Men's Basketball . December 26, 2017

Gamecocks Host Limestone In Wednesday Afternoon Matchup

Dec. 26, 2017

South Carolina vs Limestone

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina will host Limestone on Wednesday in its first contest back following the break for the holidays. The meeting marks the first all-time between the Gamecocks and Saints.

STARTING FIVE

> South Carolina returns to action following a break for the holiday. Wednesday’s game vs. Limestone marks just the second since playing Coastal Carolina on Dec. 9.
> The Gamecocks most recently suffered a 64-48 loss on the road at Clemson (Dec. 19) in their final contest before the break.
> Junior forward Chris Silva has narrowly missed a double-double in both of his last two outings, collecting nine rebounds in each. He led Carolina with 12 points as well at Clemson.
> Graduate transfer Wesley Myers played a season high 31 minutes at Clemson, scoring 10 points, marking his second double-figure scoring game of the season.
> Silva ranks 28th nationally and second in the SEC with 7.9 free throw attempts per game. He leads the Gamecocks in that category, as well as in free throw percent (73.6%).

SCOUTING THE GAMECOCKS

> The Gamecocks are 8-3 on the year entering the contest vs. Limestone.
> The matchup vs. the Saints will be the final non-conference matchup until the Jan. 27, Big 12/SEC Challenge game vs. Texas Tech.
> South Carolina most recently suffered a 64-48 loss on the road at Clemson on Dec. 19. Carolina hit just two 3s in the game, and just 35.2 percent (19-54) from the field.
> Junior forward Chris Silva leads the Gamecocks in several statistical categories, including points per game (13.5), rebounds per game (8.1) and field goal percent (52.6).
> Silva and graduate student Wesley Myers (10) were the only two Gamecocks in double figures at Clemson.
> Carolina is averaging 78.5 points per game in home contests this season.

SCOUTING LIMESTONE

> Limestone is 6-7 on the year and 2-2 in Conference Carolinas action. The Saints most recently suffered an 84-72 loss at Carson-Newman on Dec. 19.
> Alum Brandon Scott is in his 11th season leading the Saints.
> Limestone posted a 65-54 win over Erskine, a Gamecock opponent earlier this season in exhibition action.
> Junior guard Kenny Hairston paces two in double-figures for Limestone with 20.9 points per game. He is averaging 45.0 percent form the field this season and a blistering 44.7 percent (63-141) from 3-point range.
> In Limestone’s last contest, Hairston hit seven 3s en route to 25 points, while teammate T. J. Sheppard scored 26 points, hitting 11-of-19 from the field and four 3s.
> The Saints are 1-4 in road games this season.
> Limestone ranks 28th nationaly (NCAA DII stats through Dec. 19) with 4.4 blocks per game.

BY THE NUMBERS

1.6 – Sophomore forward Maik Kotsar ranks fourth in the SEC (games through Dec. 23) with 1.6 steals per game. Kotsar already has 18 on the year. (0.7 per game in 2016-17).
2.3 – Junior guard Hassani Gravett ranks sixth in the SEC with an assist to turnover ratio of 2.3.
3 – Grad transfer guard Frank Booker has 25 3s on the year, which is a team high. He has hit at least three 3s in seven of Carolina’s 11 games this season.
6-3 – South Carolina was 6-3 last season in games against opponents ranked in the top 25.
8+ – South Carolina has posted at least eight made 3-pointers in eight of 11 games this season.

UP NEXT

> South Carolina begins SEC play when it travels to face Ole Miss on Sunday. Tip time for the contest is set for 6 p.m. ET, and the matchup will be broadcast on ESPN2.