B
Brian Shoemaker
Guest
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Gamecock Nation Today
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Good morning and Happy Tuesday!
Enter the Yahoo! Best Bracket Millionaire contest to win $1 million
– Brian Shoemaker (email)
------------------------------------
Tank Bigsby/Credit: Rivals.com
1. Top 5 recruiting battles to watch for 2020
Will Muschamp and his staff look to build on a strong 2019 class that featured his first five-star prospect by landing another quality group in 2020. Here, we take a closer look at several prospects with which USC will have to fight off multiple suitors.
RB Tank Bigsby
That sound you hear is the broken record as we once again note how much of a priority landing a big-time running back is for USC in the 2020 class. Bigsby is the best bet there and would go a long way towards helping solidify that position. USC is in strong shape right now with the four-star back eyeing a summer decision, but no program lands top 50 prospects uncontested. Multiple other programs around the Southeast are going to continue pushing for Bigsby as well.
OL Javion Cohen
As usual, offensive line coach Eric Wolford was in early on offering Cohen, who saw his recruiting stock really take off this year. In-state program Alabama was a big offer recently for Cohen, and that could be of concern to the Gamecocks. Cohen’s talked about finding the best place for him and his family and wants his mother to be able to see all his games. That said, Cohen and his mother do like South Carolina a lot, on the strength of a very good unofficial visit earlier this year. Cohen is expected to make an official visit to Columbia in April. USC will battle Alabama and others here.
DL Jordan Burch
Clemson beat the Gamecocks on Xavier Thomas in 2018, and USC took Zacch Pickens from the Upstate in the 2019 cycle. Which program will pluck the next five-star defensive lineman from the Palmetto State? That remains to be seen, as Burch does not plan on finalizing a choice until this summer despite what may be available to read in terms of prognostications. Both schools have some reasons to feel optimistic, but this heated battle will not be finished until a while from now.
DB Dominick Hill
Another prospect with a big offer list from around the Southeast, Hill is entertaining scholarships from the likes of Alabama and Georgia as well as South Carolina and others. He had a great visit earlier this month to Columbia that seemed to give the Gamecocks major staying power. Hill wants to make a choice as early as August 1, and he appears to be someone that the Gamecock staff has a legitimate shot of landing. It won’t be without a fight, though.
LB Desmond Tisdol
USC took a big lead for this Georgia linebacker earlier in the year after dispensing his first Power 5 offer. Others followed and muddied the waters, namely Auburn, which grabbed the edge most recently. There is reason to believe that USC is still very much in the thick of things with Tisdol, who’s maintained consistent contact with the staff. He’s still thinking of making a choice during baseball season.
– Chris Clark (email)
------------------------------------
Dawn Staley
2. Women's Basketball dancing again
South Carolina earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament and will play Belmont in Charlotte at 1:45 p.m. Friday.
– Chris Wellbaum (email)
------------------------------------
Daniel Lloyd/Credit: Montez Aiken
3. New and notes
Baseball: USC heads to Greenville for matchup with Furman – The baseball team starts a four-game road trip tonight as the Gamecocks visit Fluor Field in Greenville for a matchup with Furman. (link)
Men's Basketball: Two seniors reflect on memorable moments during careers – With the news of South Carolina being left out of the NCAA Tournament and NIT, it means the careers of Chris Silva, Hassani Gravett and Tre Campbell at USC are over. Campbell leaves after just one season as a graduate transfer, but for Silva and Gravett, the duo is one of the more decorated in Gamecock history. (link)
"Mini Conversations" with President Pastides and Dawn Staley – Join South Carolina president Harris Pastides and women's basketball coach Dawn Staley for a spin in the Mini Cooper. (link)
Swimming & Diving: Attitude of gratitude propels Roth – Marissa Roth made history at the SEC Championships in Athens, Ga., where she became only the second women's platform diving champion in South Carolina history. (link)
Radio – During Monday's noon hour, Gamecock Central's Wes Mitchell was in studio with 107.5 The Game's Pearson Fowler. (link)
Football: The Insider Report – Chris Clark breaks down the latest with defensive back recruiting and who we can expect the staff to focus on going forward. (subscription)
Baseball: Georgia coach Stricklin shares his thoughts on South Carolina – Scott Stricklin is no stranger to the South Carolina program. In his going on six seasons at Georgia he's coached against the Gamecocks every year and has now made three trips to Founders Park. (subscription)
Baseball observations: Georgia weekend, stock risers – Collyn Taylor with a few notes on what to take from the Georgia series and what to look for moving forward, along with some players whose stock is rising. (subscription)
ICYMI: Swept by Georgia to open SEC play
• Game 1: UGA pitching cools down USC's bats in SEC opener (link)
• Game 2: Errors cost Gamecocks as they drop series (link)
• Game 3: Gamecocks blow late lead, get swept by Georgia (link)
– Jackson Fields (email)
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Thomas Brown/Credit: Katie Dugan
4. Plan your schedule accordingly ⚾
Tuesday, March 19
• All day – Men's Golf at Valspar Collegiate Invitational (Palm City, Fla.)
