You’ve probably heard the rumblings around Columbia lately. It’s that familiar mix of hopeful optimism and "wait and see" skepticism that usually follows a team trying to find its footing in the SEC. Honestly, the South Carolina men's basketball team has become one of the most interesting case studies in college hoops under Lamont Paris. One year, they’re the darlings of the bracket, defying every preseason metric known to man. The next, they’re grinding through a rebuild that feels like a literal mountain climb.
Right now, as we sit in the middle of January 2026, the Gamecocks are sitting at a 10-7 overall record. In the SEC? A tough 1-3 start. It’s a record that doesn't scream "National Title," but if you've been watching the tape, you know there is a lot more going on than just the wins and losses.
The Lamont Paris Blueprint: Defense First, Questions Later
If there is one thing Lamont Paris doesn’t budge on, it’s the defensive end of the floor. You might remember him saying something along the lines of wanting a guy who thinks, "Coach told me to guard him—his night is over." That’s the vibe he’s trying to bake into the DNA of this roster.
It’s working, mostly.
Take the recent road win against LSU. The Gamecocks pounced early, taking a massive 50-25 lead into the half. That wasn't just hot shooting; it was a defensive clinic. Elijah Strong, who is quickly becoming a name you need to know, dropped a career-high 30 points in that 78-68 win. But even in a blowout like that, Paris was probably more focused on the stops than the buckets.
🔗 Read more: NFL Week 5 2025 Point Spreads: What Most People Get Wrong
However, the SEC is a beast. Just days after the LSU high, they dropped a heartbreaker to Georgia, 75-70. They had a 12-point lead. They let it slip. That’s the "fat you can trim off," as Paris puts it. He’s not looking for perfection, but he’s definitely looking for a level of consistency that this young group is still chasing.
Who Is Actually Carrying the Load?
In the era of the transfer portal, rosters change faster than the weather in the Upstate. It’s hard to keep track. But if you're looking for the pulse of this South Carolina men's basketball team, it’s coming from a few specific spots.
- Elijah Strong: The sophomore forward is the real deal. When he’s on, he’s a mismatch nightmare. His 30-point explosion against LSU proved he can be the alpha when the lights are brightest.
- Jordan Butler: The 7-foot senior is finally starting to use that massive frame. He’s a rim protector first, but his offensive game has shown flashes of being actually reliable.
- Myles Stute: The veteran. He got a hardship waiver to come back after injury, and his shooting is basically the "break glass in case of emergency" option for this offense.
- Cam Scott: The local kid. A 6'6" guard who stayed when he could have left. He’s the bridge between the old guard and the new freshman class.
The bench is deep, but it’s young. That’s the catch. You have guys like Christ Essandoko—a mountain of a human at 280 pounds—providing some serious interior muscle. But in the SEC, muscle only gets you so far if you aren't making shots.
The Reality of the SEC Gauntlet
Look, the 2025-26 SEC is a nightmare. You’ve got Vanderbilt and Arkansas sitting at the top, and even the "middle of the pack" teams like Florida and Alabama are ranked in the Top 25. Being 1-3 in conference play feels bad, but when you look at the schedule, it’s sort of expected for a team in transition.
💡 You might also like: Bethany Hamilton and the Shark: What Really Happened That Morning
The Gamecocks are currently tied with Auburn and Oklahoma toward the bottom of the standings. That’s not where fans want to be, obviously. But the gap between the middle and the bottom in this league is razor-thin. One two-game winning streak changes the entire conversation.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Team
A lot of folks look at the 12-20 record from the 2024-25 season and think the magic from the 2023-24 SEC Coach of the Year run was a fluke. It wasn't. Paris isn't a "one-year wonder" coach. He’s a "culture" coach. He builds from the ground up, focusing on defensive rotations and basketball IQ rather than just chasing the highest-rated recruits in the portal.
The problem? Culture takes time. In the age of NIL, nobody wants to wait.
What’s Next for the Gamecocks?
If you’re a betting person, don’t count them out for a late-season surge. They have a massive clash coming up against Auburn. Both teams are 10-7. Both are 1-3 in the SEC. It’s basically a "loser leaves town" match for any hope of a postseason run.
📖 Related: Simona Halep and the Reality of Tennis Player Breast Reduction
The key will be the backcourt. While Strong and Butler can hold down the paint, the guard play has to be more efficient. They can't afford 10-second calls or "indecision" at the top of the key. Paris has been vocal about "stepping on the gas" to get the ball across half-court. It sounds simple, but in the SEC press, it's everything.
Actionable Takeaways for the Fans
If you're following the South Carolina men's basketball team this season, here is what you should actually be watching for:
- The First 5 Minutes of the Second Half: This is where the Georgia game was lost. Watch if they can maintain defensive intensity after the break.
- Elijah Strong’s Touches: If he isn't getting at least 15 shots a game, something is wrong with the offensive flow.
- The Turnover Margin: Paris’s system relies on "basic ideas" and minimizing mistakes. If they’re turning it over 15+ times, they won't beat anyone in the top half of the SEC.
- Home Court Advantage: Colonial Life Arena needs to stay loud. The 17,000+ that showed up for the women's game against Texas proves the passion is there; the men's side needs to tap into that energy to steal a few home wins against ranked opponents.
Keep an eye on the injury report for Myles Stute. His ability to space the floor is the "gravity" that allows Jordan Butler and Christ Essandoko to work inside. Without that threat from deep, the SEC's elite defenses will just collapse the paint and dare the Gamecocks to beat them from the perimeter. It’s a chess match every night, and right now, Lamont Paris is just trying to keep his King protected.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close watch on the upcoming February schedule. The Gamecocks traditionally play their best basketball late in the season once the defensive rotations become second nature. If they can split the next four games, the conversation about a possible NIT or even a bubble-run for the Big Dance starts to get very real again. High stakes? Always. But that's just life in Columbia.