Dabblin' With the Cockspur: Pitching, Championships, You Know the Drill...

One thing Gamecock baseball has lacked recently is depth on the pitching staff. About as deep as the kiddie pool during drought season in the past, Coach Holbrook has placed an emphasis on pitching while recruiting.

As painful as the East Carolina series was to watch after a Game 1 victory, the pitching staff wasn’t all that bad. Some appearances were actually very impressive.

Let’s check out some numbers starting on Friday and work our way right through a very impressive mid-week Nolan Belcher outing, shall we?

Blake Cooper, like me, just gets better with age. The kid has gone from freshman fill-in to surgical senior smoother than a silk nightie strewn across Jenny McCarthy back when she hosted that stupid game show on MTV.

Friday night, thrown into enemy territory, Cooper decides to up his record to 2-0 by throwing seven innings, allowing only four hits and two earned runs.

Cooper has started off strong posting an ERA of 3.00 with an even more impressive WHIP (base runners per inning) of .917. In college baseball – he’s a freak right about now. Striking out 8.25 per nine innings and allowing an opponent batting average of .175, Cooper is averaging 14.8 pitches per inning and throwing strikes at a rate of 63.3%. As I’ve said in the past, don’t be fooled by that number. Guys who throw strikes 80 and 90 percent of the time get hit hard.

Mike Roth relieved Cooper on Friday and kept on keeping on. Appearing in four games in a row (including the Saturday heart-wrencher), Roth had become the Gamecock’s own version of The Jersey Shore – The Situation.

Through three innings, Roth has given up one earned run, whiffed five and walked two. The sophomore is averaging 15 K’s per nine innings and holds the opponent to a .111 batting average.

John Taylor, though he recorded the save in Friday’s victory, came extremely close to blowing that one as well. Only 24 hours later, he did blow the save – something that was bound to happen after two very close calls (Duquesne and ECU the night before).

It’s safe to say, Coach Tanner and Calvi are looking for the next in line. Sure, Tanner said Taylor’s results were decent considering he had batters hitting ground balls, but not even Johnny Cochran could get me to believe the job is firmly in Taylor’s grasp.

With an ERA of 6.77 and a WHIP of 3.76, it’s safe to say Taylor is all but in the clear when the ninth inning rolls around. Not to kick a man when he’s down, but the opponents are batting a robust .625 against him.

Sam Dyson is what I like to call, the “pick up line.” You throw it out there and wait in excruciating limbo. Is it going to work? Is it going to break the evening? You go inning by inning watching its awesome effectiveness just hoping it holds throughout. If it works, you win. If it doesn’t work, you go home pissed off.

It’s not really Sam so much as it’s his health. We all know the kid has tremendous talent – that’s no secret. What makes him so similar to a pick up line is his impending health. Usually things go great, but seemingly we are all waiting for something to snap.

Like any good pick up artist, Tanner likes to ease on the brake every now and then – take it slow, hoping to reel in the prom queen. This week, in Clemson, Tanner is going to let Dyson throw about 70 pitches before letting off the gas and yanking him.

Thus far, “the pick-up line” has been working great. He’s thrown 7.66 innings, allowed two runs, two hits, walked three and struck out eleven. On pace for almost 13 K’s per nine, it’s easy for one to imagine the possibilities when Dyson is at full strength. Until then, we just hope the pick-up line keeps her interested.

Opponents are hitting .080 against Dyson thus far so it looks as if our metaphor is hooking up at the end of the night, if you catch my drift.

Jimmy Revan, though roughed up against Duquesne, seemed pretty darned effective against East Carolina. He threw two innings on Saturday, allowed no runs, scattered three hits and struck out three. He’s yet to walk a batter in either of his two appearances and is averaging 16.2 strikeouts per nine.

On the down side, Revan is getting hit at a .333 clip, averaging almost 25 pitches per inning and allowing 2.4 runners per inning. Sooner or later this maniacal, devil approach (that’s an inside joke for Dave and I) to pitching catches up with you.

Steven Neff, though I already referred to him yesterday, is not pitching poorly. In my opinion, Neff has been fantastic. He started for the first time in a wild atmosphere and got hit early. The difference between coming out of the bullpen and starting is worlds apart.

