South Carolina game thread

[jwells]

Mississippi State (12-1, 0-0 SEC) at South Carolina (6-7, 1-0 SEC)
Tip : 8:00 PM CT TV: ESPNU

The Bulldogs are back in action against the Gamecocks after a 10 day break following a Dec. 29 103-81 win over BYU. South Carolina started their SEC slate with a dramatic 71-69 win over Florida that included a full-court pass and dunk by Chris Silva with 1.9 to go.

South Carolina Team Stats:

Points Per Game: 73.8
Points Per Game Allowed: 70.3
FGA-FGM: 331-783 (42.3%)
3FGA-3FGM: 87-278 (31.3%)
FTA-FTM: 211-296 (71.3%)

Common Opponents:

Wofford: MSU won 98-87; USC lost 81-61
Clemson: MSU won 82-71; USC lost 78-68

Leaders:

Chris Silva (Sr.): 12.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg
A.J. Lawson (Fr.): 13.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.2 apg
Hassani Gravett (Sr.): 10.8 ppg, 2.3 apg

jwells' Analysis

In one the surprises of opening weekend in the SEC, South Carolina was able to go into Florida and win 71-69. I understand Florida isn't a top 10 team but I thought the Gators were starting to figure things out after they thrashed Butler just one game before. While freshman AJ Lawson is leading the team in scoring, his production has dropped off dramatically as the competition has ramped up. He scored just 6 points against Florida and 8 against Clemson before that. That is understandable as it takes time to adjust to level he's now playing at.

With that being said, Chris Silva is the unquestioned leader of the team in my opinion. He has really stepped up his play lately and will be tough to handle in the paint. BYU's Joeli Childs was able to handle Holman and Ado in the paint for portions of the Bulldogs' win against the Cougars and the Dogs will need to step up the post defense against Silva. Gravett has been coming off the bench and had an up and down year to this point but did go off for 22 against the Gators on Saturday night. He has been around against the Dogs plenty and am confident Lamar and Nick will be able to hold him check. The rest of the team is very inconsistent offensively but are hard-nosed and scrappy on the defensive end, a staple of a Frank Martin team.

Overall, the Gamecocks have struggled to get it going this year but will look to build off their win over Florida. Going on the road in the SEC is always a significant task and tonight will be no different. If the Bulldogs can improve their defense and take good shots, Mississippi State should win. The key for us this year has been taking open shots and working hard enough to get those open shots. We have really seemed to have figured that out recently and the long stretches without a basket have dramatically reduced. Florida shot the ball very poorly from 3 on Saturday (9-31) and still had to blow a 2nd half double digit lead to lose. Barring a clunker of a shooting performance, I think the Dogs will go in and get the win, 75-68.

[TNDawg35]

Total crap. Nowhere did you bitch and complain nor mention how Joe sucks and Lemonis is a horrible hire. This will not work on ED...****

In all seriousness, great job man. Keep it up.

[sleepy dawg]

Thanks for sharing. I look forward to continued previews.

[jwells]

Thanks for sharing. I look forward to continued previews.

Thanks guys. Will try to do one for every game.

[Commercecomet24]

Enjoyed reading that. Thank you for sharing!

[Commercecomet24]

Total crap. Nowhere did you bitch and complain nor mention how Joe sucks and Lemonis is a horrible hire. This will not work on ED...****

In all seriousness, great job man. Keep it up.

Have some rep!

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Thanks guys. Will try to do one for every game.

Good write up. Childs did well against our guys the 1st half (17pts) but we did much better against him in the 2nd half (8pts). He's also a way more rounded scorer than Silva. He can go inside & outside but Silva will definitely challenge our manhood in the paint. He's very physical & plays extremely hard. Ado has to stay out of foul trouble. He had a great game up there last year 16pts 9rebs 4blks. Here's hoping for a similar outing.

[jwells]

Good write up. Childs did well against our guys the 1st half (17pts) but we did much better against him in the 2nd half (8pts). He's also a way more rounded scorer than Silva. He can go inside & outside but Silva will definitely challenge our manhood in the paint. He's very physical & plays extremely hard. Ado has to stay out of foul trouble. He had a great game up there last year 16pts 9rebs 4blks. Here's hoping for a similar outing.

That's true about the inside/outside of Childs and I had forgotten about how well Ado did up there. I also thought BYU got away from getting Childs the ball because our defensive intensity stepped up. Similar to how we had stretches early in the season, if we were having to work to get the offense going, we would just settle for the 1st shot, good or bad, that came our way. It takes serious effort to get an open looks against good competition and most teams don't want to put in the effort.

[confucius say]

Silva is still there?!? Damn

[MadDawg]

Good job. You might have a future here. Got any pics of your wife/girlfriend? hahaha, ok just kidding. You may not make it.

