B
Brian Shoemaker
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Gamecock Nation Today
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Good morning and happy Wednesday!
The baseball team defeated The Citadel, 9-0, and the men's basketball team traveled to College Station and beat Texas A&M by 17 points. The baseball team is back in action today, taking on Gardner-Webb at home at 4. The softball team hosts Winthrop at 3.
– Brian Shoemaker (email)
Jordan Rhodes/Credit: Katie Dugan
1. Four things we learned about the offensive line
As South Carolina continues its 2019 spring practice, offensive line coach Eric Wolford met with the media Tuesday morning to discuss his position group. Here are four things we learned from the Gamecocks' third-year assistant.
Barring something unforeseen, Hutcherson is the guy at left tackle
While it may be slightly premature to say that Sadarius Hutchersonhas completely locked up the left tackle position just a week or so into spring practice, it would take a lot for the redshirt junior to not be the Gamecocks' starter there. Wolford said Tuesday he expects Hutcherson to be his guy at the position.
Wolf says: "He's trained there in the past, so it's not like it's anything new for him. There's some intricacies as far as learning the position. We believe in the guy. He's done well thus far, hopefully he'll continue. I feel good about where we're headed there."
Right guard remains an open battle
The battle to start at right guard remains "day to day," as Wolford phrased it. Redshirt sophomores Eric Douglas and Jordan Rhodes are currently the two players in the conversation, though the staff continues to experiment with different groupings. For example, at times Douglas has moved to center with Rhodes working as the first-team guard. Jovaughn Gwyn could also enter the conversation once he gets healthy.
Wolf says: "Eric's been a little bit more consistent as far as some assignment things. Rhodes brings a little bit more punch with him. Those guys are all battling and who knows where the lineup is going to shake out at the end of the day? We've got a lot of guys competing and that's all you can ask for."
Freshman Nichols has caught coaches' attention
Last week head coach Will Muschamp mentioned freshman offensive lineman Jaylen Nichols as a young player who has caught his attention. On Tuesday, the freshman early enrollee also received praise from his position coach. Known for his athleticism, Nichols is working at offensive tackle for the Gamecocks this spring and, while he's got plenty to learn, he's also got a tremendous upside.
Wolf says: "Jaylen Nichols has done some good things for a young guy. He's starting to learn that it's a lot different than high school, the speed of the game. He's got some natural tools, he's got some physical traits, he's got some ability. ... He looks like he's going to have a chance to be a good player for us."
Two injured linemen should be back soon
South Carolina is currently without three of its offensive linemen for medical reasons, but it expects to have two of them back pretty soon.
Center Hank Manos, who is dealing with an ankle injury, could be back as soon as Thursday and should definitely be back after spring break, which is next week. Redshirt freshman guard Jovaughn Gwyn is still limited as he rehabs his foot after undergoing season-ending foot surgery last year. While Gwyn has been able to participate in certain drills in practice, Wolford hopes to have him back at full capacity after the break.
South Carolina is also without redshirt freshman Max Iyama, who's dealing with an undisclosed medical issue with no real timetable for a return.
Wolf says: "They haven’t medically cleared (Iyama). That’s one of those deals where you leave the medical side deal with their backyard. I have enough problems in my own backyard. He comes out and comes to meetings. It’s just one of those things where you’re not medically cleared, you’re not medically cleared."
Related content
• Video: Eric Wolford discusses the offensive line (link)
• Photos: Football spring practice No. 4 (link)
• Story: MJ Webb making 'progress every day' (link)
• The Insider Report: Football team scoop (subscription)
– Wes Mitchell (email)
Jaycee Horn/Credit: Katie Dugan
2. Flip this roster – Part III
In this series, we have been taking a deeper look at the job that Will Muschamp has done in reconstructing the South Carolina roster. The first two installments focused on the roster Muschamp inherited at South Carolina, and then his first recruiting class in Columbia. In the final segment, we break down the current roster in terms of “star power” and see how it compares to the group when Muschamp arrived at USC.
Note: For purposes of this exercise, we are not counting enrollees from Muschamp’s initial 2016 recruiting class as part of what he inherited in the 2016 totals. We will count current roster members and forthcoming 2019 enrollees to the 2019 total.
