Lamont Paris on confidence in Meechie Johnson: ‘It couldn’t possibly be higher’

Although South Carolina won over Missouri this weekend, it was a long game for G Meechie Johnson. That scoreless outing didn’t shake Lamont Paris’ confidence, though, when it comes to the junior guard.

Paris spoke about his faith in Johnson during his postgame press conference after the Gamecocks’ leading scorer posted a doughnut in the box score. Even after missing everything he put up against the Tigers, Paris still has a full belief in Johnson that is as lofty as possible.

“I mean the best thing I can do is continue to believe in him,” said Paris. “My belief is as high as it can possibly be. It can’t be any higher. He knows that.”

Johnson is averaging a career-high of 15.7 points while shooting 41.7% from the field and 35.1% from three in his second season at South Carolina.

However, for whatever reason, Johnson couldn’t find the bottom of the basket against Mizzou. He scored 0 points in 24 minutes of play by going 0-9 from the field, including 0-7 from distance, and not getting to free throw line.

The Gamecocks were still able to win 72-64 due to four double-figure scorers led by B.J. Mack with 21. Still, in the case of Johnson, all Paris can do now is help him find out what went wrong over the next few days and in the film room in order to rebound in his next appearance.

“We’ll talk, maybe watch a little film. He normally likes to do that after a rough game or even after some of the good ones. He’ll text me and want to come in to watch some film. So I’ll get some clips together,” said Paris. “I’ll make clips of the whole team. Then I usually will do three or four guys that might want to come in. I do some individual clips for them and he’ll be one of them. We’ll sit down.”

Since Johnson has become the player he is, this was right up there amongst his worst individual performances. Even so, the season will still continue on and Paris fully expects him to return to form in his upcoming opportunity which will come at Tennessee on Tuesday.

“It’s great,” said Paris. “It’s a new day. Tomorrow is another day. We’ll play a different team in the next one.”

“I just think the biggest thing is just to continue to believe in him and how pivotal he is when it comes to us doing what we want to achieve this year.”