• Morning – Football spring practice; runnings back coach Thomas Brown speaks with the media after practice
• 6 pm – Beach Volleyball hosts Morehead State
• 6 pm – Baseball at Furman, SoCon Digital
Wednesday, March 20
• All day – Swimming & Diving at Women's NCAA Championships (Austin)
• Morning – Football spring practice; offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon speaks with the media after practice
• 6 pm – Softball hosts Duke
Thursday, March 21
• All day – Swimming & Diving at Women's NCAA Championships (Austin)
• Morning – Football Pro Timing Day; Will Muschamp speaks with the media
• 4 pm – Men's Tennis hosts Kentucky, YouTube
– Jackson Fields (email)
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5. This Date in Gamecock History
March 19, 2017 – One of the most exciting nights in USC basketball history, the Gamecocks upset No. 2-seed Duke to make the Sweet 16 for the first time under the current NCAA format. Carolina hung close throughout the first half, but the Blue Devils maintained the lead for most of the first 20 minutes and held a seven-point lead at the break. USC started slowly, shooting just 22 percent on their first 23 attempts from the field. The Gamecocks started to work their way back in the first few minutes of the second half as Duane Notice completed a three-point play and Chris Silva nailed a pair of free throws to get within three. Notice came up with a steal-and-dish to Silva for a dunk to get within one, then a lob from Sindarius Thornwell to Silva gave Carolina its first lead since the game's first seven minutes. A 3-pointer from Rakym Felder drove the Greenville crowd to a roar. USC continued to step on the gas and a Notice layup got the lead to 10 with five minutes to go. From there, free-throw shooting was enough to hold off the Blue Devils and advance to the next round.
– John Parker (gamecockarchives.com)
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6. Key Dates (Countdown) ⌚
• March 21 – Football: Pro Timing Day (2 days)
• March 22 – Muschamp Coaches Clinic (3)
• April 6 – Football: Spring game (18)
• April 25 – NFL Draft begins (37)
• May 8 – SEC Softball Tourney (50)
• May 21 – SEC Baseball Tourney (63)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days begins (118)
• July 20 – Muschamp Ladies Football Clinic (123)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (165)
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7. Birthdays and Celebrations!
Gamecock Central birthdays
• @cashcc (Member since 2008)
• @KickinChicken2001 (2003)
If you have a Gamecock Central account - free or subscription - you can add your birthday here.
Gamecock Nation birthdays
• Sheldon Brown – Brown started to come into his own in 1999 when he started 11 games, seven at free safety and four at cornerback, making 50 tackles and picking off two passes. He moved to cornerback full time for the 2000 season and blossomed further, being named all-SEC and third-team All-America after finishing with 71 tackles and four interceptions. As a senior, Brown was named second-team all-SEC and had some big plays, including an interception in the USC end zone of Clemson QB Woody Dantzler in the Gamecocks' 20-15 win. He also intercepted a pass by Ohio State's Steve Bellisari and returned it 37 yards with just 23 seconds left in the Outback Bowl, setting up Daniel Weaver's game-winning field goal. After football, he played in 25 games for the baseball team, hitting .288. Brown would go on to play 10 years in the NFL with the Eagles and Browns.
