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College Basketball Power Rankings: Week 15

By Nathaniel Reeves

Feb 11, 2017; Moraga, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Silas Melson (0) drives the ball against St. Mary's Gaels guard Tanner Krebs (00) during the second half of the game at McKeon Pavilion. The Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the St. Mary's Gaels with a score of 74-64. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Moraga, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Silas Melson (0) drives the ball against St. Mary's Gaels guard Tanner Krebs (00) during the second half of the game at McKeon Pavilion. The Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the St. Mary's Gaels with a score of 74-64. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 11, 2017; Starkville, MS, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) shoots over Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Xavian Stapleton (3) during the second half at Humphrey Coliseum. South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 77-73. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Starkville, MS, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) shoots over Mississippi State Bulldogs guard Xavian Stapleton (3) during the second half at Humphrey Coliseum. South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 77-73. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
21

South Carolina Gamecocks

Last week: 19-4. 9-1 SEC
Last rank: 18

Tuesday’s loss to Alabama was all kinds of ugly apart from a heroic performance from Sindarius Thornwell, giving Frank Martin plenty to work on over the next month.

After briefly gaining sole possession of first place in the SEC, the Gamecocks lost a 4OT slugfest against Alabama at home Tuesday. South Carolina at least recovered with a four-point road win at Mississippi State on Saturday, although it was a rare shaky performance from the team’s stout defense.

The Gamecocks shot an unheard of 3-for-30 in the first half against the Crimson Tide and only took it to multiple overtimes thanks to a 44-point, 21-rebound performance from Thornwell. Putrid offensive stretches like that could cost the Gamecocks come march, as they do a lot of other things well with the nation’s top adjusted defense per KenPom.

This is still a tough team to beat with Thornwell, as he is one of the best all-around players in the nation. Still, South Carolina is going to be stuck as a fringe top 20 team without getting more offense out of PJ Dozier or Duane Notice.

South Carolina will host stumbling Arkansas on Wednesday before hitting the road for a matchup at Vanderbilt.