morgan n' 7
12-22-2007, 03:48 AM
Gamecocks honor, take on Cremins
COLUMBIA -- It's not often a school honors the opposing coach at halftime.
But the University of South Carolina will do just that today at the Colonial Center when it honors ex-guard Bobby Cremins, who's in his second year as the head coach at the College of Charleston.
Cremins and several other players off the 1967-68 team will be honored as part the school's celebration of the 100th year anniversary of the program.
"It's a bit unusual for sure," USC coach Dave Odom said Friday after practice. "But the (anniversary) committee came to me and asked. I thought it was appropriate. It was going to be hard to get him back. Bobby and I are very, very good friends. I want the best for him."
Cremins, one of the most beloved figures in the program's history, said it would be even more "special" than when he faced off against his alma mater a year ago.
"Last year I was really nervous because I didn't know how my team was going to play," Cremins said. "I'm still nervous about the game, but I'm really looking forward to seeing my teammates. It will be great to see those guys."
Both teams come into the game off disappointing losses.
The Cougars (4-5) led Florida State 61-58 with 1:58 left in Tallahassee but made three turnovers in the final 50 seconds and lost 66-61.
The Gamecocks (5-5) blew a 20-point first-half lead ó point guard Devan Downey said Friday USC "put it in cruise control and thought those guys were just going to lay down" -- as Baylor rallied to go up by as many as 15 in the second half en route to a 92-84 win.
"It was a difficult, difficult, difficult loss for us. It was. We put so much into that game," Odom said. "(But) I don't think there'll be any residue left over."
Except with the fans. Not only where there a smattering of boos at the game, but the radio talk shows and Internet message boards were filled with irate fans wanting Odom ousted after seven years.
"I haven't heard a word," Odom said. "I fully expect that. I don't know that I missed any shots the other night. I don't know that I missed any defensive assignments. But I do know that it's my responsibility, and I willingly take it."
What may linger is how Baylor came back, switching to a 1-3-1 zone that morphed into a 2-2-1 as the Gamecocks moved the ball around.
Odom insisted USC had not had any more problems with zones than man-to-man generally this year. But, he added, the Bears' "configuration was a little different."
"We didn't attack that very well, but I don't think it was anything that will be worrisome over the long haul."
Still, the Gamecocks expect to see more zone in the coming games, which could hamper Downey's ability to penetrate, which is the key element in USC's offense.
"If I were them (opponents), I'd play zone and try to make us do something different," guard Zam Fredrick said. "I don't think nobody can guard us man to man."
Downey agreed, although the 5-foot-9 sophomore who is averaging a team-high 18.4 points may meet his match today in terms of speed against Tony White, who leads the Cougars in scoring at 13.4 points.
"You're going to see speed on speed. Tony White, first scouting report I heard was he's as fast as Devan Downey and I'm saying, 'Yeah, right.' And I look at the tape and then I come back, 'yeah, right. He is,' "' Odom said. "It's going to be rubber on rubber. Both of those guys can really fly."
http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071222/SPORTS0102/712220323/1026
COLUMBIA -- It's not often a school honors the opposing coach at halftime.
But the University of South Carolina will do just that today at the Colonial Center when it honors ex-guard Bobby Cremins, who's in his second year as the head coach at the College of Charleston.
Cremins and several other players off the 1967-68 team will be honored as part the school's celebration of the 100th year anniversary of the program.
"It's a bit unusual for sure," USC coach Dave Odom said Friday after practice. "But the (anniversary) committee came to me and asked. I thought it was appropriate. It was going to be hard to get him back. Bobby and I are very, very good friends. I want the best for him."
Cremins, one of the most beloved figures in the program's history, said it would be even more "special" than when he faced off against his alma mater a year ago.
"Last year I was really nervous because I didn't know how my team was going to play," Cremins said. "I'm still nervous about the game, but I'm really looking forward to seeing my teammates. It will be great to see those guys."
Both teams come into the game off disappointing losses.
The Cougars (4-5) led Florida State 61-58 with 1:58 left in Tallahassee but made three turnovers in the final 50 seconds and lost 66-61.
The Gamecocks (5-5) blew a 20-point first-half lead ó point guard Devan Downey said Friday USC "put it in cruise control and thought those guys were just going to lay down" -- as Baylor rallied to go up by as many as 15 in the second half en route to a 92-84 win.
"It was a difficult, difficult, difficult loss for us. It was. We put so much into that game," Odom said. "(But) I don't think there'll be any residue left over."
Except with the fans. Not only where there a smattering of boos at the game, but the radio talk shows and Internet message boards were filled with irate fans wanting Odom ousted after seven years.
"I haven't heard a word," Odom said. "I fully expect that. I don't know that I missed any shots the other night. I don't know that I missed any defensive assignments. But I do know that it's my responsibility, and I willingly take it."
What may linger is how Baylor came back, switching to a 1-3-1 zone that morphed into a 2-2-1 as the Gamecocks moved the ball around.
Odom insisted USC had not had any more problems with zones than man-to-man generally this year. But, he added, the Bears' "configuration was a little different."
"We didn't attack that very well, but I don't think it was anything that will be worrisome over the long haul."
Still, the Gamecocks expect to see more zone in the coming games, which could hamper Downey's ability to penetrate, which is the key element in USC's offense.
"If I were them (opponents), I'd play zone and try to make us do something different," guard Zam Fredrick said. "I don't think nobody can guard us man to man."
Downey agreed, although the 5-foot-9 sophomore who is averaging a team-high 18.4 points may meet his match today in terms of speed against Tony White, who leads the Cougars in scoring at 13.4 points.
"You're going to see speed on speed. Tony White, first scouting report I heard was he's as fast as Devan Downey and I'm saying, 'Yeah, right.' And I look at the tape and then I come back, 'yeah, right. He is,' "' Odom said. "It's going to be rubber on rubber. Both of those guys can really fly."
http://greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071222/SPORTS0102/712220323/1026