B
Brian Shoemaker
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Gamecock Nation Today
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Good morning.
Yesterday's big news: The men's basketball program picked up a commitment from Jalyn McCreary, a 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward.
Today's events: The football team holds its 13th spring practice this morning. Afterward, assistant coach Kyle Krantz speaks with the media. The baseball team plays N.C. State in Charlotte at 7.
Jake Bentley/Credit: Katie Dugan
1. What Jake Bentley had to say on Monday
One of USC's offensive players who met with members of the media on Monday was senior quarterback Jake Bentley, who hit on a number of topics during his session. What did we learn from our time with Bentley?
USC had a seniors-only meeting recently
• One of the Gamecocks’ key players, one who is actually sitting out this spring recovering from an injury, assembled other veteran members of the squad to lay out goals for this season.
• What Bentley said: “T.J. Brunson called a senior meeting the other day and just laid out the idea that guys, this is our last chance to do it. We can’t let little things fall through the cracks. We’ve really got to be particular with what we want and what our goals are and don’t let anything stand in the way. If someone’s not doing his best to achieve the team goals, we have to talk to him and get him in line.”
The offense could play with even more tempo this season
• USC utilized tempo on offense in Bryan McClendon’s first full season as offensive coordinator, but was still getting comfortable in the revamped scheme. McClendon’s previously said USC likely had about half the offense installed last season. In year two, there’s a higher comfort level, which should lead to playing faster.
• What Bentley said: “Guys will know where to line up based on the calls we give them. I think it’s going to be so much faster. The linemen have a good idea of understanding it starts with them and they have to get set on the ball before we can do anything. They’ve done a great job with that so far. You can definitely see his (McClendon’s) own spin on everything, his own take. He likes to push the ball downfield. He has an aggressive mindset, that’s what I love about it. He has a lot of confidence in us at quarterback to make the right decisions. You can tell he feels more comfortable with calling plays that attack the defense.”
Bentley’s been impressed with his understudies
• A lot of talk this spring has centered around newcomer Ryan Hilinski showing off his talent, plus the improvement of redshirt freshman Dakereon Joyner. Bentley dished on both those players.
• What Bentley said: “They don’t play like freshmen. Ryan doesn’t play like a freshman, Dakereon doesn’t play like a redshirt freshman. Two guys that really just give it their all every day. You can see they study their playbook every night. Two guys that just love football and that’s the biggest thing you see from them. You look at Dakereon and things he can do with his feet, that’s his niche and what he does best, and I learn from him. Ryan, he makes some throws sometimes where you say, ‘that’s a big-time throw’.”
Related items:
• Video: Jake Bentley on his last spring at Carolina (link)
• What Bryan Edwards has seen from young quarterbacks (link)
• Notes: Players review spring practice on Monday (subscription)
– Chris Clark
Jalyn McCreary/Credit: Rivals.com
2. Commitment corner: Jalyn McCreary
Less than a week after news broke that Jason Cudd would transfer from South Carolina's men's basketball program, leaving a scholarship open, the Gamecocks landed a commitment Monday.
Greenville (S.C.) Legacy Charter class of 2019 three-star forward Jalyn McCreary announced his pledge to South Carolina, a day after wrapping up his official visit to the school. McCreary is a long, athletic prospect who can play above the rim and can profile as a power or small forward.
Bio: 6-foot-8, 225-pounds. No. 132 overall prospect in the 2019 class. No. 29 PF.
Offers: DePaul, Pitt, South Florida and Xavier, among others.
Why South Carolina? “The visit there went really well and I had a good time chilling with the players and the coaches. Plus, they have a really nice facility,” McCreary told Rivals' Corey Evans. “They see me as an athletic wing and forward that can affect the game in many ways.”
Related item: Inside the recruitment of Jalyn McCreary (subscription)
More basketball recruiting: Four-star Hall gets a jump on establishing leaders – Four-star power forward P.J. Hall finished his junior season at Dorman the way all high school players want to finish their season and that’s by cutting down the nets as a state champion. On the recruiting front, the Class of 2020 prospect has heard from schools all over the country. (subscription)
– Wes Mitchell
Dylan Harley/Credit: Chris Gillespie
3. ⚾ Baseball in Charlotte
Who: South Carolina vs. N.C. State
When: 7 p.m.
Where: BB&T Ballpark (Charlotte, N.C.)
Watch: SEC Network+
Radio: Gamecock Radio Network
Probable starting pitchers:
USC: Dylan Harley (Fr. LHP) 1-1, 7.77 ERA
NC State: Canaan Silver (So. LHP) 1-0, 2.45 ERA
N.C. State is one of the hottest teams in the country right now, coming in as a top-five team in both the D1Baseball and Baseball America top 25 polls. The Wolfpack has lost just twice this year and won two games this weekend against Virginia.
Up next: Beginning Thursday, USC travels to Alabama for a three-game SEC series. The Tide is 20-9 overall and 2-7 in the SEC.
More Baseball: Auburn head coach provides perspective on Gamecocks – Butch Thompson knows what it's like to coach at a national powerhouse program and he also knows what South Carolina is going through right now. (subscription)
– Collyn Taylor
Hassani Gravett/Credit: Chris Gillespie
4. This, that, and the other
Men's Basketball: Gravett set to compete in championship – Hassani Gravett has been selected to participate in the 2019 Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship, scheduled for April 5-7 in Minneapolis at the Mall of America. (link)
Women's Basketball: What's next? – With the Gamecocks’ 2018-19 season now in the books, attention immediately turns to next season. Most Gamecock fans will consider this season a disappointment, and although Dawn Staley won’t say that, she's probably secretly pleased that's the case. (link)
Track & Field: National champions to throw out first pitch – The 4x400 relay team of Aliyah Abrams, Stephanie Davis, Wadeline Jonathas and Tatyana Mills continue their national championship celebration next week as they throw out the first pitch before USC's baseball game versus Charlotte on April 9. (link)
Football Recruiting:
• Latest on big JUCO target – Junior college offensive lineman sets official visit to South Carolina. (subscription)
• Top QB has USC connection – Tiger, Ga., quarterback Gunner Stockton has a unique connection to the South Carolina football program. (subscription)
• Capers' recruitment far from over – Ze'Vian Capers is committed to Arkansas, but his recruitment is far from over. The 6-foot-4, 215 pound wide receiver is set to visit South Carolina officially this month. (subscription)
– Jackson Fields
5. This Date in Gamecock History
April 2, 2017 – Dawn Staley's Gamecocks culminated several years of growth with a national championship win over Mississippi State, 67-55.
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
6. Birthdays and Celebrations!
Harry Skipper – A star running back at Appling County High in Georgia, Skipper was his conference's player of the year and an all-state choice after averaging 9.6 yards a carry as a senior. He became a full-time defensive back upon joining the Gamecocks and took over as a starting cornerback as a sophomore in 1980. He would start the next three seasons, totalling 176 tackles, 14 pass breakups and 10 interceptions. His fumble recovery versus Duke in 1981 keyed a USC touchdown in a 17-3 win, but Skipper may be best remembered for returning an interception 100 yards for a score in a 41-6 win over Pacific in 1982. Skipper went on to play seven years in the CFL.
• Joe Datin (baseball/first base, 1985-86)
• Drew Johnson (soccer/midfielder, 2018)
• Konata Reid (football/linebacker, 1990-93)
• Shiloh Sauls (football/linebacker, 2004-05)
• Bill Troup (football/quarterback, 1972)
Gamecock Central birthdays
• @bri4usc (member since 1999)
• @ozmoton (member since 2009)
• @SirSpur12216 (member since 2010)
• @gamecockbart14 (member since 2015)
• @7Plagueis7Cock7 (member since 2019)
If you have a Gamecock Central account - free or subscription - you can add your birthday here.
