Your cart is currently empty!
South Carolina vs. Texas A&M: Three things to watch for, scouting the opponent and injury report
South Carolina basketball is set to face its eighth ranked opponent of the year, and it is still looking for its first conference win. After a quick road trip to Athens, the Gamecocks are back in Columbia for a home game.
The Gamecocks (10-11, 0-8 SEC) will face No. 13 Texas A&M at Colonial Life Arena on Saturday night. Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. on SEC Network.
Here are three things to watch for, an opponent scouting report on the Aggies, plus the latest injury report.
Getting on the boards and getting on the board
Rebounding is a strength for Texas A&M, as they are third in the SEC with an average of 42.0 RPG. The Gamecocks aren’t bad, at a 36.0 RPG clip, but that’s closer to 16th in the SEC than it is to the Aggies’ mark. The Aggies crash the offensive glass in particular. Their mark of 16.7 offensive rebounds is tops in the nation, and they have three players averaging over 2.5 offensive rebounds per game.
Collin Murray-Boyles and Nick Pringle both have a defensive rebounding percentage over 20.0%, which bodes well for a potential negation of the Aggies’ rebounding prowess. That is, if they can stay out of foul trouble. Texas A&M is one of just three SEC teams attempting more free throws per game than South Carolina.
Getting off to a quick start is paramount. In all three of South Carolina’s wins over Power Five competition, the Gamecocks had a 10-point lead at some point in the first half (Fun fact: South Carolina has more ACC wins than NC State, Boston College, and Miami).
[Join GamecockCentral: $1 for 7 days]
Home field advantage could play a factor in the end result
Despite an 0-8 record in SEC games, the Gamecocks have been competitive at Colonial Life Arena. In their past three SEC home games, they’ve been outscored by just nine total points. All three of those close losses happened to come against ranked teams, as well.
Entering Friday night, the Gamecocks are listed as just +5.5 point underdogs. Despite a 1-5 road record, they are 8-5 at home this season. Additionally, several Gamecocks are more efficient at home than on the road.
Murray-Boyles’s turnover percentage drops from 29.4% on the road to 13.4% at Colonial Life. Jacobi Wright’s 3PT% rises from 25.0% to 37.0%. Zachary Davis’s steal percentage almost doubles from road games (1.5%) to home games (2.9%). Morris Ugusuk is an exception, with a TS% of 76.1% on the road and 44.0% at home. Here’s to hoping he scores 25 points at Rupp against Kentucky.
In front of a crowd likely eager to see the Gamecocks record victory numero uno against the Aggies, South Carolina could use a friendly environment to its advantage.
Keeping control of the ball is a must
South Carolina basketball’s Achilles heel, if an observer had to pick just one, has been turnovers. The Gamecocks offense has given away opportunities at a high rate ever since the close loss to Auburn. Despite a season-long average of 13.1 turnovers per game, South Carolina is averaging 18.6 per game in their past five contests. Is that bad? If it was extrapolated over the course of the season, it would rank dead last out of 364 D-I basketball teams.
South Carolina’s shooting clips over that span aren’t too far off from their season average. But because of the dearth of opportunities provided by volatile ball-handling, the Gamecocks aren’t getting the same number of shots off. After averaging 75.6 PPG in non-conference games, that mark is down to 62.8 PPG against SEC competition.
If this team can take care of the basketball, the offense has a chance to get into a rhythm and make shots. But if the turnover woes continue, there’s no way for the Gamecocks to achieve their offensive goals.
Scouting the opponent
For a full look into Texas A&M, click here to read Resume Check: Looking ahead to South Carolina basketball’s next opponent, the Texas A&M Aggies.
Injury report
For South Carolina, Myles Stute is OUT (blood clot).
For Texas A&M, Solomon Washington is OUT.
Game details
Who: South Carolina (10-11, 0-8 SEC) vs. No. 13 Texas A&M (16-5, 5-3 SEC)
When: Saturday, Feb. 1 at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Colonial Life Area (18,000)
How to watch/listen: SEC Network/107.5 The Game
ESPN gives South Carolina a 27.4 percent chance to win
The highly anticipated matchup between South Carolina and Texas A&M is just around the corner, and fans are eagerly awaiting the showdown between these two powerhouse teams. As both teams gear up for battle, here are three key things to watch for in the upcoming game:
1. Quarterback battle: South Carolina’s quarterback, Luke Doty, has been impressive so far this season, showcasing his dual-threat ability and playmaking skills. On the other side, Texas A&M’s quarterback, Zach Calzada, has also shown flashes of brilliance and has the potential to lead his team to victory. The matchup between these two signal-callers will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game.
2. Defensive showdown: Both South Carolina and Texas A&M boast strong defensive units that have been able to shut down opposing offenses. The Gamecocks have been particularly stout against the run, while the Aggies have been effective at generating pressure on the quarterback. It will be interesting to see how these defenses match up against each other and which unit will come out on top.
3. Special teams impact: Special teams can often be the X-factor in close games, and both South Carolina and Texas A&M have shown the ability to make game-changing plays on special teams. Whether it’s a big return, a clutch field goal, or a momentum-shifting blocked punt, special teams could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the game.
Scouting the opponent:
Texas A&M comes into this game with a strong 4-1 record, with their only loss coming against the top-ranked team in the country. The Aggies have a balanced offensive attack led by quarterback Zach Calzada and running back Isaiah Spiller, and their defense has been formidable, allowing just 19.4 points per game. South Carolina will need to be prepared for a physical, hard-fought battle against a talented Texas A&M team.
Injury report:
South Carolina and Texas A&M have both been dealing with injuries throughout the season, and the status of key players will be a factor to watch leading up to the game. Both teams will need to have their depth tested and be ready to adjust if key players are unable to suit up. Keep an eye on the injury reports in the days leading up to the game to see who will be available for this crucial matchup.
Overall, the South Carolina vs. Texas A&M game promises to be an exciting and closely contested battle between two talented teams. Keep an eye on the quarterback battle, defensive showdown, and special teams impact, as well as the injury reports for both teams, to see how the game unfolds.
Tags:
- South Carolina vs. Texas A&M
- College football matchup
- Key players to watch
- Game preview
- SEC football showdown
- South Carolina Gamecocks
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Scouting report
- Injury updates
- Game analysis
#South #Carolina #Texas #watch #scouting #opponent #injury #report
Leave a Reply