This week in South Carolina basketball
South Carolina basketball is 10-4 (0-1) following an in-state win and a tough SEC opener last week. The Gamecocks now sit at No. 93 in the NET rankings ahead of one of the toughest weeks on any team’s schedule. Below is a quick overview of last week and a look ahead at what is to come this week.
[USC-Alabama MBB: Win two tickets]
South Carolina Gamecocks top in-state Presbyterian Blue Hose
South Carolina did not play well in the first half against PC. In fact, the Gamecocks trailed by eight going into halftime and looked out of sorts.
The second half was better, and Collin Murray-Boyles finished the contest with 22 points and nine rebounds. Nick Pringle and Jamarii Thomas chipped in 14 and 10 points, respectively, as the only other players in double figures. Thomas also added six assists to the box score.
Though the offensive effort wasn’t a great one, the Gamecocks took smart shots. Every USC point came from the free throw line, in the paint, or behind the 3-point arc.
Result: South Carolina won 69-59.
South Carolina Gamecocks lose big in SEC opener against Mississippi State
If the first half against Presbyterian was bad, the opening stanza against Mississippi State was something worse. In the Gamecocks’ worst half of basketball this season, they entered the intermission trailing 43-18.
Junior wing Zach Davis was the only player who could get anything going on offense. Off the bench, Davis scored 22 points, including a 9-for-10 effort from the free throw line. If forced to pick some other bright spots, Jamarii Thomas finished with a 6-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, and Collin Murray-Boyles pulled down 10 rebounds.
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Cotton Bowl weather threat
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Joel Klatt
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- 4Hot
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After the game, Coach Paris called out his team for a lack of fight. Ever the optimist, though, Paris added that he hopes the beatdown serves as a “wake-up” for the Gamecocks.
Result: South Carolina lost 85-50.
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What’s coming this week for South Carolina basketball
Following the tough start to SEC play over the weekend, things only get tougher this week. The “good news” of the tough schedule, though, is that both contests are in Columbia.
On Wednesday, January 8th, South Carolina will welcome the Alabama Crimson Tide to Colonial Life Arena. The No. 5 Tide beat a ranked Oklahoma squad 107-79 last week. Alabama beat the Gamecocks last season. This year’s game will broadcast on SEC Network at 7:00 p.m. and stream on the ESPN app.
Then, on Saturday, the other team from Yellow Hammer State comes to town. The No. 2-ranked Auburn Tigers enter the week 13-1, coming off of a 16-point win over Missouri. South Carolina went 0-2 against Auburn during the 2023-2024 season. SEC Network also will broadcast the Auburn game, and the ESPN app will stream the proceedings from Colonial Life Arena.