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
7. ⌚ Key Events (Countdown)
• April 6 – Football: Spring game (4 days)
• April 10 – Give 4 Garnet (9)
• April 25 – NFL Draft begins (23)
• May 8 – SEC Softball Tourney (36)
• May 21 – SEC Baseball Tourney (49)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days begins (104)
• July 20 – Muschamp Ladies Football Clinic (109)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (151)
More happenings
• April 2 – Charlotte Pre-Baseball Happy Hour
• April 6 – Football: Alumni Game
• April 6 – Junior Gamecock Club Punt, Pass & Kick
• April 6 – DJ Swearinger Celebrity Basketball Game
• April 6 – Softball: Trinity Johnson jersey retirement
• April 10 – Women's Soccer: Fan Appreciation Clinic
• April 13 – Track & Field: Terrance Trammell, Miki Barber jersey retirements
• 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 4 – Baseball: Earl Bass jersey retirement
• 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
• May 18 – SC Legends Camp
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.
_____________________________
Thank you for reading Gamecock Nation Today and being a part of the Gamecock Central community.
Customize: You get to choose which breaking news alerts and newsletters to receive from Gamecock Central.
Do you have something exciting you'd like to have mentioned in this newsletter? Click here or send an email to shoe@gamecockcentral.com.
– Brian Shoemaker
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.
NEED HELP? If you have a Gamecock Central account (free or pay) and cannot remember your password, please go to this link and enter your email address. If you don't receive an email from Rivals within five minutes, please alert me at shoe@gamecockcentral.com. The password needs to be at least nine characters, including at least one number.
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, April 2, 2019
Good morning.
Yesterday's big news: The men's basketball program picked up a commitment from Jalyn McCreary, a 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward.
Today's events: The football team holds its 13th spring practice this morning. Afterward, assistant coach Kyle Krantz speaks with the media. The baseball team plays N.C. State in Charlotte at 7.
Jake Bentley/Credit: Katie Dugan
1. What Jake Bentley had to say on Monday
One of USC's offensive players who met with members of the media on Monday was senior quarterback Jake Bentley, who hit on a number of topics during his session. What did we learn from our time with Bentley?
USC had a seniors-only meeting recently
• One of the Gamecocks’ key players, one who is actually sitting out this spring recovering from an injury, assembled other veteran members of the squad to lay out goals for this season.
• What Bentley said: “T.J. Brunson called a senior meeting the other day and just laid out the idea that guys, this is our last chance to do it. We can’t let little things fall through the cracks. We’ve really got to be particular with what we want and what our goals are and don’t let anything stand in the way. If someone’s not doing his best to achieve the team goals, we have to talk to him and get him in line.”
The offense could play with even more tempo this season
• USC utilized tempo on offense in Bryan McClendon’s first full season as offensive coordinator, but was still getting comfortable in the revamped scheme. McClendon’s previously said USC likely had about half the offense installed last season. In year two, there’s a higher comfort level, which should lead to playing faster.
• What Bentley said: “Guys will know where to line up based on the calls we give them. I think it’s going to be so much faster. The linemen have a good idea of understanding it starts with them and they have to get set on the ball before we can do anything. They’ve done a great job with that so far. You can definitely see his (McClendon’s) own spin on everything, his own take. He likes to push the ball downfield. He has an aggressive mindset, that’s what I love about it. He has a lot of confidence in us at quarterback to make the right decisions. You can tell he feels more comfortable with calling plays that attack the defense.”
Bentley’s been impressed with his understudies
• A lot of talk this spring has centered around newcomer Ryan Hilinski showing off his talent, plus the improvement of redshirt freshman Dakereon Joyner. Bentley dished on both those players.
