BJ Mack breaks down the past week of winning, receiving encouragement from a Gamecock legend
This is what he came here for. He wanted to be a part of something special. It was going to take a lot of work to right the ship, but it’s safe to say it’s working so far.
For BJ Mack, the last eight days in particular have been a whirlwind.
“It’s been crazy. This last week has been very crazy,” Mack said. “Just the excitement around campus for both us and the women’s team. So it’s been very crazy.”
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Over the last week, South Carolina has beaten then No. 6 Kentucky and Missouri. Then, one day after not being ranked in the latest AP poll, the Gamecocks went into Knoxville and took care of business against No. 5 Tennessee.
In these wins, Mack has been a critical piece to the puzzle. After an eight-point effort against Kentucky, he went out and scored 21 points against Missouri. He didn’t have his best game on Tuesday, but he did finish with 16 points and went 7-for-8 at the free throw line.
Related: South Carolina-Tennessee box score
In the last few days, Mack’s phone has been blowing up with texts and calls from people wishing to congratulate him on all he’s done with South Carolina so far. Some of those messages even include former Gamecocks who have been through it all just like Mack.
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In particular, Sindarius Thornwell was one of the many to reach out to him. Thornwell, who played at South Carolina from 2013-17, helped the Gamecocks reach the Final Four in his final year. At the time, he was a huge part of shifting the culture for men’s basketball in Columbia. To this day, his heroics from that March Madness run are still talked about.
“I know Sindarius. I’m very cool with him,” Mack said. “So he texted me good luck and keep balling out.”
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For Mack, it has meant a lot to receive words of encouragement from one of the best to ever do it in the Garnet and Black. On top of that, he and Thornwell share a deeper connection. Both grew up around the Charlotte metro area.
“That’s like big brother to me,” Mack said. “So for him being able to reach out and tell me a little bit of advice, how to play throughout the game, how to play with fouls and everything like that. So it’s just been a great help.”