• Jim Badolato (baseball/second base, 1993-94)
• Connor Bright (baseball/outfielder, 2012-15)
• D.T. Cromer (baseball/outfielder, 1990-92)
• Benny Padgett (football/linebacker, 1968-70)
• Landon Powell (baseball/catcher, 2001-04)
– John Parker (gamecockarchives.com)
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8. Around Gamecock Nation
• March 27 – Greenville, President's Reception (link)
• April 10 – Give 4 Garnet (link)
• April 23 – Augusta, Spurs Up Tour
• April 24 – Midlands, Spurs Up Tour
• April 29 – Lancaster, Spurs Up Tour
• April 30 – Greenville, Spurs Up Tour
• May 2 – York, Spurs Up Tour
• May 7 – Sumter, Spurs Up Tour
• May 8 – Myrtle Beach, Spurs Up Tour
• May 9 – Atlanta, Spurs Up Tour
• May 14 – Charleston, Spurs Up Tour
Note: Will Muschamp is scheduled to appear at all of the Spurs Up Tour events. More information, including specific locations and ticket prices, will be announced as it becomes available.
– Brian Shoemaker (email)
------------------------------------
Do you have something exciting you'd like to have mentioned in this newsletter? Go here and tell us about it -- or email us.
Celebrating 20 years! Established in 1998, Gamecock Central provides in-depth and insider coverage of Gamecock sports and recruiting, and is home to The Insiders Forum. Not a member of Gamecock Central? Subscribe here. Read what our members think about Gamecock Central.
DID YOU KNOW? You can receive this report (Gamecock Nation Today) early each morning in your email inbox. Sign up here.
------------------------
Gamecock Nation Today
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Good morning and Happy Tuesday!
Enter the Yahoo! Best Bracket Millionaire contest to win $1 million
- Someone is going to win $1 million; you do not need a perfect bracket, just the best bracket
- Also, we have a Gamecock Central group and the top scorer in the group will win a $250 gift card to Garnet & Black Traditions
- It's free to enter: https://gcentr.al/YahooBestBracket
– Brian Shoemaker (email)
------------------------------------
Tank Bigsby/Credit: Rivals.com
1. Top 5 recruiting battles to watch for 2020
Will Muschamp and his staff look to build on a strong 2019 class that featured his first five-star prospect by landing another quality group in 2020. Here, we take a closer look at several prospects with which USC will have to fight off multiple suitors.
RB Tank Bigsby
That sound you hear is the broken record as we once again note how much of a priority landing a big-time running back is for USC in the 2020 class. Bigsby is the best bet there and would go a long way towards helping solidify that position. USC is in strong shape right now with the four-star back eyeing a summer decision, but no program lands top 50 prospects uncontested. Multiple other programs around the Southeast are going to continue pushing for Bigsby as well.
OL Javion Cohen
As usual, offensive line coach Eric Wolford was in early on offering Cohen, who saw his recruiting stock really take off this year. In-state program Alabama was a big offer recently for Cohen, and that could be of concern to the Gamecocks. Cohen’s talked about finding the best place for him and his family and wants his mother to be able to see all his games. That said, Cohen and his mother do like South Carolina a lot, on the strength of a very good unofficial visit earlier this year. Cohen is expected to make an official visit to Columbia in April. USC will battle Alabama and others here.
DL Jordan Burch
Clemson beat the Gamecocks on Xavier Thomas in 2018, and USC took Zacch Pickens from the Upstate in the 2019 cycle. Which program will pluck the next five-star defensive lineman from the Palmetto State? That remains to be seen, as Burch does not plan on finalizing a choice until this summer despite what may be available to read in terms of prognostications. Both schools have some reasons to feel optimistic, but this heated battle will not be finished until a while from now.
DB Dominick Hill
Another prospect with a big offer list from around the Southeast, Hill is entertaining scholarships from the likes of Alabama and Georgia as well as South Carolina and others. He had a great visit earlier this month to Columbia that seemed to give the Gamecocks major staying power. Hill wants to make a choice as early as August 1, and he appears to be someone that the Gamecock staff has a legitimate shot of landing. It won’t be without a fight, though.
LB Desmond Tisdol
USC took a big lead for this Georgia linebacker earlier in the year after dispensing his first Power 5 offer. Others followed and muddied the waters, namely Auburn, which grabbed the edge most recently. There is reason to believe that USC is still very much in the thick of things with Tisdol, who’s maintained consistent contact with the staff. He’s still thinking of making a choice during baseball season.