• What Bentley said: “They don’t play like freshmen. Ryan doesn’t play like a freshman, Dakereon doesn’t play like a redshirt freshman. Two guys that really just give it their all every day. You can see they study their playbook every night. Two guys that just love football and that’s the biggest thing you see from them. You look at Dakereon and things he can do with his feet, that’s his niche and what he does best, and I learn from him. Ryan, he makes some throws sometimes where you say, ‘that’s a big-time throw’.”
Related items:
• Video: Jake Bentley on his last spring at Carolina (link)
• What Bryan Edwards has seen from young quarterbacks (link)
• Notes: Players review spring practice on Monday (subscription)
– Chris Clark
Jalyn McCreary/Credit: Rivals.com
2. Commitment corner: Jalyn McCreary
Less than a week after news broke that Jason Cudd would transfer from South Carolina's men's basketball program, leaving a scholarship open, the Gamecocks landed a commitment Monday.
Greenville (S.C.) Legacy Charter class of 2019 three-star forward Jalyn McCreary announced his pledge to South Carolina, a day after wrapping up his official visit to the school. McCreary is a long, athletic prospect who can play above the rim and can profile as a power or small forward.
Bio: 6-foot-8, 225-pounds. No. 132 overall prospect in the 2019 class. No. 29 PF.
Offers: DePaul, Pitt, South Florida and Xavier, among others.
Why South Carolina? “The visit there went really well and I had a good time chilling with the players and the coaches. Plus, they have a really nice facility,” McCreary told Rivals' Corey Evans. “They see me as an athletic wing and forward that can affect the game in many ways.”
Related item: Inside the recruitment of Jalyn McCreary (subscription)
More basketball recruiting: Four-star Hall gets a jump on establishing leaders – Four-star power forward P.J. Hall finished his junior season at Dorman the way all high school players want to finish their season and that’s by cutting down the nets as a state champion. On the recruiting front, the Class of 2020 prospect has heard from schools all over the country. (subscription)
– Wes Mitchell
Dylan Harley/Credit: Chris Gillespie
3. ⚾ Baseball in Charlotte
Who: South Carolina vs. N.C. State
When: 7 p.m.
Where: BB&T Ballpark (Charlotte, N.C.)
Watch: SEC Network+
Radio: Gamecock Radio Network
Probable starting pitchers:
USC: Dylan Harley (Fr. LHP) 1-1, 7.77 ERA
NC State: Canaan Silver (So. LHP) 1-0, 2.45 ERA
N.C. State is one of the hottest teams in the country right now, coming in as a top-five team in both the D1Baseball and Baseball America top 25 polls. The Wolfpack has lost just twice this year and won two games this weekend against Virginia.
Up next: Beginning Thursday, USC travels to Alabama for a three-game SEC series. The Tide is 20-9 overall and 2-7 in the SEC.
More Baseball: Auburn head coach provides perspective on Gamecocks – Butch Thompson knows what it's like to coach at a national powerhouse program and he also knows what South Carolina is going through right now. (subscription)
– Collyn Taylor
Hassani Gravett/Credit: Chris Gillespie
4. This, that, and the other
Men's Basketball: Gravett set to compete in championship – Hassani Gravett has been selected to participate in the 2019 Dos Equis 3X3U National Championship, scheduled for April 5-7 in Minneapolis at the Mall of America. (link)
Women's Basketball: What's next? – With the Gamecocks’ 2018-19 season now in the books, attention immediately turns to next season. Most Gamecock fans will consider this season a disappointment, and although Dawn Staley won’t say that, she's probably secretly pleased that's the case. (link)
Track & Field: National champions to throw out first pitch – The 4x400 relay team of Aliyah Abrams, Stephanie Davis, Wadeline Jonathas and Tatyana Mills continue their national championship celebration next week as they throw out the first pitch before USC's baseball game versus Charlotte on April 9. (link)
Football Recruiting:
• Latest on big JUCO target – Junior college offensive lineman sets official visit to South Carolina. (subscription)
• Top QB has USC connection – Tiger, Ga., quarterback Gunner Stockton has a unique connection to the South Carolina football program. (subscription)
• Capers' recruitment far from over – Ze'Vian Capers is committed to Arkansas, but his recruitment is far from over. The 6-foot-4, 215 pound wide receiver is set to visit South Carolina officially this month. (subscription)
– Jackson Fields
5. This Date in Gamecock History
April 2, 2017 – Dawn Staley's Gamecocks culminated several years of growth with a national championship win over Mississippi State, 67-55.
