Hayden Brown shares what it means to win in Rupp Arena

South Carolina’s 71-68 upset win over Kentucky in Rupp Arena on Tuesday marked just the third time the Gamecocks had walked away from the historic venue with a victory. For the players and coaches of a struggling team at the bottom of the SEC standings, it meant a lot to prove their ability to compete on the biggest stage.

Transfer forward Hayden Brown discussed his unique perspective on the game, soaking in the significance of the moment as it stacked up with his favorite memories from The Citadel.

“It means a lot,” said Brown. “I kind of spent some time just reflecting on my own career, even just today. I’m counting down the days really until this whole thing’s over. I’ve been doing it for the last six years. So each and every opportunity is an opportunity to feel what I feel like I’ve been doing successfully for the past five years. To do it on the biggest stage, Rupp Arena, historic place. I’ve been able to do it at Cameron Indoor, I’ve been able to go across the country, so it means a lot for me personally, yes. … For me personally, yeah it’s dope, but for us collectively, it means the absolute world”

For his career, Brown averages 12.4 points and 6.5 rebounds across six seasons with The Citadel and South Carolina. He was a two-time All-Southern Conference selection before joining the Gamecocks for his final collegiate season.

Hayden Brown happy for teammates after Kentucky win

While the moment was huge for Hayden Brown’s career and put his talent on a national stage, it also provided a platform for many new faces in the South Carolina program to shine. The veteran forward made sure to point the spotlight toward everyone in the locker room after the upset and discussed what they mean to him.

“I love seeing each and every one of the people – men, specifically in that locker room – smile. That’s what I came to South Carolina for. However I could help and assistant that to happen in (Lamont Paris’) first year, in (Meechie Johnson’s) first year, and a lot of people’s first year here, that’s what I came here for.

“No basketball season’s every going to look pretty. I think Meechie and I both said last game that it didn’t define our season. And so we were coming off a loss that obviously wasn’t pretty. But we had the internal character to look each other in the eyes and be like, ‘ok, this is not going to define us.’ We have an opportunity here.”