[RougeDawg]

Good work.

[BeardoMSU]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MRmxfLuNto

Lol, JK. Not a bad write up. Good job, and gracias.

[Political Hack]

I like the new guy.

[chef dixon]

Not gonna lie, our lay-off as me a little nervous about this one

[Interpolation_Dawg_EX]

Nice job, let's hope your prognostication skills match your summary!

[jwells]

Not gonna lie, our lay-off as me a little nervous about this one

I do agree with you about the layoff. Wish we would have played a game on Thursday or so but the options to play weren't there bc everyone else across the country has started conference play. We also tend to have to grow into the games so that could potentially be a nasty combination.

[smootness]

I think the layoff will help. I think we roll tonight.

[jwells]

Thanks for all the compliments. Hope we can keep winning and make this year special.

[Cloak]

Quality post, looking forward to reading the next one.

I got the Dawgs -4 (bought a couple points) and the under 149.

[jwells]

Quality post, looking forward to reading the next one.

I got the Dawgs -4 (bought a couple points) and the under 149.

-4 seems like a good bet. I suck at betting basketball tho. All the variables make me overthink most games.

[RougeDawg]

Good job. You might have a future here. Got any pics of your wife/girlfriend? hahaha, ok just kidding. You may not make it.

Well that escalated quickly.

[Gutter Cobreh]

I like the new guy.

I concur. Watching us play basketball is painful for me, so having write-ups like this help to inform folks like myself.

Thanks for the write up and time jwells; and welcome to the posting side of this site!

[RougeDawg]

Quality post, looking forward to reading the next one.

I got the Dawgs -4 (bought a couple points) and the under 149.

Good luck. I never bet on MSU sports because what we should do, rarely ever matches what we actually do.

[Liverpooldawg]

Good post. You didn't complain about anything though. Your internet cred is shot here for sure.

[CarolinaDawgs]

Anybody going to the game? I?ll be a few rows behind our guys. Stop by and say hello

[Martianlander]

Mississippi State (12-1, 0-0 SEC) at South Carolina (6-7, 1-0 SEC)
Tip : 8:00 PM CT TV: ESPNU

The Bulldogs are back in action against the Gamecocks after a 10 day break following a Dec. 29 103-81 win over BYU. South Carolina started their SEC slate with a dramatic 71-69 win over Florida that included a full-court pass and dunk by Chris Silva with 1.9 to go.

South Carolina Team Stats:

Points Per Game: 73.8
Points Per Game Allowed: 70.3
FGA-FGM: 331-783 (42.3%)
3FGA-3FGM: 87-278 (31.3%)
FTA-FTM: 211-296 (71.3%)

Common Opponents:

Wofford: MSU won 98-87; USC lost 81-61
Clemson: MSU won 82-71; USC lost 78-68

Leaders:

Chris Silva (Sr.): 12.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg
A.J. Lawson (Fr.): 13.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.2 apg
Hassani Gravett (Sr.): 10.8 ppg, 2.3 apg

jwells' Analysis

In one the surprises of opening weekend in the SEC, South Carolina was able to go into Florida and win 71-69. I understand Florida isn't a top 10 team but I thought the Gators were starting to figure things out after they thrashed Butler just one game before. While freshman AJ Lawson is leading the team in scoring, his production has dropped off dramatically as the competition has ramped up. He scored just 6 points against Florida and 8 against Clemson before that. That is understandable as it takes time to adjust to level he's now playing at.

With that being said, Chris Silva is the unquestioned leader of the team in my opinion. He has really stepped up his play lately and will be tough to handle in the paint. BYU's Joeli Childs was able to handle Holman and Ado in the paint for portions of the Bulldogs' win against the Cougars and the Dogs will need to step up the post defense against Silva. Gravett has been coming off the bench and had an up and down year to this point but did go off for 22 against the Gators on Saturday night. He has been around against the Dogs plenty and am confident Lamar and Nick will be able to hold him check. The rest of the team is very inconsistent offensively but are hard-nosed and scrappy on the defensive end, a staple of a Frank Martin team.

Overall, the Gamecocks have struggled to get it going this year but will look to build off their win over Florida. Going on the road in the SEC is always a significant task and tonight will be no different. If the Bulldogs can improve their defense and take good shots, Mississippi State should win. The key for us this year has been taking open shots and working hard enough to get those open shots. We have really seemed to have figured that out recently and the long stretches without a basket have dramatically reduced. Florida shot the ball very poorly from 3 on Saturday (9-31) and still had to blow a 2nd half double digit lead to lose. Barring a clunker of a shooting performance, I think the Dogs will go in and get the win, 75-68.

Excellent. Good job. Warn you at some point you will have to take a stand on Stansbury and when you do you lose half the board!

