Feb 10, 2018; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Wesley Myers (15) brings the ball up court against the Florida Gators during the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

SEC Preview: No. 18 Vols take South Carolina

Both No. 18 Tennessee and unranked South Carolina will look to avenge double-digit weekend losses in their Tuesday night matchup.

https://twitter.com/GamecockMBB/status/963432191115120640

The Vols lead the all-time series 43-27 and have taken 25 out of the last 34 meetings in Knoxville. But, the Gamecocks have come out victorious in three of the last five meetings and two of the last three contests in Thompson-Boling Arena.

What Happened Last Time

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake USA TODAY Sports

The Volunteers won the first contest between these two teams on Jan. 20. Sophomore guard Lamonte Turner led the way for the then-No. 21 Vols with 25 points in the 70-63 victory.

That win was the first of six straight for Tennessee and the beginning of a South Carolina skid where the Gamecocks have currently lost six of their last seven games, including five straight losses.

South Carolina shot 36.7 percent from the field, but 43.5 percent from beyond the arc compared to Tennessee’s 57.5 percent from the field and 45.5 from three-point land.

But, the Vols were able to pull out a win with a strong inside presence, excellent free throw shooting and stifling defense that held the Gamecocks to two points over the game’s final four minutes.

Sinking South Carolina

Losers of five straight, as previously mentioned, the Gamecocks are the closest they have been to .500 this late in a season in 3 years.  They finished 17-16 to close out the 2014-2015 season.

It’s been a simple recipe for defeat: don’t make shots and make it too easy for the other team to do so. During its current losing streak, South Carolina is shooting just 34.4 percent from the field including 25.5 percent from three-point range while allowing an opposing field goal percentage of 48.3 percent and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc.

In its most recent loss, South Carolina shot close to 28 percent from the field and just over 15 percent from three while allowing Florida to shoot 46 and 30 percent.

“We’re a hurt team right now,” South Carolina coach Frank Martin said after the loss to Florida. “We’re a team lacking spirit.”

Resurgent Rocky Top

Tennessee also shot 28 percent from the field in its double-digit loss to Alabama on Saturday that halted a six-game winning streak for the Vols.

This is the first time the Vols have been ranked in the AP Top 25 in seven years.

It’s also the closest they’ve been to first place in the SEC standings this late in a season since tying for second place with Vanderbilt and Florida in the 2011-2012 season.

The team is led by a pair of forwards in sophomore Grant Williams and junior Admiral Schofield. The two lead the team in points (Williams: 15.9, Schofield: 12.3) and rebounding (Williams: 6, Schofield: 6.3)

Head coach Rick Barnes said he hopes his team can continue to improve down the stretch and into postseason play.

“Everybody is capable in this league to win at any time, and we know that,” Barnes said. “If not, we better know it by now. We certainly should know it after Saturday.”

Where to Watch and What’s At Stake

A win for South Carolina would end their losing streak while a win for Tennessee would be its sixth straight at home and keep them in the hunt for an SEC regular season title.

The game can be seen on ESPNU or the WatchESPN app at 9 p.m. ET.

About Jake Hitt

Check Also

Orange & Blue Sports Network

Catch the student-led broadcasts from the College of Journalism and Communications right here.

LIVE THREAD: National Signing Day

Here’s an updated thread of all the recruits who picked the Gator hat today! RB …

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

During last weekend’s NFL Wild Card round, the Steelers made a statement by handing the Dolphins a …

Houston Looking For an Upset in Foxborough

The saying has always been “it’s hard to beat a good team twice,” and in …

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing each other once …

Possible Additions to McElwain’s Recruiting Class Visiting this Weekend

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, the Gators are hosting several talented …

Florida Gymnastics Prepares for Season Opener

GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Gator gymnastics team will kick off their season this Sunday …

Surprised Gators Promote Randy Shannon To Defensive Coordinator? You Shouldn’t Be

Florida’s head coach, Jim McElwain, announced Friday morning that Randy Shannon would be making the …

Quarterbacks in Spotlight for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Wild Card kicks off Saturday and the quarterback situations could not be any more different. On …

College Football Playoff Shakes Up Schedule

The College Football Playoff was a success in its first year. Yet, that doesn’t stop …

Michael Jordan Speaks out about Shootings, Police Officers

NBA great Michael Jordan opened up about his thoughts about shootings of African-Americans and the …

Treon Harris to Transfer

With the college football season approaching, the Florida Gators have announced that former starting QB …

USA Basketball Wins Second Exhibition Game

Just a few short days after their big win over Argentina, team USA won its …

Charlotte Is No Longer The Home Of The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The House Bill 2 came between Charlotte, North Carolina and the 2017 All-Star Game. The …

Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their three-game winning streak. The Rays defeated the Oakland …

MLB Preview Tonight

It’s summer time—the best time to go to a baseball game and experience the atmosphere. …

Braves Begin Series With Rockies

The Atlanta Braves (33-62) open up a four-game road series with the Rockies (43-51) tonight …

Marlins To Close Out Series With The Phillies

The Miami Marlins are in the middle of a crucial ten game span against NL East …

Rays Crush Rockies 11-3, Face A’s Next

In the midst of a terrible season that has seen the Tampa Bay Rays (37-57) …

American League Second Half Outlook

The second half of the baseball season is in full swing which translates to? Pennant races. Teams …

National League Evening Preview

Tonight is a busy night for the National League in the MLB. Starting with the …

Big 12 Looks To Expand

Following a Tuesday meeting between Big 12 presidents, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the …

LSU Looks To Capitalize On Its Opportunity

The Louisiana State University Tigers will enter the 2016 college football season with high expectations, …

Muschamp Helps Close Out SEC Media Days 2016

It wasn’t Will Muschamps first SEC Media Days experience, but 2016 marked the first time …

Phil Mickelson Leads British Open After First Day

The 145th annual 2016 British Open is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The …

Missouri’s Football Crisis: Rebuilding A Program

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Barry Odom took the stand as Missouri’s head …

Second Half Of MLB Season Begins

The All-Star Break is a good time for teams to rest up and reform themselves …

British Open Underway

The 145th Open Championship is already underway at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Welcome …

Florida Men Set NCAA Record in 200 Medley Relay

Florida set a collegiate record to win the national championship in the 200-yard medley relay …