South Carolina moves up in NET ranking despite 0-7 start
South Carolina basketball is 0-7 in SEC play for the first time in program history. The Gamecocks’ overall record is 10-10, and barring a miraculous turnaround, the postseason feels out of reach this season.
However, USC ranks much higher than one might expect in the NET ranking. As of Monday night, South Carolina is No. 90 in the NET. That number remains last in the SEC. The feelings around the team are vastly different, but the Gamecocks’ current NET ranking is very similar to what it was after Carolina beat the rival Clemson Tigers in December.
The NET, for those unfamiliar, is the most important ranking metric used by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. It factors in Team Value Index (essentially a team’s on-court results, location of games, and strength of schedule) and adjusted net efficient ratings (how well a team plays in those games, adjusted for the quality of opponent and location of games).
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South Carolina would have been in for a much lower ranking, but the team’s post-New Year strength of schedule is the best in the country. So far in SEC play, the Gamecocks have played five ranked foes (all in the top 17), one more who was ranked previously, and another who is ranked now.
Of the 65 teams in college basketball who have played at least 10 games against Quad 1 and Quad 2 opponents, Carolina is one of just seven who haven’t won at least two of them.
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Four of South Carolina’s last five losses, though, have come in one-possession games or overtime. If a few shots would have bounced through the hoop instead of out of it, the Gamecocks’ postseason fortunes would look vastly different. Last year’s team made the NCAA Tournament squad, largely based on its ability to win close games. The 2023-2024 Gamecocks went 16-4 in games decided by 10 points or fewer. This year? Lamont Paris’ team already has more close losses as they own a 4-6 record in contests closer than 11 points.
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This week will present South Carolina with two opportunities against Quad 1 foes.
First, the Gamecocks will travel to Athens to take on the Georgia Bulldogs on Tuesday night. SEC Network will air the 7:00 p.m. contest, while the ESPN app streams the festivities inside of Stegeman Coliseum. The affair will be the first of two between the SEC rivals.
Then, on Saturday, South Carolina will return home for a matchup against the Texas A&M Aggies. Tip-off is slated for 8:30 p.m. and also will be broadcast on SEC Network and streamed on the ESPN app.
