C
Collyn Taylor
Guest
--This will be a game that got away from South Carolina and the Gamecocks missed a golden opportunity for South Carolina to get a resume-defining win in the non-conference slate. South Carolina was the best team on the floor in the first half and faded down the stretch in the second, blowing a chance to notch another win against a top 10 win. This is not a loss that's going to drag down a resume—it's a game most metric picked Houston to win and win comfortably—but it means the Gamecocks don't have much margin for error the rest of the way before SEC play starts.
Houston was also missing its head coach and two of its best players, so it's a really big missed opportunity.
--South Carolina offensively stagnated in the second half, putting up 32 points, getting outscored by 14, and looked clunky for the majority of the time coming out of the break. Houston began clicking offensively but South Carolina seemed to press far too much and settle for bad jump shots instead of getting to the rim and getting to the line, which they did a better job of in the first half. Going 1-for-6 from three in the second half doesn't help either.
--In the first half, the Gamecocks maybe played the best defense they've played in a very long time. Frank Martin did a very good job mixing man and zone, then pressures and traps. It caused a lot of problems for the Cougars, especially early. It was one of the best first halves the Gamecocks have had this season, but they just couldn't continue it in the second half as much. Energy seemed to dip and the Gamecocks just did not have an answer for Houston's defense.
--Getting Justin Minaya to four fouls in the middle of the second half really hurt the Gamecocks. Keyshawn Bryant picking up his fourth with just under eight minutes also didn't help. Both guys had solid games leading up to that and South Carolina isn't the same team without them on the floor. It's no secret when Minaya went to the bench Houston was able to extend its lead and really establish its physicality.
--South Carolina is still fouling too much, picking up 26 against Houston, and turning the ball over far too much as well. The Gamecocks can't be giving teams too many easy possessions and free possessions, especially early. They can't foul as much as they did and expect to win any game, let alone games against really good opponents like Houston. Also shooting 17-for-29 from the free throw line does not help win chances, either.
--TJ Moss had his fair share of documented struggles last season but he's looked really good this season, including going for eight points against Houston, all of which came in the first half. He looks healthy and much more comfortable in his role on both ends of the floor, which is something he didn't always half last season. The Gamecocks need him to continue to play like he did in the first half.
--After doing well in the first half, the Gamecocks weren't the most physical team at the rim in the second half and it really affected how effective they could be on either end. Houston was able to steal possessions and get offensive boards with put backs. There was a stretch where South Carolina had their hands on two balls defensively and stepped out of bounds.
--Jalyn McCreary had a really bad first weekend of basketball coming off a head injury early last week. The Gamecocks' sophomore was much, much better against Houston, putting up eight points on 3-for-5 shooting and giving the Gamecocks more off the bench. If he can improve and develop, then South Carolina can begin using him a lot more and get more efficient offense.
--South Carolina needs more out of Seventh Woods. He was banged up this week and didn't practice fully this week (was out Tuesday) but the Gamecocks need more out of someone who they were very happy with in the preseason. Woods struggled and turned the ball over too much in 11 minutes. The Gamecocks need more energy and spark when he's on the floor, especially from a fifth-year guy.
--Keyshawn Bryant, showcased tonight what he can be this season. He finished with 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting and had one big dunk as well. Foul trouble obviously hindered his night, but if he can stay out of foul trouble then the Gamecocks
Houston was also missing its head coach and two of its best players, so it's a really big missed opportunity.
--South Carolina offensively stagnated in the second half, putting up 32 points, getting outscored by 14, and looked clunky for the majority of the time coming out of the break. Houston began clicking offensively but South Carolina seemed to press far too much and settle for bad jump shots instead of getting to the rim and getting to the line, which they did a better job of in the first half. Going 1-for-6 from three in the second half doesn't help either.
--In the first half, the Gamecocks maybe played the best defense they've played in a very long time. Frank Martin did a very good job mixing man and zone, then pressures and traps. It caused a lot of problems for the Cougars, especially early. It was one of the best first halves the Gamecocks have had this season, but they just couldn't continue it in the second half as much. Energy seemed to dip and the Gamecocks just did not have an answer for Houston's defense.
--Getting Justin Minaya to four fouls in the middle of the second half really hurt the Gamecocks. Keyshawn Bryant picking up his fourth with just under eight minutes also didn't help. Both guys had solid games leading up to that and South Carolina isn't the same team without them on the floor. It's no secret when Minaya went to the bench Houston was able to extend its lead and really establish its physicality.
--South Carolina is still fouling too much, picking up 26 against Houston, and turning the ball over far too much as well. The Gamecocks can't be giving teams too many easy possessions and free possessions, especially early. They can't foul as much as they did and expect to win any game, let alone games against really good opponents like Houston. Also shooting 17-for-29 from the free throw line does not help win chances, either.
--TJ Moss had his fair share of documented struggles last season but he's looked really good this season, including going for eight points against Houston, all of which came in the first half. He looks healthy and much more comfortable in his role on both ends of the floor, which is something he didn't always half last season. The Gamecocks need him to continue to play like he did in the first half.
--After doing well in the first half, the Gamecocks weren't the most physical team at the rim in the second half and it really affected how effective they could be on either end. Houston was able to steal possessions and get offensive boards with put backs. There was a stretch where South Carolina had their hands on two balls defensively and stepped out of bounds.
--Jalyn McCreary had a really bad first weekend of basketball coming off a head injury early last week. The Gamecocks' sophomore was much, much better against Houston, putting up eight points on 3-for-5 shooting and giving the Gamecocks more off the bench. If he can improve and develop, then South Carolina can begin using him a lot more and get more efficient offense.
--South Carolina needs more out of Seventh Woods. He was banged up this week and didn't practice fully this week (was out Tuesday) but the Gamecocks need more out of someone who they were very happy with in the preseason. Woods struggled and turned the ball over too much in 11 minutes. The Gamecocks need more energy and spark when he's on the floor, especially from a fifth-year guy.
--Keyshawn Bryant, showcased tonight what he can be this season. He finished with 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting and had one big dunk as well. Foul trouble obviously hindered his night, but if he can stay out of foul trouble then the Gamecocks
