South-Carolina
Meet the Opponent: South Carolina Gives Indiana First High-Major Matchup
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana’s nonconference schedule this season is heavily weighted toward the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament. In the Bahamas, the Hoosiers will face Louisville first and could see No. 4 Gonzaga and No. 9 Arizona later.
That makes Saturday’s game against South Carolina Indiana’s only nonconference game against a power conference opponent at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The rest of the slate consists of mid-major opponents the Hoosiers should handle.
The Gamecocks are off to a 2-1 start and lost a few critical pieces from last year’s team, which finished second in the SEC and earned a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament under coach Lamont Paris. After being ranked for eight weeks last season, South Carolina is outside the AP Top 25 poll and ranked No. 61 nationally by KenPom this year.
While it may not be the marquee opponent Indiana has hosted in recent seasons, like North Carolina or Kansas, a team from the SEC like South Carolina provides the Hoosiers with a test prior to Big Ten play.
Here’s a full breakdown of the Gamecocks.
Key returners
Key newcomers
Key departures
(2023-24 stats)
2024-25 Schedule
Head coach Lamont Paris
South Carolina is in its third season under coach Lamont Paris. The Gamecocks went 11-21 in his first year, but they were one of the nation’s most improved teams in 2023-24, going 26-8 and finishing tied for second in the SEC standings at 13-5. Unranked in the preseason, South Carolina made the final eight AP Top 25 polls and peaked at No. 11 in the nation. The Gamecocks earned a No. 6 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament but lost 87-73 in the Round of 64 to No. 11 seed Oregon. Paris, 50, was named 2024 SEC Coach of the Year and was one of four finalists for the Naismith national coach of the year award.
Paris previously coached at Chattanooga, where he went 87-72 and reached the NCAA Tournament during the 2021-22 season. Prior to his first head coaching job with the Mocs, Paris was an assistant coach at Wisconsin, Akron, Indiana University-Pennsylvania, DePauw and Wooster. He played at Wooster, a Division III program in Ohio, from 1992-96.
Strengths
South Carolina is led by power forward Collin Murray-Boyles, who’s projected to go No. 14 overall in ESPN’s latest 2025 NBA mock draft. Murray-Boyles is a 6-foot-8, 245-pound sophomore who averages a team-high 20.3 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman team last season and has elevated his game in the early stages of this season, nearly doubling his scoring and rebounding averages.
Murray-Boyles also averages 2.0 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per game, contributing all over the floor for the Gamecocks. He’s an efficient scorer around the rim, shooting 62.9% from the field this season, though he’s not a 3-point shooting threat – 0-for-5 in his college career. Indiana’s Malik Reneau will likely draw the matchup on Murray-Boyles, and it’ll be important for him to stay out of foul trouble in Saturday’s game.
After losing starting guards Meechie Johnson and Ta’Lon Cooper, senior Jacobi Wright has played a larger role this season. He has started 25 games across his first three seasons at South Carolina, but mostly came off the bench last season. Wright is averaging 16 points through three games this year, with an impressive 7-for-15 start from 3-point range.
As a team, South Carolina’s defense has held opponents to a 41.1% effective field goal percentage, which ranks 32nd nationally. After its season-opening loss to North Florida, Towns shot just 29.6% from the field and South Carolina State shot 35.8%.
Weaknesses
South Carolina began the season with a home loss to North Florida, which could prove costly down the road. In a 74-71 loss, the Gamecocks left a lot of points out there by making just 14-of-25 free throws. They struggled from 3-point range, too, making 5-of-16 attempts. Murray-Boyles is usually a reliable scorer around the basket, but he went 6-for-15 against North Florida, just the sixth time in his college career he’s shot 40% or worse from the field.
South Carolina also allowed 13 offensive rebounds against North Florida and was out-rebounded 37-34 in total. North Florida finished 10-for-29 from 3-point range, seven of which came from bench players. North Florida followed that up with wins over Charleston Southern and Georgia Tech, and it played Georgia tough, too. But that loss will be a blemish on South Carolina’s resume all year.
Across three games, South Carolina has had no issue getting to the free throw line, as it ranks 52nd nationally in attempt rate. But it hasn’t cashed in on those opportunities, ranking 231st in free throw percentage. The Gamecocks also play at a slow pace and are ranked 308th in adjusted tempo, so they’re not getting many easy points in transition. Opponents are also averaging 15.3 offensive rebounds per game, putting South Carolina 352nd in that category.
Season outlook
South Carolina won 26 games last season, which matched a program record with coach Frank Martin’s team that reached the 2017 Final Four. Many considered Lamont Paris to have done one of the nation’s best coaching jobs last season. But after losing three of its top four scorers, the Gamecocks are expected to take a step back in Paris’ third season. That’s already been seen with their season-opening loss to North Florida.
