Side Line Blog

Still Some Things To Hope For In Gamecock Basketball Season

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:13:04 -0400

It could hardly be considered going out on a limb to call this year a failure for USC basketball and to predict continued mediocrity for the remainder of the season based on what we've seen so far.

Columbia Quadsquad Rollergirls Open Season This Weekend Hosting Dominion Derby Girls

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:09:22 -0400

The winter derby drought is finally over as the Columbia Quadsquad prepares to roll into the 2012 season this weekend against the Dominion Derby Girls of Virginia Beach. The Quadsquad, working towards full membership in the WFTDA (Women's Flat Track Derby Association) will host the year's first bout at the Jamil Temple on Sunday at 4 p.m.

Spurrier Turns Corner With Capital One Bowl Win

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:12:09 -0400

You wouldn't have thought it midway through the season when fans were complaining about almost every aspect of the team, but Steve Spurrier has finally gotten the USC football program to a turning point.

SEC Bowl Predictions For January

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:22:34 -0400

With three games already under its belt, the SEC stands at 2-1 in bowl play, with wins by Auburn and Mississippi State over ACC schools Virginia and Wake Forest and a loss by Vanderbilt to Cincinnati of the Big East.

New SEC Schedule Favors Georgia Over USC In 2012

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:13:10 -0400

Though the SEC has not officially released the new post-expansion football schedule for the 2012 season, sources are now reporting that the Gamecocks will face Arkansas and LSU next year in addition to their six SEC East division opponents.

Gamecock Christmas Wish List

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:39:31 -0400

It's that time of year again, when the kids reap the rewards of their good behavior or have their hearts broken for being bad.

Sweepeat! Gamecocks Sweep Tigers Again

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:50:24 -0400

Against all odds the USC men's basketball team completed yet another major sports sweep over Clemson this weekend, joining the baseball and football teams in celebrating victories over the Tigers in both 2010 and 2011.

Gamecock Football: What If?

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:42:57 -0400

It has been a long time since the "what ifs" in a USC football season were even worth talking about. Rarely have the Gamecocks done so well as to be positioned for the opportunity to achieve the true greatness that they just missed out on this season.

Has USC Basketball Finally Hit Rock Bottom?

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:14:28 -0400

Sitting in the Colonial Life Arena Sunday evening watching as the Gamecocks fell behind by 22 points to the mighty Tigers of Tennessee State, I wondered aloud to those around me, "Are we witnessing the lowest point in the history of USC basketball right here and now?"

Columbia Quadsquad Rollergirls Win Third State Championship

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:45:10 -0400

Continuing an already incredible two-year winning streak, the Columbia Quadsquad added a third consecutive South Carolina State Roller Derby Championship to its list of victories on Sunday, defeating the host Low Country High Rollers in a dramatic showdown in Charleston

SEC Welcomes Missouri, Questions Remain

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:32:29 -0400

The road to the SEC championship game in Atlanta has gotten longer, and no, I'm not talking about last week's loss to Arkansas. Last weekend the Missouri Tigers were officially recognized as the SEC's 14th school, scheduled to begin competing in the conference in the fall of 2012.

Gamecocks Move Into BCS Top 10 With Tennessee Win

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:46:38 -0400

With lots of opportunities still ahead the Gamecocks moved one step closer to great things this weekend, climbing into the BCS Top 10 for the first time this season at No. 9 on the strength of a 14-3 win over Tennessee. The Gamecocks also climbed four slots to No. 10 in the AP and Coaches polls.

Best Case Scenario For Gamecocks Is Still National Championship

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:14:59 -0400

With the national media writing off USC after the loss of Marcus Lattimore and Stephen Garcia, and even some fans being unbelievably negative about a 6-1 team (an exceptional achievement at USC), I'm going to go as far as possible in the opposite direction and take a look at the team's best-case scenario.

USC Football Bye Week Preview

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:28:23 -0400

Last season the Gamecocks' bye week was actually one of the best weeks of the season, as every other team in the SEC East lost, thus adding to USC's division lead at the time. The Gamecocks even moved up a notch in the polls without lifting a finger, and they used the time wisely in preparation for their win over No. 1 ranked defending national champion Alabama.

