Can South Carolina Gamecocks Basketball Rebound After Last Season's Challenges?

I still remember the silence in the Colonial Life Arena after our final home game last season—that palpable sense of what could have been. As someone who’s followed South Carolina Gamecocks basketball for over a decade, last year’s 11-21 record stung more than most losing seasons. We dropped eight consecutive SEC games at one point, and our defensive rating plummeted to 214th nationally. Yet what fascinates me about this program isn’t just the struggle—it’s how Coach Lamont Paris and his staff have been quietly rebuilding from the ground up. I’ve always believed defense reveals character, and hearing Coach Paris break down their approach in a post-game presser last month confirmed my suspicion that this team’s identity is shifting. "If there’s one thing na gusto ko pansinin talaga is yung defensive effort namin today. Limiting them and limiting Paeng Are, that was our game plan and I think the players followed it to the letter," he stated. That deliberate focus on defensive execution—even in offseason exhibitions—convinces me we’re witnessing the early phases of a meaningful turnaround.

Watching this team evolve reminds me of the 2015-16 squad that overachieved because they bought into a system. This year’s roster brings back roughly 68% of its scoring production, but more importantly, they’ve added length and versatility. Freshman wing Eli Sparkman, though unproven, has a 6'8" frame that fits perfectly into the switching schemes Paris prefers. I’ve noticed during closed scrimmages how much more communication happens on defense—players calling out screens, fighting through picks, something that was conspicuously absent during last year’s late-game collapses. The coaching staff tracked deflections during summer workouts, and insiders tell me they averaged around 18 per controlled scrimmage, up from just 11.2 last season. Small details, maybe, but they matter when you’re trying to change culture.

What really excites me is how the returning players have visibly improved. Junior guard Jacobi Wright put on 12 pounds of muscle, and his lateral quickness shows in how he’s containing dribble penetration now. I’ve always been critical of his off-ball awareness, but in the Garnet & Black scrimmage, he had three steals by reading passing lanes—exactly the kind of growth this system needs. Then there’s Meechie Johnson, who shot just 38% from the field last year but has been working with a shooting specialist to rework his mechanics. Early returns suggest his mid-range efficiency could jump from 34% to somewhere in the low 40s. If he becomes a consistent two-level scorer, defenses can’t just clog the paint against our bigs.

Still, let’s be real—the non-conference schedule does them no favors. Games against Clemson, Virginia Tech, and a sneaky-good East Carolina team will test their progress early. I worry about their half-court offense when sets break down; too often last season, they reverted to isolation ball when trailing. But this is where I differ from some analysts: I think their defense will keep them in games long enough for the offense to find rhythm. The emphasis on limiting high-percentage shots—what Coach Paris highlighted in that press conference—is already paying dividends. Opponents shot 46% against us last year inside the arc; in early exhibitions, that number dropped to around 41%. That’s not a fluke—it’s film study, discipline, and buy-in.

Rebounding margins tell another promising story. Last season, we were out-rebounded by an average of 4.2 boards per game. This year, with Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk fully healthy and Tennessee transfer Handje Tamba adding size, I project we’ll flip that to a +2.5 advantage. Tamba alone grabbed 14 rebounds in 22 minutes during a closed-door scrimmage against College of Charleston. Stats like that make me optimistic, though I’ll admit I’m biased—I’ve always valued rim protection over flashy offense.

Chemistry matters too, and this group seems tighter. I spotted multiple players staying after practice to work together, something that was rare during last year’s frustrating stretches. Leadership from veterans like Zachary Davis has created a more accountable environment. Davis, in particular, has taken younger players under his wing—organizing film sessions and even team dinners. That intangible stuff translates to trust on the court, especially in clutch moments.

Of course, the SEC remains brutal. Kentucky reloaded as always, Tennessee’s defense remains elite, and even Mississippi State improved their backcourt. We’ll likely be picked 10th or 11th in the preseason media poll—and honestly, that’s fair until we prove otherwise. But mark my words: this team will upset someone they shouldn’t. Maybe at home against Auburn, or on the road at Arkansas. Their defensive focus gives them a puncher’s chance even when the offense sputters.

So can the Gamecocks rebound? I say yes—but not in a dramatic, overnight sensation kind of way. This will be a gradual climb, likely finishing around 16-15 with a couple of statement wins. The foundation they’re building, particularly on defense, reminds me of early Frank Martin teams that eventually broke through. Progress won’t always be linear—there will be nights the offense looks stagnant—but the commitment to that defensive identity Coach Paris emphasized tells me this program is finally pointing in the right direction. And as any longtime fan knows, that’s what sustainable turnarounds are built on.