Yes, he got hit hard, but he was carrying a boat load of pressure after Saturday’s disappointing loss. Yes, Tanner should have stuck with Tyler Webb on Sunday, but he was going with his experience in the hostile environment. Mistake. Patience. Perseverance. Neff will be just fine.

The good news to come out of Sunday is the performance of young hotshot Tyler Webb.

Down 4-0, Webb comes into that same atmosphere and shuts down a pretty darned good East Carolina offense. In 4.33 innings, Webb allows only two hits, walks none and strikes out three.

Back in the weekend rotation, Webb has not allowed an earned run so far, struck out nine and walked only one. Opponents are batting .226 against him, getting less than one runner on per inning (0.92) while he’s zipping through innings in only 11.78 pitches per.

He’ll be back on the mound Sunday in Columbia against that school from the north. Talk about pressure…

I bet he handles it just fine.

Nolan Belcher may have lost his weekend spot to Webb, but he’s firmly entrenching himself as a mid-week guy. Mauling Presbyterian Wednesday, Belch added to his early season success.

In seven innings, the little man has allowed exactly zero runs, walked two, fanned eleven and allowed two hits. If it weren’t for the Gamecocks eight run second inning that kept Belch in the dugout for about thirty minutes, I’m convinced he’s have thrown longer on Wednesday. He’s allowing 0.57 base runners per inning while averaging 2.57 hits allowed per nine.

Opponents are hitting .083 against him while he mows down 14.1 per nine by way of the K.

Get ready Columbia, because Ray finally has a pitching staff.

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: Damned East Carolina!

The loud thrashing sound late Sunday afternoon coming from the north was the South Carolina Gamecocks offense crashing back to reality.

That’s a bit harsh, as the Gamecocks still roll out one hell of an awesome offense, but there was a stark contrast between the Duquesne explosion and East Carolina implosion.

In defense of the Gamecocks, the team’s most potent weapon (Jackie Bradley Jr.) hadn’t seen a single pitch this season until the eighth inning on Sunday – one he slapped into the outfield for a single.

Their all-everything first baseman, Nick Ebert, didn’t have the Duquesne series to get comfy.

And finally, the last six times they’ve played national power East Carolina, was in Greenville – not a very welcoming place (and that’s being polite).

However, Ray Tanner doesn’t do excuses, so I won’t either. Let’s put the defense attorney B.S. away for a while and just look at the numbers.

But, before delving into numbers, it’s only right that I explain something: For all of you questioning Ray Tanner’s decision to replace Tyler Webb with Steven Neff as the Sunday starter, a couple things…

1) Until you earn an equivalent position and maybe 25% of the career victories, it’s probably best not to question the head coach (this goes for all sports, but USC baseball especially).

2) Have you been to East Carolina? It’s an intimidating place to play for an 18 year old especially (especially after the way last season ended). Hindsight being what it is, maybe Tanner over-thought the decision as Webb was fine after all, but he wanted an experienced guy on the mound. You can’t blame him for that.

Listen up y’all, losing two of three to East Carolina IN East Carolina is nothing to be ashamed of. If it makes you feel any better, look how the same team dismantled Presbyterian only a few nights later.

Offense

Whit Merrifield keeps rolling along. In his third season, he only gets better. A grand slam, a steal and one hell of a hit streak dating back to last season (21 games), Merrifield has scored 11 runs in seven games played thus far. Hitting .333, his on base percentage is .375.

Another interesting note, Merrifield has a hit rate of .310 and a contact rate of .933. In other words, he’s putting the ball in play a lot. When there is such a drastic difference between contact rate and hit rate, it means the odds are in his favor that more hits should start falling in.

With Jackie Bradley and Nick Ebert back in the line-up, this could spell trouble for opposing pitchers.

Though Nick Ebert is only hitting .154, his on-base percentage is .389. Amongst the regulars, he’s third on the team in pitches seen per at-bat (4.556). In other words, he makes up for those strikeouts with patience, a keen eye and getting on base in a variety of ways.

He’s played just about half the games the other regulars have played yet still leads the team in walks with five.

