'It's special': Reaction from Knoxville after South Carolina's massive win over Tennessee
There’s no true way to summarize what these past eight days have been like. It’s a feeling that doesn’t happen too often around here.
“Special,” Ta’Lon Cooper said, trying to find any words he could.
It all started last Tuesday when fans stormed the court after South Carolina’s upset win over Kentucky. Then, the Gamecocks fought hard to take down Missouri on Saturday. Even after a great week of basketball, they found themselves on the outside of the AP top 25 on Monday.
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Which now leads into Tuesday night. A trip to Knoxville to take on the No. 5 team in the country. And some how, some way, South Carolina found a way to beat Tennessee.
“It’s special. I don’t think there’s a word to describe it truthfully,” said Myles Stute, who had been dealing with a shoulder injury and finished with 13 points in the win.
Related: South Carolina-Tennessee box score
Coming into this season, no one gave the Gamecocks a shot. In fact, not many took them seriously. They were picked to finish last in the SEC after finishing 11-21 last season.
“It just shows the chip that we have on our shoulder from the beginning,” Cooper said. “Being picked last in the SEC, not being ranked this week. You know, it’s okay. We’re just going to keep playing our ball and just try to do our best.”
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With each game, they have continued to find ways to win and prove the doubters wrong. It speaks to the chemistry and connection the players have built since the summer.
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“Not even really knowing these guys a whole lot coming into the situation and kind of taking that blind leap of faith and then coming here and build something truly special,” Stute said. “It’s something that we’re going to look back on years from now still calling each other, talking about. It means the world to me.”
At this point, actions speak louder than words. South Carolina would rather have the naysayers keep doubting them. It only embraces such a challenge.
“If they like us, they like us. If they don’t, they’ll pay the price,” Stute said.
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Looking ahead, if South Carolina can pick up another road win in Athens against Georgia on Saturday, it’s safe to say there will be a little number next to its name.
“We’re going to make sure that they know that we should be in it,” BJ Mack said. “We felt like we should (yesterday). Being able to have that respect from the AP poll, if we can get these two wins this week, we feel like we should.”
