2009-2010 South Carolina Predictions
2008-09 Record: (21-10, 10-6 SEC East)
Coach: Darrin Horn (2nd year, 21-10 at South Carolina)
Assistants: Neil Berry, Cypheus Bunton, Michael Boynton
Ret. Starters/Lost: 4/1

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Overview: Darrin Horn came over from Western Kentucky and did a great job in his first season at South Carolina. However, they didn’t make the NCAA Tournament and as of press time, one of their best players is out indefinitely with a sprained knee. Senior forward Dominque Archie (6-7,200), who averaged 10.9ppg and 6.4rpg last season and was off to a great start this year is out. That means junior Sam Muldrow (6-0, 218), who averaged 5.6ppg and 5.3rpg and wing Mike Holmes (6-7, 230), who averaged 10.8ppg and 7.7rpg, will have to produce more offensively. Archie is a great athlete and perimeter player, so Horn will have to be creative in replacing him. The backcourt is led by senior point guard Devan Downey (5-9, 175), who led the team in scoring at 19.8ppg and 4.5apg. He teamed with Zam Frederick (15.5ppg) last season to provide the SEC’s high scoring backcourt duo. However, Frederick has graduated so last year’s sixth-man Brandon Raley-Ross (6-2, 193), who averaged 7ppg last season, will get more minutes to produce. In the post, Holmes can play with his back-to-the-basket, but the Gamecocks need a true center to stop up. Junior Johndre Jefferson (6-9, 205) is a thinly-built JC transfer and freshmam Lakeem Jackson (6-9, 215) are potential guys in the middle. Freshman Ramon Galloway (6-2, 175) is a combo guard who will fill in at point and wing guard in the rotation.

Outlook: This team is will miss Frederick and will need to get Archie back in order to have a chance at the NCAA’s. It’s a tough situation for Horn and the Gamecocks to be in.

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