Here’s the scary thing with Ebert… Dating back to April 22 of last season, Ebert is hitting .266 with 28 strikeouts in 26 games. Not quite the masher we all grew to love in early 2009.

In fairness to Ebert, something struck me Wednesday. Last season, just before Ebert starting crushing the ball, I noticed him in the batting cage after a game had ended – he was the only one. Literally, the next day, he started hitting the ball with a vengeance. Since that day I always look into the batting cage after the postgame interviews – no Nick. Wednesday night, after the Presbyterian game, there was Nick, all by himself in the batting cage.

We’ll see…

Kyle Enders is hitting .450 and he’s playing every day behind the plate (except for Wednesday). No, he’s not hurt, just getting the day off before the big Clemson weekend. In 20 plate appearances, he’s got nine hits and three doubles.

The opposite of Whit Merrifield, though, is true for Enders. Thus far he’s done fantastic at the plate, but his hit rate and contact rate are .563 and .800 respectively. Such a small difference between the two means just about everything he puts the bat on falls in for a hit. Sooner or later, the law of averages says he’s going to come down to earth a little.

The team has only two steals in their first seven games. That concerns me a little. I know Coach Tanner isn’t a “small ball” coach, but still…

Speaking of Coach Tanner, that reminds me…

In the eighth inning of a 15-0 blowout Wednesday, Evan Marzilli took off for second base. His steal attempt was successful. Unfortunately, he also broke an unspoken rule of the game. When you are up big late in a game, you don’t steal bases.

I was sitting next to Whit Merrifield’s dad at the time and both of us scratched our heads. There is no way the classiest coach in America just gave Marzilli the green light in the eighth inning of a 15 run game, is there?

I got Coach Tanner off to the side after the game and inquired. Abruptly, he answered, “No, Marzilli missed a sign. I ran right over to their dugout after the game and apologized.”

So, for confirmation purposes, Tanner did not send Marzilli. Anyone who follows Carolina baseball probably already assumed that, but I had to confirm it for you. You still have the classiest coach in America.

For those weak of heart, please sit down. Scott Wingo is hitting .462.

That’s right, I said it. Wingo is hitting .462 with an on-base percentage of .533!

He leads the team with 5.067 pitches seen per at-bat, drilled a home run into the Carolina bullpen Saturday and he’s been hit by six pitches in seven games. Speaking of which, the human black-and-blue is now tied for the career mark at USC for being plunked while working. He’s got roughly 90 or so more games to own the painful record all by himself.

I’m not going to comment on Jackie Bradley Jr. just yet because he’s only got one start under his belt in 2010, but I’ll say this: SPECIAL. VERY SPECIAL.

The SEC’s best player might wear number 19 and roam center field for the Gamecocks.

Tomorrow we can check out some pitching stats. I can’t wait to look deep inside the numbers for guys like Tyler Webb, Colby Holmes and more.

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: Collective Domination

The last two days I bored you with individual stats diced up in ways you’d probably never wanted to see them again. For those sick people (like me) who actually enjoyed it, let’s look at the collective stats.

Offense

The team hit .330 for the series, scored 28 runs (9.33 per game) and rang up 34 hits (11.33 per game). Is this what we should expect all season? No way. If they kept up these numbers just make your plane reservation for June 30 – the final day of the College World Series.

Considering the opponent, the Cocks did what the pollsters expected. They dominated.

There were no steals in the series though and only one attempt (Robert Beary).

Ten extra base hits (six bombs and four doubles) from five different players, four of which are regulars and the other (Brady Thomas) will see plenty of action, hints at potential.

The On Base Percentage was .373, while the Slugging Percentage was .534. They produced a run with every .272 plate appearance.

With a hit rate and contact rate of .326 and .874 respectively, their production was average – neither lucky nor unlucky. In other words, they earned every run scored.

Pitching

In 27 innings pitched, the staff allowed only 21 hits and walked 10. This calculates to a base runner per inning number of 1.15. In college baseball, that’s just plain ol’ dominant.

Adding to the dominance, the Yardcocks whiffed 39 Duquesne Dukes over the weekend. An average of 13 K’s per game is also scary good.

