The South Carolina men's basketball team experienced mixed outcomes during the 2024-25 season. The Gamecocks saw notable wins and disappointing losses in non-conference play and also faced challenges in the SEC against some of the nation's top teams.
Season Overview
After tying the school record last season with 26 wins and earning an NCAA Tournament berth, the Gamecocks opened the 2024-25 campaign with a 74-71 loss to North Florida. It was a stark contrast to last season when South Carolina started the season 7-0 before losing to Clemson in early December.
South Carolina found itself at 3-3 through six games, a far different start than the momentum they carried a year ago. The Gamecocks then won seven straight games, including a 73-51 victory over Boston College in the SEC/ACC Challenge on Dec. 3, 2024 and a win over then No. 25 Clemson 91-88 in overtime.
However, as it transitioned into SEC play, it suffered a 13-game losing streak and secured only two conference wins, both at home, against Texas, 84-69, on Feb. 22 and Arkansas, 72-53, on March 1.
Despite only two wins, the Gamecocks had several chances at beating top 25 teams this season, losing to then-No. 2 Auburn, then-No. 5 Florida, then-No. 13 Texas A&M, then-No. 14 Mississippi State and then-No.19 Ole Miss by a combined 17 points.
The regular season concluded with a 75-65 loss to No. 4 Tennessee on March 8. In the SEC tournament, the Gamecocks faced No. 9 seed Arkansas in the first round but were edged out 72-68, despite a late second half comeback ending its postseason aspirations.
Similarly, it led No. 5 Florida by 13 points with under nine minutes remaining but were overtaken in the final seconds, losing 70-69.Close losses also occurred against Ole Miss and Mississippi State in overtime, highlighting its struggles in maintaining leads and finishing games.
South Carolina was invited to participate in the NIT Tournament, however the Gamecocks declined the invitation due to "attrition on the roster with injuries," according to head coach Lamont Paris.
Sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles emerged as a standout player this season, leading the Gamecocks in scoring and rebounding with an average 16.8 points per game and contributing 8.3 rebounds per game, which led to him being named to the All-SEC second team. His consistent performances have positioned him as a potential selection in the upcoming NBA draft.
Areas for improvement
While expectations may be tempered following a difficult SEC campaign, the Gamecocks will aim to take a step forward in the 2025-26 season with a renewed focus on consistency and execution.
Losing key veterans and a potential NBA draft selection in Murray-Boyles means that South Carolina will need to rely on its incoming talent and returning players to step up in the 2025-26 season. Murray-Boyles provided consistent scoring and rebounding, making his possible departure a significant loss.
Additionally, the Gamecocks will have to replace seniors Jacobi Wright, Myles Stute and Jamarii Thomas, all of whom played crucial roles in the backcourt and on the wing.
"This is like my family and I have a bond with all these guys and these coaches for the rest of my life," Wright said. "The program is in great hands, I'm going to be coming back to the games and I expect to see the Gamecocks doing big things from here on out."
Despite solid performances from individual players, South Carolina often found itself outmatched in physicality and depth.South Carolina is ranked 249th in bench points with a total of 556 bench points in the 2024-25 season, averaging 17.38 bench points per game.
The Gamecocks's primary challenges included offensive efficiency, particularly in late-game situations, and defensive lapses against high-caliber SEC opponents. South Carolina averaged 69.8 points per game with an offensive rating of 110.5, placing it 103rd out of 364 teams.
Moving forward, South Carolina will need to find more reliable scoring options as this past season the Gamecocks had just two players average 10 or more points in order to compete more effectively in the conference.
Returning players like freshman guard Cam Scott, redshirt freshman guard Arden Conyers and sophomore guard Morris Ugusuk have a chance to step up and take on larger roles next season.
Their development, along with incoming recruits, will be crucial in helping South Carolina improve its offensive efficiency and late-game execution.
New additions for 2025
The Gamecocks have secured a top-20 recruiting class for the 2025-26 season featuring four promising players. The group includes a mix of size, skill and versatility, addressing key needs for the program's future.
Eli Ellis, a four-star shooting guard from Hickory, North Carolina, is a top-100 prospect known for his scoring ability and court vision. In three Overtime Elite (OTE) games so far this season, Ellis averages 32.3 points, 7.7 assists and six rebounds per game.
Hayden Assemian is a 6-foot-8-inch forward from Greenville, South Carolina, who brings versatility and athleticism to the front court. Assemian is a three-star recruit averaging 15.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 1.7 assists per game as a junior at Powdersville High School in 2023-24 season.
Grant Polk is a wing player hailing from Gainesville, Virginia, and is recognized for his defensive skills and three-point shooting. Polk was a first team all-state pick from his high school after setting school records with 95 three-pointers and scoring a total of 527 points.
EJ Walker, a power forward from Erlanger, Kentucky, adds size and strength to the roster, with a reputation for rebounding and scoring. Walker currently attends Lloyd Memorial High School where he's scored 1,322 points in his career and averaged a double-double in 2023-24 with 16.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.