What to watch for: South Carolina faces tough road test at UAB

South Carolina will try to push its win streak to three games Wednesday night, but it won’t be easy. 

The Gamecocks travel to UAB where they’ll play a really good Blazers team captained by Andy Kennedy. It’ll be a very tough test for a South Carolina team still figuring itself out, but here are a few things to watch for. 

•Subscribe to Gamecock Central until the 2023 football season for only $10!

Gamecocks being competitive in a litmus test game

These are two programs in different spots, one a consistent tournament team under a third-year head coach and another with a first-year coach and almost an entirely new roster. UAB is arguably the best mid-major program in the country and a team projected to win 24 games and make the NCAA Tournament. 

The Gamecocks have struggled at times this year, especially away from home, and will have a tough test against the Blazers Wednesday. 

This isn’t a projected win for South Carolina but seeing how the Gamecocks play on the road against a good team in a Quad I win will be interesting to track. 

•Gamecock Central Bowl Pick ‘em Contest with cool prizes

How does South Carolina defend UAB’s backcourt? 

The Blazers are paced by a two-headed monster in the backcourt, preseason C-USA player of the year Jelly Walker and LSU transfer Eric Gaines. 

Walker is averaging a whopping 24.9 points per game while Gaines is very serviceable at the points with 9.9 points, 1.9 steals and a team-best five assists per game. 

Walker largely plays the shooting guard spot while Gaines runs the point. The Gamecocks’ guards of Meechie Johnson–now healthy–Chico Carter and Jacobi Wright will have their hands full. Defense has been inconsistent this season, and South Carolina’s plan to defend the backcourt will be integral to pulling a potential upset. 

Dictating the tempo

UAB is one of the best teams in the country, sixth in adjusted tempo, averaging six more possessions per game than the national average. The Blazers’ are fourth-best nationally in average possession length (14.6 seconds). 

South Carolina, meanwhile, ranks 333rd in tempo, averaging four fewer possessions per game than the national average, and 320th in average possession length (18.8 seconds). 

•Become a NIL supporter of your South Carolina Gamecocks!

UAB wants to get out and run and get to the rim quickly. Can the Gamecocks find a way to slow the Blazers down and force them to execute in the halfcourt consistently? 

Can Josh Gray build on Sunday?

South Carolina’s still trying to find answers in the frontcourt. The battle centers–literally–around Josh Gray and Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk. Bosmans-Verdonk has struggled the last two games while Gray is coming off a quality performance against Presbyterian.  

He finished with a team-high seven rebounds (three offensive) and four points. It wasn’t perfect, and he’ll need to continue improving if he wants consistent minutes. Regardless of who plays, South Carolina is going to need him to play well. 

The Blazers rank 20th in offensive rebound rate and the Gamecocks can’t afford to give them extra possessions. 

Scouting the opponent

It’s not breaking news, but UAB is really good. The Blazers have started 7-2 with the only two losses on a neutral court to Toledo (No. 104 on KenPom) and at West Virginia (No. 23). 

There isn’t necessarily a signature win on the resume, but six of UAB’s seven wins have been double-digit victories. The only one that wasn’t was an eight-point win over South Alabama. The best win for UAB came on a neutral court against Georgia (No. 109). 

• Subscribe (for free) to the Gamecock Central YouTube page!

As mentioned above, this team really wants to run to jumpstart its offense. It works and UAB is top 30 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency. There’s not a ton the Blazers have struggled with this season. 

They are, though, strictly average from a national perspective in opponent offensive rebound rate and free throw rate. The Gamecocks could have some second chance opportunities and free throw chances. 

KJ Buffen is a name to know also. The 6-foot-8 power forward is averaging double digits and is top 10 percent nationally in offensive and defensive rebounding rates. Watching his matchup with GG Jackson should be fun. 

Next game

Who: South Carolina (5-4) at UAB (7-2)

When: Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.

Where: Bartow Arena (Capacity: 8,508)

All-time series: South Carolina leads 3-1 (Last game: Gamecocks won 66-63 in 2021)

How to watch: CBS Sports Network

How to listen: 107.5 FM

KenPom prediction: 79-65 UAB (Gamecocks given a 10 percent chance to win)

Discuss South Carolina basketball on The Insiders Forum!