On a Saturday afternoon, the South Carolina men’s basketball team is set to embark on a crucial journey as they tip off their first of 18 Southeastern Conference games against the No. 11-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores. Head coach Lamont Paris has likened the approach needed for this intense competition to a golfer teeing off—emphasizing that each game should be treated independently, regardless of past performances.
Entering this phase of the season with a 9-4 record, the Gamecocks are determined to advance towards the NCAA Tournament, despite facing stiff competition earlier in the year. They suffered their four losses in decisive matchups classified as Quad 1 and Quad 2 games, all by an average margin of only 4.75 points. These close defeats, while frustrating, showcased some of the team’s strongest performances of the season.
Paris expressed his thoughts on their missed opportunities, stating, “We know we left some games out there… We had some opportunities for quad one wins. We weren’t able to get those.” However, he remains optimistic, noting that their final non-conference game saw the Gamecocks achieve their highest efficiency, scoring 96 points and surpassing 45 percent shooting from beyond the arc for the first time this season.
Guard Meechie Johnson echoed this sentiment, indicating that the momentum from the last game is vital as they approach their matchup with Vanderbilt. The significance of performance and confidence was emphasized by Paris, who noted that execution often hinges more on a player’s confidence rather than their skills alone.
The head coach’s golf analogy serves to remind players that while setbacks can occur—similar to bogeys on a golf course—it’s essential not to allow previous mistakes to impact future performances. “You can’t let what you did on the last hole affect what you do on the next hole,” Paris explained. This perspective encourages his players to enter each game with a fresh mindset, ready to tackle the challenges ahead.
Johnson highlighted the competitive nature of the SEC, suggesting that teams with losing records can still pose great threats. As they prepare for the highly anticipated game against Vanderbilt, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, the team is fervently seeking support from their fans. In a show of commitment, Johnson has even purchased 50 tickets to distribute among supporters, signaling the importance of crowd energy in such a critical contest.
“This is a top-15 matchup. [It] would be a great win for us,” Johnson stated, urging fans to come out and create a lively atmosphere for the Gamecocks. With a positive mindset and determination, South Carolina is poised to aim for success against one of the SEC’s top teams.