CBS News/Columbia, S.C. Preseason projections do not hold much weight with Lamont Paris, especially when they project his South Carolina squad to finish last in the Southeastern Conference.
The Gamecocks’ position at the bottom of the 14-team SEC preseason rankings, “does not make that much sense to me,” the player remarked. “But perhaps it will serve as a motivation for my team.”
To Paris, it most definitely is. He recalls that his program was chosen last in the Southern Conference during his first season at Chattanooga. The Mocs were the league favorite five years later.
The Gamecocks lacked skill and experience from the previous season. This season, such is not the case, according to Paris.
Paris stated, “We did not finish last last year; we are substantially more skillful and experienced.” His squad placed 12th.
It is true that Paris struggled in his first year at South Carolina a season ago. In replacing Frank Martin, who was fired following the 2021–22 season after 10 years with the program, he had to assemble a roster of transfers and recruits. However, he has a number of returning players who experienced the 11-win campaign of the previous year and are eager to advance.
The squad has bonded this offseason, according to Meechie Johnson, an Ohio State transfer from last year, and they are prepared to prove they can contend in the SEC. Johnson stated that this season, he and his colleagues hope to leave an impression.
He clarified that they were “on the Sweet 16 squad that made a run,” not that Johnson or any other player achieved personal goals. That is the reason I am here. That excites me, and I am eagerly anticipating it.