Quadsquad Derby Girls Host Asheville In Breast Cancer Benefit

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:36:53 -0400

The Columbia Quadsquad roller derby team takes the track at Jamil Temple this weekend against the Blue Ridge Roller Girls of Asheville, NC, in their last home match of the season. Coming off of a blowout 201-57 road win over the Dixie Derby Girls of Huntsville, Alabama, the Quadsquad seeks to extend its two-year-plus winning streak yet another game.

How About Those Tigers ... And Other Possible Headlines

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 14:11:08 -0400

Anyone who watched the USC vs. Auburn game on Saturday saw the Gamecocks' problems highlighted quite clearly. It was set to be a learning week, where fans would get a true gauge of this team's capabilities, and it was.

Five Offensive Positives From the Vanderbilt Game

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 13:51:52 -0400

Despite disposing of Vanderbilt by a fairly comfortable margin, there is a lot of room for criticism regarding the Gamecocks' offensive performance this week. Indeed, the radio, television, internet and print media are overflowing with condemnation from fans and pundits alike, who seem to obsess over the failures more than they embrace the success.

Gamecocks Rise and Fall In Polls With Navy Win

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 15:06:24 -0400

This week's major college football polls reveal an interesting gap between the mindsets of their respective voters. With a close win over Navy, the 3-0 Gamecocks dropped two slots in the Associated Press (AP) media poll, currently ranking at number 12 after breaking into the Top 10 with last week's win over Georgia.

If Georgia Is the Barometer, It Will Be A High-Pressure Season For the Gamecocks

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:57:55 -0400

If the Georgia game is any indication (and it usually is), Gamecock fans are in for a wild ride this season. Saturday's 45-42 shootout in Athens didn't disappoint if you wanted to see an exciting football game, but it was downright painful for fans of both teams who expected to see a higher level of all around play.

Spurrier Demonstrates Coaching Brilliance In Opening Win

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 15:01:03 -0400

Face it, Steve Spurrier's coaching brilliance is so dazzling that the average man simply cannot see through the glare. Last week the coach caught all sorts of hell for his decision to start sophomore Connor Shaw rather than fifth-year senior Stephen Garcia in the season opener against the East Carolina Pirates in Charlotte.

Quad Squad Derby Girls Roll Again

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 13:23:02 -0400

Despite the last minute cancellation by their scheduled opponent, the Columbia Quad Squad roller derby team kept its winning streak alive this weekend, defeating the Carolina Hurticanes, a regional all-star team brought to town to fill in for the absent River City Rollergirls.

Gamecocks Earn Highest Pre-Season Ranking In History

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:20:53 -0400

The USC football team has already made history this year without even stepping onto the field, by earning its highest pre-season ranking ever. Picked as the No. 12 team in the nation by both the Associated Press and the USA Today Coaches Poll, the Gamecocks start the season a full 10 slots ahead of where they ended last year.

Can the Gamecocks Manage a 10-Win Season?

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:46:27 -0400

Despite the talk about last year being the Gamecocks' greatest season ever, the fact is that the 1984 squad set a standard that has yet to be matched by any subsequent USC team: double-digit wins. Even with 14 games last year's celebrated team couldn't reach the mark, and a look at this year's schedule doesn't inspire great confidence that it will finally happen again.

Despite Media Love, Gamecock Football Still Facing Tough Road

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:17:56 -0400

College football season is just a month away and the Gamecocks are riding the crest of a media wave that has picked them to repeat as SEC East division champions. Most predictions have Georgia in the mix right behind us, highlighting the September USC vs. UGA game as a potential determining factor in who takes home the crown.

Columbia To Host Women's Pro-Am Soccer in 2012

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:21:13 -0400

This year's Women's World Cup brought a lot of attention to women's soccer in America, as the national team advanced all the way to the finals before losing a heartbreaker to Japan on penalty kicks. Columbia's newest women's team, the Central South Carolina Cobras, is hoping the interest lingers as they prepare to join the United Soccer Leagues' (USL) W-League in 2012.

Columbia Quadsquad Breaks Honky Tonk Hearts, Extends Streak

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 14:26:46 -0400

The Columbia Quadsquad roller derby team extended its amazing two-year winning streak on Saturday night at Jamil Temple with a 207-97 beatdown of the Honky Tonk Heartbreakers of Austin, Texas. The victory rates as one the Quadsquad's finest, in that the Heartbreakers are members of the Texas Rollergirls league, which is currently ranked No. 2 among the WFTDA South Central region's 27 leagues.

Slideshow: Gamecock Baseball National Championship Parade

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 08:37:14 -0400

The Side Line was there. Were you?

Gamecocks Open the Eyes of the World With Second Consecutive National Championship

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 12:04:05 -0400

It was obvious to some of us early in the season that the Gamecocks were still the best team in the nation, but it took another College World Series championship to finally open the eyes of the world. They did just that last night, finishing off Florida 5-2 to complete a sweep of the playoffs, including another four wins over previously No. 1 ranked teams.

Gamecocks vs. Gators: Even Matchup Promises High Drama in Omaha

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:13:51 -0400

To be the best you've got to beat the best. All of them. Some of them twice. That's the boat the Gamecocks are in tonight heading into the College World Series finals in Omaha, where they will face the Florida Gators in a best-of-three series for the 2011 NCAA championship in baseball.

Gamecocks Expose Another Fraud in Omaha

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:07:46 -0400

If you've followed USC baseball at all this season you're probably flabbergasted at the lack of respect this defending national championship team has suffered at the hands of foolish writers and coaches who somehow just won't accept that we're still the best.

Gamecocks Return to Omaha to Defend National Championship

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:42:31 -0400

Last summer Gamecock fans bathed in the glory of the school's first national championship in a major sport, happy to finally be so blessed. Still, it didn't take long for that joy to give way to the inevitable question of whether or not the team had the depth to repeat the feat.

Spurrier Proposes Paying Players

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:10:36 -0400

With sticky topics like recruit oversigning on the table, USC football coach Steve Spurrier found a great way to distract the media this week at the SEC's annual meeting in Destin, Florida, by suggesting that coaches be allowed to pay their players $300 per game out of their own pocket.

Gamecocks Back At No. 1 Going Into SEC Tournament

Tue, 24 May 2011 12:28:14 -0400

The Gamecock baseball team is back at No. 1 in all the major polls after last weekend's SEC championship clinching series win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa and UNC's revealing sweep of former No. 1 Virginia.

Richland County Regulators Roller Derby Team Travels to Athens This Week For Showdown With Classic City

Mon, 16 May 2011 21:15:09 -0400

It's a busy week for Columbia roller derby, with the Quadsquad hammering the visiting Kentucky Black and Bluegrass Rollergirls 236-96 and the Richland County Regulators heading off to Athens to face the Classic City Rollergirls. I had a chance to speak with Regulators founder and President Jean Gravy last week to ask about the team and its upcoming bout.

For Better Or Worse, Gamecock Baseball Follows Familiar Path

Mon, 09 May 2011 14:22:46 -0400

In classic fashion, the Gamecocks earned a No. 1 ranking last week in some major baseball polls… and then promptly dropped their first series in almost a year, letting Ole Miss take two out of three games over the weekend. This type of deflation is nothing new to Gamecock sports fans, who are used to the pain of being "almost there" and then stumbling.

Gamecocks Finally Recognized By Writers, Still Shunned By Coaches

Tue, 03 May 2011 12:14:30 -0400

Well the USC baseball team is finally getting some of the respect it deserves, climbing back to the No. 1 ranking in a couple of major college baseball polls this week after a 3-game sweep of Auburn here in Columbia. Incredibly, however, that respect does not come from those who should most have it -- the coaches.

Columbia Quadsquad Ramping It Up To Reach the Next Level

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:39:15 -0400

The Columbia Quadsquad, the Midlands' premiere roller derby team, took another step upward on the ladder of success last week when they were granted official membership in the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) as an apprentice squad.

USC Spring Game Highlights Quarterback Problems

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 13:40:10 -0400

He needs to make better decisions. He needs to learn from his mistakes. He needs to commit to doing what it takes to win. No, I'm not talking about suspended quarterback Stephen Garcia, I'm talking about Steve Spurrier.

