Last Update on May 16, 2012 19:05 GMT

S CAROLINA-SEC FIGHT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina ace Michael Roth knew the two-time defending national champion Gamecocks would shake off their early struggles and find themselves in the thick of the Southeastern Conference title chase.

The Gamecocks opened league play 1-5. Yet, entering the last regular-season series, South Carolina is a half-game behind Kentucky for the SEC crown and the top seed heading into next week's conference tournament.

The Gamecocks face LSU at home for a three-game series starting Thursday night. LSU is a game in back of the league-leading Wildcats. Florida is two games off the pace, although the Gators would need plenty of help to jump to the top this weekend.

Roth heard the fans' panic after the Gamecocks dreadful start. But Roth said players understood there was time to turn things around.

ACC MEETINGS

Swofford: FSU situation not brought up at meetings

Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford says the possibility of Florida State leaving the league was not brought up during this week's meetings.

Swofford spoke to The Associated Press by phone Wednesday from the meeting site in Amelia Island, Fla. He says Florida State's situation "wasn't brought up in any formal way" and says the meetings were "business as usual as we move ahead with becoming a 14-team league."

Earlier this week, FSU President Eric Barron sent an email to those asking about the Seminoles possibly leaving for the Big 12. In it, he lists the pros and cons of moving but makes a strong case for staying put.

Swofford calls the Seminoles "a valuable member, just like our other 11 -- and soon our other 13 -- are."