Dec. 22, 2006
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The Basics
South Carolina (6-4 overall) hosts South Carolina State (2-8 overall) at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Colonial Center.
Series History
Saturday’s game marks the 30th meeting on the hardwood between the Gamecocks and Bulldogs, with South Carolina owning a 20-9 advantage. The Gamecocks have won 16 in a row over South Carolina State, usually by a very wide margin. In fact, South Carolina’s last eight wins over South Carolina State have come by an average margin of 36 points, with each of those games decided by at least a 20-point margin.
Game Promotions
Saturday’s game is part of Carolina women’s basketball’s holiday break special, with all youths under the age of 18 accompanied by a paying adult admitted free of charge. The holiday break special includes the Gamecocks’ contests against High Point (Dec. 20), South Carolina State (Dec. 23), Samford (Dec. 28) and Winthrop (Jan. 1).
Ticket Information
Adults are admitted for $7. Youths under the age of 18 are admitted free as part of Carolina’s women’s basketball holiday break special. A family of four is admitted for $18, with a $3 admission for each additional child. The group rate is $3 Groups must call the Colonial Center in advance. The group rate number is 803-576-9077. All other ticket arrangements can be made through the USC Ticket Office toll free at 800-4SC-FANS or locally at 803-777-4274.
On The Air
The game will be broadcast live on WISW 1320 AM Radio in Columbia, with Brad Heller handling play-by-play duties and Robin Muller providing analysis. For fans outside of the Columbia area, the game can be accessed worldwide via the internet at uscsports.com.
How To Access the Web Broadcast
Go to uscsports.com, then click on the women’s basketball link on the left side of the page. From there, click on the “schedule” link near the top of the page, then click on the “Audio Broadcasts” link at the top of the page. Choose women’s basketball from the scroll bar on the right side of the page and choose the desired game from the list.
Live Video Stream On The Internet
In addition to the web audio broadcast, the game will also be streamed live on the internet at www.uscsports.com. To access the live video stream, simply go to uscsports.com, then click on the “Gamecocks All-Access” link in the upper-right hand side of the page. From there, choose women’s basketball and then select the game you want to view.
About The Coaches
South Carolina Head Coach Susan Walvius is in her 10th year at the helm of the Gamecock women’s basketball program. The 2002 SEC Coach of the Year, Walvius led the Gamecocks to the Elite Eight in 2002 and has guided Carolina to the postseason in three of the last five seasons. She has attracted top-15 recruiting classes to Carolina in 2003 (10th) and in 2005 (13th). Now in her third year as head coach at South Carolina State, Tonya Mackey spent seven seasons as a Bulldog assistant before her promotion. Mackey originally joined the SCSU women’s basketball coaching staff in 1997 after spending three seasons at Kentucky State University, where she served as both an assistant women’s basketball coach and head coach of the Throroughbreds’ volleyball team.
South Carolina vs. The MEAC
South Carolina has had its way with teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, owning a 28-9 advantage all-time against MEAC teams, including several blowout wins. The Gamecocks haven’t lost to a MEAC opponent since 1980 and have won 22 in a row during that span. South Carolina has won those 22 games by an average margin of 33.4 points per game.
Colonial Center A Graveyard For Unranked Opponents
South Carolina has turned the Colonial Center into a very difficult place for unranked opponents to win of late, as the Gamecocks own an 19-3 record in their last 22 games played at the Colonial Center against unranked opposition, dating back to a 66-57 win over Alabama on Feb. 20, 2005.
A South Carolina Win Over South Carolina State Would…
:: Improve the Gamecocks to 29-9 all-time against teams from the MEAC.
:: Mark South Carolina’s 23rd consecutive win over a MEAC opponent in a streak that dates back to 1980.
:: Move the Gamecocks to 21-9 all-time against South Carolina State.
:: Move the Gamecocks to 20-3 in home games played against unranked opposition, dating back to February of 2005.
:: Mark the Gamecocks’ third win in their last four games, with the lone loss coming at the hands of No. 3 Oklahoma.
:: Improve Susan Walvius’ record to 97-46 in regular-season games played against non-conference opposition.
:: Improve Susan Walvius’ record to 65-11 all-time in home games played against non-conference opposition.
The Story Behind The Game
When the Gamecocks and Bulldogs square off Saturday, it will mark the second game in a stretch of five games in 12 days for the Gamecocks. South Carolina handed High Point a 87-49 beating Wednesday. This stretch of games can be pivotal in getting the Gamecocks’ confidence up going into a very difficult span of games in early January, as Carolina opens the SEC portion of its schedule at Kentucky on Jan. 4 before flying across the country to face Stanford on Jan. 8 and returning home to host Vanderbilt on Jan. 11. Head Coach Susan Walvius shook up the starting lineup in Carolina’s win over High Point Wednesday looking to build chemistry among certain combinations of players and trim down her playing rotation. Look for more of the same against South Carolina State, as this stretch of games is the perfect time to mix up the rotation and see what combinations of players work best together heading into the SEC portion of the schedule.
Contrasting Personnel
While South Carolina’s roster is built on size and experience, South Carolina State’s is built on quickness and youth. The Gamecocks’ probable starting lineup consists of four seniors and a junior, whereas the Bulldogs’ probable starting lineup consists of a freshman, three sophomores and a junior. The Gamecock roster includes seven seniors and boasts four players standing 6-foot-3 or taller. The Bulldog roster includes only two seniors and no players taller than 6-foot-2.
Gamecocks Lead The SEC In Three Categories
As of Dec. 21, South Carolina leads the SEC in rebounding margin (+12.2), steals (14.5 per game) and offensive rebounds (22.0 per game). In addition, the Gamecocks rank among the top three in the league in rebounding offense (second, 48.4 per game) and turnover margin (third, +7.39).
Pomp And Circumstance
South Carolina forward Larissa Kulcsar participated in graduation ceremonies on Dec. 18, earning a degree in international business. South Carolina has the No. 1-ranked international business major in the country. Kulcsar became the second Gamecock to walk across the stage, as Shannel Harris graduated in August with a degree in finance and a minor in psychology. She graduated cum laude and is working on a second business administration degree in management with an emphasis on human resources.
