South Carolina Basketball: Keys to the Gamecocks winning the SEC Tournament
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Basketball's Keys to Success in the SEC Tournament:
3-point shooting
Even though Lamont Paris' team runs a slower style of offense, they fire up a lot of shots from behind the 3-point arc. On the season, 42% of the Gamecocks' shot attempts from the floor are 3-pointers, and nearly 40% of their total points (free throws included) come via perimeter jumpers.
On the season, the Gamecocks are 22-2 in contests in which they cash in on at least 7 3-pointers. They are 3-4 in games in which the make 6 or fewer.
Their deliberate offense kills enough clock to help out the defense, as well. The garnet and black perimeter defense gives up under 18 3-point attempts per game, while every other team in the league gives up at least 20 shots from outside.
Defending the 3-point line will be key for the CourtCocks as they are just 4-3 in games in which an opponent makes 8 or more downtown heaves. In contrast, they are 21-3 when they hold foes to 7 or fewer makes.
As it so often is in the modern game of basketball, the perimeter could be the determiner for USC in Nashville.