The Arkansas Razorbacks (17-11, 6-9 SEC) are preparing to face the South Carolina Gamecocks (11-17, 1-14 SEC) on the road Saturday at Colonial Life Arena.
Led by third-year head coach Lamont Paris, the Gamecocks have struggled mightily throughout season. When it comes to Saturday’s game, though, their record can be deceiving.
In South Carolina’s six home losses since SEC play started, the average margin of defeat is 6.1 points, and even that number is skewed because of a 20-point loss to Alabama on Jan. 8, which was South Carolina's second league game. If you take that result out, the average margin of defeat drops to just 3.4 points.
South Carolina's lone league win also came at home, as the Gamecocks took down the Texas Longhorns, 84-69, on Feb. 22. Arkansas defeated that same Longhorns team just four days later, 86-81, in an overtime thriller.
Arkansas is expected to be short-handed once again Saturday. Adou Thiero missed the Razorbacks' game against Texas on Wednesday due to a hyperextended knee suffered against Missouri on Feb. 22. There is currently no timetable for his return.
In his place, Trevon Brazile stepped up in a big way against the Longhorns, and he'll be tasked to do so again. He finished Wednesday's game with 12 points and eight rebounds, and he connected from deep twice.
"The fact that (Brazile) shot the ball, his first two threes that he made, he shot them with confidence," Arkansas associate head coach Kenny Payne said after the game Wednesday. "He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t think about it. He shot it instinctively, and they went in, and it gave him energy. He had six rebounds in the first half, and the whole game we’re screaming, ‘get 12’. If you can get six in a half, get another six. Will this team to a victory. I thought he did a good job."
After South Carolina picked up its first conference win last weekend, the Gamecocks stumbled on the road Tuesday against Missouri with a 101-71 loss. Star forward Collin Murray-Boyles scored 27 points and picked up seven rebounds and Jamarii Thomas scored 17, but no other Gamecock scored more than five points.
The Gamecocks allowed the Tigers to shoot a blistering 63.5% from the field and 57.9% from deep with 11 threes.
As of Friday, the Razorbacks are off the bubble for the NCAA Tournament, per ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi, but a loss to the Gamecocks could put them right back there. According to the NET Rankings, this game is categorized as a Quad 2 game, and Arkansas needs to avoid those kind of losses if possible.
Here's a closer comparison of Arkansas' and South Carolina's stats, efficiency ratings, projected lineup for the Gamecocks and more ahead of Saturday's game, which is set to tip off at noon CT on the SEC Network:
