College Hoops Top 50

Last Year: 26-8; 13-5, t-2nd in the Southeastern Conference, lost in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament

Head Coach: Lamont Paris (Third Year; 37-29 at South Carolina, with one NCAA Tournament appearance)

Projected Starting Lineup

PG Jamarii Thomas – 5’11”, 190 Senior

G Cam Scott – 6’6″, 170 Freshman / Top 50 recruit

W Myles Stute – 6’6″, 210 Senior

F Collin Murray-Boyles – 6’8″, 245 Sophomore

F/C Nick Pringle – 6’10”, 220 5th-year Senior

Experienced Reserves

G Jacobi Wright – 6’2″, 185 Senior

G Morris Ugusuk – 6’4″, 200 Sophomore

G Zachary Davis – 6’7″, 200 Junior

F/C Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk – 6’9″, 240 5th-year Senior

F/C Jordan Butler – 7’0″, 240 Sophomore

Freshmen

W Arden Conyers – 6’7″, 212 (Redshirt)

The Gamecocks had some good, old-fashioned fun last winter. Men’s and women’s teams alike. 

Following an exhilarating run to the Final Four in 2016-17, South Carolina had endured some ups and plenty of downs over the past few years. They had won just 11 games two years ago, and things didn’t look particularly special heading into their second campaign under head coach Lamont Paris. In fact, nearly everybody expected the Gamecocks to flounder in a Southeastern Conference jam-packed with stars and contending teams. 

Let those predictions serve as a lesson: the man who rocks a quarter-zip like no other can also coach. 

Rather than being an also-ran, USC spent the cold months smashing expectations over and over again. First, they started the year 7-0. Following their first defeat on the road against Clemson – who went to the Elite Eight – the Gamecocks ripped off another six wins in a row. Then in January, South Carolina stomped on Kentucky and then beat Tennessee on Rocky Top for their second top-ten-ranked victory in the span of a week. USC finished 13-5 in SEC play, tied for second in the league, and were awarded a six-seed in the NCAA Tournament, the program’s highest in more than two decades. 

While it’s hard to compete with USC’s women’s team, who are coming off an undefeated national championship season, Paris and his guys have come a very long way in a short time. Now, they’re looking to prove that they deserve to keep a spot at the big-kids’ table for the foreseeable future, and that’s no easy feat. 

Veteran guard play and graduated big man BJ Mack drove South Carolina through the first half of their breakout year, but once he got healthy and acclimated, rookie forward Collin Murray-Boyles stole the show. He missed the Gamecocks’ first six games last season, but by mid-January, Murray-Boyles had earned his way into the starting lineup. Most freshmen aren’t ready for big minutes against the biggest dudes in the SEC, but Murray-Boyles was prepared to show the veterans a few things. He dropped his first 30-piece against Vanderbilt in early February, and Murray-Boyles scored 105 points in seven games that month, then went for 24 points and seven rebounds and added four steals in his first SEC tournament game. Over USC’s final 13 contests, Murray-Boyles was on fire, averaging 14.9 points and 7.5 boards on 64.8% shooting from the floor as he emerged as one of the team’s best players. As if all that wasn’t enough, Murray-Boyles was actually born in Columbia, SC. His arrival as the face of his hometown team couldn’t be more perfect for the rising program, and this year, the folks who love him best are looking forward to lots more excitement. 

“His ceiling is so high, and he’s a special guy when he gets to it,” Paris enthused about Murray-Boyles late last season. “He’s just got a knack for finding the ball, getting a hand on the ball. He’s an explosive athlete, has a great sense of anticipation, plays hard and is not afraid to be physical…He’s a tremendously functional athlete who also knows how to play.” 

All of those attributes will serve Murray-Boyles well in the months to come because this time around, SEC frontcourts will be focused on stopping him at all costs. Murray-Boyles isn’t a youngster who relies on sheer athleticism to get things done, and has already shown a high level of understanding for playing in the post. He uses angles, positioning, and his quick feet very well, and Murray-Boyles has helpful vision and awareness for such a young player. He’s happy to use the backboard to make a shot or cut defenders off from interfering with him by getting the rim between their arms and his shot attempts, and with added strength this year, Murray-Boyles should show ’em a few new post-up tricks. With the extra coverage that he will see inside, Murray-Boyles will need to show more range and productivity with his jump shot. He’s put in plenty of work getting shots up this summer, and Murray-Boyles improved throughout his freshman season at the charity stripe. He’s also an impact defender who became a more effective rim protector as his rookie year went on. In short, Murray-Boyles is going to have his fingerprints all over USC’s upcoming season, and Gamecock fans can’t wait to see what’s next. 

Two new guards are expected to add their own portion of excitement to the Garnet and Black this fall. His acquisition was marked by some controversy, but Paris and his staff are hoping that Jamarii Thomas is ready to take over at the point. Having been previously committed to VCU this spring, Thomas spurned the Rams and chose to sign with South Carolina instead. That’s the way things are done these days, and Thomas has been rather upwardly mobile since the end of the 2022-23 season. That’s when he decided to leave UNC Wilmington for Norfolk State, which despite being a move down in conferences, afforded Thomas the opportunity to shine. In his lone year with the Spartans, Thomas played so well that he was named last season’s Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Player of the Year en route to leading Norfolk State to the league’s regular season crown. The jump to SEC competition will be a tough one, but Thomas believes he has what South Carolina needs. 

“I’m a nitty-gritty point guard…A lot of defense. I can score the ball but a facilitator, as well. Real athletic. I like to play in transition. I’m a competitor.”

– Jamarii Thomas

“I’m a nitty-gritty point guard,” Thomas explained his style, speaking at a South Carolina press conference in July. “A lot of defense. I can score the ball but a facilitator, as well. Real athletic. I like to play in transition. I’m a competitor…I played a little bit of DB (as a high school football player), I want to get stops. That is the best part of basketball. You have to get stops. Defense wins championships.” 

The foundation upon which Paris is building his program starts with defense, and that makes Thomas a natural fit. He led the MEAC in steals while being named to the league’s All-Defense team, and the creativeness Thomas brings in turning defense into scoring opportunities should be a boon for the Gamecocks. He’s a little guy, but Thomas is quick and aggressive, and last year, he showed a particular knack for getting to the foul line. Given the ball and freedom to play his game, Thomas showed an improved handle and great creativity off the bounce last year. He also made 195 free throws, most in the MEAC and the 16th-highest tally in America last winter. His jumper was better than ever at Norfolk State, as Thomas turned in a 38.0% rate from downtown to go with a solid 43.5% mark on mid-range tries. He’s never been great at finishing efficiently near the rim, though, and Thomas will have to show that he can make contested layups in order to keep defenders honest. 

The latest home-grown kid to sign with the Gamecocks is predicted to be another good one, and the prospect of a future built upon Murray-Boyles and incoming freshman Cam Scott is something fun for USC fans to imagine. A consensus Top 50 recruit, Scott is an explosive wing scorer with the makings of a strong all-around game. As with Thomas, South Carolina wasn’t Scott’s first pick, but after first committing to Texas, he decided to flip his pledge back to the Palmetto State. Each of the last two years, Scott has been named the Gatorade Player of the Year in South Carolina. Knowing how vast his potential can be, it’s clear from his new coach’s initial impressions that Scott is also learning to understand the game like a future pro. 

“He is really locked in on listening, learning, asking questions, communicating. He wants to be really good,” Paris described Scott’s approach thus summer. “He can shoot the basketball, he’s athletic, he’s long, he’s an SEC player in every which way physically that you would imagine…He’s got a real thirst for basketball knowledge, and just trying to get better at the game.” The sooner he can absorb all that Paris and his staff have to teach, the sooner Scott should see a significant role and plenty of chances to show off his skills. He plays a fairly patient game given that he can regularly slash to the rim for a look, and Scott uses his dribble and hesitation smartly to set defenders up and then blow by them. If he can find the range on his jumper as a freshman, Scott is going to have every opportunity to do his own Murray-Boyles impression. 

South Carolina lost a trio of seniors this spring who did a tremendous amount of heavy lifting in turning the program’s fortunes around last winter. Nonetheless, Paris has three other veterans coming back who are ready to take their turn carrying the torch. Zachary Davis, Myles Stute, and Jacobi Wright have all taken turns showing their scoring skill on the perimeter, and now Paris is going to need them to pour in more points than ever. 

Five Stats Which Tell The Tale (with national ranks)

10.1 – Turnovers Per Game (44th)

4.8 – Steals Per Game (336th)

6.0 – Opponent 3FG Made Per Game (30th)

71.1% – Team Free Throw Percentage (225th)

47.3% – Opponent 2FG Percentage (50th)

He’s still looking to prove himself as an every-game option, but it’s hard to produce more consistent numbers than Stute has put up the past three years. Over that span, Stute has averaged between 8.5 and 8.3 points while playing right around 25 minutes per contest. This winter, USC is hoping that he can put up even bigger numbers. He’s made 198 triples at a 39.2% rate over that span, and SEC teams know that the former Vanderbilt transfer must be accounted for out on the wing. At 6’7″, Stute has the size to shoot over many defenders, and has become increasingly savvy floating out to his spots and creating opportunities to let fly. Stute is also a useful defender who can check perimeter players and take a turn guarding in the paint. Last winter, Stute missed time due to a strained shoulder and then a hip injury, and he’s hoping to finish his last year of eligibility healthy and strong to help support another NCAA Tournament run. 

