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TAMPA, Fla. -- Frank Martins uneasiness about how No. 16 South Carolina might respond to its first loss of the season was unfounded.PJ Dozier and Duane Notice assured that, stepping up in the absence of leading scorer Sindarius Thornwell to help the Gamecocks (9-1) shrug off cold shooting and pull away to a 77-66 victory over South Florida on Saturday.Dozier scored 11 of his 23 points in the closing minutes and Notice gave South Carolina a spark by contributing 14 of his 15 points after halftime to help the Gamecocks bounce back from last Mondays 67-64 loss to Seton Hall.It was my concern for this basketball team coming into this game, coming off our first loss, being so young, that some guys wouldnt handle it (well). Losing is an epidemic, and losing is not good. And young people dont know how to handle losing, Martin said.It was our first experience as a team to go through it. I think we kind of came out and played the first half like somebody took our dog. We didnt have our enthusiasm, the fight that weve played with every single day out, Martin added. But Im equally as pleased, I thought we played well in the second half as a basketball team. Different guys doing things. Obviously PJ continues to grow as a player here and do unbelievable things. But like I told him, its also his challenge.The Gamecocks (9-1) improved to 2-1 without Thornwell, who has been suspended indefinitely for violating athletic department policy.With Sind being out, we had only two seniors out on the floor. So as Coach said, were young. Were a young team and were just looking to grow, Dozier said.We came out first half a little sluggish. We make our offense out of our defense and wasnt doing that the first half, the 6-foot-6 sophomore guard added. We went into the locker room and Coach gave us that word that we needed and came out with the intensity we should have started with.Jahmal McMurray led USF (5-4) with 25 points. Malik Fitts had 12 points and Geno Thorpe finished with 11 points and nine rebounds for the Bulls, who led 37-31 at halftime.South Carolina began the second half with a 17-9 burst to take a 48-41 lead. Dozier and Notice keyed the initial surge and Dozier took over down the stretch, when the Gamecocks led by as many as 13.We got, maybe, a little bit complacent. Didnt come out with the fire that we had in the first half, McMurray said. The second half, we just have to ... come out with the same fire.THE BIG PICTURESouth Carolina, which has its highest ranking since being No. 14 in the final poll of the 1997-98 season, obviously misses Thornwell, who leads them in assists, as well as scoring and rebounding. With Notice missing the first eight shots he attempted, including six from 3-point range, the Gamecocks trailed at halftime for the first time this season.Not surprisingly, South Florida faded down the stretch. Luis Santos made a layup to trim South Carolinas lead to 64-61 with 7 minutes left, however the Bulls didnt score again from the field until Bo Zeiglers basket with 29 seconds left.FIRST BIG TESTSouth Carolina is only Power 5 opponent USF is scheduled to face this season. The Bulls fell to 0-4 against ranked opponents under coach Orlando Antigua and have dropped 20 consecutive games to Top 25 opponents since knocking off No. 15 Louisville on the road on Feb. 29, 2012.POLL IMPLICATIONSThe Gamecocks may lose some ground in the next AP poll, however, rebounding on the road -- albeit against an opponent thats had its share of problems against a weak schedule -- will likely keep the Gamecocks in the Top 25.UNIENDO LOS TOROSUSF designated Saturday as Uniendo Los Toros, which in English translates to Uniting The Bulls. The game featured two of three Hispanic-American head coaches in NCAA Division I in South Carolinas Martin and USFs Antigua. Miamis Jim Larranaga is the third. Early arrivals among the announced crowd of 2,489 at the Sun Dome received white T-shirts commemorating the occasion.UP NEXTSouth Carolina: Returns home to face intrastate rival Clemson on Wednesday.South Florida: Faces Northern Illinois at home on Tuesday.---Brian Propp Flyers Jersey . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Jakub Voracek Jersey . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. http://www.nhlflyersproauthentic.com/bill-barber-hockey-jersey/ . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. Sean Couturier Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Ron Hextall Flyers Jersey . -- James Young couldnt wait to apply those tweaks to his jump shot, and the first one he made against UT Arlington told him it could be a good night.We examine the Sky Bet Championship play-offs as Brighton, Hull, Derby and Sheffield Wednesday battle it out for a place in the Premier League.Who? What? When? How?With the help of Ian Holloway, we analyse each teams chances of promotion to the Premier League as they battle to hit the £170m jackpot. Sky Bet offer The Football League sponsor are top price on all four teams in the play-off outright here. Semi-final 1: Sheffield Wednesday/Brighton (First leg 2-0)Leg 2: Brighton v Sheffield Wednesday - Monday, May 16 (Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm) Sheffield Wednesday Manager: Carlos CarvalhalFinal position: 6th (74 points)Recent form: LDDDWL Highlights of the Championship play-off semi-final first leg between Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton, which ended 2-0 to the hosts Season summary: The Hillsborough faithful can finally start to dream again. They are just three games away from ending their 16-year hiatus from the top tier of English football.Owner Dejphon Chansiri has cleared the £15million debts at the club and loosened the purse strings to fund a savvy recruitment drive which has attracted quality attacking players.Since hammering Wolves 4-1 in late December, they havent looked back, losing just three of the following 17 games. Automatic promotion was a possibility with six games left, but the relentless winning run of the top three plus a blip in form put pay to that chance.Play-off history: Winners (2005)Ollies key man: Barry Bannan: The little genius! He makes Sheffield Wednesday tick from midfield. If given the space he can run a game for you. Hes been sensational this season. Barry Bannan can run a game from midfield for Sheffield Wednesday, according to Ollie BrightonThe manager: Chris Hughton Final position: 3rd (89 points)Recent form: WWWWDD Carlos Carvalhal was very happy after Sheffield Wednesdays 2-0 first-leg victory over Brighton Season summary: Although they fell at the final hurdle against Middlesbrough, that should not detract from a remarkable season for the Seagulls. It is easy to forget that they flirted with relegation last campaign, finishing 20th.A record-breaking run of 21 games unbeaten laid their marker down for and they finished with a flourish too, racking up a 14-game unbeaten sequence.To reach 89 points and not make the top two (lost out on goal difference) is a unique and potentially deflating occurrence. Will that affect them heading into the end-of-season shootout? Play-off history: Winners (1991, 2004). Beaten semi-finalists (2013, 2014) Ollies key man: Beram Kayal: There is a big responsibility on his shoulders with his partner in crime Dale Stephens suspended, but I think hell thrive on it. Hes been one of the signings of the season. Beram Kayal (left) has been one of the signings of the season for Brighton, says Ollie Semi-final 2: Derby/Hull (First leg 0-3) Highlights of Hulls 3-0 win at Derby in the first leg Leg 2: Hull v Derby - Tuesday, May 17 (Sky Sports 2 HD from 7.dddddddddddd30pm) Derby CountyManager: Darren WassallFinal position: 5th (78 points)Recent form: WWWDDLSeason summary: A mixed bag of a campaign. New head coach Paul Clement looked to building an easy-on-the-eye team capable of winning the title but a wobble in form and a breakdown in communication with the owner lead to Clements dismissal in February.Following their incomprehensible implosion last season, it looked as though a similar fate was awaiting them as they dropped to sixth in March. But new boss Darren Wassall galvanised his troops to comfortably nail a play-off place.Play-off history: Winners (2007). Beaten finalists (1994, 2014). Beaten semi-finalists (2005).Ollies key man: Tom Ince: He has the skills to come alive in the play-offs, like he did for me at Blackpool, scoring at Wembley in the final. Hes a match-winner. Tom Ince (right) has performed in a play-off final before Hull CityManager: Steve BruceFinal position: 4th (83 points)Recent form: WWDWLWSeason summary: It seems from the outside that last years Premier League relegation hasnt had too much long-standing damage on Hull City.Barring their woeful run of 10 games without a win in March/April, they have been knocking on the promotion door all season, trading at odds-on to go up for most of the campaign. Steve Bruce says Derbys limited attacking play was testament to Hull in their 3-0 first-leg win at the iPro Stadium It is a squad packed with Premier League quality, who conceded only 12 goals at home all season. Play-off history: Winners (2008). Beaten semi-finalists (2001).Ollies key man: Robert Snodgrass: He looks to be peaking at the right time following his injury nightmares. When fully fit, he is a Premier League-class player who has the ability to shine on the big stage. Hull Citys Robert Snodgrass is a big-game player, in Ollies opinion Ollies first-leg prediction: I was worried about Derbys mentality earlier this season, but theyve turned a corner in that regard. On their day, they can wipe the floor with anyone.This is a tough test for Hull, who Im shocked didnt finish in the top two. They have relied on Abel Hernandez to score their goals this season - no one else has chipped in regularly - and they have slipped up in too many winnable games.Both these teams have unbelievable talent on show. This game could be any scoreline if there is an early goal, especially now George Thorne is missing for Derby. He gives his back four plenty of protection.In their last seven league games, both teams have scored a total of 28 goals. I fancy a thriller here with Derby just edging it.OLLIE PREDICTS: 3-2 (Sky Bet odds 33/1)Also See:Burnley presented with trophyHow to win the play-offsFL play-offs: Who, when, where?Super 6 ' ' '