Mention Grayson Allen’s episodes of tripping opponents, and most observers offer instant judgments ranging from disapproval to disgust to concern for his mental health. Bobby Cremins immediately conjures undesirable consequences, flashing back to the 1970 ACC tournament and the devastating effect an opponent’s unintentional act had on a South Carolina squad with national championship aspirations.
Frank McGuire’s ’70 Gamecocks were the first ACC squad ever ranked No. 1 in the preseason Associated Press poll. Led by repeat conference player of the year John Roche, they went undefeated during the league regular season. “They were a big, bad team,” recalls Al Heartley, a guard on the N.