Undefeated Gamecocks could fall in Big Apple
At 8-0, South Carolina has been one of college basketball’s biggest early-season surprises. But will the 19th-ranked team in the land keep rocking without Sindarius Thornwell?
Coach Frank Martin suspended his leading scorer, rebounder and assist man indefinitely last week. That makes tonight’s assignment against surging Seton Hall (7-2) doubly difficult. The two schools collide at 9 p.m. ET in the Under Armour Reunion, with online sports book Bovada.lv giving the Pirates odds of -145 to pull through. The Gamecocks, on the other hand, enter Madison Square Garden as +125 underdogs.
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The current SEC leaders didn’t seem to need Thornwell on Dec. 4, securing a 70-54 decision over Florida International. Senior Duane Notice poured in a career-high 27 points. Sophomore P.J. Dozier also recorded 20 points and seven dimes in South Carolina’s fifth straight double-digit victory.
Seton Hall, for its part, is coming off a 60-57 win over California. The Golden Bears had no answer for junior forward Angel Delgado, who racked up his third consecutive double-double. Meanwhile, Khadeen Carrington continues to carry the load along the perimeter. The Brooklyn native boasts a .553 shooting percentage from beyond the arc through nine tilts.
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After capturing last year’s Big East tournament, the Pirates clearly aren’t slowing down. Truth be told, we’re not having much trouble taking them to subdue the Thornwell-less Gamecocks outright. Martin must figure out how to redistribute the star guard‘s minutes, and that won’t happen overnight.
MONDAY NCAA FREE PICK: SETON HALL -2.5