There were two wild pitches (Belcher and Sullivan) and one hit batsman (Taylor). Basically it tells us they were efficient and in control. Sure there were ten walks issued over the weekend but even that number is acceptable. Speaking of control, the staff averaged 15.6 pitches per inning. Worth noting, Steven Neff averaged 7.8 pitches per inning – awesome.

Somewhat falling under the control category, the staff threw strikes 64.4% of the time. Why is that number good? You never want to throw strikes 100% of the time. Think about it – keep laying it in there and you are going to get hit hard and yanked quickly.

They allowed 7.01 hits per nine innings, struck out 3.9 for every one walked, and allowed Duquesne a .216 batting average.

See ya’ in East Carolina.

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: A Baseball Junkie Goes High 'N Tight

What a wacky start to the season…

It was only seven or eight months ago that all Gamecock fans were a nervous wreck that Sam Dyson would sign with the Oakland A’s. A draft eligible Junior, Blake Cooper, wasn’t even mentioned in the same “what-if” category. The 2010 season arrives and guess who is the frontline Friday night starter. You guessed it, Cooper.

The fact is, on a body of evidence, Cooper deserved it. Agree or disagree here is the fabulous truth: When Sam Dyson is your Saturday starter, things are looking really really good.

A program seemingly two rock solid starters away from championship caliber, the Gamecocks have about four this year – hence the top 10 ranking by Baseball America. Let’s examine some statistics from opening weekend, shall we?

The Starters

Blake Cooper – Yes, Cooper gave up two runs over five innings (3.60 ERA), but he also allowed only one base runner per inning and struck out seven. True, the control freak walked two (bad for him), but he also racked up some impressive averages.

At Cooper’s rate during his first start he would post 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings, allow only 5.4 hits per nine and strike out 3.5 batters for every one base on ball. Opponents hit a miserable .188 against him and he threw only 15.6 pitches per inning.

Fact of the matter, Cooper is still getting better with age.

GRADE: A

Sam Dyson – Topping out at 97+ mph (depending on who you listen to, but 97 is conservative), Dyson looked like his old self. Here’s my problem, which old self did he look like? I completely understand taking it easy on a guy in his first start of the season. I also understand taking it especially easy on a guy who has had some monster arm troubles in the past. Here is what I don’t understand though…

After the game, Dyson was asked about pitching pain free. His answer sparks a little something in me. “Pain free? I don’t know of a pitcher who does throw pain-free, but um, for the most part, yeah. I mean, it’s tolerable, whatever pain I am in, but I think every pitcher has to tolerate some little smidgen of pain.”

I have news for you. There are plenty of pitchers who throw pain free. The next day there may be a little pain, but not on the mound and especially not within only 48 pitches.

Did Dyson dominate? Yes he did, but that comment has been bothering me for days. Regardless, in those 48 pitches, Dyson threw 3.2 innings, gave up no hits or runs, walked one and struck out six. He averaged 14.6 K’s per nine innings and averaged less than 14 pitches an inning. If he’s healthy, he’s flat out nasty.

GRADE: B (but only because of that “pain” answer)

Tyler Webb- Welcome to the SEC Mr. Webb! How’s this for a collegiate introduction – a three pitch backwards K. Webb looked awesome in his debut. Sure there was an obvious rattling that caught up to Webb in certain instances, but the imposing figure is a true freshman. His 6:1 K:BB ratio was nasty, the gun hit low nineties on occasion and the young man was simply overpowering at times.

Webb is going to be a good one very soon. We’ll take a few points away for killer instinct, but fully expect it to change with maturity.

GRADE: B+

The Bullpen

I hate to start at the end, but boy oh boy, I need to. The 2010 closer role is all but locked up. If John Taylor can’t shut down the Duquesne Dukes, there’s a problem. Here’s the good news: one of the deepest South Carolina bullpens in years, I promise there is a dominating closer in there somewhere. My opinion, it’s Nolan Belcher, but there is a reason Ray Tanner gets paid to coach and I don’t.

John Taylor – When he entered the ninth inning of a 5-0 game, his job seemed a formality. After all, the opponent had only scored six runs in the previous 26 innings, hold them to less than 70% of that weekend total and the sweep is final.

