Gamecock Gameday: #23 South Carolina Travels To Missouri On Saturday

GAME STORYLINES

– South Carolina is in its 109th season of varsity basketball in 2016-17.
– On the sidelines, Frank Martin is joined by associate head coach Matt Figger, assistant coaches Perry Clark and Bruce Shingler, and director of operations Andy Assaley.
– South Carolina remains in the national rankings this week, checking in at No. 23 in the AP poll and No. 24 in the Coaches Poll. The Gamecocks jumped in to the national rankings on Nov. 28 for the first time this season after posting wins over two ranked opponents the previous week in No. 25/24 Michigan and No. 18/16 Syracuse. The Gamecocks checked in at No. 20 in the Associated Press poll and No. 23 in the Coaches Poll. The Gamecocks have risen to as high as 15th in the AP poll this season, which was the highest rank for Carolina since the Gamecocks were ranked 14th in the final poll of the 1997-98 campaign. The Gamecocks high mark in the Coaches poll this season was at No. 15.
– A stellar offensive performance from the home team saw Carolina post a 98-69 win over Auburn at Colonial Life Arena on Tuesday. The Gamecocks connected on 30 shot attempts in the game, including 15 3s, which marked the most 3s ever during the Frank Martin era, while it tied for the second-most in a game by Carolina all-time.
– The Gamecocks continued their stifling defense in the win over Auburn, holding the Tigers to just 35.6% from the floor, and 14.3% from 3-point range.
– Over the course of the last three games, Carolina has held its opponents to just 19.0% (11-58) from 3-point range. Florida did not hit a 3 (0-17), Kentucky connected on 8-of-20 (40.0%) and Auburn hit just 3-of-21 (14.3%) attempts.
– In league play, Carolina opponents are averaging 19.4 turnovers per contest.
– South Carolina currently leads the nation in 3-point field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to just 26.4 percent from beyond the arc this season.
– South Carolina leads the SEC in several defensive categories entering Saturday’s game at Missouri. In overall games, Carolina is tops in scoring defense (61.2), FG% defense (37.3%) and 3-point FG% defense (26.4%), and is first in steals (8.2 per game). In stricly league games, Carolina is first in scoring defense (64.6), in FG% defense (39.9%) and first in steals (8.7 per game).
– South Carolina is 12-1 at home this season, averaging 75.2 points per game and hitting 43.6% from the field.
– The Gamecocks are 3-2 in away games this season (2-1 in SEC games), and average 67.4 points per game and have hit 40.1% from the field.
– South Carolina head coach Frank Martin is 82-79 (.509) all-time in conference games.
– Martin is 23-32 (.418) against ranked opponents as a head coach. His teams have four wins over opponents ranked in the top five, and two wins over opponents who are ranked No. 1.
– South Carolina is in its 26th basketball season as a member of the Southeastern Conference. The Gamecocks are 161-254 (.386) all-time in SEC games.
– The Gamecocks currently rank 17th in the NCAA RPI (games through Jan. 25), which is third in the SEC behind Kentucky (6th) and Florida (11th).
– Senior guard Justin McKie tallied a career high 13 points, connecting on three 3s, also a career high, in Carolina’s most recent win vs. Auburn.
– The senior trio of Sindarius Thornwell (22), Duane Notice (27) and Justin McKie (13) accounted for 62 points in the Carolina win over Auburn.

COACHES VS. CANCER

The Gamecock coaching staff will be wearing sneakers with their suits for #SuitsAndSneakers on Saturday at Missouri, the NABC’s initiative for cancer awareness. Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Week is a nationwide event that unites coaches across the country to raise awareness about the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission, and promote the American Cancer Society as a place for help and support. While coaching games during the week, coaches wear sneakers with their game attire as a visible reminder about the importance of nutrition and physical activity in reducing cancer risk.

SCOUTING MISSOURI

– Missouri enters Saturday’s game with a 5-14 overall record, including an 0-7 mark in SEC games.
– The Tigers most recently suffered an 89-74 loss on the road at Mississippi State on Wednesday.
– Missouri is led by head coach Kim Anderson in his third season.
– Two average double-figure points for the Tigers, led by junior Jordan Barnett’s 12.5 per outing. Sophomore Kevin Puryear adds 11.8 per game.
– Missouri is 4-7 in home games this season.
– The Tigers are holding opponents to just 32.6% from 3-point range this season, which ranks sixth in the SEC and top 100 nationally.
– Missouri has played three of its last four games on the road.
– Three average double-figure points in league games with Barnett’s 14.7 per game a team high, followed by Terrence Phillips’ 13.1 per game and Puryear’s 10.7.