Lamont Paris shares South Carolina mindset as Gamecocks begin SEC Tournament play

South Carolina has exceeded expectations throughout the 2023-24 season. Gamecocks coach Lamont Paris is hopeful that will continue in the SEC Tournament.

Paris’ team plays its first game in Nashville on Thursday against Arkansas in the second round of the tourney.

Before tip off against the Razorbacks, he spoke with the SEC Network about his team’s mindset.

“We try to say that there’s not really a limit. There’s a lot of things out there for this group still,” Lamont Paris said. “We’ve played all season with a chip on our shoulder. It hasn’t gone anywhere. We know who we are and how we play and we’ve got to get to business.”

South Carolina is 25-6 and the No. 5 seed entering the SEC Tournament after finishing tied for second in the league with a 13-5 record.

Arkansas (16-16) outlasted Vanderbilt in the first round of the SEC Tournament on Wednesday to advance to face the Gamecocks.

Paris spoke with the SEC Network about the magical season South Carolina has had to this point and how his team can continue to make history moving forward.

“Well, it’s hard to describe it, but when you get a group of guys who are committed to one goal, they’re skilled, they’re really tough-minded and they really play together, it’s hard to put a limit on what you can accomplish and they’ve been a great example of that,” Paris said.

The winner of the South Carolina vs. Arkansas game will advance to face No. 1 seed Auburn on Friday. Tip off from Nashville is set for approximately 3:30 p.m.

South Carolina, Lamont Paris agree to contract extension

Before the Gamecocks got underway in Nashville, Lamont Paris received some good news. South Carolina has reportedly agreed on a contract extension for the head man.

ESPN reports that the Gamecocks will extend the SEC Coach of the Year through the 2029-30 season, paying Paris an average of more than $4 million annually. The deal is pending board approval that is set to be decided on Friday. GamecockCentral.com confirmed the news.

Paris is coming off a season in which his squad showed remarkable improvement.

The Gamecocks went 11-21 during his first season in charge, which included a 4-14 mark in conference play. This year the squad improved to 25-6 overall and finished tied for second place in the SEC with a 13-5 league record.

The nine game improvement in conference record was the biggest jump for any team at the Power Six conference level this season, edging out LSU.