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GAMECOCKS TODAY!
Friday, Dec. 6
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1. Three stats Gamecocks new OC will definitely have to improve
South Carolina coach Will Muschamp is currently in the process of a coaching search to select a new offensive coordinator in what will be a key hire for the Gamecocks' head coach going into his fifth year.
While there's only one stat that will truly matter - points scored - for South Carolina's new OC, whoever it may end up being, here are three statistical areas that the Gamecocks will certainly have to improve on in 2020 if they're going to be a much-improved offense.
• Third-down conversions
After finishing fourth in the conference in third-down conversions in 2018, South Carolina plummeted to 13th in the SEC in 2019, converting just 59 of 184 attempts. Only Vanderbilt's 28.92 percent conversion rate was lower than the Gamecocks' 32.07 percent. Whether it means being in makeable third-down distances or executing better on the third downs themselves, South Carolina will have to get better in that category.
• Red-zone touchdown percentage
This was a key focus for South Carolina this preseason, but it never played out as a strength for the team. The Gamecocks scored touchdowns on just 48.57 percent of their trips inside the 20-yard-line, dead last in the SEC. For some perspective, LSU scored touchdowns on 77.05 percent of its red-zone trips, the top percentage in the conference.
• Time of possession
Time of possession isn't considered an overly important metric in terms of winning or losing a particular game, but the Gamecocks will have to be better than they've been the last two seasons, especially if they're going to win with defense. After finishing last in the SEC in 2018 while possessing the ball an average of just 25 minutes per game, Carolina improved to around 27 minutes per game this year, but that's still last in the conference. The result? A defense that kept Carolina in a lot of games this season, was usually worn down by the fourth quarter.
Looking for the latest on who the Gamecocks are targeting at offensive coordinator? Subscribers check out the latest we're hearing here and non-subscribers can join for 50% off!
- Wes Mitchell
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2. 💪👇 This, that, and the other
OC Update: What we're hearing on the Gamecocks' OC search - Gamecock Central continues to have the latest for its subscribers on South Carolina's ongoing offensive coordinator search including the latest on Mike Bobo now that the five-year Colorado State head coach has been let go. (link)
Football: Evaluating Ryan Hilinski's freshman season - As Will Muschamp continues his search, it's time to evaluate and take stock of what they have coming back as starters. (link)
Football Recruiting: Gaffney DL excited to land Gamecocks offer - Gaffney (S.C.) class of 2021 defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins went to his first game at South Carolina Saturday hoping for an offer but not expecting one. The rising 6-foot-5, 260-pound prospect landed a scholarship from the Gamecocks before the game even kicked off. (subscription)
MBB - What we learned: UMass - A look at what we learned from a snowy Amherst. (subscription)
WBB: Boston, Harris Named to Drysdale Award Watch List - South Carolina women's basketball senior guard Tyasha Harris and freshman forward Aliyah Boston are two of the 35 players named to the 2019-20 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Watch List, the U.S Basketball Writers Association announced Thursday. (link)
– Jackson Fields
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3. On This Date 📅
Dec. 6, 1965 - South Carolina improved to 3-0 with a 73-71 upset of the visiting Duke Blue Devils. The Gamecocks, coming off a 6-17 record in Frank McGuire's first season, were enjoying an infusion of talent from six sophomores who'd made up McGuire's first recruiting class the year before. Carolina had managed to work its way to a narrow one-point lead (38-37) at halftime, but the Blue Devils rallied and had a seven-point lead midway through the final half. As things continued to be tight down the stretch Duke led 69-68 going into the game's final minute. The Gamecocks' Al Salvadori, a 6-9 junior, made a shot and was fouled. Salvadori converted the free throw to put USC up 71-69, but Duke answered as Steve Vacendak tied the game. The Gamecocks went to one of McGuire's soph standouts with 15 seconds remaining, as Frank Standard, a 6-4 forward from Brooklyn, hit a shot from the floor for the game-winner. Skip Harlicka, another sophomore guard, led the scoring with 19 while Standard and fellow Brooklyn classmate Jack Thompson added 17.
Dec. 6 Birthdays
Phillip Blackstock, football/defensive tackle, 1974
Jim Burke, football/defensive tackle, 1971-73
Lauren Chang, women's soccer/midfielder, 2017-19
James Cummings, football/tight end, 1991-95
Tracey Evans, football/long snapper, 1981-84
Bill Grotheer, football/offensive guard, 1972-74
Tim Seaton, baseball/outfield, 2002-03
Jeff Swindell, baseball/second base, 1982
Ron Willis, football/offensive tackle, 1991-92
– John Parker, gamecockarchives.com
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4. ⌚ Key Events (Countdown)
• Dec. 6 – Volleyball: NCAA Tournament (today)
• Dec. 7 – Women's Hoops: at Temple (1)
• Dec. 8 – Men's Hoops: Houston (2)
• Dec. 18 – Football: Early signing period (12)
• Feb. 5 – Football: Late signing period (61)
• Feb. 14 – Baseball: Season opener (70)
• Sept. 5 – Football: Coastal Carolina (274)
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