After a 32-0 regular season, South Carolina entered NCAA tournament play as a heavy favorite to win the championship.
South Carolina forward Aliyah Boston reaches over Norfolk State forward Kierra Wheeler in the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Friday, March 17, 2023, in Columbia, S.C. After a 32-0 regular season, South Carolina entered NCAA tournament play asSo far, so good. The Gamecocks opened their title defense with a dominant 72-40 win over Norfolk State on Friday. They didn't.
The Gamecocks opened the game with a 20-7 first quarter. They held the Spartans to single digits again in the third with a 22-8 edge. Only a 16-14 fourth quarter after South Carolina let its foot off the gas made the final score as close as 32 points. Defense was the name of the game for the Gamecocks as they limited the Spartans to 26.2% shooting from the floor and a 4-for-12 effort from 3-point distance. South Carolina outrebounded Norfolk State, 49-33 and forced 17 turnovers. The Gamecocks blocked 11 Spartans shot. Norfolk State blocked none. It was the type of effort expected from a 1-16 matchup featuring the tournament's No. 1 overall seed.
The Gamecocks don't come away from Friday's game with nothing to work on, though. They shot just 39.7% form the field and struggled from 3-point distance . Long-distance shooting is a weakness for a South Carolina team that shot just 31.5% from behind the arc during the season. A stronger opponent could make them pay for shooting more than 40% of their field goal attempts from 3-point distance.
But the Gamecocks should be well-rested for Sunday's second-round game against No. 8 seed South Florida. Fourteen players saw the floor for South Carolina and only two — Aliyah Boston and Brea Beal — played 20 minutes or more. Nine players score five points or more in a balanced offensive effort that saw Zia Cooke lead the way with 11 points and five rebounds despite shooting just 3 of 12 from the field. Boston added seven points, nine rebounds and two blocks.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Barack Obama Picks Duke Men, South Carolina Women to Win March MadnessBarack Obama has revealed his March Madness picks for 2023. Check out who he has winning the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments.
Weiterlesen »
Texas Gov. Abbott's March Madness bracket has Alabama beating Houston in national title gameThe three-term state leader doesn't appear to be swayed by the seven schools representing the Lone Star State in March Madness, including his own alma mater.
Weiterlesen »
March Madness picks: First Four prediction, odds, best betsHere’s who to back when Arizona State faces off against Nevada during the First Four.
Weiterlesen »
Extra Extra: The St. Peter's Peacocks are missing March MadnessLast year's St. Peter's basketball team disbanded and now none of them are in the NCAA tournament, so here are your evening links: Andrew Cuomo made a pro-Israel org after dreaming about his father speaking to a rabbi, NYC's small pints of beer and more.
Weiterlesen »
Texas Southern vs Fairleigh Dickinson Predictions, Odds & Picks - March Madness 2023💥 FIRST FOUR BETTING HUB 💥 🏀 FDU vs. TSU by Covers_Ro: 🏀 ASU vs. NEV by _ChrisHatfield: 🎁 Best March Madness bonuses: MarchMadness bracket predictions:
Weiterlesen »
March Madness 2023 predictions: Maryland vs. West Virginia picksHere’s how we’re betting Thursday’s contest between Maryland and West Virginia, which tips off at 12:15 p.m. ET on CBS.
Weiterlesen »