Gamecocks miss out on SEC crown with loss to LSU, still hopes for NCAA Tournament national seed

Source: Post and Courier

COLUMBIA South Carolina missed a chance to win the SEC regular season title Saturday, but the two-time defending national champs havent given up on securing one of those eight precious national seeds in the NCAA tournament.

Two-Minute Drill with South Carolina's Tanner English

Source: Post and Courier

Relief pitcher Nolan Belcher usually does the backflip in the teams pregame huddle, but youve done it a few times this year, right?

Baseball. SEC EASTERN DIVISION CHAMPS

Source: Gamecocks Official Site

For the second consecutive year, South Carolina has won the SEC Eastern Division. The Gamecocks went 17-6 in the final 23 conference games to finish at 18-11, just one-half game behind SEC champion LSU. South Carolina is the No. 2 seed for the SEC Tournament and will play the final game on Wednesday against an opponent yet to be determined.

Baseball. Baseball Wins The SEC Eastern Division

Source: Gamecocks Official Site

For the second consecutive year, South Carolina has won the SEC Eastern Division. The Gamecocks went 17-6 in the final 23 conference games to finish at 18-11, just one-half game behind SEC champion LSU. South Carolina is the No. 2 seed for the SEC Tournament and will play the final game on Wednesday against an opponent yet to be determined.

Baseball. Gamecocks Fall 3-2 To LSU In 10 Innings

Source: Gamecocks Official Site

In a battle for the SEC championship, second ranked South Carolina and ninth ranked LSU fought back and forth with the Tigers scoring twice in the 10th inning with two-out RBI singles from pinch hitter Jackson Slaid and first baseman Mason Katz and despite a rally from the Gamecocks in the bottom half with a sacrifice fly by Christian Walker, the Tigers held on for a 3-2 victory to clinch the weekend series against the Gamecocks. LSU is now 42-14 and 19-11 in the SEC with South Carolina at 39-15 and finishing 18-11 in league play, one half game behind the Tigers for first place. South Carolina now awaits the results of Saturday's game between Kentucky and Mississippi State for seeding purposes for next week's SEC Tournament. If Mississippi State wins, the Gamecocks are the two seed. If Kentucky wins the Gamecocks are the three seed. The top two seeds receive byes into Wednesday with the other eight squads beginning competition on Tuesday.

Baseball. South Carolina vs. LSU Post Game Quotes Game 3

Source: Gamecocks Official Site

M. Golf. Gamecocks Take Eighth at NCAA Southwest Regional

Source: Gamecocks Official Site

The South Carolina men's golf team posted a final-round 299 (+11) on Saturday to finish in eighth place at the NCAA Southwest Regional at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club.

Gamecocks miss out on SEC crown

Source: Post and Courier

COLUMBIA LSU pinch-hitter Jackson Slaid delivered a two-out single in the 10th inning Saturday to send Jordy Snikeris home with the winning run and give the No. 9 Tigers a 3-2 victory over No. 2 South Carolina and the SEC regular season championship before a sellout crowd at Carolina Stadium.

What You Need to Know About the Last Day

Source: Leftover Hot Dog

South Carolina plays LSU at 1 today on ESPNU.  The Gamecocks can win the SEC overall and the East.  They can win just the East or they can win neither and get the third or fourth seed in the tournament.  Florida plays at Auburn at 2 pm, and Kentucky plays at Auburn at 3 pm.  Both games could matter to USC.  Here is your handy guide to the 4 remaining scenarios.

South Carolina can win it all.  If the Gamecocks win today they win the SEC (and the East).  What happens in the rest of the games doesn't matter.  Because they have played one game fewer than the rest of the teams in contention, there will be no ties.

If South Carolina loses,

1) they can still win the East.  They need Kentucky to lose to Mississippi State and Florida to lose to Auburn.

2) they can still finish with the 3rd seed in the SEC tournament by having either Florida or Kentucky lose.

3) they can finish with the 4th seed in the SEC tournament if Kentucky and Florida win.

Here are the current SEC standings.

May 19th SEC Standings	W	L	%
South Carolina	18	10	.643
Florida	18	11	.621
Kentucky	18	11	.621
LSU	18	11	.621

 

As things unfold today, we'll continue to update you.  Follow me on twitter @GeneralLOHD and follow us @LOHDGamecocks for the updates.