2019 Roster Composition
Five-stars: Zacch Pickens
Four-stars: Joseph Anderson, Jake Bentley, Randrecous Davis, Bryan Edwards, JJ Enagbare, Jovaughn Gwyn, Ryan Hilinski, Jaycee Horn, Max Iyama, Dakereon Joyner, Kiel Pollard, Will Register, Rick Sandidge, OrTre Smith, Shi Smith, Donell Stanley, Chad Terrell, Josh Vann, MJ Webb, Jamyest Williams, Dylan Wonnum
Three-stars: Derek Boykins, TJ Brunson, Wyatt Campbell, Summie Carlay, Jordon Carty, Joseph Charlton, Jamel Cook, Devontae Davis, Mon Denson, Jaylin Dickerson, Rico Dowdle, Eric Douglas, Jabari Ellis, Daniel Fennell, Deshaun Fenwick, Rodricus Fitten, Jonathan Gipson, Sherrod Greene, Kevin Harris, Evan Hinson, Sadarius Hutcherson, Ernest Jones, Brad Johnson, Tyreek Johnson, Javon Kinlaw, Rosendo Louis, Hank Manos, Kyle Markway, Israel Mukuamu, Jaylen Nichols, RJ Roderick, Darius Rush, Kobe Smith, Damani Staley, Keir Thomas, Eldridge Thompson, Keshawn Toney, AJ Turner, Jay Urich, Lavonte Valentine
Two-stars: Chavis Dawkins, Griffin Gentry, JT Ibe (transfer), Jordan Rhodes, DJ Wonnum
Notable walk-ons: Chandler Farrell (later placed on scholarship), Parker White
5-star comparison
2016 - Zero
2019 – One
4-star comparison
2016 – 27 (5 left before 2016 season)
2019 – 27 (including forthcoming summer 2019 enrollees)
3-star comparison
2016 – 34
2019 – 48 (including forthcoming summer 2019 enrollees)
2-star comparison
2016 – One
2017 – Six (including forthcoming summer 2019 enrollees)
– Chris Clark (email)
Chris Silva/Credit: Chris Gillespie
3. Basketball's big win
South Carolina got hot from three-point land and pulled away from Texas A&M in the second half for a 71-54 win.
Men’s Basketball Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Statistics | SEC Standings | Polls | Commitments | Recruiting Database
TJ Shook/Credit: USC Athletics
4. Baseball with a shutout ⚾
The Gamecocks used a big inning early in the game and lights-out pitching from TJ Shook to cruise to a 9-0 victory Tuesday, two-hitting The Citadel for USC's first shutout this season.
Related: Game story, postgame video, highlights
Baseball Links: News | Roster | Breakdown | Schedule | Statistics | SEC Standings | Polls
TJ Hopkins/Credit: Katie Dugan
5. Whole lotta notes
George Rogers riding motorcycle across America – Rogers will participate in the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America for Victory Junction, a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses. Petty, Rogers and approximately 250 other participants will travel through 11 states and cover nearly 3,700 miles, starting in Seattle on May 3 and ending in Key Largo on May 11.
Recruiting: QB Brock Vandagriff checks out football practice – Bogart, Ga., Brock Vandagriff was an early offer for quarterbacks coach Dan Werner and the South Carolina coaching staff with the Gamecocks extending an offer in December. On Tuesday, the 2021 passer rewarded the staff's efforts by making his first trip to campus to check out the program. (subscription)
All sports – According to South Carolina AD chief of staff Charles Bloom, when the baseball team got into Baseball America's top-25 poll this week, it was the 12th Gamecocks intercollegiate sports team to reach the Top 25 in a poll this year.
ICYMI: Baseball rising in the polls – The Gamecocks are in five of the six college baseball polls we're tracking: No. 20 in Baseball America, No. 19 in Collegiate Baseball, No. 24 in USA Today, No. 24 in D1Baseball and No. 27 in NCBWA. Perfect Game doesn't have USC in its poll. (link to all polls)
Softball – This week's college softball rankings were released Tuesday and the Gamecocks are No. 10 in the Softball America poll, No. 11 in the USA Softball poll and No. 13 in the NFCA poll.
