B
Brian Shoemaker
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Gamecock Nation Today
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Good morning and Happy Wednesday!
Congrats to the men's golf team on its come-from-behind win of the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate.
The baseball team lost to North Carolina A&T. Jared Cook signed with the New Orleans Saints. Damiere Byrd signed with the Arizona Cardinals. Frank Martin spoke with the media to recap the season.
Facebook & Twitter. If you found this newsletter via Facebook or Twitter, you can sign up here to receive it each weekday morning in your email inbox.
– Brian Shoemaker
Coleman Hutzler/Credit: Chris Gillespie
1. Three things we learned about special teams
South Carolina special teams coordinator Coleman Hutzler met with the media Tuesday morning to talk about the latest on a group that returns several key starters, but must replace kickoff returner Deebo Samuel.
How will the Gamecocks replace Deebo?
• Deebo Samuel's absence will surely be felt on Carolina's offense, but the future NFL Draft pick was also one of the most electric kickoff returners in the country during his career.
• Did you know? Samuel's four career kickoff returns for touchdowns ties him for the best all-time in SEC history.
• Hutzler pointed out A.J. Turner and Shi Smith as two kickoff return options who have looked good in spring practice so far. He also mentioned Rico Dowdle, Bryan Edwards and Josh Vann as possibilities in that role.
• A wildcard in the group could be redshirt freshman running back Lavonte Valentine, who is currently with the track team. Valentine redshirted last season while rehabbing a high school knee injury, but won the FHSAA 4A state championship in the 100m as a junior in high school in 2017, running 10.61 into a headwind in the final, and has a PR of 10.44.
• Hutzler says: "It's always tough, but we've got plenty of guys that are great athletes and are explosive explosive playmakers and we've got to find that guy. We've got to find a kick returner, there's no doubt about it. We're doing that this spring, working through it. We did a live rep on Saturday we'll do another this Saturday, so by next September we'll have one."
Blocking a punt is a priority
• During his spring preview press conference, head coach Will Muschamp lamented the fact that the Gamecocks haven't blocked a punt since he arrived in Columbia and said that it's a goal for the program moving forward.
• Carolina has the players on the roster capable of doing it, and they've done it in practice, but it's mostly about executing in the moment on gamedays, according to Hutzler.
• Hutzler says: "90 percent - you block a punt, you have a 90 percent chance of winning a game. That was meeting 1 this spring, talking to our guys about gamebreakers. Obviously scoring a touchdown on KOR or punt return, but also blocking a punt, that's another opportunity for a gamebreaker to go flip the game and win the game on (special) teams."
Joseph Charlton is likely the new holder
• It's a thankless job that rarely goes noticed, but South Carolina also has to replace holder Danny Gordon from last season's squad.
• Starting punter Joseph Charlton, wide receiver Bailey Hart and punter Michael Almond are all repping as holders in practice, but it appears the job is Charlton's to lose.
• Hutzler says: "For him, as he wants to go to that next level as a punter, you've got to be able to prove that you can both hold and kick off. He's putting a lot of time into it. Obviously, as a specialist group, they get a lot of work and a lot of time together, so it's natural. Parker (White is) getting real comfortable with him."
Related video: Hutzler talks linebackers, updates special teams competitions – Coleman Hutzler had his biannual meeting with the media Tuesday, updating things with his linebacker corps and breaking down some special teams competitions as the Gamecocks continue spring practice. (link)
– Wes Mitchell
Frank Martin/Credit: Chris Gillespie
2. Frank Martin's birthday, a few days late
Saturday was men's basketball coach Frank Martin's birthday, and his players offered him some very special birthday wishes.
(Sindarius Thornwell corrected Silva on the spelling of cane.)
– Brian Shoemaker
Men's Golf/Credit: USC athletics
3. This, that, and the other
Men's Golf: Gamecocks come from behind for win – No. 20 South Carolina came from behind on Tuesday to claim its fourth title in the last five seasons at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate. All five players in the lineup posted red numbers on the day as the Gamecocks shot a field-best 277 (-11) to win by seven shots. (link)
Ray Tanner – Today at approximately 2:30, South Carolina athletics director Ray Tanner will be on 107.5 The Game's Halftime Show with Jay Philips and Tommy Moody.
