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We have to make the NCAA Tournament and I have to watch.
Posted on 2/20/16 at 3:34 pm
Posted on 2/20/16 at 3:34 pm
I know there is plenty of basketball left to be played, and making the dance is by no means a guarantee.. but damn we need this.
I was born in 1990, grew up a huge Gamecock basketball fan, went to Eddie Fogler's basketball camp (still have a pic of Antonio Grant and myself), and still miss going to games in the Coliseum.
With that said, in my lifetime we've only made it to 3 NCAA tournaments. The 1997 and 1998 appearances were monumental collapses and for some reason I genuinely have no memory of those games. I feel like at 7 and 8 I would have reached an age to remember that kind of stuff, but I don't. (probably for the better, maybe it's buried in there for being too traumatic)
Anyway, we wouldn't make the tournament again until 2004. I was in the 8th grade then and so I spent my entire day in school and couldn't watch the game. I had to try to get random updates and anytime I did they were never good. but of course we lost. Either way, I still didn't get a chance to watch the game.
Next closest came in 2009 during Horn's first year. We were pretty good, technically tied for 1st in the East but got housed by UT twice. Then lost our first game in the SEC-T. I sat in the front row of the student section that entire season and thought we'd finally break through, but the SEC had 0 respect that year. Only 3 teams got in and LSU, the champion, was like an 8 or 9 seed. We then got bounced in the first round of the NIT by a Curry-led Davidson team.
So here we are today in late February and at least at a solid 8 seed. For a team that I had predicted an NIT appearance would be a success this has been a great surprise. It is by no means over, however, and Lord knows if we had lost to UF today I think it could've led to a terrible collapse. Fortunately, we bounced back and are in a comfortable spot.
Anyway, at age 26 we've been to 3 tournaments and I have 0 memory of ever actually being able to watch my Gamecocks play in the damn thing. If we make it you better believe I'm dropping whatever obligations I have that day and watching it from start to finish.
I was born in 1990, grew up a huge Gamecock basketball fan, went to Eddie Fogler's basketball camp (still have a pic of Antonio Grant and myself), and still miss going to games in the Coliseum.
With that said, in my lifetime we've only made it to 3 NCAA tournaments. The 1997 and 1998 appearances were monumental collapses and for some reason I genuinely have no memory of those games. I feel like at 7 and 8 I would have reached an age to remember that kind of stuff, but I don't. (probably for the better, maybe it's buried in there for being too traumatic)
Anyway, we wouldn't make the tournament again until 2004. I was in the 8th grade then and so I spent my entire day in school and couldn't watch the game. I had to try to get random updates and anytime I did they were never good. but of course we lost. Either way, I still didn't get a chance to watch the game.
Next closest came in 2009 during Horn's first year. We were pretty good, technically tied for 1st in the East but got housed by UT twice. Then lost our first game in the SEC-T. I sat in the front row of the student section that entire season and thought we'd finally break through, but the SEC had 0 respect that year. Only 3 teams got in and LSU, the champion, was like an 8 or 9 seed. We then got bounced in the first round of the NIT by a Curry-led Davidson team.
So here we are today in late February and at least at a solid 8 seed. For a team that I had predicted an NIT appearance would be a success this has been a great surprise. It is by no means over, however, and Lord knows if we had lost to UF today I think it could've led to a terrible collapse. Fortunately, we bounced back and are in a comfortable spot.
Anyway, at age 26 we've been to 3 tournaments and I have 0 memory of ever actually being able to watch my Gamecocks play in the damn thing. If we make it you better believe I'm dropping whatever obligations I have that day and watching it from start to finish.
This post was edited on 2/22/16 at 8:31 pm
7
Posted on 2/20/16 at 4:51 pm to theGarnetWay
Good stuff .... up voted.
March Madness is fun.
March Madness is fun.
Posted on 2/20/16 at 4:56 pm to theGarnetWay
Agreed. I have no memories of us in the Tourney either, would be special to watch.
Posted on 2/20/16 at 5:15 pm to CayceCock13
I was at the Curry-Led Davidson game 
Posted on 2/20/16 at 5:21 pm to CNB
Likewise, was in about row 3 or so behind the basket. I guess since it was the NIT and Curry became Curry in the NBA I guess it was kind of cool?
Posted on 2/20/16 at 7:13 pm to theGarnetWay
I'm conflicted. Really want to go to the NCAAT..obviously. But is making it and one and done a good thing? I hope we can win a couple.
Posted on 2/20/16 at 7:37 pm to CNB
quote:
I was at the Curry-Led Davidson game
So was I ... he was incredible in that game. Best pure shooter ever, even back then.