[MCsMGs]

Anybody going to the game? I?ll be a few rows behind our guys. Stop by and say hello

What row and seat? I'm here row AA.

[msstate7]

What row and seat? I'm here row AA.

Do you miss any games?

[MCsMGs]

Do you miss any games? I try not to...but sometimes real life gets in the way of my bad habits!

[MCsMGs]

Probably 2000 people here...this place seats 18000 so it looks empty!

[DeputyDawg94]

Fine job jwells.

[parabrave]

What time does the game start?

[msstate7]

Decent start.

[Liverpooldawg]

Started at 8 central

[parabrave]

Is there any radio for tonights game. I can't get it on Tunein. BTW it's 13-12 15 mins to go 1st.

[msstate7]

Is there any radio for tonights game. I can't get it on Tunein. BTW it's 13-12 15 mins to go 1st.

You can listen to any game on hailstate.com

[msstate7]

Please tell me ado is getting healthy and ready to go. Looks pretty good tonight

[jwells]

We need to settle down and run the offense. And on defense, we need to double Silva every time he gets it in the post and they will turn it over all night.

[parabrave]

LP makes his 1st points in the last 50 mins. Need him to get hot again.

[chef dixon]

Perry playing like a freshman tonight

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

Nick's mid range jumper is incredible

[Maroonthirteen]

Are our colors maroon and white?

I have no idea any longer.

[chef dixon]

Playing very meh. Lucky to be up 2

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

Lol @ that foul on Peters.

[MarketingBully]

Playing very meh. Lucky to be up 2

Still playing meh and down by 2. This team has too much talent to be playing like this.

[MarketingBully]

South Carolina is one of the worst teams we have played all year and down by 2.

[msstate7]

I like this team, but I?m disappointed in our defense. This team is veteran... we shouldn?t have these defensive lapses

[RocketDawg]

Did Fishback just say "freshmans"?

[RocketDawg]

Are our colors maroon and white?

I have no idea any longer.

No. They were changed to black and white so they wouldn't duplicate A&M.

[Ezsoil]

That was a pathetic end to the half.....

[CadaverDawg]

We don't look very good

[chef dixon]

By far the one of the best hardest teams to watch we have ever had a state

[MarketingBully]

I like this team, but I?m disappointed in our defense. This team is veteran... we shouldn?t have these defensive lapses

It’s not just that it’s the stupid unforced turnovers that infuriate me. The worst offensive team in the league we allowed to score 42 in the first half. That’s just not good. But the dumb turnovers are why we can’t extend a lead or do anything for that matter when South Carolina went on a drought.

[parabrave]

Well going on scoring droughts of 2:20 and 3:30 in the 1st half will not win you many games. They have taken 7 more shots than us and thats the difference.

[MarketingBully]

We don't look very good

The second worst half we played other then the last seven minutes of the first half vs Arizona State. We better come out focused. This team has too much talent and experience to play like this.

[MarketingBully]

Well going on scoring droughts of 2:20 and 3:30 in the 1st half will not win you many games. They have taken 7 more shots than us and thats the difference.

It’s not even missing shots. Those droughts happened due to boneheaded turnovers. If we cut that out we will win by 10+.

[biggun]

Q shooting 3-10 and missing 2 layups in the final 2 minutes certainly has not helped

[RougeDawg]

Q shooting 3-10 and missing 2 layups in the final 2 minutes certainly has not helped

His turnover a few possessions before half was equally as bad.

[biggun]

And our defense is just not good. Not just tonight but Ever. We leave someone wide open almost every half court set and still have no clue how to play the pick n roll or give help side. 4 years of bad defensive basketball under Howland

[biggun]

His turnover a few possessions before half was equally as bad.


He came out on fire but quickly fizzled

[RougeDawg]

How on earth are We allowing Silva underneath with no backside help? Cannot let him beat us.

[MarketingBully]

7 assists 8 turnovers won’t win you many games. We aren’t sharing or moving without the basketball. We are taking bad shots. We need to get back to what we did to get 12-1. Share the damn basketball and move without the ball. That half was shit we did last year.

[jwells]

Q going to his left always causes him trouble in a straight line drive. I have been disappointed that Lamar hasn’t taken charge to give us some flow on offense. It looked like we may have started to find it when Holman hit the 3 but since that point we are out of control and not finishing strong at the rim. Q needs to go up strong and through the contact instead of around it. Defensively we had a couple too many breakdowns that led to easy stuff for them. Like I said earlier when we raised our instensity in spurts they will not put in the work to get good looks. If we start at the defensive end we will pull away and win in the second half.