Football: How Dreak Davis’ new diet is helping him stay on the field – Add wide receiver Randrecous Davis to the growing list of players who have had their lives changed by team nutritionist Kristin Coggin. "All of this injury stuff is kind of new to me," Davis said Monday. "I had to change my diet and the way I was living. I had to change all that." (link)
Jared Cook signs with Saints – Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported: The deal between the #Saints and FA TE Jared Cook will be signed today. It’s a 2-year contract worth $15.5M, including $8M fully guaranteed in Year 1. A big weapon for coach Sean Payton’s offense and a really nice payday for the 32-year-old.
What Pro Football Focus says – "Cook is coming off a career-best year in Oakland. After seeing the most targets among Raiders’ pass catchers with 99, Cook hauled in 68 passes and (set several career-highs). ... But here’s the kicker: Jared Cook was able to put up those numbers despite the fact that only 78.8% of his targets were deemed to be catchable, which was the 16th-worst mark among tight ends with at least 30 targets on the year. For comparison, Saints tight end Benjamin Watson finished second among those players with a 93.2% catchable-target rate, so imagine what Cook’s production would have been like with someone like Drew Brees at the helm." (link)
Damiere Byrd signs with Cardinals – The Arizona Cardinals announced the signing of wide receiver Damiere Byrd to a one-year contract. (link)
Alaina Coates – The 2nd Annual Alaina Coates Basketball Camp will be held at the Brookland Health and Wellness Center this Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. It's for boys and girls, 5-12. There's a registration fee of $30. All proceeds benefit the Salvation Army. Lunch is provided. (link)
Asia Dozier – The (Rock Hill) Herald reported last week that Legion Collegiate Academy named Asia Dozier to be its girls' basketball coach. Dozier served as team captain of South Carolina's 2016-17 national championship team. (link)
Baseball: Gamecocks drop midweek game – South Carolina's offensive struggles continued Tuesday night against North Carolina A&T. Despite a solid pitching performance from a quartet of Gamecocks, offensively they picked up just five hits and were shut out for the first time in 40 games, dropping the game 2-0. (link)
Women's Golf: Blackmon to retire following season – South Carolina women's golf associate head coach and director of golf development and facilities Puggy Blackmon announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season. (link)
Men's Tennis: Gamecocks move up in rankings – The men's tennis team returned to the nation's top-25, coming in at No. 18 in the latest Oracle/ITA Team Rankings. Carolina moved up 14 spots from last week. (link)
– Jackson Fields
A.J. Lawson/Credit: Chris Gillespie
4. Martin postseason presser
South Carolina men's basketball coach Frank Martin met with the media on Tuesday to discuss the 2018-19 season and look ahead to next season.
• Martin confirmed all three signees will arrive on June 3. He was complimentary of three, saying Trae Hannibal is an "elite player." Martin said the three – Hannibal, Wildens Leveque and Trey Anderson – are all guys that fill needs and fit the team's personalities. Said Leveque is blocking shots at a better clip right now than Chris Silva was as a high school senior.
• Martin said Jermaine Couisnard has been cleared to play from "day one" of his sophomore year. He's a solid B student and there shouldn't be any problem with academic eligibility moving forward. Justin Minaya's been fully cleared to practice. Jason Cudd is close to being cleared and had a strength test on his knee. T.J. Moss has his cast and boot off and feels about as good as he has and is expected to be fully cleared by June 3 when he gets back for the summer session. A.J. Lawson is perfectly healthy now. Alanzo Frink is also fully healthy after dealing with knee/ankle injuries all year.
• At the moment, all available 2019-20 scholarships are accounted for and the roster is set. Of course, that's subject to change.
It is unlikely, but possible, that one open spot could come from freshman A.J. Lawson. Lawson is the only underclassman with legitimate NBA interest at this point. Martin and Lawson met Monday and began the very preliminary process of exploring NBA interest. If they get word that there is interest, Lawson could declare for the NBA Draft.
