South Carolina has poor showing at NCAA tournament

Well, any dreams for a South Carolina team to show up in the NCAA tournament are now over. We are back in the real world.

Clemson, probably South Carolina’s best shot for, at least, one more round of play was unable to get past Missouri in the first round. Clemson was actually seeded higher than Missouri, seventh versus 10, but none of that matters now. Missouri topped Clemson 86 to 78. Missouri Coach Mike Anderson said that his guys just wanted to win more than Clemson.

Clemson’s star Trevor Booker was held to only 11 points in the game. Missouri’s well known defense was focused on keeping him quiet. This is the third straight year that Clemson has bowed out in the first round to a lower seeded team. Clemson Coach Oliver Purnell has lost the first game in six straight trips to the NCAA tournament with three different teams.

Wofford lost a close one to Wisconsin 53-49. Wofford was a 14 seed versus Wisconsin who was a three seed. Wofford was actually leading the game to start the second half and held Wisconsin to just 7 of 25 shooting in the first half. But Wisconsin made a quick flurry of baskets to take a one point lead in the second half. Worrord had a couple of turnovers and missed two crucial free throws in the closing moments of the game to secure the win for Wisconsin.

Clemson and Wofford were the last two teams from South Carolina in the tournament. Winthrop, the third team, had lost the play-in game against Pine Bluff two days earlier.

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