FoghornLeghornCock
11-17-2007, 09:51 AM
Posted on Sat, Nov. 17, 2007
USC vs. USC: Friendly face off
Old rivals Mayo, Downey developed admiration for each other over the years
By SETH EMERSON - semerson@thestate.com (semerson@thestate.com)http://www.thestate.com/gamecocks/story/232235.html
Gamecocks vs. Southern California Trojans
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today
WHERE: Colonial Center
TV: CSS (Not available on Time Warner Cable)
RADIO: 107.5-FM
RECORDS: South Carolina 2-0, Southern Cal 1-1
COACHES: Dave Odom (394-260 in 22 seasons, 116-86 in seven seasons at South Carolina); Tim Floyd (286-156 in 15 seasons, 43-26 in three seasons at Southern Cal).
TICKETS: 1-800-472-3267
One is the perhaps most hyped player in college basketball. The other, by comparison, is still a well-kept secret.
But between OJ Mayo and Devan Downey, two years and two coasts apart, exists a very high mutual admiration.
It was Friday evening in the Colonial Center and Mayo, the star freshman for Southern California, was sitting at a table wrapping up interviews. Downey, the South Carolina point guard, entered the room and the two old friends locked eyes and grinned.
Downey made his way over and the two clasped hands. When Mayo left the room a few minutes later, they shook again, with Downey adding: “All right, I’ll see out there tomorrow.”
They meet tonight for the first time as college players. But it will be far from the first time they have squared off.
During a USA Today online chat last July, Mayo was asked who was the toughest guard has ever faced.
“Devan Downey,” Mayo answered.
That was quite a compliment coming from Mayo, who graces one of the regional covers of this week’s Sports Illustrated. But he has gotten to know Downey quite well over the past four years, thanks to shared geography and competitive spirit.
They first met four summers ago at a recruiting camp in Richmond, when Downey was a rising high school senior and Mayo a rising sophomore. Other players at the camp included Greg Oden, Rudy Gay, Michael Beasley and “anybody you can name” in college now, according to Downey.
But Downey and Mayo gravitated towards each other as competitors, at one point going at each other in one-on-one.
“We kind of took over the drill,” Downey said. “It was kind of entertainment for the rest of the camp.”
The two saw plenty more of each other when Downey spent his freshman college year at Cincinnati, where Mayo was in high school at the time.
Mayo would go watch Downey at Cincinnati games, and Downey attended Mayo’s high school games. They also played pickup ball on the Cincinnati campus, where the friendly battles ensued.
“You hear a lot of other names, then you come across a guy like Devan who’s hungry and plays hard and really well all the times I’ve seen him,” Mayo said. “I’m just excited to be on the same floor with him again.”
As this matchup of USCs neared, Mayo got in the ear of his coach, warning Tim Floyd about the Gamecocks’ 5-foot-9, quick asset.
“OJ’s been telling me for a long time that he’s a terrific player and as good as any of the point guards in the country,” Floyd said. “And in watching film of him, I have to agree.”
So Mayo enters this game with the name nearly everyone knows. Downey, a redshirt sophomore, is getting his own name out there after averaging 17.5 points and nine assists in his first two games as a Gamecock.
But those involved with this game say it will not be about Downey vs. Mayo. In fact, they will not be guarding each other, at least initially.
This game might actually come down to a battle of tempos, according to the coach of the team that handed Southern Cal a stunning loss last week. Mercer pulled off the 15-point upset, knocking the Trojans out of the top 25.
The best strategy, according to Mercer coach Mark Slonaker, is to run on Southern Cal and not let it get in its half-court set.
“If we went in there and tried to win in the 60s we probably aren’t gonna win that game. So we decided to go in that way, attack them and go aggressively,” Slonaker said. “I would think, depending on how (Gamecocks coach) Dave (Odom) decides to play those guys strategy-wise, they’ve got a chance. Because USC’s just not where they’re going to be a month from now.”
That would seem to fit South Carolina’s up-tempo style, which is being propelled by Downey. And what to do against Mayo? Slonaker said his team rotated three different tall guards on him.
“Downey should, if he’s got the will, hey should be able to guard the kid,” Slonaker said. “But again, Mayo’s gonna score on NBA guys next year. He can score. The kid can make baskets.”
South Carolina coach Dave Odom pretty much said his team would not have a single focus on Mayo. He pointed to forward Taj Gibson and guard Daniel Hackett —- the latter of whom missed the Mercer game —- as worthy of worry.
But as far as outside observers are concerned, training their eyes on Downey and Mayo would be a good idea.
“I’m pretty sure he’s gonna bring it,” Mayo said of Downey. “He usually brings it every time he steps on the floor. He’s a very talented guard.”
Downey returned the favor, praising the way Mayo has handled his fame.
“Even with all the hype, I like the way he carries himself,” Downey said. “It’s not his fault everybody hypes him. But he stays humble.”
Reach Emerson at (803) 771-8676.
