Dominique Archie out indefinitely

According to Jeff Goodman at FOXSports, Darrin Horn has said that Dominique Archie is out indefinitely.

Good news for the Gamecocks.

Why?

Because Horn also said that Archie only sprained his knee. Anyone that saw his landing after a dunk last night knows that is a lucky break for Archie.

You have to feel for Archie here. He tested the waters in last year's NBA Draft, but eventually decided to return to join Devan Downey and make a run at a SEC title, hopefully boosting his NBA Draft status in the process. Instead, he will be spending a good part of his senior campaign on crutches.

Hopefully, he makes a full recovery.

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Monday's Shootaround: Miami and Villanova win Tourney's, Purdue and Tennessee advance to Finals

Villanova 79, Ole Miss 67: Villanova knocked off Ole Miss to win the Puerto Rico Tip-off Classic. A dogfight throughout, the Wildcats started to pull away midway through the second half. It was an issue of effort from the Rebels, it was an issue of execution. The best teams in the country run their sets, get good shots, and score against even the toughest defenses. Ole Miss struggled with that at times.

The biggest surprise of this young season may be Villanova's Antonio Pena. Pena notched his third triple double double (h/t Kosi) of the season last night, coming up with 17 points and 16 rebounds (6 offensive) while going 8-13 from the field. With Mouphtaou Yarou and Isaiah Armwood looking largely unreliable right now, Pena (who is averaging 12.2 ppg and 11.0 rpg) turning into a force on the block would be a huge development for the Wildcats. The difference in this game was Pena (and Taylor King, who had 11 boards) controlling the glass.

Villanova won the Puerto Rico Tip-off Classic.
(photo credit: AP)

The Rebels are going to be good, however. Their back court of Chris Warren and Terrico White is as good as anyone in the south this side of Kentucky. As their bigs develop and this team continues to gel (remember, White and Murphy Holloway are sophomores, and Warren and Eniel Polynice missed last season with injuries), we may be talking about the best team in the SEC West.

One other note - Scottie Reynolds still looks a bit out of sync. He isn't making great decisions, he is over dribbling, and his jumper just isn't right quite yet. He did score 21 points last night, which should tell you how highly regarded this kid is.


Miami 85, South Carolina 70: South Carolina came out playing well, jumping to a 13-4 lead early on as Miami kept turning the ball over against the Gamecock pressure. But once guys like Malcolm Grant and Durand Scott starting attacking that pressure, it opened up quite a bit for the Gamecocks on the offensive end. Dwayne Collins was a monster in the paint, finishing with 17 points and 15 boards, while James Dews torched USC with open jumpers and easy lay-ups to the tune of 22 points on 8-11 shooting.

Miami looked like a team that could make some noise in the ACC if they can solve their turnover woes. Part of the issue is inexperience, but a bigger issue is the lack of a true point guard. Durand Scott and James Dews are both better off the ball, and Malcolm Grant is a score first point guard. That said, with those three in the back court, and a front line of Collins, DeQuan Jones, and Cyrus McGowan, the Canes have a nice group this year.

Hopefully, Dominique Archie's season isn't over.
(photo credit: The State)

For South Carolina, Devon Downey looked great, scoring 20 points, while Brandis Baley-Ross and Ramon Galloway combined for 26 points on 7-16 shooting from deep. But the news coming out of Charleston was that Dominique Archie landed awkwardly on a breakaway dunk, having to be helped off the court. He was later seen on the bench with crutches and a knee brace. I'm not exactly a knee expert, but I know when a knee injury looks bad, and this one looks bad. No word yet on the injury.


Kansas State 83, Dayton 75: Kansas State got 26 points from Jacob Pullen and 21 from Denis Clemente as the Wildcats knocked off the Flyers. The play of the two guards was so important for the Wildcats, as they did not get much in the way of offense from the rest of their line-up.

The biggest issue for Dayton was their inability to slow down Pullen and Clemente. Dayton is not a great offensive team, and when they are playing someone who can compete on the glass with them, the key to their team becomes defense - can they hold the team to a low enough score to win. As Kansas State constantly got into the paint, drawing fouls and hitting free throws, they were able to take down Dayton.

A perfect example. After being down 15 points midway through the second half, Dayton cut the lead to 58-54 on a big Chris Wright tip-dunk. At the other end, however, a defensive breakdown in the Dayton zone left Pullen wide open for a three from the corner to answer. Chris Johnson responded with a three at the other end to keep it at four, but Kansas State scored on their next four possessions, going on a 8-2 run. While Dayton made a few more surges, they wasted away their most promising threat.


