SEC report

SportsLine.com Report
April 10, 2000

A Glance at 2001

After a terrible season in 1998-99, the Gamecocks bounced back by approaching .500 and putting forward Chuck Eidson on the All-SEC freshman team.

Things could get even better next season.

Although no one averaged in double digits last season, six of the Gamecocks' top seven players return. Eidson is the best of them, although freshmen centers Tony Kitchings and Marius Petravicius are also pretty good. Same with junior forward Antonio Grant and sophomore guards Jamel Bradley and Aaron Lucas.

Besides the current nucleus, coach Eddie Fogler did a strong job on the recruiting trail. He landed center and Top 10 prospect Rolando Howell -- brother of seldom-used freshman forward Ivan, who could see more time next season -- and solid guards in Greg Taylor and Michael Boynton.

Among the returnees and the newcomers, someone must step up and become a go-to guy; perhaps Eidson is that guy. If things come together, this should be at least an NIT team.

The Coach

The administration just gave Fogler a one-year contract extension through 2004, so he does have some time to turn things around. He did a decent job in leading South Carolina near the .500 mark this season and seems to have things going in the right direction.

Who'll Be Back

Virtually the entire roster returns, including four of five starters. If he picks up his play, Eidson could make one of the All-SEC teams. Although the others aren't quite at that level, the likes of Grant, Kitchings and Petravicius are all solid players. In fact, you could see a starting lineup that features Bradley and Grant in the backcourt and Eidson, Kitchings and Petravicius up front.

Who'll Be Gone

South Carolina loses leading scorer and swingman Hubert Lee Davis. Although Davis was a nice player, he didn't take over games the way go-to guys should. Nonetheless, his presence will be missed.

Key Newcomers

Fogler went out and boosted the Gamecocks' talent level on the recruiting trail. This fall's class has been rated among the Top 15 by several recruiting evaluators.

PF/C Rolando Howell (6-9, 220, Fr.): Plucked from South Carolina's backyard in Columbia, S.C., Howell will join brother Ivan in the frontcourt. Rated one of the Top 10 prospects nationally by the Bob Gibbons All-Star Report, the Lower Richland High School standout was named the state's "Mr. Basketball."

He averaged 16.1 points, nine rebounds and four blocks in what some considered a subpar senior season. Chosen to play for the U.S. All-Stars in the Hoop Summit International Game at the Final Four on April 2.

SG/SF Greg Taylor (6-5, 175, Fr.): Another homegrown talent, Taylor hails from Hillcrest High in Simpsonville, S.C. As a senior, averaged 15.9 points, 5.9 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 3.5 steals for a team that went 23-4. Known for his work ethic, court vision and outside touch, he is often compared to current Gamecock Eidson. Not a bad comparison.

PG Michael Boynton (6-2, 180, Fr.): Fogler went back to his New York roots to land this Brooklyn native and Bishop Loughlin High standout. Although overlooked in a city full of talented floor generals, he was a Top 100 prospect according to several evaluators. Not flashy, but solid across the board. Picked USC over UMass, Boston College and Hofstra.