GAMECOCK-GAMEDAY THREAD: South Carolina vs. Stetson***Dec. 30, 2019 at 3:00pm.***

[FeatheredCock]

GAMECOCK-GAMEDAY THREAD: South Carolina vs.  Stetson***Dec. 30, 2019 at 3:00pm.***

View attachment 829

**Dec. 30, 2019 - Monday, 3:00 p.m.**

View attachment 1504 South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Stetson Hatters 

Here you go free to listen if not near a radio or TV

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[kingofnerf]

South Carolina (8-4) is back in action on Monday after a break for the holidays when it hosts Stetson (5-9) in a 3 p.m. ET contest at Colonial Life Arena.  The matchup will be broadcast on SEC Network+ with Burch Antley (play-by-play) and Alex English (analyst) on the call, while Derek Scott (play-by-play) and Casey Manning (analyst) will have the call for the Gamecock Radio Network.

STAR WARS GAME
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away... "Star Wars" Day comes to the Colonial Life Arena for the matchup vs. Stetson! Gamecock Athletics and Lucasfilms team up to bring you a one-of-a-kind game day experience, Star Wars style. There will be on-court promotions and games. Fans are also invited to dress up in their favorite "Star Wars" character costumes (no masks or props please).

https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2019/12/28/mens-basketball-gamecocks-back-in-action-monday-hosting-stetson.aspx

 

[AikenGameFan]

Hoping for another really big win as we get ready for Conference ball

 

[Gary]

Frank's teams have a gift for bringing out the best in any team they are supposed to beat.  USC was a 22 point favorite.    I'm really embarrassed, and the coaches and team should be as well.    But, I don't know if they are.   Probably a mistake to give this team days off for Christmas.    Can't trust these guys to be responsible and do what is needed.    Frank should make them practice tonight.

 

[Homebrewcock]

I think Frank Martin is a huge part of this problem.  His teams always lose to these lesser teams.

 

[kingofnerf]

Went to the game but didn't get there until about the 12:00 mark in the first half.

There was a decent line at the box office, but it was so quiet I thought the tip-off had been delayed or something.

The best part of the game, unfortunately, was the Baby Yoda race at halftime.

 

[kingofnerf]

They must have had a bad practice or two this week because the team looked out of synch and tentative as far as driving into the paint.

Stetson's defense was pretty good, but definitely not better than UVA's.

Frank's teams are weird.

Stetson's coach was coaching his arse off the whole game, while Frank was just pouting on the sideline and letting it happen.

Stetson/Boston/Augusta.  It's the same thing and it's happened enough to keep us out of the post-season the last two years and I am starting think that will happen again this season as well.

Games like these weaken the SoS of the other teams we play and I can't believe the league hasn't said something to Frank about it yet..

 

[Gary]

Frank has gotten into trouble playing his friends.   Wyoming last year.   Stetson this year.   USC is really lacking a killer instinct.   Bunch of nice kids who have trouble competing.   Especially against teams they think they should beat.    Maturity and experience might help in that regard, but might be too late by the time they figure it out.  

 

[doublea1971]

Frank has gotten into trouble playing his friends.   Wyoming last year.   Stetson this year.   USC is really lacking a killer instinct.   Bunch of nice kids who have trouble competing.   Especially against teams they think they should beat.    Maturity and experience might help in that regard, but might be too late by the time they figure it out.  

I respectfully disagree.  Wyoming was an abberation last year.  We lost that game because we couldn't shoot and Wyoming just played lights out.  The Stetson game this year was a case of one player in particular thinking he's already in the NBA.  We desperately need Lawson's skillset until Cousinard or Hannibal come along enough to step up to that next level.  Lawson let us all down today.  And then there's Coach Martin's decision to keep Lawson and a few others on the bench a LOT longer than he should have.  He could have had the conversation with AJ (and Hannibal, and Moss, and Bolden) AFTER the game... but instead he wanted to prove a point.  I'm a bit disheartened by this today, but I guess I should see it coming.  Frank does this at least once every year, and then he coaches his rear end off during SEC play to put us in a position where we SHOULD be in the tourney again.  I mean truthfully, there isn't a much better X's and O's coach in the league than Frank Martin.  If you get him close in a game, 9 times out of 10 he'll pull off the victory against all odds.  That's why I continue to stick with him, warts and all.  But this today... I'm simply dismayed that Coach Martin chose to lose to a team which single-handedly in that bad loss could keep us out of the NCAA's.