Gamecock Baseball Continues to Roll

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 22:08:22 -0400

Injuries, schminjuries. If there is one thing that the USC baseball team has demonstrated clearly over the last couple of seasons it is that they are precisely that – a team.

USC Basketball Disintegration Continues In the Off-Season

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 11:19:20 -0400

Just wait until next year. Long the mantra of USC football, this phrase has also been applicable to the basketball team in the Darrin Horn era. Unfortunately, while that long awaited "next year" finally arrived for the football fans, it just seems to keep getting farther away for the basketball faithful.

Columbia Quad Squad Rolls Again

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 12:37:01 -0400

It must be tough to be a derby girl in South Carolina and not play for the Columbia Quad Squad. It's not that there aren't capable athletes on the other area teams, but face it, the CQS is freakishly good, earning every bit of the lavish praise that must sound tiresome to their competitors by now.

USC Equestrian Team Looks To Finish Strong… Again

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:58:57 -0400

When you think of athletic excellence at USC our recent baseball national championship probably comes to mind immediately, perhaps along with last year's SEC East football crown, or maybe even our women's outdoor track and field title in 2002 if you're an especially hardcore Gamecock sports fan. Chances are your mind did not migrate to our most successful sporting team of the decade, the equestrian squad, at all.

Gamecocks Face First True Test of Season Against Clemson

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:16:15 -0400

With the patsies out of the way, the No. 4 Gamecocks face their first true challenge of the 2011 baseball season Tuesday night when they wrap up a three-game series against No. 7 Clemson. The series was scheduled to end over the weekend, but bad weather has pushed the final game back two days, extending the drama of this critical matchup with national implications.

Particularly Sad Senior Day for Gamecock Basketball

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:57:04 -0400

This Thursday night Gamecock basketball fans will bid farewell to Sam Muldrow and Johndre Jefferson, as the two seniors play their final home game at the Colonial Center against the Tennessee Volunteers.

Opening Weekend Shows Promise for USC Baseball

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:18:48 -0400

No one really expected the defending national champions to fall to Santa Clara at this weekend's baseball opener, but the determined way in which the team rallied to victory should still have helped to ease the minds of those who are concerned about whether or not the Gamecocks can possibly reproduce last year's dream season.

Benefit Of the Doubt Is Gone For This Gamecock Team

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 21:08:40 -0400

History was made on Saturday at Colonial Life Arena, as Sam Muldrow became USC's all-time leading shot blocker. Unfortunately, it was also made when the Gamecocks played their worst half ever in an SEC game, scoring just nine points in the opening period against Georgia.

Gamecocks Define Inconsistency, Maybe

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:17:49 -0400

Going into the season everyone knew it would be a tough one to sit through, as coach Horn finally transitions from Dave Odom's team to his own with a new crop of players. Fundamental weaknesses abound, there is no doubt about that, but there have also been flashes of promise here and there, giving hope that perhaps this team could achieve something sooner rather than later.

Columbia Quad Squad Sets Sights on Another Undefeated Season

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:48:55 -0400

When you're already coming off of a perfect season, setting goals for next year becomes pretty difficult. Streaks don't last forever, and you have to wonder if it's realistic to expect to continue dominating every opponent you play.

Muldrow Has Finally Arrived

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:33:02 -0400

It looks like the fans and media can finally back off of Gamecock forward Sam Muldrow, at least a little bit. The consensus opinion for most of the season has been that Muldrow couldn't be counted on to show up ready to play on any given night, but that has changed somewhat with his performance over the last few games.

Maybe the Gamecocks Are Not As Bad As They Look

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:50:22 -0400

It's definitely a throwaway year for USC basketball. With former coach Dave Odom's players all but gone and a bunch of fresh faces on the court it is simply unrealistic to hold very high expectations this season.

2010 Must Be Considered a Success for USC Football

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 11:51:41 -0400

Finishing out the football season with two losses certainly takes some of the gloss off of USC's banner athletic year, but to be fair the Gamecocks' 9-5 final record must be considered a success in the big picture.

SEC Bowl Predictions: Part Two

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:40:18 -0400

Last week we looked at the first five SEC bowl games with an eye toward whether or not it is possible for the toughest conference in college football to make a statement by running the table. Of course, simply having 10 teams in the bowl mix is pretty strong on its own, especially in a "down" year for the East division, but this week we follow up by considering the remaining five games.

