LA Sports Hub
Fansided

March Madness 2017: Ranking and previewing all Sweet 16 teams

By Keith Rivas

Dec 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) dives for the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) dives for the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 18
Next
Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) celebrates after beating the Duke Blue Devils in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) celebrates after beating the Duke Blue Devils in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

South Carolina Gamecocks

This time around, South Carolina isn’t playing. It would’ve been one thing if they just gave Duke a close game or run for their money, but that wasn’t good enough for them.

Instead, they showed they could confidently take down one of the teams favored to win the whole thing.

And just like that, another Cinderella opportunity showed up.

Playing Baylor in the Sweet 16, South Carolina must pull off another shocker to get to the Elite Eight — but it’s possible.

Taking notes from how USC nearly took down the Bears is key to them getting anywhere.

A strong takeaway from the upset was the fact that South Carolina was able to put up 65 points in the second half. Sure, Duke tried to match that, but they only put up 51 in comparison.

At halftime, things were rather mellow for a game of its kind. Both teams combined for just 53 points before the second part of the game brought out the best in everyone.

Sindarius Thornwell needs another big game like his 24 point performance against Duke. It’ll be too much, too fast for the Bears if the Gamecocks get going on the right foot.

Home/UCLA