Odom pleased with Gamecocks progress

South Carolina coach Dave Odom questions a foul called on a South Carolina player against Georgia on Saturday. (AP Photo/Perry Baker)

AP Sports Writer

COLUMBIA — South Carolina hasn’t won a true road game, lost its streak of success against rival Clemson and has so far come up short in several areas that carried the Gamecocks to their first NCAA tournament in six years last season.

Still, coach David Odom is pleased with his gelling club as it prepares to face LSU (6-5, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) on Wednesday night.

‘‘I do sense that our team mentally is growing in the right way,’’ Odom said Tuesday. ‘‘I do sense that our team is getting better. Incrementally, maybe, small steps. That pleases me and I feel good about the direction this team is going in.’’

That’s a strong show of support for a coach known for his no-nonsense, straight-up assessments. Just a year ago, Odom was as stunned as anyone when his club opened 18-2 and returned to the national rankings for the first time since 1998.

And while Odom says these Gamecocks (9-4, 1-1) haven’t fully replaced the large presence of forward Rolando Howell under the boards or point guard Michael Boynton in the locker room from a year ago, he sees a team that has hit its early benchmarks even if it hasn’t made all its shots.

‘‘It’s far too early to throw our hands up in the air and celebrate,’’ Odom said. ‘‘We’ve just got to keep getting better possession by possession by possession.’’

For those who see the glass half-empty, they might grouse about South Carolina’s closer-than-planned struggles in victories against Winthrop and South Carolina State, or falling at home to the hated Tigers to end a four-game series win streak or losing landmark road games at Kansas, Pittsburgh and Kentucky by a total of 12 points.

South Carolina’s only win away from the Colonial Center was against East Carolina last month in Mobile, Ala.

Odom, who typically sees his glass half-full and ready to overflow, likes the way his players have increased their work habits and attitudes as conference season approached.

It was a team given to gibberish in huddles or breaks, a constant barrage of chatter mostly indecipherable to the 62-year-old Odom. That’s largely stopped as Odom says the players have become more focused and on target with the SEC’s start.

‘‘We were serious (before),’’ said senior Carlos Powell, the Gamecocks leading scorer. ‘‘But it’s conference time. We’ve just got to step it up and play basketball the way we know how to play.’’

There are improvements showing on the court as well, Odom says.

Powell’s shot selection — possibly the most criticized aspect of his game — has improved so much that he’s gone 27-of-38 (71 percent) the past four games.

Junior college transfer Antoine Tisby, a 6-8 forward, has gradually gotten better as a force in the middle.

Point guard Tre’ Kelley, a sophomore who entered the season as one of South Carolina’s biggest question marks, has solidified his play and had 15 assists and two turnovers his last three games.

Odom said a longtime friend and basketball junkie questioned early on whether Kelley could lead a team. But Odom said the friend recently called saying those doubts were gone.

‘‘That means a lot to me because I was sure (Kelley) could do it,’’ Odom said. ‘‘But Tre’ has given himself to the team right now. He understands.’’

For Kelley, each practice, each drill is a chance to perk up his play and smooth his rough edges.

‘‘It’s something we’re all doing right now,’’ Kelley said.

If that’s the case, Odom and the Gamecocks could stay pleased all the way into the March.