Hardly.

With the tying run breaking into a home run trot and Jackie Bradley sprinting towards the fence, Carolina Stadium sunk into their seats simultaneously. Bradley eventually caught up to it, but it was enough to make Tanner, Calvi and everyone else in the building wonder if Taylor was their man.

His totals were ugly. One inning pitched, three hits, three earned runs, one hit batsman, one long ball and a .500 opponents batting average.

It’s way too early to predict a season after one inning, but also very hard to feel good at this point.

GRADE: F

Jay Brown – An opponent’s batting average of .429 is never good. Combine this with the fact he threw 1.2 innings, allowed three hits, one run and a walk and the grade should be easy to figure upon.

GRADE: D+

Nolan Belcher – Belch threw two innings, struck out four, walked none and allowed no one to cross the plate. His opponent’s batting average was a measly .143.

I’m telling ya’, the kid has "closer" written all over him (in my humble yet egotistical opinion).

GRADE: A

Steven Neff – Flashy? Nope. Highlight reel stuff? Nope. Middle relief machine? Abso-freaking-lutely. The young man is the poster child for undervalued middle reliever.

He threw 1.2 innings of perfect baseball. He let them put the ball in play, allowed no free passes and allowed no base runners.

GRADE: A

As for the rest of the staff (Mata, Roth, Carter, Revan), there wasn’t enough information to give a complete grade, but none of them disappointed.

I take that back.

Jimmy Revan was hit pretty good in his 1.1 innings pitched, but he also found the time to strike out three of the nine batters he faced.

Collectively, the pitching staff was deep, efficient, and more than just effective. Their progress, youth and depth provoke nothing but future excellence.

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: A Baseball Junkie Gets Offensive

Here we are, three games in and the Gamecocks have yet to lose. Was it done against a program on the brink of destruction? Yes (literally, as Duquesne has decided to cut baseball altogether in 2011). Was the sweep against a team that would rank last in the SEC? Absolutely.

That being said, it’s the norm for opening weekend. Get a lead, empty the bench, extend the pitching staff and get an overall idea of where the team stands. Given the objective, the Gamecocks were clicking on all cylinders (except for John Taylor whom we’ll discuss tomorrow).

Doing what I like to do most with statistics – rip them apart, delve, investigate, you name it – let’s plunge deep inside and see exactly what happened from an offensive standpoint.

The Gamecocks plated 28 runs in three games – impressive. They homered in all three – also impressive. They were plunked eight times (ouch) and struck out only 14 times. A tad unimpressive was their walk rate – only seven in three games. Compared to 14 strikeouts, that’s the only ugly number to come out of the weekend collectively.

A BB:K ratio of 7:14 means patience may be a problem. Considering all the inexperienced at-bats taken this weekend (a result of the aforementioned “empty the bench” philosophy) and the number is easier to swallow. Four of the seven walks were worked by regulars. Add in the eight hit batsmen over the weekend and things look fine.

With 43 base runners, the Gamecocks stranded only 21 (48.8%). Staying below 50% when calculating runners left on base is fantastic.

GRADE: Collective Offense B++

Individually, the weekend had some lowlights usually smothered by glaring highlights.

Whit Merrifield – First of all, I feel compelled to note a couple career numbers, Merrifield is tracking down. Whit is on pace (if he stays all four years) to shatter South Carolina’s career runs scored mark (Derick Urquhart-223) and singles mark (Drew Meyer-209). In the first three games of 2010, he’s continued the torrid pace with six runs scored and four singles.

Merrifield drew two of the team’s seven walks and was hit by a pitch. He did not attempt a steal all weekend, but Rickey Henderson wouldn’t have the green light playing for Ray Tanner. He averaged .54 runs per at bat and did not strike out all weekend.

GRADE: A

Adam Matthews – He went 3-for-13 this weekend, but only struck out once. Also delivering a huge solo home run in the seventh inning of a 1-0 game, Matthews shows tremendous potential. I’d like to see him drop in a couple more hits, but given his contact rate of .923 versus a hit rate of .182, his initial numbers forecast well. In other words, the law of averages says some of those balls hit in play will begin to drop.