South Carolina was picked to finish 11th out of 16 teams in the preseason SEC poll, behind nine teams that made the preseason AP Top 25 poll. South Carolina has some high-level talent with players like Murray-Boyles, Wright and Alabama transfer Nick Pringle, but it may not have the depth to make back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time since 1997-98.
South-Carolina
Top 10 women's sports moments in 2024: South Carolina's perfect season to Olympic golds
On Her Turf’s Natalie Esquire and Callie Fin reflect on their top women’s sports moments from the year, from gold medal Olympic wins, historic WNBA finals and plenty of strong comeback stories.
1) Gamecocks cap perfect season with NCAA title win over Iowa
The University of South Carolina Gamecocks completed their undefeated season after they bested Caitlin Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75 in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. In 2023, they had fallen in the semifinals to the Hawkeyes. Led by the legendary Dawn Staley, who racked up multiple coach of the year accolades, and Kamilla Cardoso, star defensive player of the year, the Gamecocks secured their third national championship title. “When young people lock in and have a belief, and have a trust, and their parents have that same trust, this is what can happen,” Staley said after the win. “They made history. They etched their names in the history books.”
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 07: Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates after beating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament National Championship at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on April 07, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. South Carolina beat Iowa 87-75 (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Steph Chambers/Getty Images
2) New York Liberty win first WNBA Championship
The New York Liberty, an original WNBA franchise, won its first ever WNBA championship, defeating the Minnesota Lynx, 67-62, and going 3-2 in the series. The 2024 season was record-breaking across the league, with soaring attendance numbers and viewership. The No. 1 seeded Liberty had reached the final five other times, including falling to the Aces in 2023, but had never won. The 2024 title marked the first basketball championship win for New York in 48 years, and Ellie the Elephant celebrated accordingly.
Oct 20, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; The New York Liberty celebrate after winning the 2024 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Wendell Cruz/Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
3) U.S. women’s gymnastics reclaims team gold at Olympics
Led by Simone Biles, the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team reclaimed team gold at the Paris Olympics. After taking home silver in 2020, all eyes were on Team USA’s redemption tour and Biles’ return to Olympic competition after she withdrew from Tokyo with the twisties. The squad featured Tokyo returners Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee and Jade Carey. The Americans had a 3.602 led over Italy heading into the final rotation, where Biles delivered her triple-twist double on the floor to clinch the U.S.’s fourth ever gold medal in the event.
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 30: Biles Simone, Carey Jade, Chiles Jordan, Lee Sunisa and Hezly Rivera of Team United States celebrate after winning the Artistic Gymnastics – Women’s Team Final on day 4 of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Sheng Jiapeng/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
China News Service/China News Service via Getty Images
4) Katie Ledecky four-peats in 800m freestyle at Paris Olympics
On the anniversary of her first gold medal in the women’s 800m freestyle (August 3, London 2012), Katie Ledecky took home her fourth consecutive medal in the event in Paris. In a gritty, neck-and-neck race, Ledecky held off Australian star Ariarne Titmus, who was 11 years old when Ledecky won her first gold in the event. With the win, Ledecky now has 14 Olympic medals, nine of them gold, making her the most decorated U.S. woman athlete to compete in the Olympics.
Katie Ledecky of United States of America reacts after winning the gold medal in the swimming 800m Freestyle Women Final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at La Defense Arena. Paris (France), August 03rd, 2024 (Photo by Deepbluemedia/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
Mondadori Portfolio/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images
5) USWNT tops Brazil to win gold at Paris Olympics
The USWNT took home its fifth gold medal in Paris after a tight, 1-0 match against Brazil. The win came just 70 days after Emma Hayes started her tenure as head coach, her new leadership a breath of fresh air for a program that last won gold in 2012 and settled for bronze in 2016. The self-proclaimed “Triple Espresso” trio of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson powered the team through an undefeated tournament. The match was also Marta’s last international game, with her retirement pending at the end of 2024.
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 10: (L-R) Alyssa Naeher , Emily Fox , Naomi Girma , Trinity Rodman , Lynn Williams , Mallory Swanson , Sophia Smith , Tierna Davidson , Jaedyn Shaw , Rose Lavelle , Samantha Coffey , Casey Murphy , singing the national anthem after winning the Women’s Gold Medal match between Brazil and United States of America during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Parc des Princes on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images
6) USATF comes from behind to win gold in 4x100m relay
Anchored by Sha’Carri Richardson, Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry and Gabby Thomas earned the team’s first medal in eight years with their gold medal finish in the 4x100m relay. Richardson came from behind in fourth place to secure the gold, 0.07 seconds ahead of Great Britian and Germany in a tight-knit, rainy race. It was Thomas’ second Olympics, while everyone else made their Olympic debuts.