Softball – Friday's game against Kentucky is the first SEC contest of the season, and USC will be giving away two sets of tickets for the SEC Women’s Basketball Championship game in Greenville.
Women's Tennis – Senior Ingrid Gamarra Martins continues to make history as the highest-ranked singles player in program history, coming in at No. 9 in the newest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll. (link)
Women's Basketball: Five pick up SEC honors – SEC coaches recognized five Gamecocks, including Te'a Cooper, Tyasha Harris and Alexis Jennings on the All-SEC Second Team. Freshmen Destanni Henderson and Victaria Saxton earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors. The AP also released its All-SEC awards, which included Harris as a second-team choice. (link)
Baseball – TJ Hopkins was named the NCBWA National Co-Hitter of the Week.
Baseball – Former Gamecock and current Seattle Mariners prospect Dom Thompson-Williams joined the broadcast booth to discuss his first MLB Spring Training, learning from veterans and more. (link)
Swimming & Diving: Fynn Minuth on repeating as SEC Champion – Senior Fynn Minuth won his third straight SEC title in the 500 freestyle at the SEC Championships in Athens, Ga., on Feb. 20. A two-time All-American in the 500 freestyle as well as the 200 butterfly, Minuth offers his personal account of what it took to bring home the gold again. (link)
Track & Field: Jonathas, Moore added to NCAA Indoor Championships field – Wadeline Jonathas and Isaiah Moore were added to this week's NCAA Indoor Championships field, the NCAA announced Tuesday. Jonathas (women's 400m) and Moore (men's 60m hurdles) each ended the regular season ranked 17th in their event but moved into the top 16 due to medical scratches above them. (link)
Women's Golf – The South Carolina women's golf team hosts The Greatest Show in Women's Collegiate Golf with Darius Rucker. The show is Thursday at 8 p.m. in Hilton Head. (link)
Men's Golf – From "Meet The Team Monday," get to know Inman-native Harry Corbin. (link)
– Jackson Fields (email)
Credit: South Carolina Athletics Department
6. Plan your schedule accordingly
Wednesday, March 6
• Morning – Football, no practice, select defensive players speak with the media to discuss spring practice
• 3 pm – Women's Basketball: Dawn Staley and players speak with the media to preview the SEC Basketball Tournament
• 3 pm – Softball hosts Winthrop *
• 4 pm – Baseball hosts Gardner-Webb, SECN+ **
Thursday, March 7
• Morning – Football spring practice No. 5; defensive line coach John Scott Jr. will speak with the media afterwards
• 7 pm – Carolina Calls featuring Frank Martin
Friday, March 8
• All day – Women's Golf, Darius Rucker Invitational (Hilton Head)
• All day – Track & Field, NCAA Indoor Championships (Birmingham)
• 1 pm – Equestrian hosts Delaware State
• 6 pm – Women's Basketball, SEC Tournament (Greenville), SECN
• 6 pm – Women's Tennis at Missouri
• 6 pm – Softball hosts Kentucky, SECN+
• 7 pm – Baseball hosts Valparaiso, no video
• TBA – Men's Tennis hosts Mississippi State
* Game was originally scheduled to begin at 6 pm, but was changed due to expected below-freezing temperatures
** Game was originally scheduled to begin at 7 pm, but was changed due to expected below-freezing temperatures
The SEC Women's Basketball Tournament begins Wednesday, but South Carolina doesn't play until Friday
– Jackson Fields (email)
Devontae Davis/Credit: USC Athletics
7. Signee of the Day - Devontae Davis
With South Carolina's 2019 recruiting class completely signed and locked up, Gamecock Central is spotlighting one prospect each business day for 23 days.
Today's signee of the day is Georgia Military College three-star JUCO defensive end Devontae Davis, who is originally from Silver Bluff High School.
