FoghornLeghornCock
11-12-2007, 11:18 AM
Posted on Mon, Nov. 12, 2007
Basketball | USC bench regains luxury of depth
Odom hopes to prove Gamecocks can play for spans without new standout Downey
By SETH EMERSON - semerson@thestate.com (semerson@thestate.com)http://www.thestate.com/gamecocks/story/227284.html
It was a sight that illustrated the luxury of both a big lead and a deep bench: South Carolina inserting its second walk-on, Robert Wilder, in the final minute of the first half in Friday night’s season opener.
That scene will likely be a rarity, especially when January arrives. But with The Citadel visiting tonight, USC coach Dave Odom made clear he hopes he can use this game to keep exploring his subbing options.
Chief among them, apparently, is seeing how his team fares without its newly-anointed star, Devan Downey.
Last year, South Carolina could not afford to give star point guard Tre’ Kelley much bench time. There was no pure backup at the position, and the team depended on Kelley so much for scoring.
Downey has replaced Kelley as the point guard, leader and focal point. But Odom’s goal is for the Gamecocks not to depend as much on Downey as they did Kelley.
“We’ve got to prove that we can play for long (spans) without him,” Odom said. “And give whoever is taking his place time to find his comfort zone, and the players around him a comfort zone with him.”
Downey’s immediate replacement is another starter: Guard Zam Fredrick II, a fellow transfer, has moved over to be the primary ball-handler, both in last week’s exhibition game and Friday’s 92-67 victory against South Carolina State.
Sophomore Brandis Raley-Ross, the third guard in the current starting lineup, has also handled the ball, along with walk-on junior Branden Conrad.
Odom took a look at a lot of lineup combinations in Friday’s game, playing 12 players, including both walk-ons. He normally likes to use an eight — or nine-man rotation, but if his team is winning comfortably he can give every player meaningful minutes to see how each reacts.
But the team’s performance without Downey could emerge as a major concern. When he was limited by cramps in the second half on Friday, USC went from a plus-100 scoring pace to barely finishing above 90.
Downey’s defensive style is also prone to picking up quick fouls, so in future games it may not just be an issue of playing without him while he rests.
“It’s really important that we play some time early on without him,” Odom said. “You want to see if you can do that without adversely affecting your team over a long period of time.
“And if the answer to that yes, then what you want to do is give the other supporting players —- the (Mike) Holmes, the (Dominique) Archies, the Raleys, those guys, give them the opportunity to feel at home, relaxed and comfortable with him out of there. So they won’t feel that the team is going to come apart.”
Holmes hobbled. Holmes, a freshman forward, bruised his heel in the last few minutes of Friday’s game. Odom said it was not serious, but added that he would be cautious with Holmes tonight.
Reach Emerson at (803) 771-8676.
I have no doubt depth has been a reason we had so little success. Last year Tre Kelly had to play when he was battling an injury this year we have a lot of otions at a lot of positions. Our teams in the last few years got little rest which I am sure took it's toll.
Basketball | USC bench regains luxury of depth
Odom hopes to prove Gamecocks can play for spans without new standout Downey
By SETH EMERSON - semerson@thestate.com (semerson@thestate.com)http://www.thestate.com/gamecocks/story/227284.html
It was a sight that illustrated the luxury of both a big lead and a deep bench: South Carolina inserting its second walk-on, Robert Wilder, in the final minute of the first half in Friday night’s season opener.
That scene will likely be a rarity, especially when January arrives. But with The Citadel visiting tonight, USC coach Dave Odom made clear he hopes he can use this game to keep exploring his subbing options.
Chief among them, apparently, is seeing how his team fares without its newly-anointed star, Devan Downey.
Last year, South Carolina could not afford to give star point guard Tre’ Kelley much bench time. There was no pure backup at the position, and the team depended on Kelley so much for scoring.
Downey has replaced Kelley as the point guard, leader and focal point. But Odom’s goal is for the Gamecocks not to depend as much on Downey as they did Kelley.
“We’ve got to prove that we can play for long (spans) without him,” Odom said. “And give whoever is taking his place time to find his comfort zone, and the players around him a comfort zone with him.”
Downey’s immediate replacement is another starter: Guard Zam Fredrick II, a fellow transfer, has moved over to be the primary ball-handler, both in last week’s exhibition game and Friday’s 92-67 victory against South Carolina State.
Sophomore Brandis Raley-Ross, the third guard in the current starting lineup, has also handled the ball, along with walk-on junior Branden Conrad.
Odom took a look at a lot of lineup combinations in Friday’s game, playing 12 players, including both walk-ons. He normally likes to use an eight — or nine-man rotation, but if his team is winning comfortably he can give every player meaningful minutes to see how each reacts.
But the team’s performance without Downey could emerge as a major concern. When he was limited by cramps in the second half on Friday, USC went from a plus-100 scoring pace to barely finishing above 90.
Downey’s defensive style is also prone to picking up quick fouls, so in future games it may not just be an issue of playing without him while he rests.
“It’s really important that we play some time early on without him,” Odom said. “You want to see if you can do that without adversely affecting your team over a long period of time.
“And if the answer to that yes, then what you want to do is give the other supporting players —- the (Mike) Holmes, the (Dominique) Archies, the Raleys, those guys, give them the opportunity to feel at home, relaxed and comfortable with him out of there. So they won’t feel that the team is going to come apart.”
Holmes hobbled. Holmes, a freshman forward, bruised his heel in the last few minutes of Friday’s game. Odom said it was not serious, but added that he would be cautious with Holmes tonight.
Reach Emerson at (803) 771-8676.
I have no doubt depth has been a reason we had so little success. Last year Tre Kelly had to play when he was battling an injury this year we have a lot of otions at a lot of positions. Our teams in the last few years got little rest which I am sure took it's toll.