Baseball. South Carolina vs. LSU Post Game Quotes Doubleheader

Source: Gamecocks Official Site

Baseball. Gamecocks Rally For 5-4 Win Over LSU In Nightcap

Source: Gamecocks Official Site

Trailing 3-0 entering the sixth inning, second ranked South Carolina stormed back with a three-run homer by Christian Walker and a RBI triple from Joey Pankake to take a one-run lead and Adam Matthews added a RBI double in the seventh inning as the Gamecocks held on for a 5-4 win over LSU on Friday evening in front of a sellout crowd of 8,242 fans at Carolina Stadium. The rubber game of the series is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday and will be televised live on ESPNU with Clay Matvick and Kyle Peterson on the call. It can also be heard on the Gamecock Radio Network from IMG College including flagship station 107.5 FM, "The Game."

Track. Marvin Reitze Named SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year

Source: Gamecocks Official Site

The Southeastern Conference announced its 2012 Outdoor Track and Field Awards Friday, and South Carolina senior Marvin Reitze was named the SEC Men's Scholar Athlete of the Year, as voted upon by the league's coaches. In addition, three Gamecock women were named to the SEC All-Freshman team.

Academics. Marvin Reitze Named SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year

Source: Gamecocks Official Site

The Southeastern Conference announced its 2012 Outdoor Track and Field Awards Friday, and South Carolina senior Marvin Reitze was named the SEC Men's Scholar Athlete of the Year, as voted upon by the league's coaches. In addition, three Gamecock women were named to the SEC All-Freshman team.

M. Golf. Gamecocks Move Up to Eighth After Two Rounds at NCAA Southwest Regional

Source: Gamecocks Official Site

The South Carolina men's golf team battled extremely high winds on Friday at the NCAA Southwest Regional on its way to shooting a second-round 302 (+14) at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club.

No. 9 LSU defeats No. 2 USC, 5-2

Source: Post and Courier

COLUMBIA Sophomore right-hander Kevin Gausman gave No. 9 LSU a Major League performance today in a 5-2 victory and the Tigers handed South Carolina ace Michael Roth his first loss of the season in the first of three games at Carolina Stadium.

Video: Top 20 Roundtable -- Georgia

Source: SEC Football Blog

College Football Live's panel of experts preview Georgia's upcoming season.

Baseball. Tigers Nip Gamecocks 5-2 In Series Opener

Source: Gamecocks Official Site

LSU right-hander Kevin Gausman hurled a complete game and was backed by homers from Mason Katz and Jordy Snikeris as the ninth ranked Tigers defeated second ranked South Carolina 5-2 in game one of a doubleheader at Carolina Stadium. South Carolina is now 38-14 and 17-10 SEC with LSU 41-13 and18-10 in the SEC. Game two of the series and doubleheader is set for 7 p.m. and can be heard live on the Gamecock Radio Network from IMG College including flagship station 107.5 FM, "The Game." Live video broadcast is also available at GamecocksOnline.com.

Rebels lose Nickolas Brassell to grades

Source: SEC Football Blog

Nickolas Brassell was in a deep enough hole academically when Hugh Freeze took the Ole Miss job back in December that Freeze never counted on having Brassell on the field next season. Sure, Freeze was always hopeful and did all he could to help Brassell, one of the most dynamic freshmen in the SEC last season, but the official word came down Friday. Ole Miss announced that Brassell was academically ineligible and would transfer. Brassell, who became the first Ole Miss player since 1988 to start on both offense and defense, missed all but a few practices this spring to try and get his academics in order.

Rebels lose Brassell to grades

Source: SEC Football Blog

Nickolas Brassell was in a deep enough hole academically when Hugh Freeze took the Ole Miss job back in December that Freeze never counted on having Brassell on the field next season. Sure, Freeze was always hopeful and did all he could to help Brassell, one of the most dynamic freshmen in the SEC last season, but the offcial word came down Friday. Ole Miss announced that Brassell was academically ineligible and would transfer. Brassell, who became the first Ole Miss player since 1988 to start on both offense and defense, missed all but a few practices this spring to try and get his academics in order.

Video: SEC-Big 12 bowl game

Source: SEC Football Blog

Chris Low discusses the new SEC-Big 12 bowl game.

W. Golf. Video - Women's Golf NCAA Championship Press Conference

Source: Gamecocks Official Site

South Carolina head coach Kalen Harris previews the NCAA Women's Golf Championship with players Katie Burnett and Amanda Strang.

SEC and BIG XII Bowl Matchup of Conference Champions

Source: Garnet And Black Attack by skandrewj62j

SEC and BIG XII Bowl Matchup of Conference Champions

Not a lot of details on this but it is expect to start in 2014. They haven't determined the location. It would be expected though, that the choices are the Cotton Bowl and the Sugar Bowl. With the edge going to the Sugar Bowl. The edge is only because, as for now it is the only BCS bowl.

