Frank Martin hasn’t lost excitement for coaching Gamecocks, this year or beyond
Frank Martin doesn’t want to stop coaching this South Carolina men’s basketball team. Not now. Not yet.
With his voice hoarse from two hours of court-side screaming Thursday at the SEC tournament, Martin expressed both pride and disappointment in a Gamecocks team that fell 73-51 to Mississippi State in a one-and-done showing in Tampa.
Martin echoed sentiments that he’s made throughout the season about how this year’s group of players revitalized him after the rigors of last year’s 6-15 season during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. But he also lamented the team’s missed opportunities to bolster its postseason resume over the last few weeks.
Losses at Alabama, at Auburn and against the Bulldogs on Thursday — had those games gone in the other direction — could’ve all been massive jolts for USC’s NCAA tournament hopes. But now an NCAA tournament bid is out of the picture for a Gamecocks team (18-13, 9-10 SEC) that came into the day ranking 90th in the NET.
“I don’t see how we make the NCAA tournament this year,” Martin said. “We had opportunities — tonight, at Alabama and at Auburn. And went 0-3 in those games, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that we’re a winning basketball team. I’m disappointed, but the journey for every team’s a little different.”
USC’s journey could still include the postseason in the form of an NIT bid. The 32-team tournament field is announced Sunday night, and USC “still seems likely” to make it, according to bracketologist John Templon.
The Gamecocks haven’t made the NCAA tournament since Martin’s 2017 Final Four run, the first in school history.
“Unfortunately, I think we came up a little short there,” Martin said. ”But I’d love to coach again. That’s the thing that hurts the most right now is that these kids, they gave me life when I was dead. And I don’t want to stop, I want to keep coaching them (in the NIT).”
Whether USC makes the NIT or not, questions are bound to follow about Martin’s status with the program.
The 10-year USC head coach engaged in prolonged contract negotiations with the school after last season. Martin ended up signing a two-year extension, but the extension didn’t include a raise, and it lowered his buyout following this season from $3.3 million to $3 million. Martin’s contract doesn’t include a buyout after either of the next two seasons.
Martin didn’t discuss his standing with the administration after Thursday’s game, but he did express optimism in the future of the program and the players he has in place. Freshmen Devin Carter, Ta’Quan Woodley and Jacobi Wright have each played significant minutes this season, and only two players — graduate transfers James Reese and A.J. Wilson — aren’t eligible to return next year.
Though decisions have yet to be made, Martin said Thursday he’s under the impression that key veterans Jermaine Couisnard and Erik Stevenson “want to come back and play next season.” The Gamecocks are also hot on the trail of the No. 1 recruit in the country in the form of Ridge View High School star G.G. Jackson.
For all of those reasons, Martin said he believes the future of the program is bright.
“I think our team is in a great place right now with the guys that are in place that are returning players,” Martin said. “We’ve signed some really good players. ... And then you have to rely on what my career has shown people: I tend to help players get better. So all the guys that are in our program take a step forward and improve, and so I’m excited.
“I couldn’t be happier than what I am right now, and I’m excited for what our team can be next year.”
Frank Martin’s South Carolina coaching history
- 2012-13: 14-18 (4-14 SEC)
- 2013-14: 14-20 (5-13 SEC)
- 2014-15: 17-16 (6-12 SEC)
- 2015-16: 25-9 (11-7 SEC) NIT appearance; lost in second round
- 2016-17: 26-11 (12-6 SEC) NCAA appearance, won four games then lost in Final Four
- 2017-18: 17-16 (7-11 SEC)
- 2018-19: 16-16 (11-7 SEC)
- 2019-20: 18-13 (10-8 SEC) projected to NIT; season canceled because of COVID
- 2020-21: 6-15 (4-12 SEC)
- 2021-22: 18-13 (9-9 SEC) projected to NIT
- TOTAL: 171-147 (79-99 SEC)
This story was originally published March 11, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