– Chris Clark (email)
------------------------------------
Dawn Staley
2. Women's Basketball dancing again
South Carolina earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament and will play Belmont in Charlotte at 1:45 p.m. Friday.
- The game will be televised on ESPN2
- The winner of the game will play the winner of the game between No. 5 seed Florida State and No. 12 seed Bucknell, the Patriot League champions, on Sunday
- This is the eighth-consecutive tournament appearance for South Carolina, the longest streak in program history
- The last time South Carolina played in the Greensboro region, it beat Florida State on the way to its first Final Four appearance
- “All year long our fans have done their job,” head coach Dawn Staley said. “They put us in position to have a big crowd and create a home court advantage, and they’ll do that at UNC Charlotte. What we have to do is match that.”
- Single-session tickets for the first- and second-round games will go on sale at 10 a.m. today
- All tickets are general admission and are available for $16 (adult) each day (Friday's ticket includes both games)
- Youth, senior and student tickets are available for $8 each day
- Booklets for the entire weekend are available for $33 and include a general admission ticket for all games
– Chris Wellbaum (email)
------------------------------------
Daniel Lloyd/Credit: Montez Aiken
3. New and notes
Baseball: USC heads to Greenville for matchup with Furman – The baseball team starts a four-game road trip tonight as the Gamecocks visit Fluor Field in Greenville for a matchup with Furman. (link)
- First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
- Furman is 5-12 this season after being swept by the College of Charleston over the weekend
- The game will be streamed on the SoCon Digital Network
- South Carolina's starting pitcher is freshman right-hander Daniel Lloyd, who's 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA in six innings
- Furman's starting pitcher is redshirt sophomore left-hander John Michael Bertrand, who's 1-1 with a 4.66 ERA in 19.1 innings
Men's Basketball: Two seniors reflect on memorable moments during careers – With the news of South Carolina being left out of the NCAA Tournament and NIT, it means the careers of Chris Silva, Hassani Gravett and Tre Campbell at USC are over. Campbell leaves after just one season as a graduate transfer, but for Silva and Gravett, the duo is one of the more decorated in Gamecock history. (link)
"Mini Conversations" with President Pastides and Dawn Staley – Join South Carolina president Harris Pastides and women's basketball coach Dawn Staley for a spin in the Mini Cooper. (link)
Swimming & Diving: Attitude of gratitude propels Roth – Marissa Roth made history at the SEC Championships in Athens, Ga., where she became only the second women's platform diving champion in South Carolina history. (link)
Radio – During Monday's noon hour, Gamecock Central's Wes Mitchell was in studio with 107.5 The Game's Pearson Fowler. (link)
Football: The Insider Report – Chris Clark breaks down the latest with defensive back recruiting and who we can expect the staff to focus on going forward. (subscription)
Baseball: Georgia coach Stricklin shares his thoughts on South Carolina – Scott Stricklin is no stranger to the South Carolina program. In his going on six seasons at Georgia he's coached against the Gamecocks every year and has now made three trips to Founders Park. (subscription)
Baseball observations: Georgia weekend, stock risers – Collyn Taylor with a few notes on what to take from the Georgia series and what to look for moving forward, along with some players whose stock is rising. (subscription)
ICYMI: Swept by Georgia to open SEC play
• Game 1: UGA pitching cools down USC's bats in SEC opener (link)
• Game 2: Errors cost Gamecocks as they drop series (link)
• Game 3: Gamecocks blow late lead, get swept by Georgia (link)
– Jackson Fields (email)
------------------------------------
Thomas Brown/Credit: Katie Dugan
4. Plan your schedule accordingly ⚾
Tuesday, March 19
• All day – Men's Golf at Valspar Collegiate Invitational (Palm City, Fla.)