Other offers: South Carolina placement
Coach's corner: "This one goes back about two years. This is why you have camp, you find guys like this. He was at Silver Bluff High School in Aiken, but you see his length and athleticism. He has great length and we’re really excited to have Devontae here." - South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp
– Wes Mitchell (email)
8. This Date in Gamecock History
March 6, 1987 – USC's first-ever Metro Conference Tournament win was a thriller, as reserve center John Breckenridge blocked a shot by Florida State's Tony Karsek in the final second to preserve an 86-85 win. Sophomore Terry Dozier was the star of the game, as he set a tournament record with 38 points on 14 field goals and 10 free throws and was the Gamecocks' leading rebounder with 11. Dozier also provided the game-winning points, hitting two free throws with 12 seconds remaining. Michael Foster added 15 points, Tony Shaw 14 and Darryl Martin 11.
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
9. Key Dates (Countdown) ⌚
• March 6 – SEC WBB Tourney begins (today) ***
• March 13 – SEC MBB Tourney begins (7 days)
• March 21 – Football: Pro Timing Day (15)
• March 22 – Muschamp Coaches Clinic (16)
• April 6 – Spring football game (31)
• April 25 – NFL Draft begins (50)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days begins (131)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (178)
*** South Carolina doesn't play until Friday
10. Happy Birthday to you!
Gamecock Central birthdays
• @gamecockrxman (Member since 2001)
• @McFrush (Member since 2006)
If you have a Gamecock Central account - free or subscription - you can add your birthday here.
Gamecock Nation birthdays
• Andre Hemphill (football/wide receiver, 2002-03)
• Charles Holland (football/cornerback, 1984-85)
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
11. Around Gamecock Nation
• March 9 – Charlotte, Gamecock Yoga & Mimosas
• March 27 – Greenville, President's Reception
• 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 comes available.
– Brian Shoemaker (email)
Reminder: You get to choose which breaking news alerts and newsletters to receive from Gamecock Central.
See you tomorrow.
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. Just go to this link to enter your email address.
---------------------------------------
Gamecock Nation Today
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Good morning and happy Wednesday!
The baseball team defeated The Citadel, 9-0, and the men's basketball team traveled to College Station and beat Texas A&M by 17 points. The baseball team is back in action today, taking on Gardner-Webb at home at 4. The softball team hosts Winthrop at 3.
– Brian Shoemaker (email)
Jordan Rhodes/Credit: Katie Dugan
1. Four things we learned about the offensive line
As South Carolina continues its 2019 spring practice, offensive line coach Eric Wolford met with the media Tuesday morning to discuss his position group. Here are four things we learned from the Gamecocks' third-year assistant.
Barring something unforeseen, Hutcherson is the guy at left tackle
While it may be slightly premature to say that Sadarius Hutchersonhas completely locked up the left tackle position just a week or so into spring practice, it would take a lot for the redshirt junior to not be the Gamecocks' starter there. Wolford said Tuesday he expects Hutcherson to be his guy at the position.
Wolf says: "He's trained there in the past, so it's not like it's anything new for him. There's some intricacies as far as learning the position. We believe in the guy. He's done well thus far, hopefully he'll continue. I feel good about where we're headed there."
Right guard remains an open battle
The battle to start at right guard remains "day to day," as Wolford phrased it. Redshirt sophomores Eric Douglas and Jordan Rhodes are currently the two players in the conversation, though the staff continues to experiment with different groupings. For example, at times Douglas has moved to center with Rhodes working as the first-team guard. Jovaughn Gwyn could also enter the conversation once he gets healthy.
Wolf says: "Eric's been a little bit more consistent as far as some assignment things. Rhodes brings a little bit more punch with him. Those guys are all battling and who knows where the lineup is going to shake out at the end of the day? We've got a lot of guys competing and that's all you can ask for."
Freshman Nichols has caught coaches' attention
Last week head coach Will Muschamp mentioned freshman offensive lineman Jaylen Nichols as a young player who has caught his attention. On Tuesday, the freshman early enrollee also received praise from his position coach. Known for his athleticism, Nichols is working at offensive tackle for the Gamecocks this spring and, while he's got plenty to learn, he's also got a tremendous upside.
Wolf says: "Jaylen Nichols has done some good things for a young guy. He's starting to learn that it's a lot different than high school, the speed of the game. He's got some natural tools, he's got some physical traits, he's got some ability. ... He looks like he's going to have a chance to be a good player for us."
Two injured linemen should be back soon
South Carolina is currently without three of its offensive linemen for medical reasons, but it expects to have two of them back pretty soon.
