Feb. 24, 2006

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South Carolina Owns the SEC’s Longest Current Win Streak (5 Games)

>> Since the NCAA Tournament field expanded to 64 teams in 1994, of teams that finished the season with a .500 SEC record and had a winning record overall, only 2002 Alabama (19-12; 7-7) and 1998 LSU (19-13; 7-7) did not go to the NCAA Tournament. The 1998 LSU squad lost six of its last nine games, including a loss to Southern University in the penultimate regular-season game and lost to an unranked South Carolina team by 15 points in the first round of the SEC Tournament. The 2002 Alabama team lost three of its last five and four of its last 10 games, including a first-round loss at the SEC Tournament. Neither the 1998 LSU squad or the 2002 Alabama squad had as many road SEC wins as the 2006 South Carolina team, nor did they finish the season near as well as the 2006 South Carolina team.

>> The SEC has placed six or more teams in the NCAA Tournament in 12 of the last 13 years, and has placed seven teams in the NCAA Tournament seven times in the last 13 years.

>> Following its 75-47 win over Mississippi State Thursday, South Carolina clinched at least a .500 record in SEC play this year.

>> South Carolina owns the longest current winning streak in the SEC, claiming victories in five straight heading into Sunday’s regular-season finale at Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks have won seven of their last eight games have been victorious in each of their last four SEC road games, marking the first time since the Gamecocks joined the league for the 1991-92 season that they have accomplished that feat.

>> Of South Carolina’s nine losses, eight were to opponents that have been ranked in the top 25 this season.

>> South Carolina has ranked among the top 25 teams in the nation for the majority of the year in each of the major defensive statistical rankings (scoring defense, field goal percentage defense, scoring margin, rebounding margin and blocked shots.) The Gamecocks rank in the top 25 in each of those categories this week as well and lead the nation in field goal percentage defense.

>> South Carolina picked up quality wins over then-No. 14 Minnesota and over Florida in Gainesville. The Gamecocks handed the Golden Gophers a 79-61 setback on December 13 and claimed an 81-63 win over the Gators on February 12.

>> Injury To Demetress Adams Made A Significant Difference

South Carolina freshman Demetress Adams injured her hand less than a minute after stepping on to the floor vs. Western Carolina on Dec. 29 and required 11 stitches in her shooting hand. She was forced to wear a bulky and cumbersome bandage to protect her hand in each of the next five games. The Gamecocks lost four of those five contests. Adams got the bandage off prior to Carolina’s game at Alabama, and the Gamecocks have won eight of their last 10 games since.

Team record prior to Adams’ injury: 7-3
Team record while Adams had 11 stitches in her shooting hand: 2-4
Team record since: 8-2

Adams prior to injury: 10.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg, .569 FG Pct.
Adams while injured: 4.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, .500 FG pct.
Adams since bandage came off: 10.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, .646 FG pct.