How to watch/what to watch for: South Carolina set for critical matchup at Tennessee

Coming off a massive week, South Carolina will look to keep rolling when it heads to play No. 5 Tennessee on Tuesday.

Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network.

Here are some things to watch for.

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Can the Gamecocks hang in there?

Before South Carolina faced Kentucky last week, the question was if it was ready to compete against a high quality opponent like the Wildcats. Clearly it was as it went on to win by 17 points. But that was at home. This game against Tennessee will be much tougher because it’s on the road.

The Volunteers haven’t really skipped a beat this year as one of the best teams in the country. Plus, they haven’t lost at home yet. As a reminder, South Carolina was beaten by 40 points twice last year against this team. In fairness, that was a year ago and things have changed. So it just comes down to whether or not the Gamecocks can keep playing their brand of ball. If so, they’ve got a chance.

Myles Stute

In a surprising twist, Myles Stute, who had been out with a shoulder injury, was warming up with a brace on Saturday. As it turned out, he was listed as available to play if needed. Now, he didn’t play during South Carolina’s win over Missouri that day, but it was a step in the right direction.

Nearly two weeks removed from the injury, Stute will be available to play when the Gamecocks go to Knoxville. The team has done a great job stepping up in his absence. So to get him back would just be a bonus at this point. But it’s something to keep an eye on if he checks in on Tuesday night.

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Need Meechie to step up

Saturday was by far Meechie Johnson’s lowest point of the season. The veteran guard scored zero points, shooting 0-for-9 from the field. He went 0-for-7 from three-point range. A day to forget if you will.

While his play hasn’t been spectacular as of late, he still can turn it around at any moment. And Tuesday would be an ideal time to do so. Sure, this team is good enough to win games even when he’s off. That much is already proven. But to beat Tennessee, the Gamecocks need Johnson to do his part.

Use not being ranked as motivation

On Monday afternoon, South Carolina found itself on the outside looking in of the AP top 25. The Gamecocks garnered 108 votes, the most amongst unranked teams. Even after a huge week of winning, it wasn’t enough for every voter to put them in the rankings.

What happens next is up to South Carolina. It can either let this get the better of it or go into Knoxville and pick up a huge win. It would more than solidify any doubt about giving this team an AP vote.

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Scouting the opponent

What a season it has been for Rick Barnes and company at Tennessee. The Vols are ranked inside the top five in college basketball and winners of four straight. Overall, they’re off to a 15-4 start.

Tennessee lost three straight earlier in the season to Purdue, Kansas and North Carolina, who are all fantastic programs in their own right. But the Vols also lost to Mississippi State in SEC play, a common foe that South Carolina beat to open the conference slate.

The Vols are led by Dalton Knecht, who is averaging 19.5 points per game on 49 percent shooting. He’s been on a tear lately, dropping at least 25 points in each of his last five games. He scored a season-high 39 points against Florida on Jan. 16. So stopping him is priority number one.

But that’s not all. Tennessee big man Jonas Aidoo commands a lot of attention in the paint as a double-double threat. The 6-foot-11 forward is averaging 11.9 points per game with 7.5 rebounds. So far this year, he’s had five games with a double-double.

Zakai Zeigler is another player who has done a good chunk of scoring for the Vols this year. The Long Island, NY native is averaging 10.2 points on 39.7 percent shooting.

While Tennessee can definitely shoot it well, it’s the defense that really stands out. The Vols are ranked No. 2 in adjusted defensive efficiency with a 90.9 rating. They’ve also held teams to 43.5 percent shooting, which is fourth-best in the country.

Game details

Who: South Carolina (17-3, 5-2 SEC) at Tennessee (15-4, 5-1 SEC)

When: Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Thompson-Boiling Arena (21,678)

How to watch/listen: SEC Network/107.5 FM

ESPN gives South Carolina an 8 percent chance to win

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