 

[Gary]

I respectfully disagree.  Wyoming was an abberation last year.  We lost that game because we couldn't shoot and Wyoming just played lights out.  The Stetson game this year was a case of one player in particular thinking he's already in the NBA.  We desperately need Lawson's skillset until Cousinard or Hannibal come along enough to step up to that next level.  Lawson let us all down today.  And then there's Coach Martin's decision to keep Lawson and a few others on the bench a LOT longer than he should have.  He could have had the conversation with AJ (and Hannibal, and Moss, and Bolden) AFTER the game... but instead he wanted to prove a point.  I'm a bit disheartened by this today, but I guess I should see it coming.  Frank does this at least once every year, and then he coaches his rear end off during SEC play to put us in a position where we SHOULD be in the tourney again.  I mean truthfully, there isn't a much better X's and O's coach in the league than Frank Martin.  If you get him close in a game, 9 times out of 10 he'll pull off the victory against all odds.  That's why I continue to stick with him, warts and all.  But this today... I'm simply dismayed that Coach Martin chose to lose to a team which single-handedly in that bad loss could keep us out of the NCAA's.

Lawson wasn't the only guy who played poorly.    We should have been able to beat stetson without Lawson.   It isn't in the best interest of USC to play teams rated where Stetson is.   If we beat them we get no credit, and if we lose, it is embarrassing and harmful.   We have nothing to gain and a lot to lose playing a team like this.  Frank is a friend of the Stetson coach and that is why Frank agreed to play.   But he should not have.    Frank had better do what is best for himself and his team and stop trying to help his friends at his team's expense.  I would much rather have played a top 100 team and lost to them than to lose to stetson.

USC obviously was not motivated to play today.  Why?  I think because they were playing a team they were heavy favorites to beat, they were lazy after the Christmas break, and some of the guys have colds.   The only one of those things that is understandable is the colds.   It is inexcusable that this team would take any team for granted and be unmotivated to play.   That is troubling.    This team also proved that you can't be nice to them and give them days off.  They can't handle it.    Well, all the cupcakes are gone now.    Every game left is with an SEC team.   If they don't come ready to play, USC will get blown out.    

 

[kingofnerf]

The problem is that you add these "instructional losses" in with the ones in conference play that we just can't win even though we don't leave anything on the table and we're on the couch in March.

A few people left early, but everyone else stayed until the end of the game.  They instantly got behind the team when they made some shots and got some stops and turnovers.  The excitement is just under the surface if the guys will just do what they need to win games.

Stetson had length in the backcourt and they blocked out the shooting and passing lanes pretty good.  AJ turned the ball over pretty easily trying pass over their Gs.  It looked like he just threw it to them.

Frank said AJ came down with something over the break.  Maybe he just wasn't well enough to play and Frank didn't have a Plan B.  No shots against duress from Bolden, which I thought was surprising coming off of his UVA performance.

SMDH like everyone else.

 

[Gary]

I'm still angry about this loss.   I only hope the team is angry and embarrassed.    But, its over.   Can't let that game ruin the next one.   Have to play well against Florida if we are going to win.   We have always been competitive against UF, and so I'm hoping we can be again.    

 

[FurmanCock]

I respectfully disagree.  Wyoming was an abberation last year.  We lost that game because we couldn't shoot and Wyoming just played lights out.  The Stetson game this year was a case of one player in particular thinking he's already in the NBA.  We desperately need Lawson's skillset until Cousinard or Hannibal come along enough to step up to that next level.  Lawson let us all down today.  And then there's Coach Martin's decision to keep Lawson and a few others on the bench a LOT longer than he should have.  He could have had the conversation with AJ (and Hannibal, and Moss, and Bolden) AFTER the game... but instead he wanted to prove a point.  I'm a bit disheartened by this today, but I guess I should see it coming.  Frank does this at least once every year, and then he coaches his rear end off during SEC play to put us in a position where we SHOULD be in the tourney again.  I mean truthfully, there isn't a much better X's and O's coach in the league than Frank Martin.  If you get him close in a game, 9 times out of 10 he'll pull off the victory against all odds.  That's why I continue to stick with him, warts and all.  But this today... I'm simply dismayed that Coach Martin chose to lose to a team which single-handedly in that bad loss could keep us out of the NCAA's.

Double1971. I agree with your assessment, but add a note to your conclusion.  In your opinion, you believe Coach should have handled the lesson with AJ in a different manner -- playing him in the second half or at least during the critical run toward the end of the game.  However, we don't really know the situation, unless we are in the locker room, on the sideline, or at practice.  I know AJ has been pulled multiple times this year for effort and failure to run Coach's offense...apparently, the lesson has still not been learned.  Maybe an escalation was necessary or the next step.  I do believe Coach prioritizes the improvement of his athletes as quality human beings and basketball players above the fan's expectations for wins and losses.