USC looks to tame strong Florida starters
Tremendous individual performances. Buzzer beaters. Raucous crowds.
The faces change as the years pass, but when it comes to Florida and South Carolina, the games remain as hotly contested as ever. Little else should be expected Saturday afternoon in Gainesville.
Since Darrin Horn arrived in Columbia in 2008, the two teams have split four meetings, with no game decided by more than six points. The home team has won each game.
Saturday's game will feature two of the best point guards in the SEC. Florida junior guard Erving Walker has already eclipsed the 1,000th point for his career.
Walker is averaging 14.4 points a game this season. On the other side, USC's Bruce Ellington hopes to continue his solid freshman season. He is averaging 14.5 points a game while dishing out about five assists and grabbing nearly four rebounds.
While Walker may be putting up the biggest numbers, Florida can beat its opponents in several ways. Four of UF's five starters are averaging double figures in scoring, and the other starter, Tyus Lake, averages 9.4 points per game.
Florida is coming off a 81-75 overtime win over the Tennessee Volunteers, a game that saw five different Gator players score in double digits. The Gators have won five in a row and two straight in the SEC.
USC is rebounding from a 57-47 loss at Alabama Wednesday night. The Gamecocks matched a season high with 20 turnovers and shot 28.6 percent from the field for the worst shooting performance of the year. The Gators have proved to be tough at home, going 8-2 in home games this year while holding opponents to just 41 percent shooting in home games. It doesn't bode well for the Gamecocks, as USC has struggled on the road, with a 1-4 record so far this season.
USC's last trip to Gainesville was a painful one. The Gamecocks lost 58-56 on a 3-pointer by Chandler Parsons as time expired in regulation. Moments prior to the play, now-departed guard Devan Downey had driven the length of the floor for an apparent game-winning layup.
The faces change as the years pass, but when it comes to Florida and South Carolina, the games remain as hotly contested as ever. Little else should be expected Saturday afternoon in Gainesville.
Since Darrin Horn arrived in Columbia in 2008, the two teams have split four meetings, with no game decided by more than six points. The home team has won each game.
Saturday's game will feature two of the best point guards in the SEC. Florida junior guard Erving Walker has already eclipsed the 1,000th point for his career.
Walker is averaging 14.4 points a game this season. On the other side, USC's Bruce Ellington hopes to continue his solid freshman season. He is averaging 14.5 points a game while dishing out about five assists and grabbing nearly four rebounds.
While Walker may be putting up the biggest numbers, Florida can beat its opponents in several ways. Four of UF's five starters are averaging double figures in scoring, and the other starter, Tyus Lake, averages 9.4 points per game.
Florida is coming off a 81-75 overtime win over the Tennessee Volunteers, a game that saw five different Gator players score in double digits. The Gators have won five in a row and two straight in the SEC.
USC is rebounding from a 57-47 loss at Alabama Wednesday night. The Gamecocks matched a season high with 20 turnovers and shot 28.6 percent from the field for the worst shooting performance of the year. The Gators have proved to be tough at home, going 8-2 in home games this year while holding opponents to just 41 percent shooting in home games. It doesn't bode well for the Gamecocks, as USC has struggled on the road, with a 1-4 record so far this season.
USC's last trip to Gainesville was a painful one. The Gamecocks lost 58-56 on a 3-pointer by Chandler Parsons as time expired in regulation. Moments prior to the play, now-departed guard Devan Downey had driven the length of the floor for an apparent game-winning layup.
