Men's Basketball . December 8, 2017

Gamecocks Host Coastal Carolina On Star Wars Saturday

Dec. 8, 2017

South Carolina vs Coastal Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. — “May the force be with you!” South Carolina hosts Coastal Carolina on Saturday for a “Star Wars” themed non-conference matchup at Colonial Life Arena. The meeting is just the third all-time between the two schools and the first since the 1993-94 season.

STAR WARS

> Saturday’s contest vs. Coastal Carolina will have a “Star Wars” theme, as Gamecock Athletics has teamed up with Lucasfilm for the themed game. Co-branded Gamecock and “Star Wars” merchandise will be available for sale, limited edition rally towels will also be available, and your favorite characters from the franchise will be on the concourse for photo opportunities. Fans are invited to dress up in their favorite character, but no masks or props please.

STARTING FIVE

> South Carolina hosts Coastal Carolina on Saturday in its final game before a lengthy break for final exams. The meeting will be just the third all-time between the two schools, and first since the 1993-94 season.
> Junior forward Chris Silva scored a team high 19 points to go along with 10 rebounds vs. Wyoming on Wednesday night for his third double-double of the season and the eighth of his career.
> Graduate student guard Frank Booker played well vs. the Cowboys, posting a season high 16 points, while matching his career highs with six rebounds and three steals. He is Carolina’s top 3-point threat this season, hitting 40.0% (22-55) beyond the arc.
> The Gamecocks have had very balanced scoring early this season, with four players averaging double-digits entering Saturday’s matchup, led by Chris Silva‘s 13.6 points per game. Four have scored in double figures in all seven of Carolina’s wins thus far.
> South Carolina is undefeated this season when scoring 70 or more points, and is a combined 24-4 when scoring 70 or more dating back to the start of the 2016-17 campaign.

SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS

> South Carolina looks for its third-straight win on Saturday vs. Coastal Carolina. The three wins would match the longest win streak of the season for the Gamecocks.
> Freshman forward Justin Minaya continues to impress. He has posted double figures in five of the last six games, averaging 12.5 points per game during the stretch.
> The Gamecocks held Wyoming to just 33.9% from the field on Wednesday, marking the lowest field goal percentage by an opponent this season. Carolina also held the Cowboys to just 24.0% from beyond the arc, including a 1-of-13 mark during the first half.
> Junior forward Chris Silva has posted double figures in seven games this season, including a 19-point effort in the win vs. Wyoming. Over the course of the last five games, he is averaging 15.6 points per game.
> Silva is just one assist away from matching his total in the category from all of last season (13).
> Rookie forward Felipe Haase had his best statistical game of the season vs. Wyoming, hitting 7-of-12 attempts from the floor, including three 3s, rattling off 17 points, along with nine rebounds and three assists. He has hit 11 of his last 21 attempts from the floor.

SCOUTING THE CHANTICLEERS

> Coastal Carolina is led by long-time head coach Cliff Ellis. He is in his 11th season with the Chanticleers and his 40th season coaching Division I basketball. He also was the head coach at Clemson, Auburn and South Alabama, and he owns an 18-10 all-time record vs. the Gamecocks.
> CCU is 5-4 on the year, including a 1-1 mark in road games.
> The team most recently posted an 85-81 win at Hampton on Wednesday.
> Junior forward Zac Cuthbertson paces three in double figures with 17.8 points per game. Senior guard Jaylen > Shaw played his freshman season at South Carolina. He averaged 3.0 points and 1.1 assists per game.
> Coastal ranks among national leaders with a +11.3 rebound margin on the year, 10th nationally.

THE SERIES

> The all-time series between Coastal Carolina and South Carolina is tied at 1-1.
> Including Saturday’s matchup, all three games of the series have been played in Columbia.
> The series dates back to a 92-65 Gamecock win on Jan. 23, 1989. The Chanticleers won the only other matchup, posting an 88-74 win on Dec. 11, 1993.

UP NEXT

> South Carolina will take a 10-day break for final exams before traveling to the Upstate to face Clemson on Dec. 19. Tip time for the matchup is set for 7 p.m. ET at Littlejohn Coliseum.