The SEC awards were released Tuesday, with three Gamecock players being recognized.
Michael Carrera took home First Team All-SEC honors after averaging 14.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game on 45 percent shooting and 41.9 percent from three-point range, Sindarius Thornwell was named to the SEC All-Defensive team and Duane Notice was awarded Sixth-Man of the Year.
Throughout the season Carrera was a force to be reckoned with. If the Gamecocks needed a big basket, or just a basket at all, the ball always seemed to end up in Carrera’s hands. Time after time, he delivered right when the Gamecocks needed it most. As a leader and star on this team, and as a player who torched teams game in and game out, it seemed only fitting that he received the recognition.
There is no way to tell based on statistics whether Thornwell was deserving of his SEC All-Defensive team selection or not. But if you watched one defensive possession of a South Carolina game this season you would completely understand.
Thornwell was relentless on the defensive end, usually going head-to-head with the best player on the opposing team. Day in and day out, whether his offensive production was there or not, Thornwell showed up on defense. He made his presence felt by both teams in every game.
Notice was a spark plug for the Gamecocks off the bench all season. He averaged 11.2 points per game and shot 41.6 percent from three-point range and always brought an energy boost and an immediate scoring threat for South Carolina. The junior guard provided the Gamecocks with another outside scoring threat besides Carrera, preventing teams from keying on Carrera and many times forcing them right out of their zones with his outside shooting. Even though he rarely starts, Notice is an extremely important member of the team, and must continue his play if it hopes to make a deep run in the post season.
One major snub was naming Texas A&M head coach Billy Kennedy the SEC Coach of the Year instead of Frank Martin. No one can question the success of the Aggies this season. But coming off a 20-win season in 2014-15and with many returning players, this Texas A&M team was expected to play well.
The story line differed for the Gamecocks, who were coming off a 17-win season and an 11th place finish in the SEC. Not much was expected headed into this season, and for that reason alone the greatness of this year was more impressive.
Led by Martin, South Carolina over-performed, finishing the regular season with 24 wins, with one at Texas A&M in February. With the Gamecocks likely to receive their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2004, South Carolina fans should wonder why Martin was not recognized with SEC Coach of the Year honors.