I like this. With teams like Missouri, Texas A&M and Arkansas in the SEC, it will have potential for some games that fans really care about. And not just how jaded the fans outside of the SEC are with SEC hype. If ever A&M wins the SECCG and meets up with Texas,

Video: One Good Thing -- Ole Miss

Source: SEC Football Blog

Edward Aschoff discusses how new Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze took big steps to improving things off the field for the Rebels.

GatorNation links: Top targets countdown

Source: SEC Football Blog

Derek Tyson and Jeff Barlis write: There are six or seven spots left in Florida's 2013 class and a few needs to fill. Some of the top prospects in the nation are considering the Gators, and it would be difficult to turn them away. GatorNation is ranking the top 12 uncommitted prospects for Florida over the next six weekdays, two-a-day style. No. 12 | No. 11 Michael DiRocco writes: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach sees brighter days ahead for the Florida football team, which is why he has the Gators ranked No.

Take Two: SEC-Big 12 partnership

Source: SEC Football Blog

The days of the Rose Bowl being the bowl of bowls could soon be coming to an end now that the SEC and the Big 12 have agreed on a five-year bowl partnership. The new deal, announced Friday, will have the champions of the Big 12 and SEC meet in a New Year's Day bowl game annually beginning with the 2014 season. So while it won’t have the tradition of the Rose Bowl, it’ll have the viewers and it’ll have the popularity. We’re seeing more and more how power is truly the most important component in college football, and this is a great example.

Schedule analysis: Auburn

Source: SEC Football Blog

Today, we dissect Auburn's schedule as the Tigers enter the 2012 season with a new offensive coordinator and new defensive coordinator: Nonconference opponents (with 2011 records) Sept. 1: vs. Clemson (10-4), in Atlanta Sept. 15: Louisiana-Monroe (4-8) Nov. 3: New Mexico State (4-9) Nov. 17: Alabama A&M (8-4) SEC home games Sept. 22: LSU Oct. 6: Arkansas Oct. 27: Texas A&M Nov. 10: Georgia SEC road games Sept. 8: at Mississippi State Oct.

SEC, Big 12 announce partnership

Source: SEC Football Blog

The SEC and Big 12 champs will meet in a New Year's Day bowl game annually beginning with the 2014 season, the conferences announced Friday. The five-year agreement will pit champions of each conference against each other "unless one or both are selected to play in the new four-team model to determine the national championship," according to a statement from both conferences. If that were to happen, another team from the conference(s) would be selected, ensuring that the game takes place every year.

DawgNation links: Recruiting helps UGA

Source: SEC Football Blog

David Ching writes : Recruiting is always a boon for Georgia’s perpetual appearance in the preseason top 25, and this year is no different. Radi Nabulsi writes: After an exhaustive search over several months, Georgia hires longtime Peach State coach/AD Darly Jones as its new director of on-campus recruiting. Kipp Adams writes : UGA signee John Theus pens his own “Dawg Blawg,” and discusses his excitement for joining the Bulldogs amid a bittersweet last semester of high school.

SEC lunch links

Source: SEC Football Blog

Our Friday offering of lunch links: Jeff Schultz of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that bowls and the BCS need to be kept away from a college football playoff. LSU doesn't want to forget its loss to Alabama in last season's BCS National Championship Game. Roger Goodell may also sentence former Alabama star linebacker Rolando McClain, writes Kevin Scarbinsky of The Birmingham News. How important will style of play be in Arkansas' search for its long-term head football coach?

Alabama to face WVU in Atlanta in 2014

Source: SEC Football Blog

Alabama is once again stepping up its nonconference game. The Crimson Tide and West Virginia, now of the Big 12, will meet for the first time ever when the two open the 2014 season in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta, bowl officials announced Thursday. “Alabama and West Virginia are consistently among the premier teams in the country and we’re thrilled to be able to host such a high-profile game with representatives from the SEC and the Big 12,” Chick-fil-A Bowl president and CEO Gary Stokan said in a statement Thursday.

SEC post-spring power rankings

Source: SEC Football Blog

We're putting spring behind us and looking toward the fall with our post-spring power rankings: 1. LSU: The Tigers had one of the best springs around. Things were quiet off the field, and the offense rallied behind quarterback Zach Mettenberger. Coach Les Miles was very impressed with Mettenberger's play and maturity, and expects LSU's offense to be more balanced with him under center. LSU can still use four or five running backs as well. Defensively, the Tigers are stacked once again, especially up front with two potential first-rounders in ends Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo.

W. Volleyball. Cara and Lindsey's Adventure - Sopa, Siestas y Sonsales

Source: Gamecocks Official Site

The first of the excerpts of Cara Howley's and Lindsey Craft's blog about their Maymester trip to Spain.

