Gamecocks surprise with early season success
Jimmy Carter
Issue date: 1/14/09 Section: Sports
In October, South Carolina was slated by the media to finish fifth in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference. Fast forward three months and the Gamecocks appear to be intent on proving the media wrong.
Led by first-year coach Darrin Horn, South Carolina has raced to a 12-2 start, their best since the 2003-04 campaign under Dave Odom. On Saturday, the Gamecocks defeated Auburn 68-56 in the conference opener for both squads.
While the team's quick start, which included an 85-84 win over No. 21 Baylor and a competitive loss to No. 10 Clemson, is reason for optimism, Horn acknowledged that the conference play is a different animal.
"I just think the major difference is it's such a higher level of intensity on every single play," Horn said. "That requires a mental adjustment and mental toughness, I think even more than the physical [toughness]."
Preseason first-team all-conference selection Devan Downey has lived up to his billing and adjusted well to the new scheme.
"Devan fits in really well," Horn said. "Obviously he can push the ball in transition and create a lot offensively, which is a big key for the way we want to play. He has responded really well and continues to get better every time out."
Senior guard Zam Frederick has been a consistent compliment to Downey, averaging 16.1 points per game on the season, including a 27 point performance in the win over the Tigers on Saturday.
"Zam stepped up really big for us in a game when we were struggling offensively and did what you hope fifth-year seniors are going to do," Horn said. "[He] played with a lot of poise and aggressiveness and showed a lot of leadership."
In the Nick of Time
Florida sophomore point guard Nick Calathes was named SEC Player of the Week for his role in the Gators' 95-69 rout of Longwood and 78-68 win against Ole Miss in the conference opener.
Against Longwood, Calathes scored a game-high 19 points and added 10 rebounds and eight assists to pace the Gators. In the Ole Miss game, he again tallied 19 points to go along with eight assists, seven rebounds, and four steals.
Led by first-year coach Darrin Horn, South Carolina has raced to a 12-2 start, their best since the 2003-04 campaign under Dave Odom. On Saturday, the Gamecocks defeated Auburn 68-56 in the conference opener for both squads.
While the team's quick start, which included an 85-84 win over No. 21 Baylor and a competitive loss to No. 10 Clemson, is reason for optimism, Horn acknowledged that the conference play is a different animal.
"I just think the major difference is it's such a higher level of intensity on every single play," Horn said. "That requires a mental adjustment and mental toughness, I think even more than the physical [toughness]."
Preseason first-team all-conference selection Devan Downey has lived up to his billing and adjusted well to the new scheme.
"Devan fits in really well," Horn said. "Obviously he can push the ball in transition and create a lot offensively, which is a big key for the way we want to play. He has responded really well and continues to get better every time out."
Senior guard Zam Frederick has been a consistent compliment to Downey, averaging 16.1 points per game on the season, including a 27 point performance in the win over the Tigers on Saturday.
"Zam stepped up really big for us in a game when we were struggling offensively and did what you hope fifth-year seniors are going to do," Horn said. "[He] played with a lot of poise and aggressiveness and showed a lot of leadership."
In the Nick of Time
Florida sophomore point guard Nick Calathes was named SEC Player of the Week for his role in the Gators' 95-69 rout of Longwood and 78-68 win against Ole Miss in the conference opener.
Against Longwood, Calathes scored a game-high 19 points and added 10 rebounds and eight assists to pace the Gators. In the Ole Miss game, he again tallied 19 points to go along with eight assists, seven rebounds, and four steals.
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