NCAA and NBA rules allow an underclass player to declare for the draft but not hire an agent and go through the process once and still return to college. It’s what Chris Silva did after last season, and returned. PJ Dozier also did it two years ago, ultimately staying in the draft. Lawson is not at that point, but when he is, Martin will encourage him to go through the process.
“My job is not to keep kids in school, my job is to help them grow so they can make a better life, and if making a better life consists of declaring for the NBA Draft, it’s my job to help them get there,” Martin said. “I met with A.J. this morning. He’s the one guy that has possibilities. We’re in the fact finding information stage to find out if it’s something that’s worth his time. If you can do it, why not do it. If you can declare and go get workouts and get real information, why not do it?”
• Martin did not get any clarity about why his team didn't make the NIT when they had the same record as other teams that did get in. He said he knows the Wyoming loss hurt but mentioned a lot of good wins in SEC play that he thinks bolstered the resume for the NIT. He said not getting some of the credit he thought they deserved this year was frustrating. "We got left out. We didn't do enough."
• Martin's name has surfaced for a few head coaching jobs, in particular the UNLV opening. Martin put some of those rumors to bed saying there haven’t been any conversations between him and the Rebels. “I can tell you UNLV has not spoken to me, UNLV has not spoken to my agent, there hasn’t been third-party conversations. I saw that report and I have a wife and kids. When you get home from work and your wife’s like, ‘We need to talk.’ And I’m like what the heck happened? We just got beat by Auburn, I’m miserable, what could happen? And she said I was talking to UNLV. I’m like, ‘Stop, please. How would I do something without including you in the conversation?’ I don’t know where it came from. I really don’t.”
Related items
• Martin talks comings and goings
• Martin addresses UNLV rumor
Credit: USC athletics
5. Three Gamecocks in McDonald’s High School All-America game
The McDonald’s High School All-America games are tonight. The girls game is at 5 on ESPN2, followed by the boys game. South Carolina has three participants in the girls game. Point guard Zia Cooke, wing Brea Beal, and post Aliyah Boston are all members of the East team, and three of the five members of South Carolina’s top-ranked recruiting class. Cooke was a finalist for the Naismith High School Player of the Year Award, ultimately losing out to Haley Jones.
Destanni Henderson participated in the McDonald’s All-America game last season. South Carolina had three signees named McDonald’s All-Americans in 2014, when A’ja Wilson, Jatarie White, and Bianca Cuevas-Moore were honored. Alaina Coates was a McDonald’s All-American before that, as were transfers Kaela Davis and Te’a Cooper who originally signed elsewhere. Staley’s first McDonald’s All-American was Kelsey Bone, who signed with South Carolina and then transferred away somewhat acrimoniously.
– Chris Wellbaum
Beach Volleyball/Credit: USC athletics
6. Plan your schedule accordingly
Wednesday, March 27
• All day – Swimming & Diving: Men's NCAA Championships (Austin)
• Morning – Football: Defensive players speak with the media
• 3:15 pm – Women's Basketball: Dawn Staley and players speak with the media to preview the Greensboro regional
• 6 pm – Beach Volleyball hosts Coastal Carolina
• 6 pm – Softball hosts Georgia State
Thursday, March 28
• All day – Swimming & Diving: Men's NCAA Championships (Austin)
• All day – Track & Field: Florida Relays (Gainesville)
• Morning – Football: Spring practice No. 11; assistant coach Mike Peterson speaks with the media afterward
• 12:30 pm – Baseball: Mark Kingston and players speak with the media to preview the Auburn series
• 7 pm – Carolina Calls featuring Mark Kingston
Friday, March 29
• All day – Swimming & Diving: Men's NCAA Championships (Austin)
• All day – Track & Field: Florida Relays (Gainesville)
• TBD – Equestrian: SEC Championship (College Station)
• 5 pm – Women's Tennis at Texas A&M, video
• 5 pm – Men's Tennis hosts Texas A&M, YouTube
• 7 pm – Baseball hosts Auburn, SECN+
– Jackson Fields
5. This Date in Gamecock History
March 27, 1967 – Four days after becoming a father, Billy Reitmeier, an Atlanta native, stood out in front of his home-state fans and threw a no-hitter against Georgia in Athens. Reitmeier struck out six and walked four in just the fourth no-hitter in USC history and the first since 1949. South Carolina scored one in the first, two in the sixth and added runs in the seventh and ninth for a 6-0 win. Mike Fair, USC quarterback and future state senator, led the offense with three hits.
