UConn 82 SC 57
As much as ESPN and the rest of the WCB world has hyped this game, it simply won't come close to being a game, at least in the end. There are just too many factors going against SC that will allow them to keep this one close.
1. Stage fright - Huge game played before a boisterous home crowd and in front of a national television audience. Second nature for the Huskies...Gamecocks will be blinded by the bright lights and never see that train coming.
2. Intimidation - Simply put, all teams not named Notre Dame and Stanford are intimidated at the thought of playing the "Mighty Huskies".
3. Lack of high level competition - South Carolina played a weak OOC schedule and doesn't really face much competition in the SEC, which features lousy offensive / scrappy defensive-minded teams. But make no doubt, SC will be facing a defense tonight like none other they have ever faced.
The only saving grace for South Carolina is that they have a very competent coach and some very highly skilled talent. With that being said, the I can see SC keeping it close for a while, but once UConn gets going on their first run, it's going to be lights out after that. It's not that Geno has any hate for Dawn and SC, but I fully expect him to keep the foot on the pedal tonight in an attempt to demoralize SC in the event there is a second meeting this season.