SEC Bowl Predictions: Part One

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 14:13:34 -0400

Overall bowl performance is clearly the best data in the perennial debate over which conference is the best in college football. In addition to winning the last four national championships, the SEC has solidified its claim to this status by generally outperforming all other conferences in the post season.

Gamecocks Christmas Wish List

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:11:15 -0400

It's been a wonderful year for the Gamecocks, as they have been blessed with many outstanding achievements on the court, diamond and field. The players have been good kids, listening to their coaches and doing their homework in hopes of receiving sweet rewards at season's end, while the fans have shown understanding, patience and generosity along the way.

Thank You Coach Horn: The Sweep is Complete

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:33:17 -0400

Despite the 6-1 record so far this season, the play of USC's basketball team has been far from impressive. Outside of Michigan State, the Gamecocks have yet to take on a serious opponent, and have failed to dominate any of the cupcakes on the schedule thus far.

Pleased With the Clemson Game? Just Wait Until Next Year!

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 11:17:56 -0400

It wasn't hard to predict that the Gamecocks would beat Clemson in a dominant fashion this year. Just looking at the season's highs and lows for both teams painted a clear picture of USC's superiority.

Columbia Quad Squad Eyes Perfect Season

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:59:30 -0400

Flat track roller derby continues to grow in Columbia, with an even greater potential to draw regional and national attention if the city's premier team can finish its 2010 season undefeated. The Columbia Quad Squad will likely do just that this weekend, as they face off against Birmingham's Tragic City Rollergirls at the Jamil Temple.

Gamecock History 101

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 17:13:06 -0400

There has been a lot of commentary crediting South Carolina's SEC East title-clinching victory over Florida as its biggest football win in the history of the program. What the Gamecocks achieved Saturday night was certainly historic, but football at USC did not start with its entry into the powerful SEC, and there has been at least one bigger game in our storied past.

Gamecocks vs. Gators: Does Reason Apply?

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 15:22:55 -0400

Well, when I suggested that we might see some key players get rested during the Arkansas game in preparation for the SEC East playoff against Florida, I meant they would be resting on the sideline, not out on the field. Unfortunately, it seems that most of the team decided to simply take the game off altogether.

A Long Year Ahead for Gamecock Basketball

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 12:03:00 -0400

If you're concerned that you're aging too quickly as you watch the days of your life fly by, you might want to grab a pair of season tickets for USC men's basketball. It promises to be a very, very long year.

Making the Most of the Arkansas Game

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 16:05:46 -0400

On paper, this weekend's matchup between South Carolina and Arkansas looks like it could be one of the season's best games in the SEC. The Gamecocks come in ranked one spot behind the Razorbacks in the AP and BCS polls, and two spots ahead in the Coaches poll.

The Kentucky Meltdown, Fact vs. Spin

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:13:58 -0400

USC's 31-28 loss to Kentucky has generated a mountain of commentary, both rational and absurd, from pundits, fans, and onlookers. Here are a few of the common angles evaluated and exposed.

Another Perfect Week For the Gamecocks

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:04:06 -0400

It's a good time to be a Gamecock fan. Not only did the school make history this week by defeating a #1 ranked team for the first time ever, but for the second week in a row every other game involving our foes in the SEC East went our way, further boosting our position in the race for the SEC crown.

Gamecocks Should Schedule More Bye Weeks

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:54:32 -0400

I used to be annoyed by the bye week built in to every college football team's schedule. Sure, it gives the team a chance to rest for a weekend and an extra week of practice to prepare specifically for the next opponent, but to a passionate fan it's just like denying a junkie his fix.

USC vs. Auburn: The Bright Side

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 13:43:01 -0400

Expectations have been very high for Gamecock football this season, with lots of promising young talent and a new positive attitude among the players garnering the attention of both the media and fans. Of course, any long time Gamecock fan knows that the inevitable let down is always just around the corner no matter how good the signs are, and so very few were surprised to see the failure at Auburn last week.

