Limestone @ South Carolina preview

Limestone at South Carolina

South Carolina takes on a third straight in-state opponent when it hosts NCAA Division II Limestone on Wednesday. It’s the first meeting of the Palmetto State foes and the Gamecocks’ final tune-up before starting SEC play Sunday at Ole Miss.

The Gamecocks have had a tough go against in-state competition in their past two games, narrowly escaping with an 80-78 win over Coastal Carolina on Dec. 9 and losing 64-48 at Clemson 10 days later. South Carolina hopes the step down in competition will help spark something at the offensive end after it shot just 35.2 percent overall and went 2-for-16 from 3-point range against the Tigers. The Saints have dropped three straight and are coming off an 84-72 loss at Carson-Newman on Dec. 19. Limestone is facing its first NCAA Division I opponent since suffering a 91-66 setback at UNC Asheville in December 2014.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, SEC Network Plus

ABOUT LIMESTONE (6-7): If the Saints are going to give the Gamecocks’ a challenge, they’ll likely have to do so by hitting from the outside. Leading scorer Kenny Hairston (20.9 points) shoots 44.7 percent from 3-point range and reserve guard T.J. Sheppard (15.2) connects on 45.9 percent from beyond the arc. Forward Donovan Harris (7.8 points, 9.8 rebounds) is the team’s top post player, but at 6-7, he will have his hands full against a bigger South Carolina frontcourt.

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (8-3): The Gamecocks still are fairly tough at the defensive end, but they lack an offensive identity. Chris Silva leads the team in scoring (13.5 points) and rebounding (8.1), but South Carolina’s backcourt has been inconsistent and could be without reserve guard Kory Holden for a while after he pulled his hamstring against Clemson. Veteran guard Frank Booker (10.5 points) is the team’s only other double-digit scorer while Hassani Gravett (8.5) leads the team with four assists per game.

TIP-INS

1. South Carolina is 8-0 when scoring at least 70 points, while Limestone allows 77.6 per game.

2. Silva ranks 28th nationally and second in the SEC in free-throw attempts per game (7.9) and shoots a team-high 73.6 percent from the foul line.

3. Hairston (63) and Sheppard (28) have combined for 11 more 3-pointers than the Gamecocks (80).

PREDICTION: South Carolina 93, Limestone 67