This should be an interesting game especially the inner battle between Mayo and Downey. The line on this game is So Cal is favored by one I will be watching this game for sure I hope everybody gets behind this team and roots them home tonight. Go Cocks!!! :cocky::cocky::cocky:
USC vs. USC: Friendly face off
Old rivals Mayo, Downey developed admiration for each other over the years
By SETH EMERSON - semerson@thestate.com (semerson@thestate.com)http://www.thestate.com/gamecocks/story/232235.html
Gamecocks vs. Southern California Trojans
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today
WHERE: Colonial Center
TV: CSS (Not available on Time Warner Cable)
RADIO: 107.5-FM
RECORDS: South Carolina 2-0, Southern Cal 1-1
COACHES: Dave Odom (394-260 in 22 seasons, 116-86 in seven seasons at South Carolina); Tim Floyd (286-156 in 15 seasons, 43-26 in three seasons at Southern Cal).
TICKETS: 1-800-472-3267
One is the perhaps most hyped player in college basketball. The other, by comparison, is still a well-kept secret.
But between OJ Mayo and Devan Downey, two years and two coasts apart, exists a very high mutual admiration.
It was Friday evening in the Colonial Center and Mayo, the star freshman for Southern California, was sitting at a table wrapping up interviews. Downey, the South Carolina point guard, entered the room and the two old friends locked eyes and grinned.
Downey made his way over and the two clasped hands. When Mayo left the room a few minutes later, they shook again, with Downey adding: “All right, I’ll see out there tomorrow.”
They meet tonight for the first time as college players. But it will be far from the first time they have squared off.
During a USA Today online chat last July, Mayo was asked who was the toughest guard has ever faced.
“Devan Downey,” Mayo answered.
That was quite a compliment coming from Mayo, who graces one of the regional covers of this week’s Sports Illustrated. But he has gotten to know Downey quite well over the past four years, thanks to shared geography and competitive spirit.
They first met four summers ago at a recruiting camp in Richmond, when Downey was a rising high school senior and Mayo a rising sophomore. Other players at the camp included Greg Oden, Rudy Gay, Michael Beasley and “anybody you can name” in college now, according to Downey.
But Downey and Mayo gravitated towards each other as competitors, at one point going at each other in one-on-one.
“We kind of took over the drill,” Downey said. “It was kind of entertainment for the rest of the camp.”
The two saw plenty more of each other when Downey spent his freshman college year at Cincinnati, where Mayo was in high school at the time.
Mayo would go watch Downey at Cincinnati games, and Downey attended Mayo’s high school games. They also played pickup ball on the Cincinnati campus, where the friendly battles ensued.
“You hear a lot of other names, then you come across a guy like Devan who’s hungry and plays hard and really well all the times I’ve seen him,” Mayo said. “I’m just excited to be on the same floor with him again.”
As this matchup of USCs neared, Mayo got in the ear of his coach, warning Tim Floyd about the Gamecocks’ 5-foot-9, quick asset.
“OJ’s been telling me for a long time that he’s a terrific player and as good as any of the point guards in the country,” Floyd said. “And in watching film of him, I have to agree.”
So Mayo enters this game with the name nearly everyone knows. Downey, a redshirt sophomore, is getting his own name out there after averaging 17.5 points and nine assists in his first two games as a Gamecock.
But those involved with this game say it will not be about Downey vs. Mayo. In fact, they will not be guarding each other, at least initially.
This game might actually come down to a battle of tempos, according to the coach of the team that handed Southern Cal a stunning loss last week. Mercer pulled off the 15-point upset, knocking the Trojans out of the top 25.
The best strategy, according to Mercer coach Mark Slonaker, is to run on Southern Cal and not let it get in its half-court set.
“If we went in there and tried to win in the 60s we probably aren’t gonna win that game. So we decided to go in that way, attack them and go aggressively,” Slonaker said. “I would think, depending on how (Gamecocks coach) Dave (Odom) decides to play those guys strategy-wise, they’ve got a chance. Because USC’s just not where they’re going to be a month from now.”
That would seem to fit South Carolina’s up-tempo style, which is being propelled by Downey. And what to do against Mayo? Slonaker said his team rotated three different tall guards on him.
“Downey should, if he’s got the will, hey should be able to guard the kid,” Slonaker said. “But again, Mayo’s gonna score on NBA guys next year. He can score. The kid can make baskets.”
South Carolina coach Dave Odom pretty much said his team would not have a single focus on Mayo. He pointed to forward Taj Gibson and guard Daniel Hackett —- the latter of whom missed the Mercer game —- as worthy of worry.
But as far as outside observers are concerned, training their eyes on Downey and Mayo would be a good idea.
“I’m pretty sure he’s gonna bring it,” Mayo said of Downey. “He usually brings it every time he steps on the floor. He’s a very talented guard.”
Downey returned the favor, praising the way Mayo has handled his fame.
“Even with all the hype, I like the way he carries himself,” Downey said. “It’s not his fault everybody hypes him. But he stays humble.”
Reach Emerson at (803) 771-8676.
This should be an interesting game especially the inner battle between Mayo and Downey. The line on this game is So Cal is favored by one I will be watching this game for sure I hope everybody gets behind this team and roots them home tonight. Go Cocks!!! :cocky::cocky::cocky: