South Carolina at USC (-5) - 7:30pm Pacific - Game #509-510
With the tragic offseason loss of starting point guard Ryan Francis and starting combo guard Gabe Pruitt out the first semester, USC is not in an ideal situation at point guard but still have plenty of ability to top a very down South Carolina team. Second year head coach Tim Floyd did a masterful job last year leading the team to 17 wins despite playing with a shorthanded roster. The Trojans have five of their top seven scorers from last season still available including all conference wing Nick Young (leading returning scorer in Pac-10) and senior guard Lodrick Stewart, another double figure scorer. Everyone is a year older and four talented impact freshman have been added to the mix. USC now has the size and depth that they sorely lacked last season. The frontcourt depth is so improved that last year's first frontline sub off the bench, power forward Jeremy Barr, has opted to redshirt. USC will have an abundance of emotion tonight. Not only is it the first regular season game ever played at the long awaited on campus Galen Center, but there will also be a half-time ceremony honoring the late Ryan Francis. The Trojans also have a chip on their shoulder after being snubbed by the NIT last year (South Carolina won NIT championship) and junior Nick Young was suprisingly left off the preseason Wooden Award watch list.

Oddsmakers just have not gotten the idea that South Carolina is not good. After struggling mightily in season opening win over South Carolina State, the Gamecocks were beaten soundly by an average Big West team in UC Irvine who was not even at full strength Tuesday night. South Carolina only played seven players, three of which are freshman. Only one player was over 6-7 and all seven were listed under 200 pounds. They were pushed around down low by an Irvine team not known for physical play. Reserve big man Ousmane Konate will be available for the first time tonight but after averaging 1.0ppg last year it is unlikely he will make much impact. Through two games South Carolina is shooting .348 from the field, 5 for 42 from 3-point range, and has a -6.5 rebounding margin. Even worse is that they will be stepping up in competition tonight and playing in a much more hostile environment. I was at Tuesday night's game and can attest that this is one of the most over valued teams in the country right now. Go against them, give the points.

RAS Official Play: USC Trojans -5 1 UNIT


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