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
7. Key Dates (Countdown) ⌚
• April 6 – Football: Spring game (10 days)
• April 25 – NFL Draft begins (29)
• May 8 – SEC Softball Tourney (42)
• May 21 – SEC Baseball Tourney (55)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days begins (110)
• July 20 – Muschamp Ladies Football Clinic (115)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (157)
8. Birthdays and Celebrations!
• Jeff Grantz – Grantz saw brief action with the varsity in 1972 but largely worked as the quarterback of the junior varsity/freshman team. He took over as the starting quarterback in 1973 and was named all-state. He was hobbled by injuries in 1974 and started just seven games. He bounced back in 1975 and led USC to a bowl berth. Grantz threw for five touchdowns and rushed for 122 yards and another score in the 56-20 win over Clemson that year. His 3-yard pass to Kevin Long for a touchdown with 4:18 left was the game winner in a 23-17 victory over Georgia Tech. Grantz was named all-state and second-team All-America in 1975 while acting as a captain. He played in the East-West Shrine Game, Hula Bowl and Japan Bowl after the season. Also, a regular on the baseball team, with his best year being 1974 when he hit .287 with 10 home runs in 56 games as the starting second baseman. Grantz was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1976. He was named to the USC All-Time Team in 1993 and elected to the USC Sports Hall of Fame in 1985. Grantz lives in Columbia now.
• Jon Land (guard, 2002-05)
• John Taylor (baseball/pitcher, 2010-11)
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
9. 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.
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Gamecock Nation Today
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Good morning and Happy Wednesday!
Congrats to the men's golf team on its come-from-behind win of the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate.
The baseball team lost to North Carolina A&T. Jared Cook signed with the New Orleans Saints. Damiere Byrd signed with the Arizona Cardinals. Frank Martin spoke with the media to recap the season.
Facebook & Twitter. If you found this newsletter via Facebook or Twitter, you can sign up here to receive it each weekday morning in your email inbox.
– Brian Shoemaker
Coleman Hutzler/Credit: Chris Gillespie
1. Three things we learned about special teams
South Carolina special teams coordinator Coleman Hutzler met with the media Tuesday morning to talk about the latest on a group that returns several key starters, but must replace kickoff returner Deebo Samuel.
How will the Gamecocks replace Deebo?
• Deebo Samuel's absence will surely be felt on Carolina's offense, but the future NFL Draft pick was also one of the most electric kickoff returners in the country during his career.
• Did you know? Samuel's four career kickoff returns for touchdowns ties him for the best all-time in SEC history.
• Hutzler pointed out A.J. Turner and Shi Smith as two kickoff return options who have looked good in spring practice so far. He also mentioned Rico Dowdle, Bryan Edwards and Josh Vann as possibilities in that role.
• A wildcard in the group could be redshirt freshman running back Lavonte Valentine, who is currently with the track team. Valentine redshirted last season while rehabbing a high school knee injury, but won the FHSAA 4A state championship in the 100m as a junior in high school in 2017, running 10.61 into a headwind in the final, and has a PR of 10.44.
• Hutzler says: "It's always tough, but we've got plenty of guys that are great athletes and are explosive explosive playmakers and we've got to find that guy. We've got to find a kick returner, there's no doubt about it. We're doing that this spring, working through it. We did a live rep on Saturday we'll do another this Saturday, so by next September we'll have one."
Blocking a punt is a priority
• During his spring preview press conference, head coach Will Muschamp lamented the fact that the Gamecocks haven't blocked a punt since he arrived in Columbia and said that it's a goal for the program moving forward.
• Carolina has the players on the roster capable of doing it, and they've done it in practice, but it's mostly about executing in the moment on gamedays, according to Hutzler.
• Hutzler says: "90 percent - you block a punt, you have a 90 percent chance of winning a game. That was meeting 1 this spring, talking to our guys about gamebreakers. Obviously scoring a touchdown on KOR or punt return, but also blocking a punt, that's another opportunity for a gamebreaker to go flip the game and win the game on (special) teams."