[MarketingBully]

And our defense is just not good. Not just tonight but Ever. We leave someone wide open almost every half court set and still have no clue how to play the pick n roll or give help side. 4 years of bad defensive basketball under Howland

Yep and had we just done on offense what we did all year long we’d be fine. The tempo favors us but it doesn’t make a damn bit of difference if you aren’t moving without the basketball or sharing the basketball. Holman gave up a wide open 3 pointer to walk. He has to catch and shoot that. Peters driving to the basket and passing it to the other team. Perry passing the ball on a bounce pass to no one at the halfcourt line. Just have to get back to what we do and we would blow this team out. That first half is how not to play at all.

[MarketingBully]

Q going to his left always causes him trouble in a straight line drive. I have been disappointed that Lamar hasn’t taken charge to give us some flow on offense. It looked like we may have started to find it when Holman hit the 3 but since that point we are out of control and not finishing strong at the rim. Q needs to go up strong and through the contact instead of around it. Defensively we had a couple too many breakdowns that led to easy stuff for them. Like I said earlier when we raised our instensity in spurts they will not put in the work to get good looks. If we start at the defensive end we will pull away and win in the second half.

I can agree with that. Have to put the defensive intensity in. Out best halves are always the second half.

[RougeDawg]

On the bright side we are only down 4 while barely above 50% from FT And having taken 6 less total shots.

[BeardoMSU]

We are way too lazy sometimes...

[CJDAWG85]

Our effort on D was awful. No excuse to let that team put up 41 in the half.

[Dawg2003]

Our defense just isn't good. Hope our offense can compensate tonight.

[parabrave]

Yep LP needs to be more assertive going forward.

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

Holman just shushed the students. Collapse imminent.

[MarketingBully]

Man we have to play better then this period.

[Cloak]

Holman just shushed the students. Collapse imminent.

What students

[Political Hack]

Kotsar is killing us. Just out huddling our other bigs. Both are actually. Their big is rolling in the floor going after lose balls while ours watches.

[msstate7]

Might need to get perry out the game

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

What students

The group of people standing at the bottom of the screen on our side of the court.

[Big4Dawg]

Perry is paying awful. Man.

[MarketingBully]

This team acting like they don’t give a shit.

[msstate7]

Our 4s arent playing defense

[MarketingBully]

Perry is paying awful. Man.

Everyone is playing like shit. Who is playing well?

[Dawgology]

I’m always wary of a team with an albino. Life lesson there.

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

Cheap foul with 5 seconds on the shot clock.

[Political Hack]

And right on cue...

[Big4Dawg]

Everyone is playing like shit. Who is playing well?

Nick and Peters

[CadaverDawg]

Our bigs are too damn skinny

[mparkerfd20]

We will lose tonight

[RougeDawg]

Ado is a liability

[MarketingBully]

Worst game we played and we do it to start SEC. what the hell were you doing Howland to get these guys prepared?

[MaroonFlounder]

Wow. Fight our way up to #14 ranking.

Lose to a 6-7 team.

[HoopsDawg]

Wow, Woodard and Feazell on the court together in the 2nd half. Wtf?

[Political Hack]

Guards are neutralized enough and we're getting killed down low. No energy. No pride. Our bigs look bad outside of Ado in a few spots.

[MarketingBully]

Nick and Peters

Nope. Both have made boneheaded plays that have cost us.

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

Ado is a liability

So is Perry, so is Holman defensively. That's all the forwards

[Political Hack]

Ado is actually guarding one of the best players in the SEC while their other big is eating us alive. Someone has to match up with him.

[MarketingBully]

Wow, Woodard and Feazell on the court together in the 2nd half. Wtf?

All with Silva on the bench when we could make a run. Howland being outcoached and we are flat getting beat by a hungrier team.

[MaroonFlounder]

I will go ahead and predict a shitty crowd at the Hump Saturday.

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

I will go ahead and predict a shitty crowd at the Hump Saturday.

You're acting like the results of this game would have an impact on that.

[Dawg2003]

So just for some perspective, South Carolina's NET ranking is 173.

[MarketingBully]

We are one of the best FT shooting teams in the conference. Tonight 10-17.

[msstate7]

Please sit perry

[MaroonFlounder]

You're acting like the results of this game would have an impact on that.

It won't?

[BeardoMSU]

Lazy AF, Perry.

[MarketingBully]

Q playing selfish as shit. How the hell do you try to take it to the hole 1 on 2. Not a veteran move. 5 point swing right there.

[HoopsDawg]

Come on Perry, play defense!!

[Dawgpile]

I’m always wary of a team with an albino. Life lesson there.

Sideshow Bob lookin' MF'er

[msstate7]

Perry has a long way to go

[Political Hack]

Their team looks like they enjoy playing basketball more than our teams does.

[MarketingBully]

Please sit perry


Shit sit Q. He’s killing us worse.

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

It won't?

