Recap: What South Carolina men's basketball said on earning NCAA Tournament bid
After receiving their first NCAA Tournament invite in seven years, a pair of South Carolina men’s basketball players, as well as head coach Lamont Paris, met with the media.
Below are some takeaways from what each had to say, as well as links to watch each interview.
The Gamecocks enter the NCAA Tournament as a six-seed and will play 11-seeded Oregon on Thursday at 4 p.m. on TNT in Pittsburgh, PA.
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Lamont Paris
– Believes that making the tournament in year two says more about about the people they have than the plays he runs. Says that’s from his staff, the administration, and especially the players.
– As great of a feeling as it is today for this program, Paris hopes that one day the number of times they make the tournament won’t be what this program is judged on but rather how far they make it into the tournament instead. In other words, making going to the tournament the norm. Says they still are working towards that but feels they’re ahead of schedule.
– From his experience of coaching in the tournament, even going back to his days as an assistant coach, says it’s all about being relaxed. Need to play hard on defense, not just offense. Let your offensive game come to you after setting the tone on defense early.
BJ Mack
– Recalled telling Paris on his recruiting visits that one of his goals by coming to South Carolina was to make the NCAA Tournament. Not only because he had never experienced it but to help the program make it back after a seven-year drought.
– Feels their style of play is built for March with the way they stretch the floor, their unselfish play, and the way they play defense. Believes it will cause a lot of problems for other teams.
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– While the NCAA Tournament has a day off in-between games, feels like a lot of the younger guys were able to learn about the importance of the recovery side of things with playing in the SEC Tournament this past weekend.
Meechie Johnson
– Feeling every type of emotion on a day like today. Described the goosebumps he has just thinking about being one of Lamont Paris’ first commitments to winning just 11 games last season to now being invited to the NCAA Tournament.
– Still feels people are doubting this team. Has the mindset that they’re going into the NCAA Tournament to win it all and prove to people that they’ve earned everything that has come their way.
– This past week in Nashville taught them they can stick together through low moments. Some guys have the mentality of flushing it and moving on while over guys made sure to encourage other players who needed to be picked up.