Joseph Charlton is likely the new holder
• It's a thankless job that rarely goes noticed, but South Carolina also has to replace holder Danny Gordon from last season's squad.
• Starting punter Joseph Charlton, wide receiver Bailey Hart and punter Michael Almond are all repping as holders in practice, but it appears the job is Charlton's to lose.
• Hutzler says: "For him, as he wants to go to that next level as a punter, you've got to be able to prove that you can both hold and kick off. He's putting a lot of time into it. Obviously, as a specialist group, they get a lot of work and a lot of time together, so it's natural. Parker (White is) getting real comfortable with him."
Related video: Hutzler talks linebackers, updates special teams competitions – Coleman Hutzler had his biannual meeting with the media Tuesday, updating things with his linebacker corps and breaking down some special teams competitions as the Gamecocks continue spring practice. (link)
– Wes Mitchell
Frank Martin/Credit: Chris Gillespie
2. Frank Martin's birthday, a few days late
Saturday was men's basketball coach Frank Martin's birthday, and his players offered him some very special birthday wishes.
(Sindarius Thornwell corrected Silva on the spelling of cane.)
– Brian Shoemaker
Men's Golf/Credit: USC athletics
3. This, that, and the other
Men's Golf: Gamecocks come from behind for win – No. 20 South Carolina came from behind on Tuesday to claim its fourth title in the last five seasons at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate. All five players in the lineup posted red numbers on the day as the Gamecocks shot a field-best 277 (-11) to win by seven shots. (link)
Ray Tanner – Today at approximately 2:30, South Carolina athletics director Ray Tanner will be on 107.5 The Game's Halftime Show with Jay Philips and Tommy Moody.
Football: How Dreak Davis’ new diet is helping him stay on the field – Add wide receiver Randrecous Davis to the growing list of players who have had their lives changed by team nutritionist Kristin Coggin. "All of this injury stuff is kind of new to me," Davis said Monday. "I had to change my diet and the way I was living. I had to change all that." (link)
Jared Cook signs with Saints – Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported: The deal between the #Saints and FA TE Jared Cook will be signed today. It’s a 2-year contract worth $15.5M, including $8M fully guaranteed in Year 1. A big weapon for coach Sean Payton’s offense and a really nice payday for the 32-year-old.
What Pro Football Focus says – "Cook is coming off a career-best year in Oakland. After seeing the most targets among Raiders’ pass catchers with 99, Cook hauled in 68 passes and (set several career-highs). ... But here’s the kicker: Jared Cook was able to put up those numbers despite the fact that only 78.8% of his targets were deemed to be catchable, which was the 16th-worst mark among tight ends with at least 30 targets on the year. For comparison, Saints tight end Benjamin Watson finished second among those players with a 93.2% catchable-target rate, so imagine what Cook’s production would have been like with someone like Drew Brees at the helm." (link)
Damiere Byrd signs with Cardinals – The Arizona Cardinals announced the signing of wide receiver Damiere Byrd to a one-year contract. (link)
Alaina Coates – The 2nd Annual Alaina Coates Basketball Camp will be held at the Brookland Health and Wellness Center this Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. It's for boys and girls, 5-12. There's a registration fee of $30. All proceeds benefit the Salvation Army. Lunch is provided. (link)
Asia Dozier – The (Rock Hill) Herald reported last week that Legion Collegiate Academy named Asia Dozier to be its girls' basketball coach. Dozier served as team captain of South Carolina's 2016-17 national championship team. (link)
Baseball: Gamecocks drop midweek game – South Carolina's offensive struggles continued Tuesday night against North Carolina A&T. Despite a solid pitching performance from a quartet of Gamecocks, offensively they picked up just five hits and were shut out for the first time in 40 games, dropping the game 2-0. (link)
Women's Golf: Blackmon to retire following season – South Carolina women's golf associate head coach and director of golf development and facilities Puggy Blackmon announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season. (link)
- Blackmon looking forward to life after coaching – Puggy Blackmon doesn't like to use the word "retiring" in association with his announcement that he's leaving college coaching after nearly four decades. "I'm not retiring. I'm not dying." (link)
- Stewart bounces back to make impact – Lauren Stewart has seen the highs and lows each year of her collegiate career, but patience has paid off and helped her become a big part of the Gamecocks' success in 2019. (link)
- The newest softball rankings for the Gamecocks – NFCA Coaches at No. 16, Softball America at No. 18 and USA Softball at No. 25
Men's Tennis: Gamecocks move up in rankings – The men's tennis team returned to the nation's top-25, coming in at No. 18 in the latest Oracle/ITA Team Rankings. Carolina moved up 14 spots from last week. (link)
– Jackson Fields
A.J. Lawson/Credit: Chris Gillespie
4. Martin postseason presser
South Carolina men's basketball coach Frank Martin met with the media on Tuesday to discuss the 2018-19 season and look ahead to next season.
