Deflating loss produces unexpected roadblock on way to top four seed
Prior to Thursday night’s border battle against Georgia, South Carolina had lost one game at home, the forgettable 89-62 thrashing at the hands of Kentucky nearly three weeks ago best remembered for John Calipari getting tossed three minutes after the opening tip.
The second home setback could not have come at a worse time.
Frank Martin and the USC players have talked openly for the last few weeks about their goal of finishing in the top four of the SEC standings and earning a bye into the quarterfinals of next week’s conference tournament in Nashville.
*** ALSO SEE: USC-Georgia photo gallery by Paul Collins ***
Thursday’s 74-72 loss to Georgia in which the Gamecocks shot just 34.2 percent from the field (25-73) and saw the Bulldogs pilfer the win with a stunning late game 11-0 run, means USC must go to Arkansas and win on Saturday and hope either LSU (at Kentucky) or Vanderbilt (at Texas A&M) lose on the road.
At best, USC will finish with an identical SEC record compared to LSU and/or Vanderbilt, but the Gamecocks own the tie-breaker over both teams based on the Gamecocks victories over the Tigers (94-83 on Feb. 10) and Commodores (69-65 on Jan. 9).
So, in the event of a two-way tie or a three-way tie, USC gets the nod.
Martin’s thoughts on the various scenarios? Friday is going to be a long day with game preparation and a lengthy flight to Fayetteville.
“We have a quick turn(around). I have to disengage from this game, go home and probably be up all night trying to figure out how to handle (Friday) and how to handle our team,” Martin said. “We have to prepare our team for Arkansas and then travel (Friday) afternoon. We have to figure out a way to go on the road and win.”
By the time the USC-Arkansas game tips off at 5 p.m. ET, the Gamecocks will know the results of the Vanderbilt-Texas A&M (noon tip on ESPN2) and LSU-Kentucky game (2 p.m. tip on CBS)
Possible? Yes. But unless the Gamecocks prevail with one day preparation in an arena that ranks in the top two or three of the SEC as far as home environment is concerned, everything else is moot.
In short, the Gamecocks control their own destiny. But just partially.
Georgia coach Mark Fox politicked on the Gamecocks’ behalf after the game, saying USC deserves an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament. Nonetheless, three straight losses to close out the regular season (and a possible fourth in the SEC Tournament) would undoubtedly raise red flags for the tournament selection committee.
Martin realizes the possible severe consequences of Thursday night’s deflating loss at home to a mediocre Georgia team owning a 2-6 road record (and 15-12 mark overall) when the game started.
“You can’t win this time of the year shooting 34 percent,” Martin said. “Anytime you lose at home, it’s disappointing. It could be the first game of the year or the last game of the year. If you’re worthy of a top four seed, you don’t lose at home. You just don’t, especially this time of the year. I feel bad for our kids because they have worked so hard.”
Michael Carrera suffered through a poor shooting performance on Senior Night, connecting on only 5-of-21 shots, including 1-of-10 from 3-point range. Sindarius Thornwell was 7-of-17 and Duane Notice 1-of-7.
Thus, three of USC’s prime time players, all starters, combined to shoot a meager 13-of-45 from the field (28.9 percent).
Not good enough.
Worse, in Martin’s eyes, is the fact Carrera and Thornwell together attempted just four throws. Overall, Georgia attempted 11 more free throws (27-16) than the Gamecocks, who have seen their free throw attempts drop drastically to an average of 15.5 per game over the past four games.
“Michael and Sindarius spend the whole game playing at the rim and they don’t shoot free throws,” Martin said. “I don’t know what to say. They have to score.”
SEC RESULTS (March 1-3)
Kentucky 88, Florida 79
Vanderbilt 86, Tennessee 69
Texas A&M 81, Auburn 63
LSU 80, Missouri 71
Ole Miss 86, Miss. State 78 (3/2)
Arkansas 62, Alabama 61 (3/2)
Georgia 74, South Carolina 72 (3/3)
SEC SCHEDULE (Sat. March 5)
Ole Miss at Tennessee, noon (SEC Network)
Vanderbilt at Texas A&M, noon (ESPN2)
LSU at Kentucky, 2 p.m. (CBS)
Auburn at Mississippi State, 2:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
Alabama at Georgia, 4 p.m. (ESPN2)
South Carolina at Arkansas, 5 p.m. (SEC Network)
Florida at Missouri, 7:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
CURRENT SEC STANDINGS: Kentucky 12-5, Texas A&M 12-5, LSU 11-6, Vanderbilt 11-6, South Carolina 10-7, Ole Miss 9-8, Arkansas 9-8, Georgia 9-8, Alabama 8-9, Florida 8-9, Tennessee 6-11, Mississippi State 6-11, Auburn 5-12, Missouri 3-14.
