Gamecocks come to T-Town Looking to Upset #19 Tide
TUSCALOOSA, AL| The # 19 Alabama Crimson Tide returns home tomorrow to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Gamecocks (12-8, 2-5) are coming off a five point home loss to Auburn on Wednesday after winning two SEC games in a row over Arkansas and Mississippi State.
South Carolina is led by one of the best point guards in the SEC, Tre Kelly, who is averaging just under 17 points a game. For the Tide to come out with a victory it is imperative that either Ron Steele or Brandon Hollinger keep Kelly in check for most of the afternoon. 6'9 senior Brandon Wallace averages about a double-double a night with 10.6 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
Head Coach Dave Odom has led the Gamecocks to back-to-back NIT titles, but has struggled in the SEC and against quality opponents this season. The Gamecocks are 0-3 versus ranked teams this year, but it's two SEC wins have both come against SEC West opponents.
Alabama (16-5, 3-4) is coming off a huge road win, 73-70, at LSU this past Wednesday and is looking to get to the .500 mark in the SEC with a win. The Tide is led by senior center, Jamereo Davidson, who had a career high 31 points in the win over LSU. Davidson's low post buddy, sophomore Richard Hendrix, is second on the team in scoring with 14.5 points and 8.6 rebounds a game.
While I expect South Carolina to come out and play hard I think Alabama is just too talented for the Gamecocks to beat them in Coleman Coliseum, where Alabama has won 17 of its past 18. That said, Alabama needs to play with the intensity and emotion it did at LSU and not take the Gamecocks lightly and get off to another bad start. I think South Carolina keeps it close for a while but the Tide pulls away in the 2nd half.
Nick's Pick: #19 Alabama 79 South Carolina 62
Rob's Pick: # 19 Alabama 74 South Carolina 64
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