Three ways Collin Murray-Boyles knocking down outside jumpers can affect South Carolina

On Thursday night, Lamont Paris’ South Carolina basketball team played a closer-than-expected game against the Mercer Bears. The Gamecocks won 84-72 in a contest that featured less defense than Coach Paris would have liked.

However, star sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles had an uber-efficient showing on the offensive end of the floor. CMB scored 16 points on just seven shot attempts, including a 2-2 effort from the perimeter. The pair of 3-point jumpers were the first makes from the arc in Murray-Boyles’ college career.

The buzz around the Columbia native always has been that he could make perimeter shots. However, until Thursday, the buzz had never been anything but noise. If Murray-Boyles’ shooting touch against Mercer is something he can replicate, that could drastically change the Gamecock offense.

While it is far too soon to think that a couple of made shots is a sign of permanent change, let’s imagine for a moment that it is. How much could it help and improve South Carolina basketball?

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It helps Collin Murray-Boyles

The first and most obvious way that Collin Murray-Boyles making jump shots affects the team is that it…well…helps Collin Murray-Boyles.

Naturally, if CMB adds another dimension to his game, it provides him with another avenue to scoring points. Last year’s offense wasn’t elite, but it was pretty efficient. The 2023-2024 version of the Gamecocks were at their best when they could spread the floor. Sometimes that meant big man BJ Mack would stay on the perimeter after setting a screen, operating as a big-and-pop player instead of a big-and-roll man. Normally, when Murray-Boyles was setting screens, he would transition to become a roll man. If he’s making shots, though, he can do both, making life that much harder for the defense.

It also will force other teams to defend him differently. The “old” Collin Murray-Boyles wasn’t a threat to shoot the ball following touches on the outside. That allowed defenders to sag off of him, giving them a head start defending his driving game. It also closed up some passing lanes, not allowing No. 30 to showcase his court vision. With defenders (theoretically) forced to play closer to Murray-Boyles, driving lanes should open and more fouls should be called.

Showcasing a good jumper also would improve his NBA Draft stock in a major way.

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It helps his Gamecock teammates

Frankly, modern basketball is more about shooting than it has ever been. Teams are looking for ways to space the floor and get up clean looks from the arc. They also want to get as many opportunities near the basket as possible. Coach Paris has used the moniker “like the perimeter, love the rim” to show these emphases in his own offense.

Murray-Boyles has “gravity” as a player who demands attention when he has the ball in his hands on the block or when he is rolling to the basket. If he forces defensive eyes to be on him at all times, including on the perimeter that opens things up for his teammates.

Athletic drivers like Zach Davis and Jamarii Thomas would get more one-on-one opportunities. Shooters like Myles Stute, Jordan Butler, and Jacobi Wright should get off more open jumpers. The freedom to operate with more space also could help get talented freshman Cam Scott going. Big Nick Pringle could get more rim-running chances and could partner with Murray-Boyles in some fun big-big pick-and-roll sets.

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It helps Lamont Paris

An underrated way that a shooting version of Collin Murray-Boyles helps South Carolina basketball is the way it makes Lamont Paris’ job easier. Murray-Boyles is already a great player who has some versatility. If he is a threat to make shots from outside, Paris realistically could deploy Murray-Boyles in any lineup without worrying about fit.

His athleticism, scoring punch, and passing ability already makes Collin Murray-Boyles versatile. Adding a consistent jumper instantly would make him one of the most well-rounded players in the SEC.

If Coach Paris wants a heavy rebounding lineup, Murray-Boyles could play next to Nick Pringle or Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk. If he wants to go five-out, CMB could play next to Jordan Butler or even slide to the 5-spot as Myles Stute or Zach Davis picked up some small-ball minutes at the four. Essentially, any look Paris wants to throw out there is improved by a Murray-Boyles who is a shooting threat.

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Collin Murray-Boyles will have his next opportunity to show off his shooting touch on Monday. The Gamecocks and Xavier Musketeers will match up in the Fort Myers Tip-Off for an 8:30 p.m. contest. The game will be aired on FS1 and streamed on the FoxSports app.

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