- Despite the loss of all-SEC stalwart Alaina Coates to an injury, the Gamecocks roared through the tournament, including a 50-point win over UNC Asheville and a 42-point win over Quinnipiac in the Sweet 16 round.
- Carolina led 36-26 at the half but the Bulldogs rallied in the third quarter and with six minutes to go in the game were down only four and had the ball.
- A'ja Wilson came to the rescue though, blocking a shot on defense and scoring on offense to push it back to 56-50.
- Back-to-back baskets from Allisha Gray sandwiched around one from MSU made the lead eight and when Wilson followed that up with a layup to push the lead to ten with 3:19 to go it was all but over.
- Wilson finished the game with 23 points and 10 rebounds on her way to being named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
6. Birthdays and Celebrations!
Harry Skipper – A star running back at Appling County High in Georgia, Skipper was his conference's player of the year and an all-state choice after averaging 9.6 yards a carry as a senior. He became a full-time defensive back upon joining the Gamecocks and took over as a starting cornerback as a sophomore in 1980. He would start the next three seasons, totalling 176 tackles, 14 pass breakups and 10 interceptions. His fumble recovery versus Duke in 1981 keyed a USC touchdown in a 17-3 win, but Skipper may be best remembered for returning an interception 100 yards for a score in a 41-6 win over Pacific in 1982. Skipper went on to play seven years in the CFL.
• Joe Datin (baseball/first base, 1985-86)
• Drew Johnson (soccer/midfielder, 2018)
• Konata Reid (football/linebacker, 1990-93)
• Shiloh Sauls (football/linebacker, 2004-05)
• Bill Troup (football/quarterback, 1972)
Gamecock Central birthdays
• @bri4usc (member since 1999)
• @ozmoton (member since 2009)
• @SirSpur12216 (member since 2010)
• @gamecockbart14 (member since 2015)
• @7Plagueis7Cock7 (member since 2019)
If you have a Gamecock Central account - free or subscription - you can add your birthday here.
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
7. ⌚ Key Events (Countdown)
• April 6 – Football: Spring game (4 days)
• April 10 – Give 4 Garnet (9)
• April 25 – NFL Draft begins (23)
• May 8 – SEC Softball Tourney (36)
• May 21 – SEC Baseball Tourney (49)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days begins (104)
• July 20 – Muschamp Ladies Football Clinic (109)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (151)
More happenings
• April 2 – Charlotte Pre-Baseball Happy Hour
• April 6 – Football: Alumni Game
• April 6 – Junior Gamecock Club Punt, Pass & Kick
• April 6 – DJ Swearinger Celebrity Basketball Game
• April 6 – Softball: Trinity Johnson jersey retirement
• April 10 – Women's Soccer: Fan Appreciation Clinic
• April 13 – Track & Field: Terrance Trammell, Miki Barber jersey retirements
• 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 4 – Baseball: Earl Bass jersey retirement
• 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
• May 18 – SC Legends Camp
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.
_____________________________
Thank you for reading Gamecock Nation Today and being a part of the Gamecock Central community.
Customize: You get to choose which breaking news alerts and newsletters to receive from Gamecock Central.
Do you have something exciting you'd like to have mentioned in this newsletter? Click here or send an email to shoe@gamecockcentral.com.
– Brian Shoemaker
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.
NEED HELP? If you have a Gamecock Central account (free or pay) and cannot remember your password, please go to this link and enter your email address. If you don't receive an email from Rivals within five minutes, please alert me at shoe@gamecockcentral.com. The password needs to be at least nine characters, including at least one number.