Center Hank Manos, who is dealing with an ankle injury, could be back as soon as Thursday and should definitely be back after spring break, which is next week. Redshirt freshman guard Jovaughn Gwyn is still limited as he rehabs his foot after undergoing season-ending foot surgery last year. While Gwyn has been able to participate in certain drills in practice, Wolford hopes to have him back at full capacity after the break.
South Carolina is also without redshirt freshman Max Iyama, who's dealing with an undisclosed medical issue with no real timetable for a return.
Wolf says: "They haven’t medically cleared (Iyama). That’s one of those deals where you leave the medical side deal with their backyard. I have enough problems in my own backyard. He comes out and comes to meetings. It’s just one of those things where you’re not medically cleared, you’re not medically cleared."
Related content
• Video: Eric Wolford discusses the offensive line (link)
• Photos: Football spring practice No. 4 (link)
• Story: MJ Webb making 'progress every day' (link)
• The Insider Report: Football team scoop (subscription)
– Wes Mitchell (email)
Jaycee Horn/Credit: Katie Dugan
2. Flip this roster – Part III
In this series, we have been taking a deeper look at the job that Will Muschamp has done in reconstructing the South Carolina roster. The first two installments focused on the roster Muschamp inherited at South Carolina, and then his first recruiting class in Columbia. In the final segment, we break down the current roster in terms of “star power” and see how it compares to the group when Muschamp arrived at USC.
Note: For purposes of this exercise, we are not counting enrollees from Muschamp’s initial 2016 recruiting class as part of what he inherited in the 2016 totals. We will count current roster members and forthcoming 2019 enrollees to the 2019 total.
2019 Roster Composition
Five-stars: Zacch Pickens
Four-stars: Joseph Anderson, Jake Bentley, Randrecous Davis, Bryan Edwards, JJ Enagbare, Jovaughn Gwyn, Ryan Hilinski, Jaycee Horn, Max Iyama, Dakereon Joyner, Kiel Pollard, Will Register, Rick Sandidge, OrTre Smith, Shi Smith, Donell Stanley, Chad Terrell, Josh Vann, MJ Webb, Jamyest Williams, Dylan Wonnum
Three-stars: Derek Boykins, TJ Brunson, Wyatt Campbell, Summie Carlay, Jordon Carty, Joseph Charlton, Jamel Cook, Devontae Davis, Mon Denson, Jaylin Dickerson, Rico Dowdle, Eric Douglas, Jabari Ellis, Daniel Fennell, Deshaun Fenwick, Rodricus Fitten, Jonathan Gipson, Sherrod Greene, Kevin Harris, Evan Hinson, Sadarius Hutcherson, Ernest Jones, Brad Johnson, Tyreek Johnson, Javon Kinlaw, Rosendo Louis, Hank Manos, Kyle Markway, Israel Mukuamu, Jaylen Nichols, RJ Roderick, Darius Rush, Kobe Smith, Damani Staley, Keir Thomas, Eldridge Thompson, Keshawn Toney, AJ Turner, Jay Urich, Lavonte Valentine
Two-stars: Chavis Dawkins, Griffin Gentry, JT Ibe (transfer), Jordan Rhodes, DJ Wonnum
Notable walk-ons: Chandler Farrell (later placed on scholarship), Parker White
5-star comparison
2016 - Zero
2019 – One
4-star comparison
2016 – 27 (5 left before 2016 season)
2019 – 27 (including forthcoming summer 2019 enrollees)
3-star comparison
2016 – 34
2019 – 48 (including forthcoming summer 2019 enrollees)
2-star comparison
2016 – One
2017 – Six (including forthcoming summer 2019 enrollees)
– Chris Clark (email)
Chris Silva/Credit: Chris Gillespie
3. Basketball's big win
South Carolina got hot from three-point land and pulled away from Texas A&M in the second half for a 71-54 win.
- South Carolina is now 15-15 overall and 10-7 in conference play.
- With a win against Georgia this Saturday, the Gamecocks will earn the No. 4 seed in the SEC Tournament, which means they'll get a double-bye and won't play until Friday (quarterfinals) of the tournament.
- Defensively, South Carolina held Texas A&M to just 37 percent shooting, including 22 percent from three.
