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Aiken Standard, S.C.
Newcomers lead Gamecocks to exhibition win over Wake Forest
- Story byAiken Standard, S.C.
- Newcomers lead Gamecocks to exhibition win over Wake Forest
Oct. 15—ROCK HILL — Not everybody played, and rotations are still way, way, way off from being even close to finished, and it was clear that there are some still getting used to playing Lamont Paris' system, if not American college basketball's system.
That's what exhibitions are for. South Carolina knew it wouldn't see major improvements during a 78-69 win over Wake Forest on Thursday at Rock Hill's Sports and Event Center, and wisely didn't try.
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There was already one closed exhibition for more work, and there will be another open exhibition next week for still more before the ball is tipped for real.
For Thursday, though, it was pretty good.
As long as the first issue to repair is, "how to break the press."
The Gamecocks let a lead that was 17 points at its max get to five — after a 10-point lead was clipped to that in 14 seconds due to tough Wake defense — but rallied. Kory Mincy stuck a stone-cold jumper from the line after a Demon Deacon tried to guard him one-on-one in the final two minutes and USC escaped.
"We had to handle a little adversity. If you can draw it up, you want it the way things happened. In all honesty, we haven't done a lot against the press," Paris said. "We will, obviously."
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But he also pointed out the half-court defense, the chest-ups under the basket, the willingness to get a nose bloodied — those were all nice.
"The way we can defend, I do think it takes a toll on other teams," said Cam Heide. "Also, I think it wore them down later in the game."
Each team was figuring out how to attack the other early, Wake Forest settling into a zone with its bigs up top and the Gamecocks countering with aggressive pressing defense, and a deep commitment to collapse into the paint whenever a Demon Deacon slipped inside. Last year's USC team, a group of 3-point shooters, would have tried to shoot over Wake.
This year's stayed patient, waited for a break, and the zone began to crack. Do-it-all forward Jakub Necas led the way with 22 points, five rebounds and two blocks while freshman Marcus Johnson, taking over for departed cousin Meechie Johnson at point guard, showed flashes of what apparently runs in the family — an ability to get to the rim with ease, and occasionally flush a ball through it. He had 13.
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"I'm feeling really comfortable," said Necas, who Paris called probably the most versatile player on the roster. "I feel we were sharing the ball, the ball came to me and I was prepared to knock them down."
Heide, imported from Texas as a known 3-point shooter, drained a couple to start the second half and USC held a nine-point lead for most of the stanza. He finished with 14 points.
Observations, from an exhibition game and the first public view of an unfinished product:
Alabama transfer Davion Hannah was a dynamo, explosive as a powder keg at getting to his spots and fearless about playing in traffic. He didn't do much from the floor (1-of-6) but was money from the free-throw line (5-of-6).
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Juan Fernandez, a veteran of professional international ball, didn't look amazing running the floor but was solid in the paint, always there for a rebound, block or bucket. He fouled out with 10 points, eight boards and a block in 22 minutes.
The Deacons (employing assistant coach BJ McKie, USC's all-time leading scorer) read the scouting report and were very aware of Mincy, throwing double-team after double-team at him.
It was the Gamecocks' first official scrimmage (they beat Davidson, comfortably, in a "secret" scrimmage last weekend) and their latest game in Rock Hill. USC has used the venue for two other "secret" scrimmages over the years and also beat Florida State in a regular-season game in 2021.
The Gamecocks will host Campbell on Oct. 25 to finish their exhibition schedule and then begin the season at home against Stetson on Nov. 3.
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Fifth-year guard Shane Blakeney was denied a chance to play in his hometown. He's dealing with a minor injury and is day-to-day; there was no need to push him to play against Wake. He played at Legion Collegiate and then at Drexel.
Center Nasir Hines was also out. The sophomore from Cleveland and Palm Beach College is actually ineligible this season, Paris revealed. He can do everything but play.
The Gamecocks only played nine and at full strength, will probably only have 11 that actually play (with a couple more who could go in but are viewed as scout-team players).
Follow David Cloninger on Twitter at @DCPandC
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