A Clean Slate
 

The Gamecocks (14-17) finished 4-14 during the expanded conference season and head into this week’s SEC tournament having won twice in the final six games. They face Mississippi State (9-21) on Wednesday to open tournament play.

South Carolina enters with more confidence, fight and polish, Martin believes, than the group he had in November and December. That may seem hard to fathom given the Gamecocks record and some of Martin’s own postgame pronouncements - remember “I’ve never been more embarrassed to call myself a basketball coach than I am today” after the Gamecocks 64-46 home loss to LSU last month?

Martin, though, says his team hasn’t stopped improving and competing each time they take the court.

“I think we’re leaps and bounds ahead of where we were in November and December,” Martin said “I think this team’s a lot better.”

The evidence, Martin says, comes at practice when he sees players taking in the message and improving technique. It also comes when workouts are over as players put in the extra time shooting or running drills to get better.

The Gamecocks see the SEC tournament as a chance to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. “I definitely think we’ve learned a lot,” forward Lakeem Jackson said. “It’s not easy to just throw it away, the season’s going to be lingering around. But I think we’ve fought hard and we know what it takes to win and finish out some games now.”

For Martin, this is the most important time of the year because at some point - unless you win it all - your season comes to close. “Every team understands that they don’t want to get on that plane and go home,” he said.

http://www.aikenstandard.com/article...dy-for-tourney

Re: A Clean Slate
 

It would be fantastic if USC could win some games in this tournament. I would love it if Lakeem's career could close on a positive note.

Re: A Clean Slate
 

I'm excited for the team in the SEC tournament. The schedule could set up okay for us and we might surprise some teams. I would love for it to be different from years past and actually get a win or two in the SEC tourney.

Re: A Clean Slate
 

Anythings possible come tourney time.

Re: A Clean Slate
 

I say if we win against Miss. St. we get a banner to hang up in the CLA.

Re: A Clean Slate
 

Possibly retire Lakeem's jersey too?

Re: A Clean Slate
 

If we win a game in The Big Dance this year, retire all their jerseys!

Clean slate. Same team. Same result.


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Re: A Clean Slate
 

Hopefully the clean slate will happen in the next few weeks.

Re: A Clean Slate
 

This! Very disappointing loss yesterday. Not so much that we lost, but how we lost. At least stay competitive and keep it close... oh well, on to next year.

Re: A Clean Slate
 

I really think the Basketball Team will improve next year. I like Coach Martin. I like his fire and desire. If given time, he will improve this team to the point that we are at least competitive

Re: A Clean Slate
 

The players have to want it as bad as him.

Re: A Clean Slate
 

After yesterday's performance, we clearly have some players that don't care.
I have a feeling we will be seeing some guys leave the program in the coming weeks.

Re: A Clean Slate
 

The players he will recruit will have his drive. Gamecock basketball will be a quality program once Martin leaves his mark.

Re: A Clean Slate
 

Since I have no say in who stays, who goes, or who is recruited, I am going to try to wait and see what happens. I will say that if anyone does not return to the team next year, I wish them the best in their future. Hopefully, our coaches will make good decisions about all this stuff and the team next year will be much better.

It has been hard to be a Gamecock basketball fan. I have suffered for many years. I hope and pray that Frank Martin can make a winner out of this program. I don't even want to think about him failing.

Re: A Clean Slate
 

We got what many of us have wanted. A fresh start with players recruited by FM. Still a few players left from the previous staff, but only at FM's discretion. I think we can all agree that the Frank Martin Era at USC has finally arrived.

I'm looking forward to next year and I hope the fans, media and admin do their part in helping this team grow by leaps and bounds throughout the course of the season.

Re: A Clean Slate
 

I will definitely be renewing my season tickets again.

Re: A Clean Slate
 

Putting butts in the seats is what it's all about.

Re: A Clean Slate
 

I can't wait! My butt was in my seat for about 90% of the home games and it will be there again. That goes for men and women's hoops.

:wink:

Re: A Clean Slate
 

The only drawback from not living in Cola, is Gamecock athletics, and not being there.