30 Opponents in 30(ish) Days - Day 2: South Carolina Gamecocks

Team: South Carolina Gamecocks
Date/Time: 11-11/2:00pm CT
Where: Ferrell Center, Waco, Texas
Coach: Frank Martin
Number of returning starters: 4
Key losses: LaShay Page (long story), Eric Smith
Key Returnees: Bruce Ellington, Brenton Williams, Mindaugas Kacinas

We're all familiar with Frank Martin coached teams from his time at Kansas State, and to be honest - this might be the only thing we have to fear heading into this game. Martin is a solid coach with a pedigree (albeit a short one) of taking a mediocre program and bringing it to prominence. While South Carolina returns star Bruce Ellington, Baylor won't have to deal with him unless for some reason we meet in a bowl game and he's lined up against Phil Bennett's defense. Ellington won't join the basketball team until it's near time for conference play. Mindaugas Kacinas is a poor man's Quincy Acy with perhaps a bit more basketball IQ but less athleticism, and Brenton Williams led the Gamecocks in scoring last year while coming off the bench.

The most formidable thing about this group is that they are young and coached by Frank martin, the great thing about this group is that we match up really well. Only two players on their roster are listed above 6'10" and those two are young, inexperienced and hardly D-1 ready. Brenton Williams is easily the biggest threat and might as well be Curtis Jerrells playing shooting guard. He's from the JUCO ranks, but not as highly touted as our own Kenny Chery. He, like Chery, will see action at both the point and shooting guard spots.

This should be a good opportunity for us to see what the summer has done for the bears. I wouldn't be surprised to see a deep rotation in this game as I am fairly confident that we'll maintain about a 10 point cushion for most of the game. This means that if you want a chance to look at the newcomers, along with a chance to see how different units play together - this is a good opportunity. Unfortunately for those of us who work, the game will be played at 2:00 central on a Tuesday as part of ESPN's annual tip off marathon, so you'll have to find a way to hide watch ESPN from you boss!

Hopefully students will find a way to skip a class or two in the afternoon to fill up the gym enough to not appear too empty on national television...

Final prediction: Baylor 77 South Carolina 64

TL;DR Version: Should be a relatively easy game for the Bears, with the biggest threat being Coach Frank Martin and senior combo guard Brenton Williams. Watch for Scott Drew to use a deep rotation for the sake of getting guys experience to push this Baylor team to a 10-15 point win.

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Subject: Baylor 77 South Carolina 64
Body: Commentary commentary commentary commentary, Sic 'Em!