Purdue 85, St. Joe's 60: It took a while for the Boilermakers to wake up, but once they did, St. Joe's didn't know what hit them. Up 18-9 midway through the first half, Purdue would outscore St. Joe's 45-14 over the next 18 minutes of game time. That includes a 23-3 run in the opening eight minutes of the second half. The offense came from all over, but it was JaJuan Johnson who was the star tonight, as he posted 18 points and 10 boards in the win. Ryne Smith and MArk Wohlford combined for 26 points and 5-8 shooting from deep off the bench.


Tennessee 57, DePaul 53: I think the key to beating Tennessee is obvious - don't turn the ball over and give the Vols easy baskets, instead take your time offensively, get a good shot, and make sure you get back and set your defense. Tennessee has basically the same roster as last season, and while they are no doubt more mature and better players with an increased level of experience, they are still going to have the same problems as they did last year in the half court.

Tennessee was ahead for much of this game, opening up a 10 point lead early in the second half, but DePaul hung around as Tennessee was never able to put a run on them. Tyler Smith, who led the Vols with 14 points and 9 boards, hit two free throws with 13 seconds left for the win.


Other notable scores:

• Michigan State 90, Valpo 60: Chris Allen had 22 points, and Delvon Roe added 10 points and 17 boards as the Spartans helped Tom Izzo tie Jud Heathcoate's MSU win record.
• Georgia Tech 85, Boston U. 67: Georgia Tech got 22 points on 10-12 shooting from Zach Peacock as the Yellow Jackets blew this game open with a 16-1 run midway through the second half. Gani Lawal and Derrick Favors both had double-doubles, combining for 31 points and 24 boards.
• Louisville 90, Morgan State 81: The Cardinals got 23 points and 12 boards from Samardo Samuels as they pounded the ball inside against the smaller Bears. Louisville took just 12 threes (compared to 68 during their first two games) while holding Morgan State's Reggie Holmes to 9 points on 4-12 shooting in 16 minutes (averaging 25.3 ppg coming it).
• Penn State 59, Davidson 57: After Penn State lost to two mid-major programs, they finally put together a win against Davidson. Jeff Brooks had 12 to lead the Nittany Lions. Brendan McKillop missed a jumper in the final seconds that would have tied it.
  
• George Mason 69, Indiana 66: Cam Long scored 18 points, including the game-winning three with six seconds left. It may just be Indiana, but the win is still important for the CAA's conference RPI.
• La Salle 61, Tulane 59: Rodney Green hit four free throws down the stretch as the Explorers held off Tulane.
• Iowa State 96, Mississippi Valley State 55: Craig Brackins had 28 and 12 boards while Marqus Gilstrap added 21 in the win for the Cyclones.
• Missouri 100, Texas Pan-American 44: Kim English led the Tigers with 25 points in the rout.
• Creighton 80, Arkansas-Little Rock 65: P'Allen Stinnet led five Bluejays in double figures as Creighton used a 15-2 run to open the second half to win it.
• South Florida 74, UNC-Wilmington 66: Dominique Jones had 28 points to lead the Bulls, who used an 11-1 run to open up a 37-32 halftime lead. They never trailed after the break.
• Vermont 77, Rutgers 71: Vermont picks up a win over a Big East team in the Legends Classic as Evan Fields scores 19 points and Marqus Blakely added 17 points, 9 boards, five blocks, and four steals. Too bad Rutgers automatically makes the semi-finals of the Legends Classic.
• Austin Peay 69, Niagara 67: The Purple Eagles went cold after opening the game with seven threes in six minutes and building a 21-4 lead. Marcel Williams hit the game-winning jumper with 3.5 seconds left.
  
• Notre Dame 91, Liberty 72: Luke Harangody has 32 and 12 boards in the win.
• NC State 60, Auburn 58: Tracy Smith scored with 1.3 seconds left to give NC State and the ACC a nice win over an SEC school.
  