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 09: Sha’carri Richardson looks across to Daryll Neita of Team Great Britain before she accelerates to the line to win the Women’s 4 x 100m Relay Final for the USA on day fourteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 09, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
7) USA Basketball wins 8th straight Olympic gold in thriller
The USA Women’s Basketball team added to its undefeated streak at the Olympics, defeating the host France in a close 67-66 game. With the gritty win, the U.S. earned its eighth consecutive gold medal and has now won 61 games in a row at the Olympics, beginning all the way back in 1992. Led by A’Ja Wilson and her 21 points and head coach Cheryl Reeves, the team became the first team in any sport in Olympic history to win eight straight golds.
USA’s players celebrate after winning the women’s Gold Medal basketball match between France and the USA during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 11, 2024. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP) (Photo by DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images)
DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images
8) Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone breaks her own world record
What can’t she do? Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone was the defending gold medalist in the women’s 400m hurdles heading into Paris. She not only secured gold once again, but finished in 50.37, .28 seconds faster than her world record time she set in June at the Olympic trials and demolished the Olympic record of 51.46.
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 08: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of Team United States competes in the Women’s 400m Hurdles Final on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
9) Coco Gauff rallies to win first WTA Finals title
20-year-old Coco Gauff became the youngest player since 2004 to win the WTA Finals, after a season filled with ups and downs, including the longest title match in WTA Finals history. With her wins during the tournament, she also became the youngest player since 2002 to beat the reigning world No.1 and No. 2 and brought home the largest single prize in WTA history of $4.8 million dollars.
lol safe to say I beat the bad season allegations 😭🫣
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) November 10, 2024
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – NOVEMBER 09: Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates with the Billie Jean King trophy after her win against Qinwen Zheng of China in their Women’s Singles Final match during the 2024 WTA Finals Riyadh as part of the Hologic WTA Tour at King Saud University Indoor Arena on November 09, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images for WTA)
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images for WTA
10) Team USA wins first-ever medal in women’s rugby
In the final seconds of the bronze medal rugby game, all hope seemed lost for the U.S, down 7-12 to Australia. Then, Team USA’s Alex Sedrick sprinted the entire length of the pitch, diving for a try that would tie the game. Sedrick, not a designated kicker, took the conversion to secure Team USA’s first ever medal in the sport since it was added in 2016 and the first medal in rugby 15s or 7s for the U.S since 1924. “I hope it means we get more games in stadiums like this, that we get more money and funding for the women’s game. We deserve it. We need more girls in the U.S trying rugby and seeing what it can do for them,” Ilona Maher said.
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 30: Alex Sedrick #8 of Team United States scores her team’s second and winning try during the Women’s Rugby Sevens Bronze medal match between Team United States and Team Australia on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Michael Steele/Getty Images
South Carolina State Bulldogs (6-8) at Georgia Bulldogs (11-1)
Athens, Georgia; Sunday, 2 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Georgia hosts South Carolina State after Deshayne Montgomery scored 22 points in Georgia’s 81-65 victory over the Charleston Southern Buccaneers.
The Georgia Bulldogs are 8-0 on their home court. Georgia ranks fifth in the SEC with 10.8 offensive rebounds per game led by Asa Newell averaging 3.4.
The South Carolina State Bulldogs are 2-7 on the road. South Carolina State ranks fifth in the MEAC shooting 33.8% from 3-point range.
Georgia averages 7.9 made 3-pointers per game, 1.5 more made shots than the 6.4 per game South Carolina State gives up. South Carolina State scores 11.7 more points per game (75.2) than Georgia allows to opponents (63.5).
TOP PERFORMERS: Newell is scoring 15.8 points per game and averaging 6.4 rebounds for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Wilson Dubinsky is shooting 40.3% from beyond the arc with 1.8 made 3-pointers per game for the South Carolina State Bulldogs, while averaging 8.2 points.
LAST 10 GAMES: Georgia Bulldogs: 9-1, averaging 82.0 points, 35.7 rebounds, 16.3 assists, 8.9 steals and 6.0 blocks per game while shooting 51.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 62.0 points per game.
South Carolina State Bulldogs: 4-6, averaging 69.6 points, 29.6 rebounds, 14.6 assists, 7.9 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 43.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 70.7 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Associated Press
The South Carolina Gamecocks are headed to Orlando, Florida to take on Illinois in the Citrus Bowl. Here are the latest betting lines and score predictions for the matchup.
The South Carolina Gamecocks wrapped up a (9-3) regular season on the precipest of a College Football Playoff run. Though just three spots out of the Top-12, the Gamecocks found themselves matched up with the Fighting Illini of Illinois in the Citrus Bowl.
Betting Intel:
Predictions:
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