- South Carolina shot 13 of 23 from three, and five different players connected from behind the arc.
- Chris Silva was the hottest shooter, going a perfect 4 of 4 from three, doubling his previous career-high. He finished with 22 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. He also had an assist, a block, and two steals.
Men’s Basketball Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Statistics | SEC Standings | Polls | Commitments | Recruiting Database
TJ Shook/Credit: USC Athletics
4. Baseball with a shutout ⚾
The Gamecocks used a big inning early in the game and lights-out pitching from TJ Shook to cruise to a 9-0 victory Tuesday, two-hitting The Citadel for USC's first shutout this season.
- South Carolina got off to a fast start, putting up eight runs in the second inning behind four extra-base hits.
- Shook pitched 6.1 shutout innings and struck out 12 batters, both career highs. He gave up just one hit, a two-out single in the third but didn't give up a hit the rest of his outing.
- The Gamecocks are 10-2 on the season.
- “It was good. I knew I got it pretty good but I was still running as hard as I can. I’m not taking any chances until I know for sure. It was nice to get that first home run out of the way.” - George Callil on hitting his first-career home run, crushing a middle-middle fastball
Related: Game story, postgame video, highlights
Baseball Links: News | Roster | Breakdown | Schedule | Statistics | SEC Standings | Polls
TJ Hopkins/Credit: Katie Dugan
5. Whole lotta notes
George Rogers riding motorcycle across America – Rogers will participate in the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America for Victory Junction, a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses. Petty, Rogers and approximately 250 other participants will travel through 11 states and cover nearly 3,700 miles, starting in Seattle on May 3 and ending in Key Largo on May 11.
Recruiting: QB Brock Vandagriff checks out football practice – Bogart, Ga., Brock Vandagriff was an early offer for quarterbacks coach Dan Werner and the South Carolina coaching staff with the Gamecocks extending an offer in December. On Tuesday, the 2021 passer rewarded the staff's efforts by making his first trip to campus to check out the program. (subscription)
All sports – According to South Carolina AD chief of staff Charles Bloom, when the baseball team got into Baseball America's top-25 poll this week, it was the 12th Gamecocks intercollegiate sports team to reach the Top 25 in a poll this year.
ICYMI: Baseball rising in the polls – The Gamecocks are in five of the six college baseball polls we're tracking: No. 20 in Baseball America, No. 19 in Collegiate Baseball, No. 24 in USA Today, No. 24 in D1Baseball and No. 27 in NCBWA. Perfect Game doesn't have USC in its poll. (link to all polls)
Softball – This week's college softball rankings were released Tuesday and the Gamecocks are No. 10 in the Softball America poll, No. 11 in the USA Softball poll and No. 13 in the NFCA poll.
Softball – Friday's game against Kentucky is the first SEC contest of the season, and USC will be giving away two sets of tickets for the SEC Women’s Basketball Championship game in Greenville.
Women's Tennis – Senior Ingrid Gamarra Martins continues to make history as the highest-ranked singles player in program history, coming in at No. 9 in the newest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll. (link)
Women's Basketball: Five pick up SEC honors – SEC coaches recognized five Gamecocks, including Te'a Cooper, Tyasha Harris and Alexis Jennings on the All-SEC Second Team. Freshmen Destanni Henderson and Victaria Saxton earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors. The AP also released its All-SEC awards, which included Harris as a second-team choice. (link)
Baseball – TJ Hopkins was named the NCBWA National Co-Hitter of the Week.