GRADE: C

Christian Walker – I’m not sure where to start. Let’s see, eight hits in 14 at-bats, two home runs, five runs scored and seven batted in. He struck out once, left no one on base, hit to the opposite field, gobbled up 15 total bases and tallied a slugging percentage of 1.071.

Ummmm, yeah...

GRADE: A+

Jeffery Jones – Jones pounded out three long balls while driving in ten runs this weekend. Last season he hit one long ball and drove in twelve.

Though he didn’t draw a walk, he also didn’t strike out. Last season Jones had eight extra base hits, this weekend he had four because he also doubled on Saturday. With 14 total bases in three games, the “Seth Green in muscles” look-a-like grades out high.

GRADE: A

Robert Beary – The jack of all trades newcomer banged out four hits in eleven at-bats. He struck out three times with no walks, but did get hit by two pitches. Crossing the plate once, Beary also drove one in this weekend.

GRADE: C+

Kyle Enders – Enders was 4-for-8 with two runs scored. He struck out once but also drew a walk and got plunked once. With an on-base percentage of .556 there should be no complaints.

GRADE: B+

Bobby Haney – Haney went a dismal 2-for-12, scored two, drove in two and left four on while not being able to draw a walk.

Keep in mind though, Haney started off 2009 in awful fashion and still wound up hitting .291 on the year.

GRADE: D

Scott Wingo – Surprise, surprise, Wingo got plunked twice on Opening Day. He was 2-for-5 on the weekend with a 1:1 BB:K ratio while scoring a run. It’s a start for the .211 career hitter.

GRADE: C+

As for the others who got to dig into the batter’s box, their grades are incomplete. With not enough plate appearances to move the numbers much, we’ll have to wait it out. Tomorrow I’ll break down the 15 different pitchers Tanner let loose this weekend.

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: Me, Myself and I

Every now and again I like to explore those little voices in my head. In my three days here in Birmingham attending all practices, luncheons, press conferences and more, I’ve been tormented by the voices.

One paces with anticipation for the blowout that will surely occur Saturday. The other tip toes around my brain afraid of the unknown – after all, anything could happen. The third voice is already screaming in hysterics because the tragedy UConn suffered this year concocts the perfect storm ready to flatten the Gamecocks.

Who do I listen to?

Optimistic Rog

Though the 2009 Connecticut story has been a heart wrenching tale filled with unfortunate reality checks to confirm perspective one needs to look beyond inspired victories over Notre Dame. The fact of the matter is simple: Notre Dame sucks.

Though their three victories to end the season and pole vault them into the PapaJohns.com Bowl is a story for Hollywood, the simple fact is this: Syracuse sucks too.

They lost a 47-45 shootout to Cincinnati – the same team getting demolished, dismantled and destroyed by Florida as I type this.

The story of inspiration stops here, folks. South Carolina played the toughest schedule in the nation. The Cocks almost knocked off the same Gators bull-dozing the aforementioned Cincy Bearcats.

The Cocks took the Alabama Crimson Tide into the fourth quarter with a game and a half on their hands until the eventual Heisman Trophy winner finally wrapped up the contest. Did I mention the game was in Bryant Denny Stadium?

This one could be a laugher. I say Cocks by three touchdowns.

Middle of the Road Rog

If ever there was a team who plays “down to the competition,” it’s the Gamecocks. Sure they played Alabama tough and Florida even tougher, but what about Kentucky and Vanderbilt?

This team, it seems, could play the 0-12 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers to a 24-21 squeaker if given the opportunity.

Could they win? Of course. Should they win? Probably so. Is this game going to come down to one play? As my Uncle Vito used to say, “Abso-f*****-lutely.”

Should the Gamecocks be on the wrong side of that one play, the decent 2009 season gets tossed into the abyss, along with the offensive line class Gamecock fans are already in fear of losing. Faster than Eric Wolford on a jet plane to Ohio (or Mike Holmes horsing around in his living room on Thanksgiving – sorry, couldn’t resist), the season could be rendered a failure – Clemson victory or not.