Why We Will Win the Auburn Game

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:32:03 -0400

South Carolina's last visit to Auburn was a complete disaster, with the Gamecocks failing at every aspect of the game and being humiliated with a 48-7 loss to the Tigers (or War Eagles, or Plainsmen, or whatever they were calling themselves that week). Fortunately, times have changed and there are a number of reasons to be optimistic about this year's matchup.

What We Learned from the Georgia Game

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:16:18 -0400

We Don't need Weslye Saunders to win big games. Weslye had a big game against the 'Dogs last year but we still lost, while this year we had no trouble without him. I can appreciate his productivity over his career at USC, but when you put the whole team in danger for your own self-interest then you are not, by definition, a team player.

What We Learned From the Southern Mississippi Game

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:57:01 -0400

One can watch a dozen practices and get a general idea of a team's potential strengths and weaknesses, but much of that data can be thrown out the window the minute the players take the field on a real game day. Everything changes with the added pressure of having a crowd to impress, and more importantly, a win or loss on the line.

Hometown Roller Derby Showdown Promises Intensity

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 13:10:52 -0400

If you live anywhere near the State Fairgrounds, don't be alarmed if you hear the sound of clashing bodies and cries of pain next Saturday evening as Columbia's two women's flat track roller derby teams square off in a battle for bragging rights.

NCAA Investigation Dampens Gamecock Spirits

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:34:37 -0400

There has been a lot of buzz among Gamecock football fans this year about the positive, winning attitude finally being shown by the team. Perennially the "this is our year" optimism has been largely limited to the fans, and to see it actually radiating from the players is certainly a sign of progress

Part 2: Gamecock Football, the Good, the Bad, the Ugly

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:05:35 -0400

Following up on last week's list of positives regarding Gamecock football, let's take a look at five negatives the team will have to contend with this season.

Gamecock Football: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:05:46 -0400

With the college football season only a month away it is time to start previewing what's going on in the Gamecock camp. Of course, with practice not yet officially underway, all such talk is pure speculation at this point, so we'll keep it general for now and hone in more as stories and issues actually develop.

Lattimore Goes Out On a Limb, Will the Team Follow?

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 12:38:17 -0400

The eternal optimism of Gamecock football fans is perhaps one of the most laudable phenomena in all of collegiate sports. For decades our support vs. success ratio has been highly weighted on the support side, while other schools often tend to reflect the bandwagon syndrome, with supporters coming and going in direct relation to the quality of their team.

Gamecock Baseball Wins School's First Major National Championship

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 12:01:49 -0400

Excitement, tension, frustration, suspense, hope, aggravation--all of the usual stops on the Gamecock roller coaster...

Gamecocks Poised to make School History With Win at College World Series

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:49:17 -0400

So far, so good. The Gamecocks flirted with disaster, falling into a typical USC sports late season slide

USC Baseball On Schedule to Peak at College World Series

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:19:29 -0400

Baseball is a game of streaks and slumps, peaks and valleys, and again it looks like the Gamecocks are finding their stride at just the right time. However, make no mistake, they are still in the "finding" phase and they will have to do more to climb to the peak required to succeed in the College World Series in Omaha.

Columbia Quad Squad: Best Kept Sports Secret in Town

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:54:39 -0400

One of Columbia's best sports teams is also one of its least known, though you'll certainly want to get to know them better once you've seen them in action. Riding a wave of flat track roller derby revival that is rising across the nation, the Columbia Quad Squad is fast becoming one of the most respected teams in the region.

Late Season Slide Just What We Needed?

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 11:11:38 -0400

As so often happens in USC athletics, the Gamecock baseball team turned a sizzling second half of the season into a flop, losing two of its last three series and then being swept out of the SEC tournament in two straight games. Fortunately, unlike the tiered football bowl system where such a slide would automatically restrict a team's postseason potential by placing it in a lesser game and effectively ending its championship dreams, the baseball playoff structure preserves hope for those who may have simply hit their slump at the wrong time.

Conference Expansion a Bad Idea

Fri, 21 May 2010 12:23:19 -0400

When it is on the table, conference expansion is always a hot topic, because everyone has some dream notion of how to perfectly rearrange affiliations so that every team is where it "should" be. Of course, the talk almost always focuses on college football matchups, which is a bit ironic given that the more a conference expands the worse the effect on football scheduling.

