How to watch/what to watch for: South Carolina looks to build off AP poll ranking

A new achievement has been met. Now all South Carolina has to do is keep trending upwards and focus on winning.

One day after being ranked in the AP poll for the first time since 2017, the now No. 15 Gamecocks will play host to Ole Miss on Tuesday.

Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network.

Here are some things to watch for.

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Validation. What now?

After another big week of winning, South Carolina finally earned enough respect from the voters to land in the AP poll. It’s another huge memento for this team that continues to turn heads. But what’s next?

We’re now at the halfway mark in SEC play. The Gamecocks have nine games to go before the SEC Tournament. While being ranked is a nice feeling, it doesn’t truly matter all too much in the grand scheme of things. What matters is continuing to stack up wins because the team is in a position to being one of the higher seeds in the conference tournament, if not the No. 1 overall seed.

Keep playing with underdog mindset

Do you want to know how this team has continued to win time after time? Talent and style of play are main contributors, but the chip on their shoulder is huge. They still remember when everyone picked them to finish last in the SEC. That’s another reason why they’ve gotten to where they are.

Despite earning a little number next to its name, South Carolina should continue to play as if it is the underdog. That’s when it’s at its best. Don’t let the pressure of keeping the ranking get in the way. Focus on playing ball and let the rest take care of itself.

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Start Stute or Davis?

Over the last few games, Zachary Davis has been starting in place of Myles Stute, who had been recovering from a shoulder injury. Stute has played in the last two games with mixed results. He did well against Tennessee but not so much at Georgia. Now the question becomes, who starts on Tuesday?

It depends on what Lamont Paris wants. If he starts Davis, he can count on his defense to be solid. However, that runs the risk of some sloppy play and missed shots from time to time. Whereas if he starts Stute, this is a guy that can be a real threat to score.

Dominate in the paint

South Carolina owned the paint against Georgia on Saturday. Josh Gray and Collin Murray-Boyles were the two big men who really caused issues for the Bulldogs in that area. That needs to continue the rest of the way.

Both players arguably had their best games of the year that day, which leads to believe they could continue to play well. The Gamecocks could win the game with its solid defense and shots from the outside. But paint play and rebounds will also be important in success.

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Scouting the opponent

Much like South Carolina, the Ole Miss Rebels have been one of the other surprise stories in college basketball. After finishing towards the bottom of the SEC last year, first-year head coach Chris Beard has led his team to an 18-4 (5-4 SEC) record.

Ole Miss played extremely well in non-conference play, winning all 13 of its games. But conference play has been more of a mixed bag. However, the Rebels have won three of their last four games.

Matthew Murrell is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 16.8 points per game. He’s been a consistent player on offense, typically scoring in the double digits. There have only been three games where he’s finished with less than 10 points.

The Rebels also have two other big scorers at the guard position in Allen Flanigan and Jaylen Murray, who are averaging 15.3 and 14.5 points, respectively.

At the forward position, Jaemyn Brakefield is putting up 12 points per game on 47.6 percent shooting. Despite being 6-foot-8, he isn’t the team’s leading rebounder. That would be Flanigan with 6.8 rebounds per game.

This is a group that can beat you from behind the arc. Ole Miss is 12th in the country in three-point percentage with a 38.7 percent clip. However, the Rebels rank 351st in defensive rebounding percentage, which could bode well for South Carolina’s big men.

Game details

Who: No. 15 South Carolina (19-3, 7-2 SEC) vs. Ole Miss (18-4, 5-4 SEC)

When: Tuesday, Feb, 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Colonial Life Arena (18,000)

How to watch/listen: SEC Network/107.5 FM

ESPN gives South Carolina a 72.7 percent chance to win

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