiency. South Carolina is 20th in the country in blocked shots, with 5.23 per game. The Gamecocks limit opponents to 40.3% from the field and force 15.6 turnovers per game, which ranks 40th nationally. They’re also good on the glass, ranking 14th nationally in offensive rebounding (13.2 per game) and 43rd in overall rebounds (38.6 per game). For comparison, Kentucky is seventh nationally in rebounds (41.3 per game) and 16th in offensive rebounds (13.0 per game). Shoutout to Oscar.

3. Keyshawn Bryant and/or Jermaine Couisnard scoring 10+ means a win

Senior guard Erik Stevenson leads the Gamecocks with 11.3 points per game, followed by James Reese V, a grad transfer from North Texas, at 10.7 points per game. However, there are two other player stat lines to keep an eye on. According to the South Carolina game notes, when Keyshawn Bryant (5-0) and Jermaine Couisnard (7-1) score 10 or more points, the Gamecocks are a combined 11-1. The duo has scored in double figures in the same game three times (vs. Rider, vs. Georgia, and at Texas A&M). Couisnard averages 9.6 points per game and Bryant 7.2.

So, guard them.

4. Seven-footer Josh Gray may be back

Seven-foot center Josh Gray injured his wrist during last week’s loss to Mississippi State and sat out Saturday’s game vs. Tennessee. Yesterday, Frank Martin said Gray could play tonight with a soft cast on his wrist. The LSU transfer isn’t a major contributor, averaging only 3.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, but had 8 points and 11 boards vs. Arkansas and 6 rebounds and 3 blocks vs. Vanderbilt on Jan. 26.

5. Kentucky hasn’t won in Columbia since 2016

As Adam Luckett outlined for you earlier, Colonial Life Arena hasn’t been kind to the Cats in the Calipari Era. All four of Kentucky’s losses to South Carolina under Calipari have occurred in Columbia. The Gamecocks have won the last two vs. the Cats at home. In 2018, Chis Silva led them back from a 14-point second-half deficit to win 76-68. In 2020, Carolina came back from 14 down again, beating the No. 10 Cats with a buzzer-beating three by Jermaine Couisnard, now a redshirt junior.

Of course, there was also the 2014 loss at South Carolina, the one where John Calipari got thrown out and Aaron Harrison insisted the season could still be a “great story.” And the 2016 win where Calipari got thrown out again and Tyler Ulis basically coached the Cats to victory. That’s a happy memory.

BONUS: Frank Martin, suits or sweats?

John Calipari and his staff ditched the pullovers for suits at the start of the new year. Frank Martin can’t make up his mind, wearing both sweats (!) and suits on occasion this season.

I’m still getting used to seeing him without hair.