Sweating as I type, the anguish of the unknown is killing me! Just play the game now!

Wishful thinking, I’ll say Gamecocks 23 – UConn 21.

Pessimistic Rog

Where do I start? A foe with a running attack, a tragedy and something to prove, this could be an embarrassing day for the program, its fans, the administration and the PapaJohns.com brass. After all, remember the last bowl game. That was a nightmare… Here we go again.

Miserable memories of running backs galloping over and around Gamecock defenders through the years have me quivering about the boot. Darrin McFadden, Shonn Greene, Mark Ingram and now the two headed monster named Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon – oh man, oh man, oh man.

It’s also easy to wonder how some of the junior class could take it easy because they are thinking of skipping out on Columbia for greener pastures in the NFL. Lord knows, it had its effect last season.

Then there is the fragile psyche of Stephen Garcia who shriveled up like a California raison in his last bowl appearance.

The team seems loose this year – almost too loose. They probably think this game is going to be one of the cakewalk variety, even though they haven’t had one of those all season.

Game over sometime in the third quarter when it’s apparent that Cliff Matthews and Chris Culliver are going pro… UConn 35 - USC 13.

Who I’m Listening To

I hate to play the garnet colored glasses guy, but I have a hard time believing UConn wins this game. As a matter of fact, I have a hard time believing they even come close. Look at what has just happened to Cincinnati.

I have to listen to Optimistic Rog on this one.

No, This Is Not…

This is not the special treat “Dabblin’ With the Cockspur” I spoke of a week or so ago. I am holding out hope that the story I had in mind can still happen so I’m not going to divulge what it was supposed to be.

Peace.

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: Filling In the Generation Gap

So much has been made lately of the disconnect between sport and children. Sure you’ve heard the arguments why soccer has become so popular with American children in recent years.

Baseball has gotten rid of day games and/or the day-night double-header. World Series games go deep into the night beyond bedtimes. The Super Bowl has become about the commercials more than the game. The NBA has become a league full of tattoos and dunks – a product no child can relate to (as if parents would even want them to).

The argument spans further with so many overweight children sprawled across the living room floor, video game controller in hands and eyes fixated on the television.

Point the fingers at cash registers run by money hungry, white collar America. Point it at the NCAA. Point it in a multitude of directions; just don’t point it at Dawn Staley.

What better than a fieldtrip? No, not to some museum or even Ed Venture… Somewhere where the younger generation can scream, shout, cheer and let loose.

With nearly 2,000 children packing into the Colonial Life Arena, all guests of Staley, the South Carolina Lady Gamecocks along with Jerri Spurrier did an outstanding job extending a high five to all. Welcomed onto the floor at halftime, the kids were entertained by Jerri Spurrier who spoke about exercise, basketball, football (of course) and schoolwork.

Encouraged to cheer, and given good reason with a Gamecock 70-52 victory over the High Point Lady Panthers, there wasn’t a child in the building who’ll be less of a Gamecock fan or basketball fan for that matter when the day ends.

It’s estimated that approximately 19% of children (ages 6–11) and 17% of adolescents (ages 12–19) were overweight in 2000. An additional 15% of children and adolescents were at risk.

Adding to this dilemma is a state-wide educational concern – something even more important to Staley than simply athletics.

“It’s always a special thing to have kids come on to your college campus and see just what it is to be a part of this atmosphere - to see that there are sports being played at this level,” she said. “Hopefully they’ll be encouraged enough to know more about South Carolina not just from an athletic stand point, but from an academic stand point because I think every kid should be exposed to higher education.”

With the usual in-game entertainment altered slightly, kids were chosen out of the crowd to answer trivia questions about health and exercise and some cases, made to exercise.

Also altered for sake of the audience was music. Rather than Sandstorm and Thunderstruck, the pre-teen patrons were hyped up with classics of their own: The Sponge Bob Square Pants Theme to name one. I couldn’t name the others, but that’s the idea. They could.

If your kids are like mine (one of whom was in attendance), they probably have similar classrooms. All conditioned by their parents to pull for one of the two in-state schools. All, however, encouraged to use this time in their lives to absorb, learn and better themselves for the future.

