Damien Leonard (freshman): Leonard came to USC with a shooter’s mentality and he lived up to his reputation. He attempted nine shots and every single shot was from behind the three-point arc. Leonard shot 33% for the game on 3/9 shooting. Leonard is not afraid to take shots, but it would greatly benefit his future success if he develops a “one dribble and then shoot” the basketball. Right now Leonard is strictly a spot-up shooter and lacks the ability to create his own shot.
Lakeem Jackson (junior): The North Carolina native started his junior campaign at the Point Guard position last night. Jackson was erratic in his first start at his new position but that was expected. He finished the night with six assists but also six turnovers and four points while taking only four shots. At times Jackson was out of control on fast breaks, got too far into the paint and had no outlet to distribute the basketball, thus resulting in a turnover or chaotic offensive possession for USC. This experiment by Horn to play Jackson at point guard is evolving, so the proof will be in the pudding about 10-12 games into the schedule.
Malik Cooke (senior): Cooke was the second leading scorer with eleven points. He was 1/1 on three-point shots and corralled six rebounds. Cooke was perfect on free throw attempts (4/4). He was active and provided some good leadership and direction on the floor.
Anthony Gill (freshman): IMHO, Gill was the most impressive player on the floor for either team. The Charlotte, NC native burst out of the gates with ten first half points, demonstrated a shooting repertoire from close range and long range, 1/1 on three-point shooting, and totaled six rebounds. Gill has a college-ready body, 6’8” & 225 pounds, and showed good basketball IQ with his basketball fundamentals.
Damontre Harris (sophomore): Harris will be USC’s next eraser following in the football steps of extraordinary shot blockers that have worn Gamecock jerseys recently. Harris registered five blocks last night and was a force in the paint altering shots and providing a defensive presence for USC. Harris did not score last night and needs to be a double-digit scorer, IMHO, for USC to enjoy balance on offense.
R.J. Slawson (sophomore): The Charleston, SC native was one rebound shy of a double-double. Slawson tallied ten points and nine rebounds. Slawson showed a shooting touch from close & long range last night, as he was 2-for-2 on three point shots. IMHO, Slawson will be an interchangeable part for Horn this year as the second-year player could be a valuable sixth man off the bench or slide into the starting line-up if Gill’s or Cooke’s production drops off. Right now, I prefer Slawson off the bench to provide instant offense for USC.
Brenton Williams (sophomore/Junior College): The Florida native showed great quickness off the dribble. Williams also demonstrated a nice shooting touch from behind the 3-pt arc (2-3). Williams finished with eight points while only taking three shots. He was perfect from the free throw line, 2-for-2. Williams, IMHO, is more of a shooting guard versus a point guard.
Eric Smith (sophomore): Like last year, Smith came off the bench and really didn’t distinguish himself in the point guard battle with Jackson. In less than 20 minutes of action, the Mullins, SC native showed the propensity to be turnover prone. Smith committed four turnovers versus two assists. Not a good ratio for a point guard. Smith is not very explosive and really doesn’t get much separation from the defender when directing the offense. Smith needs to really step up to see more playing time, especially when Ellington returns from the gridiron.
Brian Richardson (sophomore): The North Carolina sharp shooter looked more physically mature last night after a full season in the weight room. Last year, Richardson’s physical stature resembled more of a junior high school player than a Division One basketball player. Richardson came to USC last year with a reputation as a long-range shooter and struggled with his shot in the latter half of last season. He was more of a spot-up shooter last year but last night he exhibited the ability to put the ball on the floor and then pull-up and shoot a medium-range jumper. That ability demonstrates this kid worked on his deficiencies during the offseason, which were creating his own shots, and now adds a new dimension to his game that expands his scoring threat for the Gamecocks offense.
Carlton Geathers (redshirt freshman): I did not have any expectations for Geathers, since he did not play last year, and speculation was that this kid was a project and needed a few years to develop. Well I was surprised by his mobility and shot-blocking skill. He only played ten minutes but he was productive. Geathers blocked two shots, scored two points, grabbed two rebounds, had one assist and zero turnovers. Geathers needs to continue to work hard on his physical conditioning, but if USC can get 10-12 meaningful minutes from this freshman on a game-by-game basis then this Georgetown, SC native can be a very vital contributor off of Carolina’s bench when USC needs a big body.