I was at the last game at the Coleseum too ... and it too was an NIT game if I remember correctly, I just can't remember against whom for some reason.
Posted on 2/20/16 at 7:57 pm to SCgamecock2988
You'd rather win a couple in the NIT?
Posted on 2/21/16 at 9:21 am to theGarnetWay
After I got home from the Florida game yesterday I wasn't exactly sure how to feel about our chances going forward. I feel good knowing that we have a veteran coach who will have this team ready come tourney time but what concerns me is our lack of consistency in the following areas:
1. Rebounding - This can be accomplished by taking high percentage shots (medium range jump shots to layups), putting Carrera down low (not ideal but a necessary move to improve our rebounding), and keeping Silva out of foul trouble. We need him on the court and not on the bench in foul trouble.
2. Rotating to the 3 point shooter - This is a small adjustment but for some reason it catches us off guard. I've noticed that the teams we play will put two guys on the wing when we are playing zone and our big men have trouble getting to the 3 point line to contest the shot. Sometimes they will even sag one of the guys who we seem to lose for an easy bucket.
3. Finding the right line up - I've heard that Martin will give you playing time based on how well you practice before the game. This makes sense but at this point in the season the top 5 guys should be playing together as much as possible. Hopefully this will work itself out over the last four games and won't be an issue.
With all this being said I'm hoping for a 7 or better seed in the NCAAT. Frank will have this team ready to make a splash in the tourney and I will definitely be watching. My boss is a big sports guy who pulls for Florida (won a $20 bet on the game Saturday) so I will get to watch the games at work.
1. Rebounding - This can be accomplished by taking high percentage shots (medium range jump shots to layups), putting Carrera down low (not ideal but a necessary move to improve our rebounding), and keeping Silva out of foul trouble. We need him on the court and not on the bench in foul trouble.
2. Rotating to the 3 point shooter - This is a small adjustment but for some reason it catches us off guard. I've noticed that the teams we play will put two guys on the wing when we are playing zone and our big men have trouble getting to the 3 point line to contest the shot. Sometimes they will even sag one of the guys who we seem to lose for an easy bucket.
3. Finding the right line up - I've heard that Martin will give you playing time based on how well you practice before the game. This makes sense but at this point in the season the top 5 guys should be playing together as much as possible. Hopefully this will work itself out over the last four games and won't be an issue.
With all this being said I'm hoping for a 7 or better seed in the NCAAT. Frank will have this team ready to make a splash in the tourney and I will definitely be watching. My boss is a big sports guy who pulls for Florida (won a $20 bet on the game Saturday) so I will get to watch the games at work.
Posted on 2/21/16 at 9:56 pm to theGarnetWay
We were fortunate in High school. Our Economics teacher, Mrs. Reed was a huge BBall fan and in March she would wheel in about 5 TV's in the room. Then we would have different tournament games on around the room. All of this was contingent on everyone getting the curriculum completed to that point and everyone having a passing grade. March was always fun in high school.
Posted on 2/22/16 at 3:17 pm to theGarnetWay
Good stuff. I'm 31 now and can remember the Coppin St debacle. I was in the 6th grade and internet was just getting started and it was hard to get updates so I had to wait it out until I got off the bus and sprinted to the TV and saw the score on the ticker. Man, talk about disappointed. Richmond hurt too the next year but that one was way worse given that a lot of people had us a darkhorse to win the whole thing.
Posted on 2/22/16 at 4:21 pm to CockyTime
quote:
Cocky Time
I will be 31 in May, and I remember the dejection of that Coppin State loss, too. I was in shock. I went to school that day in my Gamecock Windsuit. Probably the most hideous thing I owned, but that was pure 1990's fashion. I never wore that thing again after that day.
Posted on 2/24/16 at 9:30 am to SCgamecock2988
quote:
I'm conflicted. Really want to go to the NCAAT..obviously. But is making it and one and done a good thing? I hope we can win a couple.
Making it one and done is a lot better than not making it at all.
Posted on 2/24/16 at 10:01 pm to theGarnetWay
If the game was nearby, would maybe go to it.
Just beat the Viles, so we win 2 of 3 I think it's a certainty for the tourney.
Just beat the Viles, so we win 2 of 3 I think it's a certainty for the tourney.
Posted on 2/24/16 at 10:07 pm to sodacitynate
I'll enjoy telling the florida fan(s) all about it.
Posted on 2/25/16 at 7:28 am to SCgamecock2988
quote:
But is making it and one and done a good thing?
Yes.
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