Baseball – Former Gamecock and current Seattle Mariners prospect Dom Thompson-Williams joined the broadcast booth to discuss his first MLB Spring Training, learning from veterans and more. (link)
Swimming & Diving: Fynn Minuth on repeating as SEC Champion – Senior Fynn Minuth won his third straight SEC title in the 500 freestyle at the SEC Championships in Athens, Ga., on Feb. 20. A two-time All-American in the 500 freestyle as well as the 200 butterfly, Minuth offers his personal account of what it took to bring home the gold again. (link)
Track & Field: Jonathas, Moore added to NCAA Indoor Championships field – Wadeline Jonathas and Isaiah Moore were added to this week's NCAA Indoor Championships field, the NCAA announced Tuesday. Jonathas (women's 400m) and Moore (men's 60m hurdles) each ended the regular season ranked 17th in their event but moved into the top 16 due to medical scratches above them. (link)
Women's Golf – The South Carolina women's golf team hosts The Greatest Show in Women's Collegiate Golf with Darius Rucker. The show is Thursday at 8 p.m. in Hilton Head. (link)
Men's Golf – From "Meet The Team Monday," get to know Inman-native Harry Corbin. (link)
– Jackson Fields (email)
Credit: South Carolina Athletics Department
6. Plan your schedule accordingly
Wednesday, March 6
• Morning – Football, no practice, select defensive players speak with the media to discuss spring practice
• 3 pm – Women's Basketball: Dawn Staley and players speak with the media to preview the SEC Basketball Tournament
• 3 pm – Softball hosts Winthrop *
• 4 pm – Baseball hosts Gardner-Webb, SECN+ **
Thursday, March 7
• Morning – Football spring practice No. 5; defensive line coach John Scott Jr. will speak with the media afterwards
• 7 pm – Carolina Calls featuring Frank Martin
Friday, March 8
• All day – Women's Golf, Darius Rucker Invitational (Hilton Head)
• All day – Track & Field, NCAA Indoor Championships (Birmingham)
• 1 pm – Equestrian hosts Delaware State
• 6 pm – Women's Basketball, SEC Tournament (Greenville), SECN
• 6 pm – Women's Tennis at Missouri
• 6 pm – Softball hosts Kentucky, SECN+
• 7 pm – Baseball hosts Valparaiso, no video
• TBA – Men's Tennis hosts Mississippi State
* Game was originally scheduled to begin at 6 pm, but was changed due to expected below-freezing temperatures
** Game was originally scheduled to begin at 7 pm, but was changed due to expected below-freezing temperatures
The SEC Women's Basketball Tournament begins Wednesday, but South Carolina doesn't play until Friday
– Jackson Fields (email)
Devontae Davis/Credit: USC Athletics
7. Signee of the Day - Devontae Davis
With South Carolina's 2019 recruiting class completely signed and locked up, Gamecock Central is spotlighting one prospect each business day for 23 days.
Today's signee of the day is Georgia Military College three-star JUCO defensive end Devontae Davis, who is originally from Silver Bluff High School.
Other offers: South Carolina placement
Coach's corner: "This one goes back about two years. This is why you have camp, you find guys like this. He was at Silver Bluff High School in Aiken, but you see his length and athleticism. He has great length and we’re really excited to have Devontae here." - South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp
– Wes Mitchell (email)
8. This Date in Gamecock History
March 6, 1987 – USC's first-ever Metro Conference Tournament win was a thriller, as reserve center John Breckenridge blocked a shot by Florida State's Tony Karsek in the final second to preserve an 86-85 win. Sophomore Terry Dozier was the star of the game, as he set a tournament record with 38 points on 14 field goals and 10 free throws and was the Gamecocks' leading rebounder with 11. Dozier also provided the game-winning points, hitting two free throws with 12 seconds remaining. Michael Foster added 15 points, Tony Shaw 14 and Darryl Martin 11.
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
9. Key Dates (Countdown) ⌚
• March 6 – SEC WBB Tourney begins (today) ***
• March 13 – SEC MBB Tourney begins (7 days)
• March 21 – Football: Pro Timing Day (15)
• March 22 – Muschamp Coaches Clinic (16)
• April 6 – Spring football game (31)
• April 25 – NFL Draft begins (50)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days begins (131)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (178)
*** South Carolina doesn't play until Friday
10. Happy Birthday to you!
Gamecock Central birthdays
• @gamecockrxman (Member since 2001)
• @McFrush (Member since 2006)
If you have a Gamecock Central account - free or subscription - you can add your birthday here.
Gamecock Nation birthdays
• Andre Hemphill (football/wide receiver, 2002-03)
• Charles Holland (football/cornerback, 1984-85)
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
11. Around Gamecock Nation
• March 9 – Charlotte, Gamecock Yoga & Mimosas
• March 27 – Greenville, President's Reception
• 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 comes available.
– Brian Shoemaker (email)
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