Lakeem Jackson (junior): The North Carolina native started his junior campaign at the Point Guard position last night. Jackson was erratic in his first start at his new position but that was expected. He finished the night with six assists but also six turnovers and four points while taking only four shots. At times Jackson was out of control on fast breaks, got too far into the paint and had no outlet to distribute the basketball, thus resulting in a turnover or chaotic offensive possession for USC. This experiment by Horn to play Jackson at point guard is evolving, so the proof will be in the pudding about 10-12 games into the schedule.
Malik Cooke (senior): Cooke was the second leading scorer with eleven points. He was 1/1 on three-point shots and corralled six rebounds. Cooke was perfect on free throw attempts (4/4). He was active and provided some good leadership and direction on the floor.
Anthony Gill (freshman): IMHO, Gill was the most impressive player on the floor for either team. The Charlotte, NC native burst out of the gates with ten first half points, demonstrated a shooting repertoire from close range and long range, 1/1 on three-point shooting, and totaled six rebounds. Gill has a college-ready body, 6’8” & 225 pounds, and showed good basketball IQ with his basketball fundamentals.
Damontre Harris (sophomore): Harris will be USC’s next eraser following in the football steps of extraordinary shot blockers that have worn Gamecock jerseys recently. Harris registered five blocks last night and was a force in the paint altering shots and providing a defensive presence for USC. Harris did not score last night and needs to be a double-digit scorer, IMHO, for USC to enjoy balance on offense.
R.J. Slawson (sophomore): The Charleston, SC native was one rebound shy of a double-double. Slawson tallied ten points and nine rebounds. Slawson showed a shooting touch from close & long range last night, as he was 2-for-2 on three point shots. IMHO, Slawson will be an interchangeable part for Horn this year as the second-year player could be a valuable sixth man off the bench or slide into the starting line-up if Gill’s or Cooke’s production drops off. Right now, I prefer Slawson off the bench to provide instant offense for USC.
Brenton Williams (sophomore/Junior College): The Florida native showed great quickness off the dribble. Williams also demonstrated a nice shooting touch from behind the 3-pt arc (2-3). Williams finished with eight points while only taking three shots. He was perfect from the free throw line, 2-for-2. Williams, IMHO, is more of a shooting guard versus a point guard.
Eric Smith (sophomore): Like last year, Smith came off the bench and really didn’t distinguish himself in the point guard battle with Jackson. In less than 20 minutes of action, the Mullins, SC native showed the propensity to be turnover prone. Smith committed four turnovers versus two assists. Not a good ratio for a point guard. Smith is not very explosive and really doesn’t get much separation from the defender when directing the offense. Smith needs to really step up to see more playing time, especially when Ellington returns from the gridiron.
Brian Richardson (sophomore): The North Carolina sharp shooter looked more physically mature last night after a full season in the weight room. Last year, Richardson’s physical stature resembled more of a junior high school player than a Division One basketball player. Richardson came to USC last year with a reputation as a long-range shooter and struggled with his shot in the latter half of last season. He was more of a spot-up shooter last year but last night he exhibited the ability to put the ball on the floor and then pull-up and shoot a medium-range jumper. That ability demonstrates this kid worked on his deficiencies during the offseason, which were creating his own shots, and now adds a new dimension to his game that expands his scoring threat for the Gamecocks offense.
Carlton Geathers (redshirt freshman): I did not have any expectations for Geathers, since he did not play last year, and speculation was that this kid was a project and needed a few years to develop. Well I was surprised by his mobility and shot-blocking skill. He only played ten minutes but he was productive. Geathers blocked two shots, scored two points, grabbed two rebounds, had one assist and zero turnovers. Geathers needs to continue to work hard on his physical conditioning, but if USC can get 10-12 meaningful minutes from this freshman on a game-by-game basis then this Georgetown, SC native can be a very vital contributor off of Carolina’s bench when USC needs a big body.
My next blog will be this afternoon when I provide my five USC keys to victory over Arkansas.
Go Gamecocks!
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