Gamecocks Open Four-Game Homestand Thursday
Nov. 29, 2017
#5/6 South Carolina vs Western Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 5/6 South Carolina opens a four-game homestand on Thu., Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. against Western Carolina. The Gamecocks (6-1) are ranked ninth in the nation in field goal percentage in their 54th week ranked in the AP top five since the start of the 2014-15 season.
PARKING INFORMATION
Parking in Lots A and B will be pass only, however, public handicap parking in those lots will be $10. Additional private and city lot parking is also $10. Shuttles from the Pendleton and Park Street garages will begin two hours prior to tip-off, and will be $3 roundtrip.
South Carolina Notables
The Gamecocks lead the SEC and rank ninth in the nation in field goal percentage, shooting 50.0 percent form the field so far this season. Their accuracy has been as high as 55.4 percent (36-of-65) against Wofford and never lower than 41.3 percent (26-of-63) at Clemson.
Much of South Carolina’s offensive efficiency can be traced to the team’s improved ball movement that has yielded 17.0 assists per game. For the season, 55.6 percent of the Gamecocks’ made field goals have been assisted.
South Carolina’s offense has been most dominant in the first quarter, establishing a tone early against opponents with 24.1 points per first quarter on 55.5 percent shooting this season. The Gamecocks have out-scored their opponents by 11.3 points per first quarter, the highest mark of any quarter.
Senior forward A’ja Wilson is the only player ranked among the nation’s top 15 in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots. Only one other player ranks among the country’s top 50 in all three categories. Wilson is fifth in scoring at 23.9 points per game, 12th in rebounding at 11.7 per game and fourth in blocked shots at 3.7 per game. The versatile team-player also hands out 2.4 assists per game so far this season.
Senior guard Lindsey Spann is among the nation’s most accurate 3-point shooters this season, ranking 14th in the country with an SEC-best 55.0 percent 3-point field goal shooting. Spann makes 3.1 3s per game and has shot over 60.0 percent from beyond the arc four times this season.
Junior forward Alexis Jennings joined A’ja Wilson on the Gulf Coast Showcase All-Tournament team last weekend after averaging 14.3 points on 68.0 percent field goal shooting at the event. Jennings poured in a South Carolina career high in points against St. John’s, scoring 25 on 10-of-15 (.667) field goal shooting.
By the Numbers
2 Gamecocks ranked among the SEC’s top 20 in rebounding ââ’¬” A’ja Wilson (2nd, 11.7 rpg) and Alexis Jennings (20th, 6.6 rpg)
3 Stats in which the Gamecocks lead the SEC ââ’¬” scoring offense (84.6 ppg), field goal percentage (.500), blocks per game (6.6 bpg)
6 Career ranking in program history for A’ja Wilson in scoring, rebounding and double-doubles
14 National rank for senior guard Lindsey Spann in 3-point field goal percentage (.550)
30.9 Minutes per game played by sophomore point guard Tyasha Harris
Western Carolina Series Notes
The Gamecocks and Catamounts have faced each other five times prior to tonight, including four games in Columbia. South Carolina is 5-0 against Western Carolina with the most recent meeting, on Dec. 29, 2012, resulting in a 66-44 Gamecock victory.
Holding Home Court
The Gamecocks are 424-155 all-time on their home court, including a 182-60 mark in Colonial Life Arena. South Carolina is 117-27 at home during the Dawn Staley era and has lost just twice in its last 69 home games, including undefeated home seasons in 2013-14 and 2014-15. The Gamecocks have won 33 of their last 34 SEC regular-season home games dating back to the 2012-13 season.
Blocking Scheme
South Carolina ranks 11th in the nation with 6.6 blocked shots per game, which is best in the SEC. While the Gamecocks have been atop this category over the last few seasons, the formula this season is slightly different. Instead of being dominated by two Gamecocks, eight different members of the team have recorded at least one blocked shot this season. Senior forward A’ja Wilson leads a trio of Gamecocks ranked among the top 15 shot blockers in the SEC. Her 3.7 blocks per game rank fourth in the nation and lead the SEC. Behind Wilson, junior Alexis Jennings and sophomore Mikiah Herbert Harrigan are 15th in the SEC with 0.9 blocks per game.
