Nov. 9, 2013
Game Information
Opponent: Louisiana Tech (0-0)
Date: Sunday, November 10, 2013, 2 p.m.
Site: Columbia, S.C.
Arena: Colonial Life Arena (18,000)
Tickets: $7 adult, $4 youth (17 and under); GamecocksOnline.com
TV: None
Radio: WNKT 107.5 FM (Brad Muller); GamecocksOnline.com (Free)
Live Stats:
Live Video: GamecocksOnline.com (Free)
South Carolina Notables
- The Gamecocks’ 70-point win over Charleston Southern in the season opener was the largest margin of victory in Colonial Life Arena history and the fourth-largest overall in school history.
- South Carolina’s 60.9 percent field goal accuracy against Charleston Southern was the second highest by any team in Colonial Life Arena history, while the Buccaneers’ 18.5 percent was the fifth lowest ever shot in the building.
- Junior Elem Ibiam shot a perfect 7-of-7 from the field against Charleston Southern, tying for fourth in Colonial Life Arena history behind three former Gamecocks who were 8-of-8 in a home game.
- Alaina Coates’ scoring output against Charleston Southern was the first 20-point game by a freshman in her debut game since Kelsey Bone scored 22 in an overtime victory at Charlotte on Nov. 16, 2009.
- Redshirt sophomore Tina Roy handed out a career-high seven assists against Charleston Southern, more than triple her previous career high in the category.
Notes
A South Carolina Win Would…
- Be the Gamecocks’ second straight over Louisiana Tech.
- Bring head coach Dawn Staley to 94 wins at South Carolina, putting her seven behind Pam Parsons (1978-82) for third all-time in Gamecock women’s basketball history.
By the Numbers
1 Game in South Carolina history that involved the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the country at the time – Jan. 8, 1982 vs. No. 1 Louisiana Tech
1.4 Average places by which the SEC coaches have under-rated South Carolina in their preseason poll compared to where the Gamecocks actually finished the season in the Dawn Staley era
6 Dawn Staley era records South Carolina posted against Charleston Southern – points scored (99), margin of victory (+70), field goal percentage (.609), field goals made (39), assists (25) and blocks (12)
7 Gamecocks on this season’s roster who played high school basketball in the state of South Carolina
12 Players from the two teams combined who were part of last year’s renewal of the series, which had been dormant since Jan. 15, 1983 – six from each team
18 Career highs that were either tied or broken by returning Gamecocks in the win over Charleston Southern
21 Entries for the Gamecocks in the last 31 Associated Press Top 25 Polls
25 Assists handed out by the Gamecocks on 39 made field goals in win over Charleston Southern
Louisiana Tech Series Notes
The Lady Techsters hold a 3-2 lead in a series that was hotly contested in the early 1980s with both programs rated among the nation’s best. In the first game played in the series since that decade, the Gamecocks posted an 82-58 victory in Reston, La., on Nov. 12, 2012. Six current Gamecocks played in the last meeting, including three who scored in double figures – Aleighsa Welch (14), Tiffany Mitchell (13) and Wilka Montout (12). For South Carolina, 20 assists against just seven turnovers highlighted the team’s effort that night. Then-freshman Lulu Perry led the Lady Techsters’ offense with 16 points as she drew the start in her collegiate debut. In the first three meetings of this series, neither team was ranked lower than sixth. While South Carolina has been ranked in more of the total meetings (five, including this season), Louisiana Tech was ranked among the nation’s top three in each of the first four contests, playing with the No. 1 ranking in two of those. The first time the Gamecocks and Lady Techsters squared off they were ranked Nos. 4 and 3, respectively. Playing in the consolation game of the AIAW National Tournament on March 23, 1980, South Carolina took the victory 77-69.
Scouting the Lady Techsters
Louisiana Tech opens its first season as a member of Conference USA behind head coach Teresa Weatherspoon, who was a central player during much of the Lady Techsters’ heyday in the 1980s. In her sixth season at the helm, Weatherspoon will rely on seven returning letterwinners, including three starters, to steady the team in uncharted waters. Junior forward Whitney Frazier is Louisiana Tech’s top returning scorer as she poured in 11.7 points per game last season to go along with 6.0 rebounds per game, also the top number among returners. Sophomore guard Lulu Perry returns, bringing along her 10.2 points per game, which helped her earn Western Athletic Conference All-Freshman honors last season. Senior guard Jelena Vucinic is the other returning starter as she drew the nod in 14 games last season. Weatherspoon is grooming a new point guard for the third straight season, and the early favorite to man the critical position is JUCO transfer Chrisstasia Walter. The Arkansas native played her freshman year for the Razorbacks before spending her sophomore season at Hutchinson Community College. Louisiana Tech has significant height in its frontcourt this season, boasting four players who stand 6-foot-2 or taller. Returners Veanca Hall and Savanna Langston have little game experience, but will look to have an impact and mentor 6-foot-4 freshman Kevlone Moten and 6-foot-3 transfer TyJae’ Chenevert. Weatherspoon is looking to take her team back to postseason action. The Lady Techsters last played in the NCAA Tournament in 2011. The former college, USA Basketball and WNBA standout player continues to build her coaching resume with an 87-51 overall record.
Watching the Gamecocks
South Carolina will play a total of 13 regular-season games on television in 2013-14. Four non-conference home games – College of Charleston (Nov. 14), NC Central (Dec. 2), SC State (Dec. 22) and Savannah State (Dec. 29) – will air on Fox Sports South and Fox Sports Carolinas in addition to the Gamecocks’ game at Southern Cal airing on the Pac-12 Networks and their outing at Kentucky showing on Fox Sports South. The SEC package includes four national and three regional broadcasts during league play. The Gamecocks will play twice on ESPN2 – at Vanderbilt (Jan. 26) and at LSU (Feb. 16) – and twice on ESPNU – vs. Vanderbilt (Jan. 5) and at Tennessee (Mar. 2). Other televised games are at Auburn (Jan. 12, SportSouth), vs. Arkansas (Feb. 9, SECTV) and vs. Florida (Feb. 23, SportSouth).