Post-spring SEC power rankings

Source: SEC Football Blog

We're putting spring behind us and looking toward the fall with our post-spring power rankings: 1. LSU: The Tigers had one of the best springs around. Things were quiet off the field and the offense rallied behind quarterback Zach Mettenberger. Coach Les Miles was very impressed with Mettenberger's play and maturity and expects LSU's offense to be more balanced with him under center. LSU can still use four or five running backs as well. Defensively, the Tigers are stacked once again, especially up front with two potential first-rounders in ends Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo.

Foto Friday – Yet Another Rainout Edition

Source: The Rubber Chicken by tbone

Idle Gamecocks move into first place; Postponed USC-LSU SEC series now a twinbill Friday and single game Saturday

Source: Post and Courier

COLUMBIA Its still a mega-SEC baseball series with a classic opening pitching match-up, but it will start a little later than scheduled. The first game of the three-game South Carolina-LSU series originally set for Thursday was postponed.

SEC championship within reach as No. 2 South Carolina hosts No. 9 LSU

Source: Post and Courier

COLUMBIA It seems like so long ago now, but South Carolina left fielder Tanner English still remembers what the Gamecocks 1-5 start in Southeastern Conference play felt like.

South Carolina athletic department ranks 20th in revenue, 19th in expenses

Source: Post and Courier

COLUMBIA The University of South Carolinas athletic department made 83.813 million last year, according to a database released this week by USA Today. USC spent 80.525 million. The school ranked 20th in revenue among the 227 schools in the database and 19th in expenses.

Former USC star Jackie Bradley Jr. off to a hot start in minor leagues

Source: Post and Courier

SALEM, VA. Several thousand people milled about the concourse at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium, many of them college students enjoying discounted beer night for last Thursdays game between the Salem Red Sox and Potomac Nationals.

College Football 411: Spring's best

Source: SEC Football Blog

Cassidy Hubbarth and the college football bloggers bring you the best from the spring and what that means for the games in the fall.

Gamecocks offer soph. DB - South Carolina [$$] (Rivals)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAF

Dobbs high on Arkansas offer - South Carolina [$$] (Rivals)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAF

Idle Gamecocks move into first place; Postponed USC-LSU SEC series now a twinbill Friday and single game Saturday

Source: Post and Courier

COLUMBIA Its still a mega-SEC baseball series with a classic opening pitching match-up, but it will start a little later than scheduled. The first game of the three-game South Carolina-LSU series originally set for Thursday was postponed.

South Carolina Football: Player Who Will Have the Best Rookie NFL Season in 2012

Source: Bleacher Report NCAAF

South Carolina made its presence known during the 2012 NFL Draft.

Six Gamecocks heard their names called in the seven-round NFL draft and will look to make a big impression during their rookie seasons in the NFL. South Carolina tied for third-most draft picks by one college, following behind Alabama with eight and Oklahoma and Georgia with seven.

A few other players signed as undrafted free agents as well.

This goes to show that the talent level at USC has tremendously increased in recent years. Let's take a look at each draft pick South Carolina had and find out who was put in the best position to succeed in their 2012 rookie NFL season.

Begin Slideshow

Gamecocks Baseball: Q & A with a LSU Blogger

Source: Leftover Hot Dog

South Carolina faces a tough test with the LSU Tigers coming to town. As you read in our preview, a lot is riding on the game for both teams.

To help understand LSU baseball, we engaged our Bloguin pals over at Saturday Night Slant. Check out our Q&A with them and make sure to visit their site for all your LSU sports news in the future....

Baseball. South Carolina-LSU Baseball Game Postponed

Source: Gamecocks Official Site

The South Carolina-LSU baseball game scheduled for Thursday, May 17 has been postponed due to rain in the Columbia area. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Friday, May 18. First pitch for game one is set for 2:30 p.m. Following the conclusion of the game, the stadium will be cleared. The second game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Both games are scheduled for nine innings and can be heard on the Gamecock Radio Network from IMG College including flagship station, 107.5 FM, "The Game." Both games will also be streamed on GamecocksOnline.com. The second game of the doubleheader will be televised by Cox Sports Television.

M. Golf. Gamecocks 10th After Opening Round of NCAA Southwest Regional

Source: Gamecocks Official Site

The South Carolina men's golf team posted a 6-over 294 at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club on Thursday to open play at the NCAA Southwest Regional. The Gamecocks finished the day in 10th place but are still within reach of a top-five finish, which would send them to the NCAA Championship.

LSU at USC Baseball Weekend Thread

Source: Garnet And Black Attack by Gamecock Man

Go 'Cocks!