Staley, like Coach Horn and Coach Spurrier in similar instances, seemed to extend the invitation to local children vivaciously. After all, these are our future citizens, scholars and most importantly future Gamecocks.

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: Very Interesting...

This one is short and simple. I did three video sessions yesterday:

Women’s Basketball

Men’s Basketball

Football

Twenty four hours later, the most viewed are listed in this order: Women’s Basketball, Football, Men’s Basketball.

A year ago, women’s basketball would have been viewed about one tenth as much as the others. Nothing negative towards the other sports – they are both respectable at the very least. Still though, that’s quite a turn of events, no?

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Dabblin' With the Cockspur: I Got Ya' Stats Right Here

Forty nine minutes until kickoff with nothing to do. Why not crunch some numbers?

Common opponents: Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi

The Razorbacks gave up 117 points, while the Gamecocks allowed 71. Arkansas scored 65 while South Carolina scored 59.

EDGE: Gamecock Defense.

What does this mean? In my opinion – nothing. No Cliff Matthews could be the single biggest impact on this game, unless Devin Taylor looks like Lawrence Taylor. Double teaming Eric Norwood with no worries of Matthews coming from the other side is a huge burden lifted off the shoulders of Ryan Mallett and the Arkansas offense.

Rushing, Passing and Totals

The Razorbacks score 35.9 points per game and allow 27.4, while the Cocks score 21.9 and allow 19. These averages against each other suggest a final score of 27 – 25 in favor of Arkansas.

Comparing the yardage gained and allowed using the same average format, here’s the way the game breaks down:

The Razorbacks should rush for 148 yards while the Cocks should go for 138. Ryan Mallet would accumulate only 219 yards through the air, with Garcia going for 251.

Obviously the human element plays a major factor, but in South Carolina’s case it might be the lack thereof (Matthews, Culliver).

Either way, that’s what the stats over the course of the season suggest thus far.

By the way, 16 more minutes until kickoff now.

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Dabblin’ With the Cockspur: Fans Like This Guy…

A certain player on the Gamecock football team received this message via Facebook the other day. I thought it was an interesting facet of society to diagnose – the complete jackass of a fan…

Subject: You sorry son of a b****

"u need to worry about catchin d*** passes before u talk about scoring td's. u aint worth a f***!!!!!!!!! you used to be good. when u get good i will apologize!!!!!!"

Please keep in mind; I inserted the asterisks as the original note sent to the player had the real letters in there.

I can’t say his name because, get this, he could sue my boss or me for defamation of character (or something like that), yet he can send a 20 year old this letter with no repercussion.

What the hell is wrong with society???

Idiots like you are the reason players leave early.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not just here at South Carolina – it’s everywhere.

Idiots like you are the reason kids go elsewhere.

Again, don’t get me wrong, not just here – it’s everywhere.

But that doesn’t make it right.

Idiots like this are not the only reason players leave school or never attend their school, but they are definitely a large part of the problem.

Another funny thing about this is the obvious coward behind the note. You sir, would never say these things to the player’s face. If you were to bump into him, I’d imagine the conversation would go something like this…

“Hey, it’s great to meet you! Keep your head up buddy!”

A few more things are obvious – you are either unhappy with yourself or those around you. Maybe your wife packed on the pounds after marriage. Maybe your children don’t live up to your expectations or maybe you don’t live up to your own expectations. Maybe, even worse, you haven’t lived up to the expectations of your father.

Either way, you are a coward. The kid is 20, he’s playing through pain, he’s attending class, he’s got much more things on his plate than just football – yet he’s still out there busting his ass every day. For what? To get letters like this from you…

If you are one of those guys/gals who enjoy sending letters like this to 20 year old kids, you might need to look in the mirror – maybe write a letter like this to yourself and take your own advice – because as a fan, you are a worthless jackass who needs to pull for someone else.

Do you have a right to be upset? Of course you do. Do you have a right to question people, schemes, motives, etc? Of course you do. Do you have the right to curse and complain to a 20 year old kid the way you did? Absolutely not.

I wish I could state your name here, but I can’t.

I have no idea if this guy is a Gamecock Central customer, but I hope not.

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