Live updates: South Carolina basketball at UAB

For the third time in four games, South Carolina is on the road. This time, it might be the toughest game to date.

The Gamecocks are at UAB for a 7 p.m. tip-off on the CBS Sports Network.

GamecockCentral is providing live updates and analysis on tonight’s game.

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Follow along with live updates here.

From South Carolina media relations:

GAME INFORMATION

Matchup: South Carolina at UAB (Gamecocks lead all-time series, 3-1)

Time: Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.

Venue: Bartow Arena (8,508)

TV: CBS Sports Network

Radio: 107.5 The Game

TIPOFF NOTABLES

> A New Chapter of Gamecock Men’s Basketball is underway with first-year head coach Lamont Paris this season.

> Paris, who has been a part of nine NCAA Division I Tournaments and 17 twenty-win seasons as a college head and assistant coach, was named the University of South Carolina’s 33rd head coach by Director of Athletics Ray Tanner on Thursday, March 24, 2022.

> This new-look Gamecock squad features eight new players (four transfers and four freshman) headlined by standout freshman forward Gregory “GG” Jackson II, the highest rated recruit in program history (recruit rankings started in early 2000s). He joined former Carolina standout PJ Dozier (2015-17) as the only five-star signees in program history.

> Jackson II is currently one of two freshmen in the country averaging at least 17.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Alabama’s Brandon Miller (17.9 points, 8.4 rebounds) is the only other player on the list. Jackson’s 17.1 points per game average is second nationally amongst freshmen behind only Miller (through games played Dec. 11).

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> UAB comes into the contest with one of the best offenses in the country. The Blazers have the No. 6 scoring offense in the nationally, averaging 87.9 points per game. They rank 12^th in scoring margin (+18.4), No. 15 in rebounds per game (41.4) and No. 17 in assists per game (18.0), through games played on Sunday, Dec. 11.

> They are led by senior guard Jordan Walker. He’s the nation’s leading scorer, averaging 24.9 points per game.

> This marks just the fifth matchup all-time between the two schools and first in Birmingham since Feb. 8, 1986.

> The Gamecocks defeated UAB last season, 66-63, at CLA in the first game of the home and home series the programs agreed to.

> In the game, Carolina held the Blazers potent offensive attack in check, limiting them to 34.4 percent shooting (21-for-61).

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GRINDIN’ IT OUT

> After trailing by three, 44-41, with just over 12 minutes to go, South Carolina took control thanks to a 14-0 run over a 6-minute stretch to defeat Presbyterian, 68-57, on Sunday, Dec. 11. The Gamecocks moved to 4-0 at home with the win. Freshman GG Jackson led the way again with 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Junior Meechie Johnson added 16 points while graduate transfer Hayden Brown had 14 points. The Gamecocks are 2-0 when the trio scores in double figures. Junior big Josh Gray added valuable minutes off the bench with a team-high seven rebounds in 21 minutes of action.

ROAD DAWGS

> Carolina bounced back from a tough road loss to start its two-game D.C. road swing with a 74-71 overtime victory at Georgetown (Dec. 3). Meechie Johnson made the go-ahead, 3-point basket with 25 seconds to go. He had a career day with 17 points, eight assists and seven rebounds – all career highs. GG Jackson scored a team-high 22 points (9-for-19 FGs), all coming in the second half after going 0-for-5 the first 20 minutes. The Gamecocks trailed by 11 at the half. In the second half and overtime, South Carolina combined to shoot 20-of-37 (54.1 percent) from the field. The Gamecocks were 15-for-21 (71.4 percent) on 2-point shots in the second half and overtime combined. It was the team’s first true road win and first win away from Colonial Life Arena this season.

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HOME SWEET HOME

> The Gamecocks snapped a three-game skid with a big comeback victory at home, 68-53, over USC Upstate on Black Friday (Nov. 25). Trailing by three at halftime, Carolina dominated the final 20 minutes, outscoring the Spartans 40-22 in the second half. The Gamecocks shot 58.1 percent (18-for-31) in half two. Freshman sensation Gregory “GG” Jackson II scored a career-high 22 points with an efficient 8-for-14 shooting day, including 3-of-6 shooting from behind the arc. Carolina was shorthanded, missing two starters in Chico Carter Jr. and Meechie Johnson. Sophomore Jacobi Wright and freshman Zachary Davis started in their place. Wright had 10 points and Davis had seven points and four rebounds. Davis and Jackson in the starting five marked the first time since Nov. 30, 2018 two freshmen cracked the starting lineup (Keyshawn Bryant and AJ Lawson) for Carolina.

TOUGH TRIP TO THE LOWCOUNTRY

> South Carolina was handed three tough losses to a trio of good teams in the Charleston Classic vs. Colorado State (Nov. 17), Davidson (Nov. 18) and Furman (Nov. 20). Turnovers and poor shooting plagued the Gamecocks at TD Arena. Freshman GG Jackson continued his strong start, averaging 17.0 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 46.7 percent (21-for-45). Chico Carter Jr. had a pair of strong performances with 26 points vs. Davidson and 17 points vs. Furman. He was 10-for-16 from behind the arc in the tournament (62.5 percent).

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EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT HIM – JACKSON II EARNS SEC FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK

> Forward Gregory “GG” Jackson II was named SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday, Nov. 14, after leading the Gamecocks to a pair of wins the first week of the season. He averaged 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds.

CASH MONEY CARTER CLOSES OUT TIGERS IN RIVALRY MATCHUP AT CLA

> Chico Carter Jr. went the length of the floor and made a contested jumper with 0.9 seconds left to lead South Carolina to victory over in-state rival Clemson, 60-58. The Columbia, S.C., native scored a game-high 16 points and went 4-of-6 from deep. Gregory “GG” Jackson II had 12 points and eight rebounds. Jacobi Wright added 10 points off the bench and Josh Gray contributed with a game-high 10 rebounds and three blocks. It marked the team’s first win at home vs. the Tigers since a 68-45 victory on Dec. 19, 2014.  New head coach Lamont Paris became the first Gamecock coach since Dave Odom (won 81-59 on 12/8/01 at Clemson) to defeat Clemson in his first season.

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