There won't be anyone there whether we win or lose.

[msstate7]

Shit sit Q. He’s killing us worse.

No, he isn't

[Big4Dawg]

W. T. F. Perry

Take him out Howland. I'd rather see Feazell at least try

[MarketingBully]

Perry has a long way to go

As bad as we are playing. We are only down 3. If we can get our head out of our ass we can win this game going away. I’ll take us playing 7:23 minutes tonight if it results in a W. That’s how bad South Carolina is though.

[RougeDawg]

Frustrating to say the least. Holman going to make him some money one day. A guy his size with an outside shot is killer in nba. Difficult matchup

[msstate7]

As bad as we are playing. We are only down 3. If we can get our head out of our ass we can win this game going away. I’ll take us playing 7:23 minutes tonight if it results in a W. That’s how bad South Carolina is though.

I think we'll win. I also think Perry will be a very nice piece soon. I'm not impressed with us tonight though

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

It won't?

Actually I didn't realize we were playing OM. We could have a decent crowd for that one.

[Bdawg]

Our guys look like they can't believe SC is giving them a game and look dejected

[MarketingBully]

11-19 from the FT line.

[Saltydog]

Nt

[MarketingBully]

Just play our game these last 4:56 and we will win going away.

[HoopsDawg]

Road life in the SEC is rarely easy.

[MarketingBully]

Did Howland call his last TO at 3:26? If so very dumb.

[Percho]

You've got to be willing to get your butt off the floor and get to the other end.

[Bdawg]

So we are working for shots over the back board now I guess. And then Howland calls time and Peters had a lane to the basket

[MarketingBully]

Road life in the SEC is rarely easy.

This team makes it harder on themselves more then any team I have seen.

[maroonmania]

We have a good team but we have defensive issues. SC is not a good offensive team but we are making them look good.

[Bdawg]

Did Howland call his last TO at 3:26? If so very dumb.


Surely not

[Political Hack]

Final Timeout for that?!?!??! When he called it Peters was coming off a pick driving to the hole.

Everybody sucks tonight.

[ScoobaDawg]

if anyone cares...we are actually ahead 73-72 with 3:16 left despite all these coaches in here saying we are the worst team ever

[Bdawg]

Holy crap. It was the last TO

[ScoobaDawg]

2:21... score here... come on

[ScoobaDawg]

damnit... and 1. 2 minutes left

[Bdawg]

Damn Q

[ScoobaDawg]

gotta score here... under a minute damnit blocked

[RougeDawg]

Ado playing better. More effort tonight from him. We

[ScoobaDawg]

win it here boys...

[RougeDawg]

Need to go at Silva. Need to foul him out.

[Political Hack]

Q fouled him on that shot. So dumb. That's a jr high level mistake.

[ScoobaDawg]

Peters can't make it happen and we almost give up a half court shot...

[BeardoMSU]

Need to go at Silva. Need to foul him out.

Yes.

[Bdawg]

Damn Peters had him beat. Last 2 possessions with 0 passes in it

[MarketingBully]

Selfish play by Peters and Q got us there. Lucky Gravitt didn’t hit that halfcourt shot.

[BeardoMSU]

Q fouled him on that shot. So dumb. That's a jr high level mistake.

Lucky, for sure.

[Bdawg]

Need to foul Silva out quick

[Political Hack]

Need to go at Silva. Need to foul him out.

Agree. Immediately in OT.

Also, Holman needs to do something other than stand on the three point line.

[MarketingBully]

Peters can't make it happen and we almost give up a half court shot...

Peters should have passed it out. Had no chance at a layup there.

[Activated Alpha]

I haven't watched a bunch of state games, but I watched what I could of the 2nd half. Does state have a post game or is it really jack as many 3s as you can?

[maroonmania]

Peters can't make it happen and we almost give up a half court shot...

Peters should have pulled up a hit an 8 footer instead of trying to go in the tall timber.

[BeardoMSU]

These refs are trash. On both sides, tbh.

[Bdawg]

Where the hell was that foul

[BeardoMSU]

Peters should have pulled up a hit an 8 footer instead of trying to go in the tall timber.

Agreed. He should've shaked him lose, then pulled up.

[maroonmania]

That wasn't a steal, Q gave him the ball.

[RocketDawg]

Not getting a real warm fuzzy feeling about how this one is going to end. 77 all now.

[msstate7]

Who was guarding him?

[BeardoMSU]

Who was guarding him?

Peter Pan's shadow...

[Political Hack]

These are some late calls.

[ScoobaDawg]

Ado with the dunk

[ScoobaDawg]

good swat ado... don't give up now 11 left on sc

[MarketingBully]

We don’t deserve to win this game. How do you have this much experience and talent and play like ass like this?