• Martin confirmed all three signees will arrive on June 3. He was complimentary of three, saying Trae Hannibal is an "elite player." Martin said the three – Hannibal, Wildens Leveque and Trey Anderson – are all guys that fill needs and fit the team's personalities. Said Leveque is blocking shots at a better clip right now than Chris Silva was as a high school senior.
• Martin said Jermaine Couisnard has been cleared to play from "day one" of his sophomore year. He's a solid B student and there shouldn't be any problem with academic eligibility moving forward. Justin Minaya's been fully cleared to practice. Jason Cudd is close to being cleared and had a strength test on his knee. T.J. Moss has his cast and boot off and feels about as good as he has and is expected to be fully cleared by June 3 when he gets back for the summer session. A.J. Lawson is perfectly healthy now. Alanzo Frink is also fully healthy after dealing with knee/ankle injuries all year.
• At the moment, all available 2019-20 scholarships are accounted for and the roster is set. Of course, that's subject to change.
It is unlikely, but possible, that one open spot could come from freshman A.J. Lawson. Lawson is the only underclassman with legitimate NBA interest at this point. Martin and Lawson met Monday and began the very preliminary process of exploring NBA interest. If they get word that there is interest, Lawson could declare for the NBA Draft.
NCAA and NBA rules allow an underclass player to declare for the draft but not hire an agent and go through the process once and still return to college. It’s what Chris Silva did after last season, and returned. PJ Dozier also did it two years ago, ultimately staying in the draft. Lawson is not at that point, but when he is, Martin will encourage him to go through the process.
“My job is not to keep kids in school, my job is to help them grow so they can make a better life, and if making a better life consists of declaring for the NBA Draft, it’s my job to help them get there,” Martin said. “I met with A.J. this morning. He’s the one guy that has possibilities. We’re in the fact finding information stage to find out if it’s something that’s worth his time. If you can do it, why not do it. If you can declare and go get workouts and get real information, why not do it?”
• Martin did not get any clarity about why his team didn't make the NIT when they had the same record as other teams that did get in. He said he knows the Wyoming loss hurt but mentioned a lot of good wins in SEC play that he thinks bolstered the resume for the NIT. He said not getting some of the credit he thought they deserved this year was frustrating. "We got left out. We didn't do enough."
• Martin's name has surfaced for a few head coaching jobs, in particular the UNLV opening. Martin put some of those rumors to bed saying there haven’t been any conversations between him and the Rebels. “I can tell you UNLV has not spoken to me, UNLV has not spoken to my agent, there hasn’t been third-party conversations. I saw that report and I have a wife and kids. When you get home from work and your wife’s like, ‘We need to talk.’ And I’m like what the heck happened? We just got beat by Auburn, I’m miserable, what could happen? And she said I was talking to UNLV. I’m like, ‘Stop, please. How would I do something without including you in the conversation?’ I don’t know where it came from. I really don’t.”
Related items
• Martin talks comings and goings
• Martin addresses UNLV rumor
Credit: USC athletics
5. Three Gamecocks in McDonald’s High School All-America game
The McDonald’s High School All-America games are tonight. The girls game is at 5 on ESPN2, followed by the boys game. South Carolina has three participants in the girls game. Point guard Zia Cooke, wing Brea Beal, and post Aliyah Boston are all members of the East team, and three of the five members of South Carolina’s top-ranked recruiting class. Cooke was a finalist for the Naismith High School Player of the Year Award, ultimately losing out to Haley Jones.
