USC men’s basketball takes down Presbyterian. Three things we learned
After barely escaping Southern Mississippi in an 83-79 overtime win Sunday, South Carolina men’s basketball entered Colonial Life Arena for a Wednesday-night matchup against Presbyterian hoping to close the game out much sooner. USC did just that, taking down the Blue Hose by 20 points.
“Some really good things came out of the game. Some of our young guys got out there, got a little more opportunity, performed,” USC coach Lamont Paris said. “We’re trying to develop this whole picture and that’s one little part of it, was today. I was happy with those things.”
The Gamecocks (3-0) defeated Presbyterian (3-2) 81-61. Here are three takeaways from the win:
Assemian’s first start
Freshman forward Hayden Assemian made his first start against the Blue Hose in his third career game. His impact was felt right away, particularly on defense and the glass. He pulled in seven rebounds in his first seven minutes and looked like a strong off-ball defender.
“I think Hayden’s been one of our most consistent guys. That’s funny to say about a freshman,” Paris said. “I know cloning, for humans, hasn’t really gone into effect, but it looked like there was three of him out there.”
Foul trouble took Assemian out for the rest of the first half. Once back in, he continued to be steady on defense. Assemian finished with five points, eight rebounds and two blocks in 15 minutes.
“I wasn’t really nervous, just excited to have the opportunity and really perform,” Assemian said.
Assemian was a three-star recruit in high school, hailing from Greenville. He spent time at Legacy Early College and Powdersville High School before joining Moravian Prep and the Overtime Elite League alongside fellow Gamecock freshmen Eli Ellis and Abu Yarmah. He averaged 5.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.1 assists per game while in OTE.
Tough defense
South Carolina’s overall defense was effective as well. Presbyterian put up just 22 points in the first half on 28.1% shooting and went 0-2 from 3-point range. The Gamecocks gave up 18 of those points in the paint, but they also forced a handful of misses from up close.
Junior forward and Boston College transfer Elijah Strong was the weakest link defensively. He struggled to make timely rotations and allowed some easy finishes inside. Presbyterian attacked him while Assemian was on the bench.
“One thing we had really emphasized in this game was to try to do a better job guarding the ball,” Paris said. “I thought to that end, we did a pretty good job.”
The Blue Hose were able to muster up a few more points with 39 in the second half, but finished shooting 42.4% from the floor and making zero 3-pointers.
Polk, Butler post career highs
With Christ Essandoko out with thumb and quad injuries, Jordan Butler remained as USC’s lone big man. He showed out on his solo night, dropping a career-high 11 points with seven rebounds. He did so without shooting any threes, and said that stepping up inside is something Paris has challenged him to do.
“That’s definitely one of my main focuses this last offseason, not just being the guy that stretches the floor, but also have an interior presence as well,” he said.
Butler played his first season at Missouri before transferring to USC. He averaged 1.8 points and 0.9 rebounds in 7.1 minutes per game for the Gamecocks in 2024-25. He’s one of just three players (Myles Stute, Cam Scott) from last season to rejoin the roster for 2025-26.
“Today was one of his most active days I’ve ever seen him in practice or a game, just his overall activity,” Paris said. “He has been consistently improving from the time that he got here.”
Freshman guard Grant Polk had played just 18 total minutes and scored three points in his first two games as a Gamecock. Against Presbyterian, he got extended time and took advantage. Polk played 19 minutes and scored 12 points (second on the team) on 4-for-4 shooting, all from 3-point range.
“Obviously he can shoot the ball,” Paris said. “I’m excited about (the freshmen) and their ability to impact us.”
Polk, a product of St. Alban’s School in Washington, D.C., averaged 22.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game his senior year of high school. He signed to the Gamecocks as a three-star prospect.
South Carolina men’s basketball upcoming games
- Tuesday: vs. Radford, 7 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
- Friday, Nov. 21: vs. Butler (at Greenbrier Tip-Off in WVa.), 2 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
- Sunday, Nov. 23: vs. Northwestern (at Greenbrier Tip-Off in WVa.), 5 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
- Friday, Nov. 28: vs. Charleston Southern, 4 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
This story was originally published November 12, 2025 at 8:57 PM.