Davis and Wright are career Gamecocks and native South Carolinians who have helped the program to rise under Paris. They bring contrasting skills to the backcourt, and USC is hoping that they will provide reliable scoring depth this winter. A playmaking fourth-year guard who can shoot it, Wright provides stability in helping to coordinate the South Carolina offense. He’s quick and shifty with the ball, and Wright’s personal highlight from last season showed that off with his last-second jumper to steal a win at Missouri. For his career, Wright owns very nearly a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio, and Paris trusts him to make good decisions. If he can lock in from deep, it would give Wright a calling card as a scorer and really help to space the floor for his buddies. 

Davis has considerably more size, and leveled up significantly last year. He made 17 starts, offering real versatility at both ends with his nearly seven-foot wingspan and solid lateral quickness. Offensively, Davis has been at his best around the rim, but he’s also coming closer to finding his stroke from the land of trey. Over USC’s last eight games last year, the sophomore wing averaged 29 minutes and 9.8 points. Paris plays his full rotation, but entering his third season, Davis could be in line for a big bump in role if he can bring more scoring and explosiveness to the equation. 

Murray-Boyles will have a new running mate around the lane this fall, and Nick Pringle won’t have to acclimate to the SEC. He played at Alabama the past two years, and last winter Pringle turned in his most productive campaign on Bama’s run to the Final Four. Another South Carolina product, Pringle was at his best late in the year and into the postseason, averaging 9.4 points and 6.4 rebounds on 60.8% shooting over Bama’s final 14 games. He tallied 74 offensive rebounds last year, tenth-best in the conference, despite averaging less than 19 minutes per game. With that good work on the glass, Pringle also led the Tide with 23 stickback attempts, and he converted 68.2% of those extra chances near the rim, per Hoop-Math. He’ll play a fairly traditional role in the post, protecting the rim, cleaning the boards, and stuffing good feeds – Pringle threw down 37 dunks a year ago. If he can lock down the lane and allow Murray-Boyles to operate without too much interference while keeping up that late-season productivity, Pringle’s homecoming will be much appreciated. 

Five Out-of-Conference Games to Keep an Eye on

@ Indiana – November 16

vs Clemson – December 17

N Xavier – November 25

N Michigan/Virginia Tech – November 27

vs Towson – November 12

Pringle will be backed up in the post by fellow fifth-year big man Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk. The powerfully-built veteran from Belgium has never seen a consistently large role, but the fact that he plays so large on the floor is a real boon to USC’s post depth. A strong rebounder who carves out space and doesn’t give it up easily, Bosmans-Verdonk was playing the best basketball of his career before suffering a concussion around the new year. After his return to the floor, Bosmans-Verdonk simply wasn’t as effective, and his playing time was highly sporadic. If he can stay healthy and show a bit of touch around the basket this winter, Bosmans-Verdonk should provide a steady presence off the bench. 

Three young guys will also compete for minutes off the bench, and Missouri transfer Jordan Butler might have the most impact potential. A seven-footer who was rated a 4-star recruit just last fall, Butler has tantalizing skills to be developed. He made 13 spot-starts for the Tigers a year ago, and though Mizzou got beaten up on the boards last year, Butler learned a thing or two about playing in the post in the SEC. A very modern big man, Butler’s shooting range extends well out from the paint, and as he put polish on that skill this summer, the USC coaches’ excitement has grown. 

“He’s really skilled. We’re trying to get to the point where he goes from a guy who says, ‘I can make shots’ to a guy who says, ‘I do make shots,’” Paris explained when discussing Butler this summer. A lithe athlete who moves well both in the paint and outside of it, Butler’s defensive potential is high as well, and he protects the rim effectively. If he can play with physicality inside, make shots outside, and do it all with consistency, Butler could level up very quickly. 

Perimeter players Morris Ugusuk and Arden Conyers will also fight for their spot. Conyers redshirted last winter, and has been dealing with a foot injury this fall as practices ramp up. He can shoot the rock and brings mismatch potential as a big wing. If he can make three’s, Paris & Co will find some minutes for the big rookie. Though he didn’t always play a big role, Ugusuk got into 30 games as a freshman. He battles defensively, moves well, and has a jumper that’s becoming more reliable. With the winning introduction he had to the college game, Ugusuk learned some of the attributes of a successful team. Now that he’s a year stronger and savvier, Ugusuk should be stepping into more shots to balance the floor and taking a larger turn bothering perimeter scorers. 

It didn’t look like the Gamecocks were going to set the world on fire this time last fall, but 26 wins later, people have learned the danger of doubting this crew. There was no dominant superstar last year; USC won as a team, and they know that such a blueprint can work again. With the things that this team has already shown, Paris is confident that they’re headed towards more good things. 

“We have great energy,” Paris declared in September. “Our spirit has been really good. It is another good group. They seem to enjoy being around one another and playing basketball.” South Carolina won’t be able to catch anyone off-guard this winter, but good teams don’t rely upon the element of surprise. This is a program that’s learning to grind out wins and then stack ’em. The Gamecocks have an uphill climb towards the same type of success they enjoyed during their breakout with an even deeper league. If we’ve learned anything about where this program is headed, though, South Carolina will be up to the challenge.