GAME NOTES: Instate rivals will collide on the floor at Colonial Life Arena on Thursday evening, as the South Carolina Gamecocks play host to the Clemson Tigers.

Brad Brownell's Tigers enter this game with a solid 6-3 overall record. Clemson has won two straight games, closing out a four-game homestand with victories over two other SEC foes in Arkansas (68-65 OT) and most recently, Auburn (72-61).

Frank Martin's Gamecocks are playing at a high level right now as well. South Carolina was distanced itself from a slow start by winning three straight games, including a big 75-49 rout of Oklahoma State in its last outing 13 days ago as part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.

There is a long history between these two Palmetto State rivals, as this game marks the 165th all-time meeting. South Carolina holds an 88-76 lead in the series, but Clemson has won the last two meetings and three of the last five overall.

Clemson is far from an offensive juggernaut this season. Instead, the team has employed tough defense to offset any offensive deficiencies. The Tigers are limiting foes to just 61.7 ppg and holding them under 40 percent shooting (.395), while maintaining a +5.0 rebounding edge. Clemson's scoring average of 68.8 ppg may seem moderate at best, but it comes from a variety of sources, as all five starters boast of double-digit scoring averages. Damarcus Harrison and Jaron Blossomgame lead the charge with 12.0 ppg each. Blossomgame is also tops on the team in rebounding with 9.0 caroms per outing. Rod Hall (11.4 ppg), Landry Nnoko (10.9 ppg) and Donte Grantham (10.2 ppg) round out the impressive quintet.

It was Harrison and Hall that proved to be the difference in Sunday's win over Auburn, as the pair combined for 39 points to lead the way. Hall knocked down 8-of-13 shots from the floor and matched his career-high with 20 points, while Harrison was 5-of-8 from the floor, pouring in 19. Blossomgame was instrumental in the win as well, recording a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds for Clemson, which held Auburn to .389 shooting, while forcing 18 turnovers.

The Gamecocks played tight defense and really took advantage of Oklahoma State's poor shooting effort in routing the Cowboys two weeks ago. OSU managed to shoot an ugly .246 from the floor in the game, including just 5-of-24 from behind the arc (.208). In addition, USC grabbed a whopping 49 rebounds and outscored Oklahoma State 32-16 in the paint. Duane Notice led the way for USC with a game-high 20 points. He was joined in double figures by Sindarius Thornwell and Tyrone Johnson, who tacked on 13 points apiece. Thornwell just missed a double-double (nine rebounds), as did Mindaugas Kacinas (nine points, 12 rebounds).

South Carolina put on a strong offensive performance against Oklahoma State last time out, but that hasn't been the norm in Columbia this season. The offensive numbers for USC on the year are modest, with the team putting up 72.8 ppg on .442 shooting. The efficiency from the floor could be much better if not for the team's struggles from long range (.294). Thornwell is tops on the team in scoring at 13.0 ppg. Notice (11.8 ppg) is the only other Gamecock currently in double figures, although Laimonas Charkevicius (9.5 ppg) and Johnson (9.1 ppg) aren't far off the mark.

Clemson actually has three wins over the SEC thus far, including a win over LSU as part of the Paradise Jam. Making it a four-game sweep won't come easy, but is certainly attainable.