To see the previous teams ranked in the 82 in 72 series, please see below:
60. Nevada Wolfpack
61. TCU Horned Frogs
63. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
65. Syracuse Orange
68. Iowa Hawkeyes
70. Butler Bulldogs
71. Princeton Tigers
74. Oklahoma Sooners
75. West Virginia Mountaineers
76. Georgia Bulldogs
77. UAB Blazers
80. Missouri Tigers
Here’s where our college basketball analysts have the Gamecocks ranked:
| Steven | Maxwell | Kam | Cody |
| 76 | 70 | 23 | 78 |
2022-2023: New Coach, Same Struggles
Following the departure of tenured coach Frank Martin after the 2021-2022 season, the South Carolina Gamecocks turned to Lamont Paris, an emerging talent who had led his Chattanooga squad to impressive heights the previous season. Under Paris, Chattanooga posted a remarkable 27-8 record, capturing both the regular-season and conference championships while securing a tournament bid. Despite a valiant effort, they fell to the #4 ranked Illinois in a close contest. Paris’s success earned him the Southern Conference Coach of the Year title and a new opportunity at the University of South Carolina.
Unfortunately, Paris’s first season with the Gamecocks was fraught with difficulties. The team ended with a disappointing 11-21 record, including a 4-14 mark in SEC play. Offensively, South Carolina struggled mightily, ranking 339th in the nation with just 64.3 points per game and shooting a lackluster 40.3% from the field. The offense often appeared stagnant, relying heavily on star recruit GG Jackson, who led the team with 14 shots per game. Defensively, the Gamecocks faced similar issues, suffering from poor team cohesion and ranking 256th nationally with 72.6 points allowed per game.
Despite these struggles, the 2022-2023 season marked the beginning of Coach Paris’s efforts to lay a foundation for future success. Two standout players emerged: GG Jackson, a future 2nd-round draft pick who averaged 15.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, and Meechie Johnson, a point guard transfer from Ohio State who averaged 12.7 points and 3.7 assists per game. Jackson’s draft stock likely suffered due to the team’s overall inefficiency, and Johnson represented one of the few bright spots in an otherwise challenging season. With Jackson’s departure, Paris aimed to build a more cohesive team with less reliance on ball-dominant players and a greater emphasis on role players.
2023-2024: Paris Finds His Footing
The 2023-2024 season saw a significant turnaround for the Gamecocks. After a disheartening previous year, South Carolina adopted a “go out there and have fun” approach, which seemed to invigorate the team. Key veteran additions, including forward BJ Mack from Wofford and 5th-year guard Ta’Lon Cooper from Minnesota, provided much-needed experience. Collin Murray-Boyles, a top-100 prospect from Wasatch Academy, joined the roster, along with the retained Meechie Johnson. The team’s new, more cohesive structure led to a dramatic improvement.
South Carolina finished the season with a 26-8 record and a 13-5 mark in the SEC, driven by veteran leadership and defensive solidarity. The Gamecocks ranked 61st nationally in points allowed, limiting opponents to 67.6 points per game, and 25th
in turnovers allowed. Although their offensive performance improved, scoring 72.1 points per game (ranking 226th in the nation), it was the defense and overall team play that drove their success.
This resurgence led the Gamecocks to the second round of the SEC Tournament, where they were ultimately defeated by Auburn. Nonetheless, South Carolina’s strong performance earned them a spot in the NCAA Tournament as the 6th seed in the Midwest region. Unfortunately, they faced a formidable opponent in Oregon and were overpowered by Jermaine Couisnard’s 40-point performance, ending their tournament run.
The 2023-2024 season marked a significant recovery for the Gamecocks, setting expectations high for the future. Collin Murray-Boyles emerged as a key player and earned a spot on the All-SEC Freshman team. The team enters the new season with momentum but faces the challenge of key departures and the need for continued cohesion.
Looking Ahead: The 2024-2025 Season
As the Gamecocks head into the 2024-2025 season, they aim to build on the successes of the previous year. With eight returning players, including standout forward Collin Murray-Boyles, who averaged 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds last season, South Carolina has a solid foundation. Murray-Boyles is expected to be a central figure and is likely to be named to the SEC Preseason All-Conference team.
Wing Myles Stute, a key floor-spacer who shot 38.5% from three-point range last season, will also return, providing crucial perimeter shooting. The team has bolstered its roster with notable recruits, including 4-star guard Cam Scott, a 6’5 combo guard known for his scoring ability. Additionally, the Gamecocks have added depth through the transfer portal with graduate transfer Nick Pringle, a 6’10 center from Alabama, former top-100 recruit Jordan Butler from Missouri, and MEAC Player of the Year Jamarii Thomas, who averaged 16.9 points per game for Norfolk State.
The only notable departure is Meechie Johnson, who will return to Ohio State. Despite this, the Gamecocks’ roster remains strong, with significant veteran presence and promising new additions. Coach Paris will look to continue developing a winning culture and build on last season’s achievements. Although there may be some regression, as is typical with team dynamics, South Carolina should remain competitive within the talented SEC.
The Gamecocks will return 46.2% of their minutes and 48.8% of their scoring from last season. While the absence of veteran leadership poses a challenge, it also presents opportunities for emerging players to step up. Coach Paris’s strategy of utilizing a deep roster, often playing up to 11 players, will be advantageous. One player to watch is Collin Murray-Boyles, who is expected to take on a larger role offensively, potentially earning him an All-SEC first team spot.
Overall, the 2024-2025 season holds promise for South Carolina, with a strong roster and a committed coaching staff. The Gamecocks are poised to make a significant impact and continue their upward trajectory in the SEC.
The Center Hub 
Leave a comment