Conrad replaces Raley-Ross
Yes, I’m posting on my regular blog during what’s turning out to be a quite disasterous football game for USC at Florida. It’s come to that.
Actually, it’s pretty important happenings for the basketball team. Brandis Raley-Ross will be out three-to-four weeks with a sprained news, which is relatively good news given that it looked like it could be much more severe.
Interestingly, his place in the starting lineup is taken by senior guard Branden Conrad, a former walk-on. This doesn’t shock me considering he played 23 minutes on Friday, but in the larger sense it’s still surprising.
Junior forward Evka Baniulis would have seemed a more natural choice. But coach Darrin Horn apparently still likes the idea of a three-guard look.
Conrad transfered in from Navy, sitting out two seasons ago along with Zam Fredrick and Devan Downey. Conrad joined the team as a walk-on. Previous coach Dave Odom talked about Conrad as a guy who could give them some minutes, and perhaps spot Downey at the point.
But that didn’t really materialize, especially after Conrad – when trying to spell Downey at the point during one of the Orlando tournament games – had the ball stolen at midcourt on consecutive possessions.
Horn, being a new coach, gave Conrad a new look, as he said he did everybody. Here’s what he said about Conrad a couple weeks back:
“We’re counting on everybody that we have to play defense and do what they can do well. And Branden’s a young man that gives us a shooting threat. He’s extremely tough. He’s got a good mind for the game, you know he’s going to do what we ask him to do.”
To that end, Conrad looked much more comfortable on Friday night, shooting when he was open without any hesitation. His defense seemed pretty solid too, and he wasn’t asked to do much ball-handling.
Will it last? Will he prove to be a productive player, and a good starter over the next month? I guess we’ll find out.
6 Comments to “Conrad replaces Raley-Ross”
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State newspaper sports writer Seth Emerson blogs on University of South Carolina basketball and baseball.
With Raley-Ross out, I would expect that Conrad would be most needed to spell Downey and Fredrick to keep them from playing too many minutes. That likely will still be the case, even if Conrad starts. Evka and Archie should both see time at the 3 spot, and will probably play more there than Conrad will, simply because Conrad is needed at guard.
Wilder did not impress me in the first game, as being someone who would play a lot, especially against better opponents.
I wonder if Shane Phillips might get to be on the team? I understand he is a good shooter. Don’t know about his athleticism, but they need another guard.
Given the Muldrow situation, this is not a good first step. I am concerned about this afternoons game with Winthrop. This could be most telling. That Muldrow gets me sick. The guy gets a free education and then doesn’t take advantage of it. It’s a shame. Geraldo
well i am looking forward to the womens and mens basketball games….hopfully they will be wins….GOOO COCKS!!!
Disclaimer… I am Conrad’s uncle. Most of us will never experience or witness the perserverance represented in Brandon’s first start.
He was recruited by Davidson, Air Force Navy and others. He chose Navy, but before he entered the head coach retired. The new coach not only rejected Brandon, but his entire recruiting class. By his sophomore year Brandon and his mates began drumming the upperclassmen in practice, he went further, (and who knows why), he banned Brandon and the others from the gym.
He played 1 year of JV ball in his 2 years at Navy. The NCAA rejected his hardship appeal, so this is his final opportunity.
Brandon is an outstanding person, a great student and I am persuaded he has the leadership abilities, (though not the talent), of Clemson’s Hammonds…
Just wondering if anyone thinks Trevor Deloach could have added to this year’s team? I know some recruits are watching S Carolina B Ball and thinking that they could come right in and out play some folks for PT on this years team. D Horn and crew are on the job so hopefully we get the best recruits possible.. The offense looks fluid so far. Players are able to get open shots, passing the ball around the court to the open man, very good defense on the peremiter, Railey Ross is one of the players who could benifit most in this offense because of his “J”. The players don’t look confused about where they need to be on the floor and the fast break offense is looking good also. Kinda reminds me of the Illinois offense a few years back with Deron Williams, Luther Head and Dee Brown except they got after it defensivley alot more than our guys. If we can do that even with a weak schedule maybe we can squeeze into the NCAA.
I’d give my left (insert certain anatomy here) to start a couple of games for the Gamecocks. I’m glad to see Conrad get a shot. Though, I hope BRR heals up quickly.