Gamecocks Poised for Dominance at Home

The South Carolina Gamecocks (5-2) are returning home with momentum after snapping a two-game skid with a convincing 74-62 win over Charleston Southern. Head coach Lamont Paris, boasting an impressive 2-0 record in previous ACC/SEC Challenge games, has his team ready. The Gamecocks have also had the Hokies’ number in recent years, defeating them twice on neutral floors. This Tuesday marks the first time South Carolina has hosted Virginia Tech since January 1991, adding a historic layer to this exciting rivalry.

Key Gamecock performances against Charleston Southern included junior transfer forward Elijah Strong’s season-high 22 points, with 20 coming in the second half. Redshirt senior transfer guard Kobe Knox added 15 points, and senior transfer Nordin Kapic contributed 11 in his first start since early November. Their collective strength and home-court advantage could be crucial in this Virginia Tech vs South Carolina contest.

Hokies Seek Redemption After Bahamas Blip

The Virginia Tech Hokies (6-2) started their season strong, winning their first six games and taking the opening contest of the Battle 4 Atlantis. However, they faced recent setbacks, dropping their next two games in the Bahamas against St. Mary’s and VCU. Seventh-year veteran head coach Mike Young leads a squad known for its balanced offensive attack, with seven players averaging 8.4 or more points and five in double figures.

The Hokies’ offensive firepower is undeniable. West Virginia transfer forward Amani Hansberry leads the team with 15.4 points per game. Talented freshman guard Neoklis Avdalas averages 13.8 points and a team-high 4.6 assists. Athletic forward Tobi Lawal is a double-double threat with 12.8 points and 10.3 rebounds. Experienced transfers Jailen Bedford (UNLV) and Jaden Schutt (Duke transfer) also bolster the backcourt, both averaging 10.3 points and shooting over 40% from beyond the arc. The Hokies average an impressive 82.6 points per game, setting the stage for a high-scoring ACC/SEC Challenge clash.

Tale of the Tape: Key Matchups to Watch

This Virginia Tech vs South Carolina game offers intriguing matchups across the board:

• South Carolina’s Defense vs. Virginia Tech’s Offense: The Gamecocks have a stellar record under Coach Paris when holding opponents below 70 points. Can they stifle Virginia Tech’s high-powered, balanced attack?
• Backcourt Battle: South Carolina’s experienced backcourt featuring Johnson, Stute, Sharavjamts, and Knox will go head-to-head with Virginia Tech’s talented guard rotation, including Avdalas, Bedford, and Schutt. Three-point shooting will be critical for both sides.
• Home Court Advantage: The Gamecocks thrive at Colonial Life Arena, especially with student support. The first 1,500 students get a free t-shirt, and the first 500 get free pizza – expect a lively atmosphere!

Game Day Details: Don’t Miss the Action!

Make sure you catch every moment of this thrilling ACC/SEC Challenge encounter:

• TIME: 7 p.m. (ET)
• VENUE: Colonial Life Arena
• TV: SEC Network (Play-by-Play: Anish Shroff, Analyst: Chris Spatola)
• RADIO: Gamecock Radio Network (In Columbia: 107.5 The Game)
• SIRIUSXM: 374 | SXM APP: 374
• WATCH ONLINE: ESPN.com/watch/
• LIVE STATS: StatBroadcast

Historically, the Gamecocks lead the series 20-13 and hold a significant 12-3 advantage in games played in Columbia. South Carolina has also won the last three meetings, including a 70-60 victory in their last encounter at the Fort Myers Tip-Off.

Gamecock Numbers to Note

Coach Paris’s tenure has brought impressive statistics for South Carolina:

• Shooting Success: Gamecocks are 12-1 when shooting 50% or higher and 6-0 when shooting 50% or higher from beyond the arc.
• Offensive Power: A perfect 16-0 record when scoring 80 or more points.
• Defensive Fortitude: An astounding 43-9 record (.827 win %) when holding opponents below 70 points.
• Three-Point Prowess: Johnson (199) and Stute (243) combine for 442 career three-pointers, ranking among the active career leaders in Division I.
• Experience Counts: Stute (137), Johnson (123), Sharavjamts (106), and Knox (104) bring a combined 470 games of NCAA Division I experience to the Gamecocks’ backcourt.

Last season, the Gamecocks made 274 three-pointers (a new program record), had the third-fewest turnovers all-time, finished ranked #25 in the final AP Poll (first time since 1998), and secured their first top-five road win since 1997 against #5/5 Tennessee.

What’s Next for South Carolina?

Following this exciting Virginia Tech vs South Carolina battle, the Gamecocks will continue their home stand, first welcoming Stetson (3-6) on Saturday, December 2nd, at 2 p.m. ET on SEC Network+. They will then face The Citadel (2-6) the following Saturday, December 9th, at 7 p.m. ET.