Collin Murray-Boyles was MIA for two games. He reappeared in big way vs. No. 2 Auburn
Two games. Two quiet performances. And then, this.
The Collin Murray-Boyles who had been missing in action for the past two SEC games finally reappeared. After a sluggish start to conference play, the sophomore standout roared back to life, spearheading South Carolina’s spirited effort in a 66-63 home loss to No. 2 Auburn on Saturday.
Murray-Boyles wasted no time reminding everyone why he’s the Gamecocks’ offensive engine. He poured in 18 points in the first half — his most productive half of the season.
He finished with a game-high 25 points — his second-highest of the year — on 10-of-18 shooting and added seven rebounds.
This was a sharp about-face from his previous two outings, where he managed just 11 points and committed eight turnovers combined.
“I wasn’t being myself and being as aggressive as I showed in non-conference,” Murray-Boyles said. “So I just wanted to turn up another notch and play the hardest I could.”
Coming into SEC play, Murray-Boyles was one of the league’s most efficient scorers, averaging 16.6 points per game on a sizzling 64.6% shooting. The early conference struggles were a stark departure from the player USC had grown accustomed to.
South Carolina head coach Lamont Paris knew the key was getting Murray-Boyles back to the basics. So that’s what they focused on in practice ahead of Saturday’s game — attacking downhill and making strong moves toward the basket.
The work paid off in spades. Against Auburn, Murray-Boyles and fellow big man Nick Pringle turned the paint into their personal playground, attacking relentlessly and dominating the interior. They combined for eight offensive rebounds, and USC scored 42 points in the paint. USC averaged 28 points in the first two SEC games.
“He’s a powerful guy,” Paris said of Murray-Boyles. “When he gets downhill like that and he uses it to his advantage, which he did today, you could see some of that explosion and power. We need him to be aggressive.”
Murray-Boyles’ resurgent play couldn’t have come at a better time. With starters Myles Stute and Jamarii Thomas both slated to miss extended time, the Gamecocks were shorthanded with the top-ranked team in the NET coming to town.
It’s no coincidence USC’s offense looked lost in those first two SEC losses, which they dropped by a combined 55 points. Murray-Boyles is the engine that makes this team go — and when he’s not firing, the offense often looks disjointed and everything grinds to a halt.
But against Auburn, he wasn’t just firing; he was turbocharged. He went head-to-head with Johni Broome, the SEC’s premier big man, who entered the game averaging 18.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. Murray-Boyles didn’t blink.
Broome, who exited early in the second half with an ankle injury, was held to six points on 3-of-11 shooting in 24 minutes of action.
The schedule doesn’t get any friendlier for South Carolna, with road games at Vanderbilt and No. 17 Oklahoma looming.
For the Gamecocks to stay afloat, they’ll need the aggressive, explosive version of Murray-Boyles to show up each game.
Otherwise, the road ahead could get even bumpier.