- South Carolina is hosting a watch party at Wild Wing Cafe in the Vista. Former Gamecocks Tina Roy and Khadijah Sessions will host the event. The event will be in the room behind the stage by the main entrance. (link)
Destanni Henderson participated in the McDonald’s All-America game last season. South Carolina had three signees named McDonald’s All-Americans in 2014, when A’ja Wilson, Jatarie White, and Bianca Cuevas-Moore were honored. Alaina Coates was a McDonald’s All-American before that, as were transfers Kaela Davis and Te’a Cooper who originally signed elsewhere. Staley’s first McDonald’s All-American was Kelsey Bone, who signed with South Carolina and then transferred away somewhat acrimoniously.
– Chris Wellbaum
Beach Volleyball/Credit: USC athletics
6. Plan your schedule accordingly
Wednesday, March 27
• All day – Swimming & Diving: Men's NCAA Championships (Austin)
• Morning – Football: Defensive players speak with the media
• 3:15 pm – Women's Basketball: Dawn Staley and players speak with the media to preview the Greensboro regional
• 6 pm – Beach Volleyball hosts Coastal Carolina
• 6 pm – Softball hosts Georgia State
Thursday, March 28
• All day – Swimming & Diving: Men's NCAA Championships (Austin)
• All day – Track & Field: Florida Relays (Gainesville)
• Morning – Football: Spring practice No. 11; assistant coach Mike Peterson speaks with the media afterward
• 12:30 pm – Baseball: Mark Kingston and players speak with the media to preview the Auburn series
• 7 pm – Carolina Calls featuring Mark Kingston
Friday, March 29
• All day – Swimming & Diving: Men's NCAA Championships (Austin)
• All day – Track & Field: Florida Relays (Gainesville)
• TBD – Equestrian: SEC Championship (College Station)
• 5 pm – Women's Tennis at Texas A&M, video
• 5 pm – Men's Tennis hosts Texas A&M, YouTube
• 7 pm – Baseball hosts Auburn, SECN+
– Jackson Fields
5. This Date in Gamecock History
March 27, 1967 – Four days after becoming a father, Billy Reitmeier, an Atlanta native, stood out in front of his home-state fans and threw a no-hitter against Georgia in Athens. Reitmeier struck out six and walked four in just the fourth no-hitter in USC history and the first since 1949. South Carolina scored one in the first, two in the sixth and added runs in the seventh and ninth for a 6-0 win. Mike Fair, USC quarterback and future state senator, led the offense with three hits.
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
7. Key Dates (Countdown) ⌚
• April 6 – Football: Spring game (10 days)
• April 25 – NFL Draft begins (29)
• May 8 – SEC Softball Tourney (42)
• May 21 – SEC Baseball Tourney (55)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days begins (110)
• July 20 – Muschamp Ladies Football Clinic (115)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (157)
8. Birthdays and Celebrations!
• Jeff Grantz – Grantz saw brief action with the varsity in 1972 but largely worked as the quarterback of the junior varsity/freshman team. He took over as the starting quarterback in 1973 and was named all-state. He was hobbled by injuries in 1974 and started just seven games. He bounced back in 1975 and led USC to a bowl berth. Grantz threw for five touchdowns and rushed for 122 yards and another score in the 56-20 win over Clemson that year. His 3-yard pass to Kevin Long for a touchdown with 4:18 left was the game winner in a 23-17 victory over Georgia Tech. Grantz was named all-state and second-team All-America in 1975 while acting as a captain. He played in the East-West Shrine Game, Hula Bowl and Japan Bowl after the season. Also, a regular on the baseball team, with his best year being 1974 when he hit .287 with 10 home runs in 56 games as the starting second baseman. Grantz was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1976. He was named to the USC All-Time Team in 1993 and elected to the USC Sports Hall of Fame in 1985. Grantz lives in Columbia now.
• Jon Land (guard, 2002-05)
• John Taylor (baseball/pitcher, 2010-11)
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
9. 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.
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