[ScoobaDawg]

down 4 with 1:40 left to msu

[RougeDawg]

Once again a Mississippi State team allows a career high for an opponent. I wonder how many we have allowed over the last 20 years. Seems to be about once a month.

[HoopsDawg]

Amazing that a veteran, Howland coached team has so many defensive breakdowns. It's not just one or two guys, it's everyone.

[MarketingBully]

No heart on this team.

[mparkerfd20]

We dont score here its ballgame.

[maroonmania]

About to pick up loss #2. We can add it to all of the many losses our teams in all sports have wearing black uniforms.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Q let Cozart go right past him on that put back

[Bdawg]

Some the worst F'ing defense I've seen in a while. Lazy azz crap is all it amounts too

[Goldendawg]

We have no strength inside. Career night for Kosar.

[MarketingBully]

Amazing that a veteran, Howland coached team has so many defensive breakdowns. It's not just one or two guys, it's everyone.

This is like a Rider loss and any more like this and we are an 8 seed.

[ScoobaDawg]

ado makes first ft 80-83 minute left

[MarketingBully]

Wide open shot.

[Bdawg]

Huge steal peters

[ScoobaDawg]

peters steals it!!!! 83-82

[Political Hack]

Holman won't even close out on their hottest player. Absolute garbage.

[msstate7]

Holman gives up as much or more than he scores

[HoopsDawg]

Horrible d there by Holman. I hope Howland isn't coaching that.

[Political Hack]

85-82 USC up. 43.1 seconds left.

[RougeDawg]

Lets leave the guy on a cater night wide ass f*cking open. Genius.

[Cooterpoot]

Same team new year. Get your hopes up and then boom, kick you in the jimmy.

[Bdawg]

Big white guy eating Holman up

[MarketingBully]

Holman gives up as much or more than he scores

I’d work a shot to Holman for 3.

[ScoobaDawg]

25 points for damn kotsar.... down 3 with 43 secs left. have to score this possession or its over

[maroonmania]

Holman won't even close out on their hottest player. Absolute garbage.

I hope he is hurting physically, because that was a horrible effort to recover on defense. I could have hit that easy open shot.

[Pit Bull]

Kotsar En Fuego!!!!!

[Goldendawg]

And Peters jacks a three.

[MarketingBully]

Man that was bad. Gotta give Holman and Q at least a chance. Peters awful there.

[ScoobaDawg]

peters all about himself and takes the shot.. and no rebound. 28.5 and usc shooting 2.

[MarketingBully]

Worst game ever!!!!

[bluelightstar]

Winning on the road in the SEC is tough (unless you?re UT)

[msstate7]

Howland is past his prime. He's still a good recruiter, but he isn't a great coach anymore.

[Political Hack]

17 these refs. Awful.

[ShotgunDawg]

We are so selfish with the basketball

In pressure situations all ball movement stops

[Pit Bull]

Game Over Man!!!!….Game Over!!

[HoopsDawg]

Silva mugged him.

[RougeDawg]

Silva should have fouled out there

[mparkerfd20]

Where was the ****ing foul for mauling us!!!

[maroonmania]

We are still a very, very soft team. Lots of skill but not much toughness.

[BeardoMSU]

These refs are ****ing trash. TRASH.

[Bdawg]

Holy F'ing shit. He swallows the damn whistle on that

[ShotgunDawg]

Just horrible coaching, experience, etc. just an uncoachable team

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Pre Madonna Q!

[HoopsDawg]

Resume killer.

[msstate7]

Don't be surprised when om gives us another loss Saturday.

[dawgday166]

I don't understand getting it to Q no matter what at end of game. Is this Jamont Gordon 2.0? This team has a lot of guys who can make a needed bucket at the end.

[maroonmania]

Where was the ****ing foul for mauling us!!!

Horrible no call.

[Red Sox Dawg]

Bad defense tonight

[Pit Bull]

Even Damn ReBearSharks ahead of us.

[Cooterpoot]

Wild ass selfishness and no defense. Same shit all over again.

[maroonmania]

Don't be surprised when om gives us another loss Saturday.

Yep, I could easily still see us struggling to go 9-9 in the league.

[HoopsDawg]

We are still a very, very soft team. Lots of skill but not much toughness.

We need a Marcus Bullard in the worst way.

[WeWonItAll(Most)]

I don't understand getting it to Q no matter what at end of game. Is this Jamont Gordon 2.0? This team has a lot of guys who can make a needed bucket at the end.

Peters took the shot at the end of regulation.

[Dawg2003]

This will hurt our NET rankings. No excuse for losing this game.

[msstate7]

We need a Marcus Bullard in the worst way.

Give nick a pistol

[MaroonFlounder]

Don't be surprised when om gives us another loss Saturday.

