South Carolina Basketball: 10 best Gamecock moments leading up to the 2017 Final Four
By Kevin Miller
No. 7: Chris Silva Punishes the Rim in South Carolina Basketball’s Victory over Mississippi State in Home Finale
In case fans thought the Tennessee victory was a fluke, South Carolina won its final home contest of the 2016-2017 season against a good Mississippi State team. The game was tightly-contested, and the raucous crowd had the environment feeling like the NCAA Tournament. The highlight of the game came in the first half when Chris Silva did irreparable damage to the rim at Colonial Life Arena with a ferocious dunk over two Bulldog defenders. Thankfully, those rims could be replaced after the game. The play provided Silva with some much needed confidence for the March run.
The game also solidified Sindarius Thornwell as the SEC’s Player of the Year as he had an efficient 28 points to go along with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal, and a block with just one turnover and zero fouls! The game was indicative of his entire season, as Thornwell led the Gamecocks in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and was second in blocks.