It's a toss-up, like most SEC games

COLUMBIA -- The reality of today's South Carolina-Tennessee game is that it could rather easily go either way. The reality is most Southeastern Conference games can.

"We can play with or beat anybody," USC second-year coach Darrin Horn said. "But we could lose to anybody, too. We're just that kind of a team."

That leaves the Gamecocks (13-8, 4-3 SEC) in a shaky but promising spot at the conference season's halfway point.

And Horn's team isn't alone. Far from it, actually.

The SEC is littered with those kinds of teams.

Tennessee. Florida. Mississippi State. Mississippi. And, yes, the Gamecocks.

They are all teams still sorting themselves out, jockeying for position. When any of those teams get on the floor -- and, heck, depending on the night, throw in Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia -- you really don't know who's going to win.

From that pool, some will emerge in the coming weeks, locking in on NCAA berths. Some will fade due to a variety of reasons.

Horn said he still thinks a half-dozen SEC teams will be in the Big Dance, come March.

South Carolina needs to repeat what it accomplished a week ago.

Against a top-tier team, then-No. 1 Kentucky, the Gamecocks made all the little hustle plays and took the Wildcats out of their game.

Later in the week, with a so-so Georgia team in Columbia, USC didn't play all that well and still managed to win.

That's pretty much it. That's how USC will need to continue to win -- play well against good team, win ugly against average ones.

The constant thus far has been point guard Devan Downey, averaging 31.6 points a game in the first seven SEC games. Downey was named the SEC and national player of the week after carrying USC those wins against Kentucky and Georgia.

The day is likely coming when Downey won't score 30. Who, then, will take up for him? Are the Gamecocks capable of picking up the difference if he scores, say, 15?

"That's why all those other little things are so important," Horn said.

As for Tennessee, the Volunteers (17-4, 5-2) are playing well enough to win but they're not exactly firing on all cylinders right now.

Tennessee has been fighting through the effects of a New Year's Day incident that resulted in the suspensions or dismissals of four players.

Melvin Goins and Cameron Tatum returned to the team after being suspended. Big man Brian Williams remains suspended.

All-SEC performer Tyler Smith was booted from the team for his role.

Post Wayne Chism, who notoriously gives USC fits, and guards Scotty Hopson and Bobby Maze have both elevated their games in Smith's absence.

It's certainly a quick turnaround for the Vols, who held off Louisiana State on Thursday night in Baton Rouge.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com, check out the Gamecocks blog at postandcourier.com/blogs/gamecocks and follow him on Twitter (@gamecocksblog).

South Carolina at No. 14 Tennessee

WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville, Tenn.

TV: ESPN

RADIO: WTMA 1250-AM

SOUTH CAROLINA (13-8, 4-3 Southeastern)

HEAD COACH: Darrin Horn (34-18 in second year at South Carolina)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: G Devan Downey, 5-9, sr. (22.9 ppg, 3.6 apg); G Brandis Raley, 6-1, sr. (10.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg); F Sam Muldrow, 6-9, jr. (9.7 ppg, 5.9 bpg).

NOTES: The Gamecocks are coming off a mid-season, mid-week break. ... South Carolina is coming off back-to-back home SEC wins, against Kentucky and Georgia. ... Downey is one of 11 finalists for the Cousy Award, given to the country's top point guard. He's also the reigning national player of the week.

TENNESSEE (17-4, 5-2 Southeastern)

HEAD COACH: Bruce Pearl (115-41 in fifth year at Tennessee)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: G Bobby Maze, 6-3, sr. (8.7 ppg, 3.3 apg); G Scotty Hopson, 6-7, so. (13.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg); F Wayne Chism, 6-9, sr. (12.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg).

NOTES: A little more than a foot of snow was expected Friday and Saturday in Knoxville ... The Vols are 4-2 against teams in the RPI top 55. ... UT is 66-8 at Thompson-Boling Arena since the 2005-06 season.

-- Travis Haney