Top 25 ranking coming for South Carolina? The Gamecocks have something to say about that
South Carolina basketball coach Lamont Paris believes outside influence can alter perception of a program..
In his case, Paris is referring to the influence of a small number next to South Carolina on the TV, how a “14” handed to the Gamecocks in November in the SEC preseason media poll influenced the perception of what his second season at the helm would look like.
“In November, they told the world that we’re not good,” Paris said. “And so people form their opinion on that: people that were never in one of our practices. They form their opinion on influencers, basically.”
Ta’Lon Cooper agreed with his head coach. But it’s the end of January now, and USC is 17-3 overall and 5-2 in SEC play. So Cooper was a bit more straightforward.
It’s time to give South Carolina its flowers.
“I just feel like we earned it with the way we’ve played,” Cooper said. “We haven’t been to March Madness since 2017, and I feel like we can go pretty far and just keep this ball rolling.”
This is not the USC that won four SEC games last year, nor the one everyone voted to be last in the preseason conference polls. Paris didn’t think USC would be in last place at the end of the season. He knew the Gamecocks would prove people otherwise.
This is a USC team that has two players averaging double digits per game. It’s the South Carolina that started off its season with its best record in seven years. Paris is becoming the favorite for SEC Coach of the Year.
“Some of these guys have probably never been on a team that’s ranked before,” Paris said. “And so I think it’s significant in year two. We’re trying to grow and develop a program. And I think that’s part of it.”
After beating Kentucky last week, Paris jokingly said he thought USC would have been ranked by now.
“I would have probably said, ‘Where are we ranked?’ ” he said after that game, laughing. “I’m kidding. That’s a sideways statement.”
Since taking down Missouri for the second time four days later, Paris expects a little number to appear next to the South Carolina logo when the new Associated Press Top 25 is released Monday. It would be the program’s first time in the Top 25 since 2016-17.
Paris said he’s been spammed over the last week with text messages from recruits, former players and family all about the team’s playing style this season.
“I think it’s a tremendous reward for them,” Paris said. “Honestly, that’s really the only thing that it is at this point.”
This is the third time this year USC has true potential to appear in the AP Top 25. The first came as an undefeated program before facing Clemson in December; then again after starting SEC play 2-0.
This third opportunity feels different, however. Taking down Kentucky, picking up its first Quad 1 win this year, then topping Missouri 72-64 on Saturday feels like this could be the right mixture for the Gamecocks to be ranked.
USC has performed all year, breaking single-game records on more than one occasion. The fan base has rallied behind the Gamecocks’ success. The men’s basketball team has gotten attention from all across campus, getting shout-outs from head coaches Shane Beamer, Dawn Staley, Mark Kingston and Beverly Smith.
The Gamecocks head back on the road this week, facing another Top 25 program in Tennessee on Tuesday and getting a rematch against Georgia on Saturday. They’re confident with how they’ve played halfway through SEC play.
If that little number does appear next to South Carolina’s name on screens across the country come Monday afternoon, it’ll be a reward worth celebrating.
“I think it’s a significant achievement for this group,” Paris said. “And I’m very, very, very happy that they’ll be able to have a chance to attach a little number. It doesn’t change the game, but it’ll change a lot of minds.”
Next four games
▪ Tuesday at No. 5 Tennessee, 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
▪ Feb. 3 at Georgia, 1 p.m. (SEC Network)
▪ Feb. 6 vs. Ole Miss, 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
▪ Feb. 10 vs. Vanderbilt, 1 p.m. (SEC Network)
This story was originally published January 28, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