Gamecock Baseball Flirting With Disaster

Wed, 12 May 2010 13:36:08 -0400

Despite recovering to crush Wofford 17-4 last night, as a Gamecock fan there's something seriously ominous

USC Sizzling in Second Half

Sat, 01 May 2010 17:54:59 -0400

Is this USC baseball team built for Omaha? All signs point to yes, if history is any indication.

Thank Goodness for Baseball.

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:53:35 -0400

Well, it was a rough season for basketball, and with Dominique Archie denied a sixth year of eligibility the outlook for next year is pretty bleak as well. Spring football practice bred no less uncertainty, as the improvements we were all counting on seeing really didn't materialize. Luckily, we are once again blessed with a competitive baseball squad...

Will the Real Mr. Garcia Please Man Up?

Sun, 04 Apr 2010 18:03:48 -0400

With USC's spring practice in full swing there has been a lot of buzz about the competition for the quarterback position and whether or not we'll see the improvement that we need to see there this year. The early story was freshman Connor Shaw, whose performance in the first scrimmage created a stir and lots of speculation that he may step right in to the backup position, or if you listen to the bipolar extremist types, even into the starting position.

Keep Your Politics Off My Football

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:41:06 -0400

This week it was reported that State Representative David Weeks, chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, is organizing an effort to discourage black recruits from playing football at the University of South Carolina. Leave it to a politician to teach us all what "teamwork" does NOT mean.

Long Road Ahead for Gamecock Basketball

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:48:45 -0400

There's no getting around the fact that the 2009-2010 Gamecock basketball season was a big disappointment. Sure, the frustration is tempered by a couple of outstanding achievements, namely beating #1 ranked Kentucky

Road Woes Dog Cocks

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:34:24 -0400

Lack of effort, results on road scar Horn's first two seasons at USC.

Y'all Hear 'bout Our Rekrootin' Klass!?

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:58:58 -0400

Shee-doggie, the Old Ball Coach done went out and got 'em some gooduns!

Euphoria is a Hell of a Drug

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:37:37 -0400

Gamecocks relish spotlight, success after shocking the nation's No. 1 team for first time in school history

The State's Sports Section Suffers Another Blow

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:20:12 -0400

Clemson beat dropped, high school staff dwindles

Spurrier Dead Wrong on Gun Issue

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:47:32 -0400

Spurrier Flouts Common Sense, Own Track Record in Flippant Comments about Brown's Weapons Arrest

Moe Brown Arrested in June on Gun Charge

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:37:40 -0400

Respected USC Senior Arrested for Speeding, Weapons Possession, No Insurance

Gamecocks Lay Egg in Birmingham

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:22:16 -0400

Apologies from Spurrier Growing Tiresome

Archie Out for Season

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:50:28 -0400

Season of Promise Heading South

Archie Out for Season

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:50:28 -0400

Season of Promise Heading South

Loss of Wolford: Big Deal or Bump in the Road?

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:32:06 -0400

Just when the Gamecocks looked poised to self-destruct at the end of the season, they pulled out a convincing win over archrival Clemson and snagged a bowl bid -- albeit a minor one, the Papa John's Bowl. Still, smashing Clemson was enough all by itself to restore the lagging faith

What We Learned: Clemson

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:35:09 -0400

Redemption for offensive line. Domination from defense. Season made. Clemson pushed around, outcoached, outmatched. Fans terrific.

What We Learned: Florida

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:15:02 -0400

Defense great, wide receivers great, Garcia gutsy, offensive line terrible, defense great, defense great, kickoffs laughable.

What We Learned: Arkansas

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:39:25 -0400

Offense among worst in nation, defense too thin to compensate for it. Four-game slide a comfortable prediction. Will Steve Spurrier Jr. ever talk to the media and take responsibility for offense?

What We Learned: Tennessee

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:03:34 -0400

New Carolina = Old Carolina. Offense is embarrassment. Defense sturdy but slipping. Offense is embarrassment. Special teams stink. Offense is embarrassment.

What We Learned: Vandy

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:38:25 -0400

Were Steve Spurrier Jr. the offensive coordinator of an NFL team, there would be a mid-season firing. But since he's the son of Steve Spurrier, he's somehow off-limits.