Massachusetts @ South Carolina preview

Massachusetts at South Carolina

South Carolina returns home for the first time since raising its Final Four banner when it hosts UMass on Saturday. The Gamecocks are looking to bounce back from their second loss of the season, while the Minutemen hope to snap a three-game skid.

This South Carolina team won’t be confused with the one that made a shocking run to the Final Four last season, but it has been grinding out wins with tough defense. The Gamecocks are coming off a 76-60 loss to Temple on Thursday at Madison Square Garden, which marked their lowest point total as well as the highest-scoring output they’ve allowed this season. UMass saw its losing streak hit three games with a 68-66 loss at Quinnipiac on Wednesday despite a career-high 23 points from C.J. Anderson. Three of the Minutemen’s four losses have come by three points or fewer.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, SEC Network Plus

ABOUT UMASS (3-4): The Minutemen have a solid backcourt duo in Anderson (9.9 points, 4.4 assists) and leading scorer Luwane Pipkins (17.3 points), who poured in 34 points in a win over Niagara. Center Rashaan Holloway (10.7 points, 5.4 rebounds) gives UMass some size in the post at 6-11, as does 6-10 forward Malik Hines (7.7, 6.6), but there isn’t much depth behind them. UMass shoots 76.6 percent from the foul line but needs to get there more often after going 3-for-5 against Quinnipiac.

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (5-2): After relying on a dynamic backcourt last season, the Gamecocks’ offense goes through the frontcourt this campaign. Chris Silva (12.7 points, 8.1 rebounds) and Maik Kotsar (11.1, 4.3) have been solid in the post, while Frank Booker (10 points) is the only guard averaging double digits. Freshman Justin Minaya (9.6 points, 4.9 rebounds) has scored in double figures in three of his last four games and freshman guard David Beatty hit double digits for the first time against Temple with 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting.

TIP-INS

1. Booker has made at least three 3-pointers in five of the Gamecocks’ seven games.

2. South Carolina outrebounds opponents by an average of 7.4 boards per contest.

3. Pipkins has totaled only 14 points on 3-of-25 shooting in his last two games.

PREDICTION: South Carolina 74, UMass 65