Dec. 20, 2009

The Gamecock men’s basketball team (7-3) will host Furman (5-4) in its final contest before a nine-day break for the Christmas holiday on Monday at Colonial Life Arena. The contest will tip at 7 p.m. and will be televised on SportSouth with Dave Neal (play-by-play) and Dan Bonner (analyst) on the call. Fans can also listen to Andy Demetra (play-by-play) and Casey Manning (analyst) on the Gamecock Radio Network across the state.

GAME INFORMATION

Date: Monday, December 21, 2009
Tipoff: 7 p.m.
Location: Columbia, S.C.
Arena: Colonial Life Arena (18,000)
Series: South Carolina leads 71-51
Television: SportSouth
Talent: Dave Neal (pbp), Dan Bonner (analyst)
Radio: Gamecock Radio Network
Talent: Andy Demetra (pbp), Casey Manning (analyst)
Live Stats: GamecocksOnline.com
Tickets: Tickets are available via the Gamecock Ticket Office.

Carolina Quick Hits
– South Carolina is in its 102nd season of basketball.
– South Carolina is 6-1 this season in games in which it scores at least 70 points.
– The Gamecocks are 5-0 in games played at Colonial Life Arena this season – averaging 85.0 points per game in those contests. South Carolina was 8-0 in games played at home to start the 2008-09 season.
– Downey (17.6 ppg, 4th) leads the team and ranks among the top five scorers in the SEC. Downey led Carolina with 18 points against Richmond and 17 points at Wofford.
– Carolina’s 8.0 blocked shots per game rank third in the Southeastern Conference. Junior center Sam Muldrow paces the Gamecocks with 3.3 blocks per game, second in the SEC and eighth in the nation.
– Junior forward Johndre Jefferson netted his first career double-figure point effort with 12 against Richmond. Jefferson also pulled down a season-best eight rebounds. Gamecock head coach Darrin Horn called his performance “bordering on the perfect game.” He also blocked three shots and collected two steals.
– Two active Gamecocks average double figures entering Monday’s contest, Devan Downey (17.6) and Brandis Raley-Ross (12.1). Injured forwards Dominique Archie (14.4) and Mike Holmes (11.7) also average double-figures in games they’ve played this season.
– South Carolina is 273-262 (.510) all-time in the month of December, including a 7-3 record under head coach Darrin Horn.
– South Carolina owns a 279-127 (.687) all-time record against current schools in the Southern Conference. Carolina’s last loss to a SoCon opponent came in a 68-61 decision at Wofford on Saturday. The Gamecocks’ 78-61 win over the Terriers (Jan. 5, 2009) marks their last win over an opponent from the league.
– Darrin Horn is 3-3 all-time vs. Southern Conference opponents.

By The Numbers
– 10 – the number of blocked shots Carolina collected in its loss at Wofford. The Gamecocks actually had eight blocks entering the halftime break. Johndre Jefferson led Carolina with four blocks in the contest, including three in the first half.
– +4.1 – South Carolina’s turnover margin, which ranks third in the SEC. Gamecock opponents commit 18.6 turnovers per contest.
– 4 – Evaldas Baniulis dished four assists – matching his career high – against Wofford.
– 12.1 – Brandis Raley-Ross’ season scoring average. Raley-Ross owns a career 6.9 scoring average. He needs just 48 points to surpass his entire point total from last season. Raley-Ross’ scored a career-best 180 points during his sophomore campaign.

Series Information
– Carolina owns a 71-51 upperhand in the all-time series with the Paladins, including a 48-20 mark in games played in Columbia. The Gamecocks most recently defeated Furman 72-48 on Dec. 5, 2008. South Carolina has won 11 straight meetings in the contest. Furman’s last win came in an 81-53 decision on Feb. 20, 1980.

Scouting Furman
– Furman most recently dropped a 93-91 overtime decision to visiting South Carolina State on Friday. Five scored in double-figures for the Paladins, led by reserve Bryson Barnes with 19 points.
– The loss vs. SC State marked the third straight for Furman. The Paladins dropped a 64-57 decision at home against Western Carolina on Dec. 5, before falling at No. 24 Clemson 82-53 on Dec. 13.
– Jordan Miller’s 16.4 points per game lead three in double figures (Amu Saaka, 14.2, Justin Dehm, 10.6). Freshman Colin Reddick pulls down a team-best 7.0 rebounds.

Up Next For Carolina
– Following its break for the Holiday, South Carolina will travel to face Boston College (6-4) in its third SEC-ACC matchup of the season (Miami, Clemson).
– BC will host Bryant (Dec. 20) and Massachusets (Dec. 23) prior to the Christmas break.
– Junior forward Corey Raji paces the squad with 14.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
– The Eagles most notable wins this season came at Michigan (62-58) and at home vs. Miami (61-60) – the only common opponent thus far between BC and South Carolina.