• Morning – Football spring practice; runnings back coach Thomas Brown speaks with the media after practice
• 6 pm – Beach Volleyball hosts Morehead State
• 6 pm – Baseball at Furman, SoCon Digital
Wednesday, March 20
• All day – Swimming & Diving at Women's NCAA Championships (Austin)
• Morning – Football spring practice; offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon speaks with the media after practice
• 6 pm – Softball hosts Duke
Thursday, March 21
• All day – Swimming & Diving at Women's NCAA Championships (Austin)
• Morning – Football Pro Timing Day; Will Muschamp speaks with the media
• 4 pm – Men's Tennis hosts Kentucky, YouTube
– Jackson Fields (email)
------------------------------------
5. This Date in Gamecock History
March 19, 2017 – One of the most exciting nights in USC basketball history, the Gamecocks upset No. 2-seed Duke to make the Sweet 16 for the first time under the current NCAA format. Carolina hung close throughout the first half, but the Blue Devils maintained the lead for most of the first 20 minutes and held a seven-point lead at the break. USC started slowly, shooting just 22 percent on their first 23 attempts from the field. The Gamecocks started to work their way back in the first few minutes of the second half as Duane Notice completed a three-point play and Chris Silva nailed a pair of free throws to get within three. Notice came up with a steal-and-dish to Silva for a dunk to get within one, then a lob from Sindarius Thornwell to Silva gave Carolina its first lead since the game's first seven minutes. A 3-pointer from Rakym Felder drove the Greenville crowd to a roar. USC continued to step on the gas and a Notice layup got the lead to 10 with five minutes to go. From there, free-throw shooting was enough to hold off the Blue Devils and advance to the next round.
– John Parker (gamecockarchives.com)
------------------------------------
6. Key Dates (Countdown) ⌚
• March 21 – Football: Pro Timing Day (2 days)
• March 22 – Muschamp Coaches Clinic (3)
• April 6 – Football: Spring game (18)
• April 25 – NFL Draft begins (37)
• May 8 – SEC Softball Tourney (50)
• May 21 – SEC Baseball Tourney (63)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days begins (118)
• July 20 – Muschamp Ladies Football Clinic (123)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (165)
------------------------------------
7. Birthdays and Celebrations!
Gamecock Central birthdays
• @cashcc (Member since 2008)
• @KickinChicken2001 (2003)
If you have a Gamecock Central account - free or subscription - you can add your birthday here.
Gamecock Nation birthdays
• Sheldon Brown – Brown started to come into his own in 1999 when he started 11 games, seven at free safety and four at cornerback, making 50 tackles and picking off two passes. He moved to cornerback full time for the 2000 season and blossomed further, being named all-SEC and third-team All-America after finishing with 71 tackles and four interceptions. As a senior, Brown was named second-team all-SEC and had some big plays, including an interception in the USC end zone of Clemson QB Woody Dantzler in the Gamecocks' 20-15 win. He also intercepted a pass by Ohio State's Steve Bellisari and returned it 37 yards with just 23 seconds left in the Outback Bowl, setting up Daniel Weaver's game-winning field goal. After football, he played in 25 games for the baseball team, hitting .288. Brown would go on to play 10 years in the NFL with the Eagles and Browns.
• Jim Badolato (baseball/second base, 1993-94)
• Connor Bright (baseball/outfielder, 2012-15)
• D.T. Cromer (baseball/outfielder, 1990-92)
• Benny Padgett (football/linebacker, 1968-70)
• Landon Powell (baseball/catcher, 2001-04)
– John Parker (gamecockarchives.com)
------------------------------------
8. Around Gamecock Nation
• March 27 – Greenville, President's Reception (link)
• April 10 – Give 4 Garnet (link)
• April 23 – Augusta, Spurs Up Tour
• April 24 – Midlands, Spurs Up Tour
• April 29 – Lancaster, Spurs Up Tour
• April 30 – Greenville, Spurs Up Tour
• May 2 – York, Spurs Up Tour
• May 7 – Sumter, Spurs Up Tour
• May 8 – Myrtle Beach, Spurs Up Tour
• May 9 – Atlanta, Spurs Up Tour
• May 14 – Charleston, Spurs Up Tour
Note: Will Muschamp is scheduled to appear at all of the Spurs Up Tour events. More information, including specific locations and ticket prices, will be announced as it becomes available.
– Brian Shoemaker (email)
------------------------------------
Do you have something exciting you'd like to have mentioned in this newsletter? Go here and tell us about it -- or email us.
Celebrating 20 years! Established in 1998, Gamecock Central provides in-depth and insider coverage of Gamecock sports and recruiting, and is home to The Insiders Forum. Not a member of Gamecock Central? Subscribe here. Read what our members think about Gamecock Central.