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2009-2010 Team Preview: South Carolina Gamecocks

2008-2009 Record: 21-10, 10-6 SEC East (t-1st)

Key Losses: Zam Frederick (15.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg)

Key Returners: Devan Downey (19.8 ppg, 4.5 apg, 2.9 apg), Dominique Archie (10.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg), Mike Holmes (10.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg)

Newcomers: Ramon Galloway, Lakeem Jackson, Stephen Spinella, Johndre Jefferson

Devan Downey may be just 5'9", but he is one of the best scorers in the country.
(photo credit: Gamecock Central)

Darrin Horn caught a huge break during the off-season has Dominique Archie and Devan Downey both withdrew from the NBA Draft. With those two back in the fold, South Carolina will have enough talent to make a run at the top of the SEC.

It all starts with Downey. He stands just 5'9", but Downey is one of the best scorers in the country. Lightening quick, Downey is playing at his best when he is attacking the basket. Despite being just 5'9", he is a very good finisher around the rim as he has an effective floater and is adept at using his body to draw contact and create space from a defender. He has a tendency to force the issue when he is attacking the basket, resulting in a relatively high number of turnovers. Downey is also an excellent three-point shooter (his 35% shooting from deep on the season is skewed a bit by shots he forced with the Gamecocks down late) when he isn't forcing threes. Downey is a high risk, high reward type of player. He is going to take a lot of tough shots, and when he is on, he can make them and carry the team while putting up 30. Same thing on the defensive end. Downey's quickness allows him to be a pest on the ball and in the passing lanes (2.9 spg), but he gives up easy buckets when he gambles for steals and misses.

Joining Downey in the back court will be SEC sixth man of the year Brandis Raley-Ross. Raley-Ross battled injuries all through last season, missing six games in November and December with a sprained knee. With Zam Frederick graduating, expect Raley-Ross to have an expanded role on the offensive end. Two freshman will provide depth in the Gamecock's back court. Lakeem Jackson is a hard-nosed, 6'5" wing that is known for his athleticism and toughness. Still not a great scorer at this point in his career, Jackson will get a lot of minutes this season simply because he will play defense and provide energy in Horn's uptempo, pressing system. Ramon Galloway is also a pretty athletic kid, but he is much more of an offensive presence than Jackson. He will be counted on to provide a spark off the bunch, making up some of the 15.5 ppg that graduated with Frederick.

Up front is where the Gamecocks may have some issues. Mike Holmes is their solid, if inconsistent, center. Standing just 6'7", Holmes is a handful on the block. He's an excellent rebounder, especially on the offensive end, and he looked like a potential all-SEC player during the non-conference portion of South Carolina's schedule last year. But his production tailed off a bit during SEC play, leading to some questions about how well he can handle bigger opponents. Joining Holmes in the starting front court is 6'9" Sam Muldrow. Muldrow had a slow start to last season as he was suspended for academics for the first couple of game before injuring his elbow, missing the first 15 games. Muldrow is a good shotblocker, averaging almost two per contest, and if he can develop his offensive game a little bit, he could be a nice complement to the bruising Holmes.

The first guy off the bench for the Gamecocks up front will be Evaldas Banilius. Banilius stands 6'7" and moves more like a power forward, but the Lithuanian is the best shooter on the South Carolina team, as he knocked down 48-100 3's last season. He plays the majority of his minutes as a power forward, which forces a big man to cover him on the perimeter, which, most of the time, is a mismatch. 6'8" junior Austin Steed and 6'9" JuCo transfer Johndre Jefferson will provide depth up front.

The x-factor for this team will be Dominique Archie. Archie is a very good all-around player. He is 6'7" and athletic enough to guard all five positions on the floor, which makes him so effective in the South Carolina press. Essentially, Archie is a very, very good glue guy. He plays defense (1.2 spg, 1.5 bpg), he crashes the offensive glass, he can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim, he can knock down an open three. With Zam Frederick gone, Horn is going to be relying on Archie to become the second option for the Gamecocks.

Outlook: Despite sharing the SEC East title last season, the Gamecocks once again failed to make the NCAA Tournament, somewhere they haven't been since 2004. This year looks like their best chance. They have one of the best point guards in the country in Devan Downey and plenty of athletes that buy into Horn's system of pressure defense and fast-paced offense. The biggest question mark is going to be who steps up to replace the offense that was lost with Frederick's graduation. If Archie can turn into a guy you have to worry about going for 20 every night, it should take a lot of pressure off of Downey. The biggest problem the Gamecocks will face this season is how good the SEC East is - five teams have a shot a dancing. If they can put up the same record they did last year - 21 wins, 10 in conference - then they will be headed to the dance.
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