Georgia Tech prepares for similar opponent in South Carolina
ATLANTA -- There are many similarities between Georgia Tech and its next opponent in the NIT.
South Carolina, the team that Georgia Tech plays Monday, is a hard-nosed team that is loaded with veteran players. Plus, the Gamecocks have a bit of an attitude.
"They're playing with a bit of a chip on their shoulder," Georgia Tech head coach Brian Gregory said. "They're ticked off, and from the outside looking in, they probably should be."
South Carolina (25-8) is allowing 68.9 points on defense. The Gamecocks have allowed 80 points just three times this season. They've allowed an average of 64 points during the past three games. Head coach Frank Martin's team is known for its hard-nosed approach to the game, one that Gregory can respect.
"They're a physical team, and we're a fairly physical team, so I assume it will be a physical game," Gregory said. "They're a good rebounding team, they're a good defensive team, we both have big guards and play big lineups."
The Gamecocks are led by senior Michael Carrera, a second-team All-SEC player who averages 14.4 points and 7.8 rebounds. The big guard Gregory mentioned is junior Sindarius Thornwell, a 6-foot-5 junior who averages 13.6 points and 4.9 rebounds.
Offensively, South Carolina has three others who score in double figures: Kacina Mindaugas, a 6-7 forward who averages 10.1 points and 5.2 rebounds, Laimonas Charkevicius, a 6-11 forward who averages 10.2 points and 4.5 rebounds, and Duane Notice, a 6-2 guard who averages 10.9 points. Thornwell, who was recruited by Georgia Tech, is averaging 21.7 points, seven rebounds and five assists the past three games.
Georgia Tech starts four seniors in guards Marcus Georges-Hunt and Adam Smith and forwards Nick Jacobs and Charles Mitchell along with junior Quinton Stephens. The senior quartet combined for 59 of the team's 81 points against Houston.
The Yellow Jackets have been bolstered down the stretch by sophomores Ben Lammers, who has become an inside force, and Tadric Jackson, who has grown more effective in his relief role.
"(Getting to the postseason) has been great for our young guys to see what it takes to get tot his point," Gregory said. "Ben and Tadric are playing their best basketball now."
The Gamecocks were without five players in their first-round game. TeMarcus Blanton, Marcus Stroman, Chris Silva, Jamall Gregory and Eric Cobb were suspended indefinitely because of an incident involving a BB gun.
"Thornwell wasn't suspended, was he? Carrera wasn't, was he?" Gregory asked. "They won by 20 the other night and played without Carrera in the SEC tournament and lost by one. They've got plenty of players."
Georgia Tech (20-14) hasn't played South Carolina since 1984, the second part of a home-and-home series. The Yellow Jackets lead the series 24-18. The winner of this game will play the winner of the game between San Diego State (26-9) and Washington (19-14) on Wednesday night.
This story was originally published March 20, 2016 at 4:48 PM with the headline "Georgia Tech prepares for similar opponent in South Carolina ."