Gamecocks aim to reverse trend

COLUMBIA -- After consecutive Southeastern Conference losses, Darrin Horn and South Carolina's basketball team aren't making any dramatic, drastic changes.

There's really no need.

The Gamecocks have certainly been good enough to be in games. But they continue to have to play catchup because of sluggish starts.

A week ago, they cut Vanderbilt's 17-point lead to eight, but couldn't get any closer. Wednesday at Mississippi? Same thing. Got behind by 15 early, cut it to six in the second half, but couldn't get any closer.

"We've played really well, and maybe outplayed our opponents, for the majority of the (SEC) losses," Horn said. "The stretches that we haven't, we've played so poorly that we've dug ourselves an insurmountable deficit."

So, what's endemic of those poor starts? It's pretty predictable. They're things Horn is constantly discussing as problematic for the young team that's down two starters.

The Gamecocks (11-7, 2-2) are suffering defensive and rebounding lapses. Throw in a missed shot or two (or three) on the offensive end and you're down double digits.

That's something that also played out in non-conference losses to Boston College, Baylor and even Wofford.

The loss in Spartanburg, really, was the first evidence of what's become an unfortunate trend for South Carolina. Second-half hustle isn't enough when the climb is too steep.

"Before you can understand what it takes to win," Horn said, "you have to understand why you lose."

Are the Gamecocks closer to comprehending that as they travel tonight to face Florida (13-5, 2-2)?

Senior forward Evka Baniulis said Friday that the team practiced segments of games. It specifically practiced how to start games at a better, crisper pace.

"We did it several times," Baniulis said. "I believe we just need to be mentally ready. I think that's the reason for a lot of this."

While there won't be wholesale changes like bagging the full- and half-court pressure, there are little subtleties that have played out in the past month.

Horn did say the Gamecocks pressed less Wednesday, but a lot of that was due to being on the road. So tonight's game could play out similarly.

Additionally, Horn started Baniulis on Wednesday to give the team a bit more size and experience on the floor. Baniulis only took two shots, missing both, but he grabbed seven rebounds and got a steal in 24 minutes.

As a result, he'll be back in the lineup again tonight. If you haven't figured it out by now, Horn rewards his players for far more than scoring.

"I did what I could and it was rebounding in that case," Baniulis said. "Coach Horn is a believer in doing the little things. He knows it's not my role to score points. ... I rebounded and played a little defense -- things I never do, really."

Baniulis made himself laugh at that thought.

But that's precisely what Horn wants -- and what this team needs to be successful: It will require efforts that are beyond previous boundaries, but not extraordinarily so.

If enough guys are doing that, it could stem these slow starts -- and keep the Gamecocks in games for 40 minutes instead of forcing them to catch up in the final 20.

Certainly there's no need to make great changes at this point, or even if South Carolina drops the next two (soon-to-be No. 1 Kentucky is on deck).

Horn has said the Gamecocks are a work in progress as they try to figure out what works best in the wake of losing Dominique Archie and Mike Holmes for the year.

"We've already made some of those adjustments," Horn said. "But, really, it's simple stuff. It's finding shooters in transition, it's putting a body on somebody, it's not turning the ball over. Those are basics that translate to anything, any style or system. That's what's hurting us more than anything."

Horn looks around and doesn't see a team sulking or one that's losing confidence. Probably because, as he said, the Gamecocks have played with - or outplayed - the competition for long stretches in each of their SEC games.

"I think we're OK," he said. "I think we see the film and realize there's a lot of stuff we can control."

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the South Carolina blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/gamecocks.

South Carolina at Florida

WHEN/WHERE: 6 p.m., Stephen C. O'Connell Center, Gainesville, Fla.

TV: ESPN

RADIO: WTMA 1250 AM

SOUTH CAROLINA (11-7, 2-2 Southeastern)

HEAD COACH: Darrin Horn (32-17 in second year at South Carolina)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: G Devan Downey, 5-9, sr. (21.2 ppg, 3.8 apg); G Brandis Raley, 6-1, sr. (10.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg); F Sam Muldrow, 6-9, jr. (9.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg).

NOTES: The Gamecocks fell behind by 15 in the first half at Ole Miss, cutting the lead to six in the second half, before falling 66-57. ... Other than Downey's 25, freshman Ramon Galloway (11) was the only other Gamecock in double figures. It took a late flurry for Downey to reach (and pass) his season average, which has increased in each of the team's four SEC games. ... Downey is 14 points away from 2,000 for his career. He's averaged 23.8 points a game in four previous meetings with Florida.

FLORIDA (13-5, 2-2 Southeastern)

HEAD COACH: Billy Donovan (323-131 in 14th year at Florida)

PLAYERS TO WATCH: G Kenny Boynton, 6-2, fr. (14.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg); G Erving Walker, 5-8, so. (12.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg); F Alex Tyus, 6-8, jr. (11.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg).

NOTES: The Gators played at 9 p.m. game Thursday night at Arkansas and have to turn around to play again this evening. Horn called that a reality of the SEC TV contract, saying it's the price to be paid for exposure. ... The Gators did escape with a 71-66 victory against the Razorbacks. Walker, a streaky long-range shooter, hit 5-of-6 3-point attempts and scored a game-high 27 points. Tyus added a double-double (11 points, 12 rebounds).

-- Travis Haney