Martin gives early impression of his defense

[FeatheredCock]

Martin gives early impression of his defense

Oct. 22, 2019

If there are two things to know about South Carolina men’s basketball coach Frank Martin when it comes to style of play, it’s that he wants to play fast on offense and tough on defense.

Take nothing away from his offensive desires, but opposing teams typically leave the court worn down from the way the Gamecocks play on the defensive end of the court. It’s what those on the outside know Martin and his program for, and something he expects to see from his team game in and game out. (VIEW ARTICLE) FREE 247SPORTS

 

[ConwayGamecock]

This is the feedback of value from Coach Martin. Everything is based off of his defense: Martin has praised his team's offenses in the past - two seasons ago before that season started, he referred to that team as the best shooting team he's ever had, but the team went 17-16 and had the only losing conference record in the last 4 years. This season, Frank has already spoke of his impressions regarding the team's offensive speed, and while he hasn't given his full stamp of approval on the defense quite yet, he still hasn't stated that the defense stinks, which he has griped about in several past pre-seasons. Yes, he says here that he thought at first it stunk, but after reviewing film, he's actually coming away with some halting positivity for our team defense. This after already stating earlier that we have several guys in the paint who go after the opposing ball, play above the rim, and defend the basket. Better at that than we've had in the past.

For the years Coach Martin has been at USC, this is almost alien praise. So while I am still not ready to go hog wild over the iteration - and won't until we get several actual games under our belt (and maybe even go through the entire non-conference slate) - it is worthy of taking note here that maybe we'll have a better prepared team to start the season. Better prepared to make an actual run towards something more than just the end of the season....

 

[ShepCock]

Seriously it's hard to see how we will not win 20 games and make the NCAA tournament.

I'm excited! ::

 

[kingofnerf]

I just hope we stay healthy enough to have full practices the whole season.

I was so pissed at Hinson for ditching the team during the regular season last year when they were already short-handed due to injuries.

 

[ShepCock]

Hinson was good for our team, but he was at best a role player.

He's still trying to find himself too.  He "ditched" the football team too this past August by transferring -- of course, this was after he had open heart surgery.

Veteran tight end no longer on Gamecocks roster, will transfer to play another sport

Tight end Evan Hinson is no longer on South Carolina football’s roster.

A school spokesperson confirmed that was the case, after Hinson was not listed in the team’s weekly game notes ahead of the season opener. Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp said Hinson will transfer to play basketball, the sport he played most during his time in Columbia.

“As of Evan Hinson and I’s last conversation, he was going to transfer and play basketball,” Muschamp said. “He felt like that was what he wanted to do moving forward. So we wish him the best.”

Hinson, a fourth-year player, was sidelined after surgery to correct an irregular heartbeat. He gave up basketball this offseason to become a full-time football player.

He’s the second tight end the team has lost this offseason after Kiel Pollard had to retire for medical reasons.

Hinson came to Columbia in Muschamp’s first recruiting class, aiming to play both football and basketball. He redshirted in football and played sparingly in 2017 and 2018. The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder had one career catch for one yard.

As a basketball player, he averaged 8.8 minutes, playing in 46 games. He started 17, all in 2017-18. He played in two of South Carolina’s 2017 NCAA tournament games.

His younger brother plays for Ole Miss and was in Columbia for the NCAA tournament last season.

It leaves South Carolina brutally thin at tight end, with four scholarship players, two of them freshmen and one other with little game experience.