Lamont Paris considers pressure now that South Carolina is ranked

South Carolina broke a long drought on Wednesday, appearing in the AP poll for the first time since February 2017. Lamont Paris has his team playing good basketball and the Gamecocks were ranked No. 15 ahead of Tuesday night’s win against Ole Miss. Taking down Vanderbilt on Saturday could see them rise even further up the rankings.

Paris was asked if there is now pressure on the program following the accomplishment, admitting South Carolina did talk about it. It’s a special moment for him personally, understanding not too many head coaches have the honor. But making sure his team remains true to who they are was Paris’ overall message.

“We talked a little bit about it,” Paris said. “We celebrated the fact that a lot of people go their whole career and they never get a number by their name. Most people didn’t think there would be a little number next to these guys. So, we acknowledge the fact that’s there and the work that it takes to get that and the performances that you have to have consistent to get that.

“But also, never straying away from who we are and what we keep. We keep saying ‘We are who we are and we do what we do.’ I can guarantee you that that is good enough.”

South Carolina currently sits at 8-2 in conference play, sitting a game behind Alabama in the loss column. Paris knows his team has an opportunity to make a serious run at an SEC regular season championship, something the program has not won since 2009. While having the No. 15 next to their name is nice on the SEC Network score bug, all focus is on continuing to win games.

Paris is just thankful to be a part of the journey with his players.

“We’re on a mission,” Paris said. “They’re on a mission, the guys are on a mission. I’m along for the ride with them. I’m thankful. Appreciate the fact that they allow me to coach them. They’re on a mission and I just have to remind them occasionally that ‘You guys got something here. That you’re doing. Let’s not stray away from that thing.'”

Meechie Johnson has been South Carolina’s leading scorer, averaging 14.5 points per game. Wofford transfer BJ Mack has integrated into the program well and is the leading rebounder at 5.0 a night. Those types of players have been why the Gamecocks have had this type of success in Paris’ eyes.

“We’re grateful that anyone would recognize what these guys are doing,” Paris said. “They’re doing the yeoman’s work in this whole process. So, all the credit goes to them, all of it.”