Vanderbilt @ South Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 18, 2017 ) South Carolina 62, Vanderbilt 71

South Carolina looks to snap a two-game losing streak and record its first league win when it hosts Vanderbilt on Saturday in a Southeastern Conference contest. The Commodores are coming off a narrow victory over Alabama on Tuesday, while the Gamecocks have lost three of four - including a home setback against Missouri on Wednesday.

Freshman guard Saben Lee has stepped up his game in conference play for Vanderbilt, scoring 18 points per game against SEC rivals - including 23 in the win over Alabama - after averaging 8.8 versus non-conference opponents. Jeff Roberson is the Commodores' top scorer, averaging 14.9 points to go with a team-best eight rebounds. Chris Silva has been the driving force for the Gamecocks, leading the team with 13.7 points and 8.1 rebounds while playing just 23.2 minutes per contest. Like almost any Frank Martin-coached team, South Carolina plays hard-nosed defense, holding opponents to 65.3 points per game and forcing an average of 15.5 turnovers.

TV: 6:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network

ABOUT VANDERBILT (6-8, 1-1 SEC): While Lee was expected to play well as a freshman due to his ability to get to the hoop on a team filled with 3-point shooters, coach Bryce Drew is excited about his development as a shooter as well. What excites Drew even more has been Lee's play at the defensive end, where he has become a non-stop pest to opposing offenses. After recording just six steals over his first nine games of the season, Lee has recorded 11 in the last five contests, leading to some easy hoops for the team.

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (9-5, 0-2): Vanderbilt likes to shoot 3-pointers, attempting 46.4 percent of its total shots from beyond the arc - which isn't a good thing as South Carolina has struggled defending the long-range shot this season. Missouri hit 14-of-24 3-point attempts against the Gamecocks on Wednesday - due in part to the absence of guards Kory Holden and Hassani Gravett, which forced freshman David Beatty to be on the court more than usual. Beatty had been playing well offensively, but after a bad practice on Tuesday, Martin wasn't surprised that he struggled against the Tigers but is hoping for better performances as he continues to receive more playing time.

TIP-INS

1. Roberson also tops Vanderbilt in rebounding (eight) and is tied for the SEC lead with six double-doubles.

2. South Carolina F Maik Kotsar recorded a career-best three blocked shots against Missouri and averages a team-high 1.3 steals.

3. The Gamecocks really have struggled at the free-throw line, hitting just 66.8 percent of its attempts.

PREDICTION: Vanderbilt 70, South Carolina 64