Kermit will outcoach Howland in a nearly empty Hump

[ShotgunDawg]

It's like Peters and Witherspoon can't play together. They just selfishly take turns running their own offense and setting up their own shot. Brutal job by experienced players.

[CJDAWG85]

That is why I don’t support these guys. They don’t play with heart and intensity every game like our girls. Bunch of individuals out to pad their stats.

[MarketingBully]

Holy F'ing shit. He swallows the damn whistle on that

What the hell were we doing with the ball there and why didn’t we have any timeouts? As far as foul, you aren’t getting that call on the road. Worst game we have played in at least two years so there’s that.

[KOdawg1]

Kermit will outcoach Howland in a nearly empty Hump
Nah.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Kermit Jr. gonna spank that arse this weekend in front of 3000 people

[Goldendawg]

Unless we get some strength inside, you will see losses like this pretty often. Q and Peters both selfish at crunch time also.

[Saltydog]

Defense is just horrible!

[msstate7]

It's like Peters and Witherspoon can't play together. They just selfishly take turns running their own offense and setting up their own shot. Brutal job by experienced players.

This game was lost by our shitty defense from the 4s. Both were garbage defensively

[Pit Bull]

Kermit will outcoach Howland in a nearly empty Hump

Very possible.

[Cloak]

Hate the loss, but we have to support this team. Best shot at being relevant in the big 3 this year

[ZedFedder]

Y’all do realize how basketball works, right? Sometimes it just goes this way. My prediction is we beat Ole Miss by 20. If they lose to Ole Miss then gripe all you want. One game.

[HoopsDawg]

Holman and Perry were awful on defense. Q and Lamar with several lapses. Carter a no show in a physical game. Ado and Nick played reasonably well.

[KOdawg1]

I didn't see a foul there at the end. They were physical and in our faces, but we've got to know how to handle that situation rather than turning it over. Tough loss. Not the end of the world. Some of you shouldn't follow basketball if you can't handle losing. It happens.

[bluelightstar]

R E L A X

[MaroonFlounder]

Baseball is coming. Those guys will at least play hard.

[Bothrops]

It's hard to watch college basketball anymore, it's harder to watch your own team not care enough to put the effort in to win. The officiating is always terrible when you're on the road. Home slant, every game.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Quadrant 3 loss..... That’s bad.

[msugolf]

Y’all do realize how basketball works, right? Sometimes it just goes this way. My prediction is we beat Ole Miss by 20. If they lose to Ole Miss then gripe all you want. One game.

We aren't beating OM by 20. I'll bet you any amount you want on that. Kermit is a much better coach than Howland.

[Pit Bull]

Ole Miss just beat a decent Vandy squad full of 5 Star newcomers on the road. To win in Nashville no matter what the Commode Odors have is a good win. I thought Vandy would have smoked them by 20 or 30. That tells me Jr. is having a positive effect at NWM.

[dawgday166]

Peters took the shot at the end of regulation.

You right. It was play before that when Q forced a layup going one on one. Then Peters did same thing on next play at the end. Move the ball around and get an open shot ... didn't understand the forced one-on-ones (which turned into one-on-2) at end.

[BeardoMSU]

I didn't see a foul there at the end. They were physical and in our faces, but we've got to know how to handle that situation rather than turning it over. Tough loss. Not the end of the world. Some of you shouldn't follow basketball if you can't handle losing. It happens.

I’m not melting over the loss. It isn’t the end of the world. But the officiating was baaaaad. And Q got mauled on the last possession.

[Activated Alpha]

Yeah I don't see state beating ole miss this weekend. The team that I just watched tonight couldn't play anything inside. Kept running into the defense and lob up a 2 or jack up a 3.

[dawgday166]

I’m not melting over the loss. It isn’t the end of the world. But the officiating was baaaaad. And Q got mauled on the last possession.

I don't think Q was hardly touched on last play. He missed the dribble when it bounced and it went over his head. Good no call IMO.

Either way if we were really as good as everyone thinks, refs wouldn't have mattered in this game. I didn't watch super closely but what I did watched looked like it was evenly called for most part. Nothing jumped out as "we got screwed by refs" to me.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Why didn’t Carter see the floor in the last 5 Minutes or in OT?

[ZedFedder]

Vandy’s best player by far and top 10 pick, Darious Garland, is out for the year. He didn’t play against OM. Simi Shittu is the other 5-star and while he is good, he isn’t anywhere close to Garland. Vandy’s very average.

[bluelightstar]

The overreactions in this thread are amazing. There’s parity in men’s basketball (unlike women’s..) and it is hard to win conference games on the road. Just ask Kentucky. USC appears to be getting better, and we were one of two teams to start conference play with a midweek road game. At least wait before melting down after our 2nd loss of the year.

