2005 South Carolina Gamecocks Basketball Preview

2005 South Carolina Gamecocks Team Preview

Although the South Carolina Gamecocks missed the NCAA Tournament, they proved their mettle in the NIT by winning that Championship. Of course the NCAA is the place to be and unfortunately for South Carolina they have not been there very much in recent years. In the four years Dave Odom has been coach, the Gamecocks have been in March Madness once and that resulted in a First Round elimination.

Offense is not a hallmark of an Odom team and this year’s Gamecocks are even more lacking than usual. Carlos Powell and his 16.4 points per game have left the arena making Tre’ Kelley and Tarence Kinsey, both guards, the returning high point men with 8.9 PPG each.

The team’s starters include two seniors, Kinsey is one, and three juniors. Odom expects big things from his senior guard Rocky Trice who is a much more accurate shooter than the departed Josh Gonner. Tarence Kinsey will provide unrelenting defense and a good deal of offense, while Kelley is the designated leader and competent ball handler on the floor.

At 6’ 9” forward Brandon Wallace is pegged as the team’s central rebound man, which means he’ll have to take in even more than his 4.5 per game average of last season. On defense he led the team with 55 blocked shots, but he’s also expected to contribute more on offense. South Carolina needs more than his 5.7 PPG if they are to compete against Kentucky and Florida.

Without a true center junior forward Renaldo Balkam will need to use his quickness to grab rebounds off the glass. Like all the other starters, he’ll also have to shoot more often.

This team will be NCAA bound only if it can generate more points and use its defensive skills to the fullest. If not, look out NIT!

For more info on the 2005 Gamecocks check out the official South Carolina athletic site.