The 3-2-1: Three negatives, two positives, and one lingering question from South Carolina basketball's loss to Butler
In the 3-2-1, we typically identify three positives, two negatives, and one lingering question following South Carolina basketball’s latest time out on the court. However, with a loss on Friday, the positives and negatives will swap. Let’s dive into the Gamecocks’ first loss of the year, a 79-72 defeat against the Butler Bulldogs at the Greenbrier Tip-Off.
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Three Negatives
- Physical limitations
It’s not so much an issue with play (though there is some of that at times) as it is just the way the roster has been built: the Gamecocks aren’t a physically-impressive team.
Against Butler, South Carolina lost almost every battle that required any manner of physicality. The Gamecocks got pushed around, out-muscled, out-jumped, and out-run. It wasn’t that they played that poorly, but their physical limitations showed up against a quality opponent.
It wasn’t even an effort issue, outside of some missed boxouts in the battle on the boards. To USC’s credit, there was no quit in the team. There were things they did well and things that they didn’t (more on those later), but there wasn’t much Lamont Paris’ team could do to overcome playing against taller, longer, stronger players.
After the game, Paris correctly said, “I think they kicked our rear ends physically.” The physical limitations of the Gamecock roster led to the other two negatives from the Butler loss. - The paint
The place most-affected by the Gamecocks’ lack of size, strength, and athleticism was the painted area. Butler, a team that normally likes to play on the perimeter, recognized their advantage and altered their plan of attack.
For the game, South Carolina allowed 42 points in the paint. That number would have been much higher had it not been for USC’s fouls. The Gamecocks put Butler on the line a lot, with many of those trips to the charity stripe stemming from wins down low. The Bulldogs attempted 34 foul shots and added 20 points from the line. That means that 62 of the team’s 79 points came in the paint or at the free throw line.
The rebounding battle wasn’t close. Butler out-rebounded Carolina, 48-29. They also pulled down 15 offensive boards and scored 23 points on their second-chance opportunities.
Michael Ajayi was the toughest matchup. The wide-bodied forward logged a 15-point, 14-rebound double-double. He led the starting lineup to 33 rebounds, four more than South Carolina’s entire team. - Defense
In addition to the struggles defending inside, South Carolina didn’t have its best overall day defending.
On the perimeter, the Gamecocks surrendered a 41.7% 3-point shooting efficiency to Butler. They also gave up too many clean drives to the basket. Despite tight rims and the fact that the officials allowed a very physical brand of defense from both teams for most of the game, the Bulldogs shot nearly 50% from the field.
The Gamecocks committed 25 personal fouls, including 15 in the second half. That number could have been higher had the game been played with a tighter whistle in the first half.
Certain players, like Myles Stute and Elijah Strong, continue to struggle defensively. Though not related to defense, it is worth nothing that both players combined to go 1-for-11 offensively, too.
Two Positives
- No quit
Despite those issues and an overall poor shooting day (which could have been a fourth negative itself), South Carolina kept fighting through the final buzzer.
Quite frankly, with how thoroughly Butler dominated down low and how poorly the Gamecocks shot (26.9% from outside) and passed (just 10 assists), it is downright amazing that the game ended with just a seven-point margin. Physical dominance can be demoralizing and can lead to scoreboard dominance. But that isn’t what happened on Friday.
Though Coach Paris’ lamented his team’s lack of competing from a physicality standpoint (and there’s some truth to that), the Gamecocks fought in every other way. If they can combine that fight with crisper play, the results will be better. - Limiting the damage
Though it is true that South Carolina couldn’t overcome some of its physical deficiencies, the Gamecocks were able, at times, to limit the damage those shortcomings caused.
Both Christ Essandoko and Jordan Butler had good moments battling down low, something the team will need more of moving forward. Eli Ellis and Kobe Knox took advantage of some steal opportunites defensively during the team’s second-half comeback efforts.
Part of limiting the damage came with the way USC protected the basketball. South Carolina finished with just seven turnovers and allowed just nine points off those giveaways.
One Lingering Question and What’s Next
Can Carolina overcome its physical deficiencies with skill?
It is pretty well understood that South Carolina will be at a size and athleticism disadvantage against most high-level teams. However, the theoretical makeup of the Gamecocks is one that overcomes those deficiencies with skill.
That didn’t happen against Butler. Instead, USC also struggled to shoot the basketball and didn’t have its best day distributing the basketball or moving off-ball.
Will the Gamecocks, a team whose makeup requires positive offensive play to cover for likely negative defense, bounce back shooting the rock?
What’s Next?
South Carolina basketball will face off with the Northwestern Wildcats on Sunday as part of the Greenbrier Tip-Off. The 5:00 p.m. contest will broadcast on CBS Sports Network.