[dawgday166]

The overreactions in this thread are amazing. There’s parity in men’s basketball (unlike women’s..) and it is hard to win conference games on the road. Just ask Kentucky. USC appears to be getting better, and we were one of two teams to start conference play with a midweek road game. At least wait before melting down after our 2nd loss of the year.

Frank Martin is not a shabby coach either.

[dawgday166]

Mississippi State (12-1, 0-0 SEC) at South Carolina (6-7, 1-0 SEC)
Tip : 8:00 PM CT TV: ESPNU

The Bulldogs are back in action against the Gamecocks after a 10 day break following a Dec. 29 103-81 win over BYU. South Carolina started their SEC slate with a dramatic 71-69 win over Florida that included a full-court pass and dunk by Chris Silva with 1.9 to go.

South Carolina Team Stats:

Points Per Game: 73.8
Points Per Game Allowed: 70.3
FGA-FGM: 331-783 (42.3%)
3FGA-3FGM: 87-278 (31.3%)
FTA-FTM: 211-296 (71.3%)

Common Opponents:

Wofford: MSU won 98-87; USC lost 81-61
Clemson: MSU won 82-71; USC lost 78-68

Leaders:

Chris Silva (Sr.): 12.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg
A.J. Lawson (Fr.): 13.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.2 apg
Hassani Gravett (Sr.): 10.8 ppg, 2.3 apg

jwells' Analysis

In one the surprises of opening weekend in the SEC, South Carolina was able to go into Florida and win 71-69. I understand Florida isn't a top 10 team but I thought the Gators were starting to figure things out after they thrashed Butler just one game before. While freshman AJ Lawson is leading the team in scoring, his production has dropped off dramatically as the competition has ramped up. He scored just 6 points against Florida and 8 against Clemson before that. That is understandable as it takes time to adjust to level he's now playing at.

With that being said, Chris Silva is the unquestioned leader of the team in my opinion. He has really stepped up his play lately and will be tough to handle in the paint. BYU's Joeli Childs was able to handle Holman and Ado in the paint for portions of the Bulldogs' win against the Cougars and the Dogs will need to step up the post defense against Silva. Gravett has been coming off the bench and had an up and down year to this point but did go off for 22 against the Gators on Saturday night. He has been around against the Dogs plenty and am confident Lamar and Nick will be able to hold him check. The rest of the team is very inconsistent offensively but are hard-nosed and scrappy on the defensive end, a staple of a Frank Martin team.

Overall, the Gamecocks have struggled to get it going this year but will look to build off their win over Florida. Going on the road in the SEC is always a significant task and tonight will be no different. If the Bulldogs can improve their defense and take good shots, Mississippi State should win. The key for us this year has been taking open shots and working hard enough to get those open shots. We have really seemed to have figured that out recently and the long stretches without a basket have dramatically reduced. Florida shot the ball very poorly from 3 on Saturday (9-31) and still had to blow a 2nd half double digit lead to lose. Barring a clunker of a shooting performance, I think the Dogs will go in and get the win, 75-68.

Not a bad analysis. You did miss on Kotsar tho. He ate our lunch.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Well, poor defense and poor offense equals loss. I mean do we even have a defensive or offensive strategy? Does every team in the nation have the ability to coach bigs except us? Now let me say Nick and Ado played well and this is not a criticism on Ado in anyway. He hustled every possession. But how come we never have a guy that can just post up and dominate a game? Silva won the game. Made us late all over the court on defense.

[Dawg2003]

Sometimes I wonder if Ben Howland just doesn't give a sh*t anymore. I mean, he clearly doesn't hold the players accountable for bad shot selection (Peters mainly). Maybe he wants to go back to Malibu and spend time with his grandkids.

[Coach007]

That's Peter's mo.... Hurts youas much as he helps you.

[msstate7]

It?s so incredibly frustrating to me that Howland still refuses to play any zone. We get worked hard all the time in our crappy man, and it?s just like howland can?t see it.

[msstate7]

Are we gonna miss Stapleton?s toughness this year? Sure he was a knucklehead at times, but I liked his toughness

[HoopsDawg]

It?s so incredibly frustrating to me that Howland still refuses to play any zone. We get worked hard all the time in our crappy man, and it?s just like howland can?t see it.

Zone would have been a good move tonight. Howland just won't do it.

[CadaverDawg]

We get pushed around in the paint because we have a bunch of string beans with no girth. Need some beef inside.

[Bdawg]

It?s so incredibly frustrating to me that Howland still refuses to play any zone. We get worked hard all the time in our crappy man, and it?s just like howland can?t see it.

Does that seems so hard to change up? It's not like it takes a lot of brains to play zone. And it just changes things up from time to time. Not to mention, at least making the other team prepare for it some.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

13-23 from the Free Throw line...