South Carolina vs. Arkansas: Three things to watch for, scouting the opponent, and injury report

Unless South Carolina makes it to the finals of the SEC Tournament, they’re guaranteed to finish with a record below .500 this season. That’s a sharp turn from making the NCAA Tournament, but the Gamecocks still have a chance to finish strong and build momentum heading into 2025-26.

Following a blowout 101-71 loss on the road to Missouri, South Carolina (11-17, 1-14) takes on Arkansas in Columbia on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is at 1 p.m. on SEC Network.

Here are three things to watch for, an opponent scouting report on the Razorbacks, plus the latest injury report.

Getting back to the line

South Carolina recorded 45 free-throw attempts in their win over Texas, converting 34 of them. The ability to get to the line was integral in the team securing the Gamecocks’ first SEC victory this season. Texas made 18 from the charity stripe, a 16-unit differential in what turned into a 15-point win for South Carolina.

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The Gamecocks haven’t been particularly impressive from the line, with a 70.7 FT% on the year. That’s below average, but by sheer volume, South Carolina is in the top 25 nationally in terms of free throws made per game. At times when the offense flounders, getting to the line (sans defensive pressure) has been a way to keep getting points on the board.

South Carolina averages 25.6 free throw attempts per game at home, compared to 21.9 per game on the road. Against Arkansas, who are 3rd in the SEC with just 17.1 opponent free throw attempts per game, getting to the line reliably might be difficult. However, the absence of Adou Thiero could lead to open lanes for Collin Murray-Boyles and Jamarii Thomas inside.

South Carolina playing spoiler

A win over Texas took pressure off of South Carolina and brought relief to the Gamecocks. Conversely, it threw the Longhorns upon the unforgiving throes of the NCAA tournament bubble. A loss to South Carolina in the year 2025 is simply a death knell to bubble teams on the Gamecocks’ schedule.

Arkansas comes into Saturday’s game as one of Joe Lunardi’s “Last Four Byes”. That would put the Razorbacks tentatively inside the field on Selection Sunday. But if John Calipari’s team falls to South Carolina, there are plenty of bubble hopefuls waiting to take the Hogs’ spot.

The Gamecocks will not be able to secure a bid to the tournament without winning the SEC tournament. However, the team still holds plenty of power in terms of who makes the tournament. In addition to Arkansas, Lamont Paris’s squad will still face off against Georgia and likely a yet-to-be-determined other SEC bubble team in the first round of the SEC tournament.

Paris vs. Calipari 3.0

John Calipari has never defeated Lamont Paris. Granted, they’ve only played twice. But small sample size disregarded, that’s still a 1.000 career winning percentage over a Hall of Fame coach. The first meeting was a shocking defeat of the Cats in Rupp Arena in 2023. Meechie Johnson led both teams with 26 points, and the Gamecocks made 55.0% of their attempts from deep.

Last season, the margin was larger. South Carolina defeated then-No. 6 Kentucky, 79-62. Ta’Lon Cooper showed out with a 20-5-5 stat line, and Jacobi Wright had 14 off the bench. This year, Calipari is still in the SEC but with a different program. The Razorbacks defeated the Wildcats earlier this season in Rupp in a “revenge game” for Coach Cal.

Entering Friday afternoon, ESPN has the Razorbacks as -1.5 point favorites over South Carolina. But Calipari was favored over the Gamecocks in their past two meetings with Lamont Paris, meaning history could stay on South Carolina’s side.

Scouting the opponent

For a full look into Arkansas, click here to read Resume Check: Looking ahead to South Carolina basketball’s next opponent, the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Injury report

For South Carolina: Myles Stute is OUT (blood clot).

For Arkansas: Boogie Fland is OUT (hand). Adou Thiero is OUT (knee).

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Game details

Who: South Carolina (11-17, 1-14 SEC) vs. Arkansas (17-11, 6-9 SEC)

When: Saturday, Mar. 1 at 1 p.m.

Where: Colonial Life Arena (18,000)

How to watch/listen: SEC Network/107.5 The Game

ESPN gives South Carolina a 41.7 percent chance to win

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