USC Basketball Recruiting & Team Update

Tomorrow Darrin Horn begins his fourth year at the helm of Gamecocks basketball, so Spurspective thought it would be a good time to look at how basketball recruiting is going or not going leading up to tipoff in early November.  Horn and his staff are coming off two straight losing seasons, coaching turnover, Cephus Bunton returns to the bench after Orlando Early accepted a job at N.C.State in April, and apathy towards a men's program that continues to struggle in a down SEC Conference.  The only way Horn is going to turn around his fortunes at USC is to recruit better players, show improvement (more wins in conference) and possibly win a game in the SEC Basketball Tournament (0-3).

Unfortunately late Tuesday night the Palmetto's state's top prospect eliminated USC from consideration.  Brice Johnson, Orangeburg County native, is a 6'9" post player with the ability to step out from behind the 3-point arc and knock down a jumper.  Johnson is an excellent shot blocker as well.  Horn had successfully landed South Carolina's Mr. Basketball the last two years (2010 R.J. Slawson & 2011 Damien Leonard) but Johnson eliminated USC without even an official visit to campus.  What could be an even bigger pill to swallow is that Johnson wil take an official visit to Clemson.  Johnson's final four teams under consideration are UNC, Florida, N.C. State and Clemson.  Per Paul Strelow of Clemson247sports, UNC and UF are considered the leaders but Clemson is a darkhorse and family members are encouraging Johnson to stay instate.

Elite Hoops Prospect Cuts USC from Shortlist

Even though the Gamecocks missed out on this big man, USC's coaches are hoping to garner the signature of 6'9" Ty Haughton (3-star player, per ESPN) out of Miami, FL.  Haughton officially visited USC last month and also is considering visits to Alabama, UConn, Virginia Tech and Marshall.

Horn has already secured verbal commitments from two sunshine state basketball prospects.  Carlos Morris (6'5") and Ian Baker (6'1") both of Jacksonville, FL are both scheduled to sign with Carolina in the early signing period which begins November 11th and runs through November 17th.

The black cloud surrounding USC's men's basketball program IMHO will continue to plague Horn and his staff until the W's increase or definitive improvement is visible.  Horn will have 10 scholarship players for the 2011-2012 season.  Bruce Ellignton is suppose to join the basketball team in early January presumably after a bowl game.  The roster is deprived of height and severely lacks star power.  There are two players on the roster taller than 6'9":  Carlton Geathers (major project) and Damontre Harris (shelved for three weeks recovering from an injury).  The Gamecocks were the absolute worst shooting team in the SEC last year and we don't know if that ailment will be cured with freshman scorer Damien Leonard.  I wish Horn luck on the recruiting trail but it will be uphill sledding especially when the CLA, Colonial Life Arena, is lifeless with less than 5,000 fans half asleep and Horn antagonists continually urge a change in leadership!

Go Gamecocks!