Saoirse Downs
The South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball team has had a successful season in 2024, earning a spot in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, for the first time in seven years. As the No. 6 seed in the Pittsburgh regional bracket, the Gamecocks faced off against the No. 11 seed Oregon Ducks in the first round, marking their sixth appearance in the tournament. The team's success has defied initial predictions that they would finish last in the SEC, and their participation in March Madness has been highly anticipated by players and fans alike.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2024 |
| Date | March 17 |
| Seed | Sixth |
| Opponent | 11-seed Oregon |
| Opponent's Record | 23-11, 12-8 Pac-12 |
| Round | Opening |
| Location | Pittsburgh |
| Day and Time | Thursday, March 21, 4 p.m. ET |
| Broadcasters | Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas, Evan Washburn |
| Network | TNT |
| Coach | Lamont Paris |
| Coach's Record | 26-7 overall, 13-5 in SEC games |
| Coach's Awards | SEC Coach of the Year by the league's coaches and the AP |
| Previous Appearance | 2017 |
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What You'll Learn
South Carolina's 2024 March Madness first game
The University of South Carolina men's basketball team participated in the 2024 March Madness tournament. The South Carolina Gamecocks opened March Madness in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, facing the Oregon Ducks. The No. 11 seed Ducks (23-11) played the No. 6 seed Gamecocks (26-7) at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The game tipped off at 1 p.m., with Oregon ultimately claiming victory.
This was Oregon's first appearance in the Big Dance since 2021, when they advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. Prior to the 2024 tournament, the Ducks had gathered with family and supporters for a Selection Sunday viewing party at the Founders Club in Matthew Knight Arena. The Ducks' guard, Jermaine Couisnard, had previously played for South Carolina before transferring to Oregon for the 2022-23 season. Couisnard expressed his excitement for the opportunity to play against his former team, stating that he knew "a couple of those guys over there, a couple of the strength coaches, trainers."
South Carolina, meanwhile, entered the 2024 tournament with a 13-5 record in the Southeastern Conference and a ranking of No. 15 in the Associated Press poll. They were eliminated from the SEC Tournament in their second game, suffering an 86-55 loss to No. 12 Auburn.
The First Four games, comprising the four opening games of the tournament, feature the lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and at-large teams. The winners of these games advance to the regional branches, completing the Round of 64, where 64 teams remain in contention for the National Championship.
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Oregon vs South Carolina in 2024
The Oregon Ducks and the South Carolina Gamecocks will face off in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The game will take place on Thursday, March 21, at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This will be the first meeting between the two teams.
Oregon enters the tournament as the No. 11 seed in the Midwest Regional with a 23-11 record. The Ducks are coming off a strong performance in the Pac-12 Tournament, where they won three games in three days to claim the title and secure their spot in the NCAA Tournament. Oregon's key players include N'Faly Dante, who has been dominant in the paint, averaging 20.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks during the Pac-12 Tournament. Senior guard Jermaine Couisnard has also been a key contributor, averaging 14.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 7.0 assists. However, Couisnard and key reserve guard Brennan Rigsby have struggled with their long-range shooting, combining to go 4-for-33 from beyond the arc in their last six games.
South Carolina, meanwhile, enters the tournament as the No. 6 seed with a 26-7 record. The Gamecocks are having a historic season, with 26 overall wins tied for the most in program history. They are coming off a victory over the Vols, their first AP Top-Five road win since 1997. South Carolina's top players include guards Meechie Johnson (14.1 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game) and Ta'Lon Cooper (9.8 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game), and forward B.J. Mack (13.6 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game). The Gamecocks have a travel advantage, as Oregon will have to travel cross-country to Pittsburgh.
Despite the difference in seeding, oddsmakers consider the game a toss-up, with South Carolina a slight favourite. Oregon is a 1.5-point underdog according to some betting sites. The winner of the game will advance to the second round and face either No. 3 seed Creighton or No. 14 seed Akron on Saturday in Pittsburgh.
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South Carolina's 2024 NCAA Tournament seed
The South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball team has been selected as one of six schools to participate in March Madness Confidential during the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The team is a sixth seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament and will face the 11th-seed Oregon in the opening round of the NCAA Midwest Regional in Pittsburgh on Thursday, March 21, 2024. This marks the program's 10th NCAA Tournament appearance.
The South Carolina women's basketball team is also a top seed in the 2025 NCAA DI Women's Basketball Championship. The team is the defending national champion, having won its third national title in school history at the 2024 Women's Final Four in Cleveland.
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The Gamecocks' March Madness history
The South Carolina Gamecocks have a rich history in the annual March Madness NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship. In 2024, the Gamecocks were selected as one of six schools to participate in March Madness Confidential, chronicling their tournament journey with exclusive behind-the-scenes access. This marked the program's 10th NCAA Tournament appearance and first since their historic 2017 Final Four run, the school's only appearance in the National Semifinals.
The Gamecocks have achieved notable successes in recent years, including a record-breaking 25 regular-season wins and 26 overall wins in the 2023-24 season, tying for the most single-season wins in program history. The team also returned to the top-25 rankings in 2024 for the first time since 2017 and has consistently remained there, showcasing their resurgence and competitiveness.
In 2025, the Gamecocks were once again in the spotlight, seeking to repeat their success in the March Madness tournament. They faced strong competition, with teams like the Bruins putting together historic seasons and aiming to challenge South Carolina's dominance. The Gamecocks' performance in recent years, including their undefeated national championship run in 2024, has solidified their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.
The South Carolina women's basketball team has also made significant strides in March Madness. In 2025, they were ranked as one of the top teams, showcasing their talent and pursuit of a championship. The Gamecocks possess a talented roster, with players like Madison Booker, Taylor Jones, and Kyla Oldacre, who have contributed to their success and established themselves as contenders.
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South Carolina's 2024 NCAA Tournament selection
The South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball team has been selected to participate in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, marking their 10th appearance in the tournament and their first since the 2017 Final Four run. As the sixth seed, the Gamecocks will face the 11th-seed Oregon Ducks in the opening round of the NCAA Midwest Regional in Pittsburgh on March 21, 2024. The game will tip off at 4 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on TNT.
South Carolina's men's basketball team has had a successful season, accumulating 25 regular-season wins, which is a new program record. Their overall record stands at 26-7, with a 13-5 record in SEC games. This impressive performance has earned them a spot in the top 25 rankings, where they are currently ranked 15th or 16th. The team has been on an upward trajectory, improving their ranking from 11th in Week 14 to their current position.
The Gamecocks' return to the NCAA Tournament is a significant achievement, with this being only their second appearance since their historic Final Four run in 2017. Their road to the tournament has included notable victories, such as defeating a pair of top-10 teams in a three-game stretch, a feat they last achieved in 1968. Additionally, their win over the Vols was their first AP Top-Five road victory since 1997.
South Carolina's participation in the 2024 NCAA Tournament is expected to garner significant attention, with production crews already embedding with the team to chronicle their journey. The tournament coverage will be available across multiple platforms, including studio coverage on major television networks and online distribution via official social media pages and websites. Fans will be able to follow the Gamecocks' progress and cheer them on as they aim to replicate the success of their 2017 campaign.
While the men's team has secured their spot in the 2024 March Madness tournament, the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team has also achieved notable success in recent years. In the 2025 NCAA DI women's basketball tournament, the women's team advanced to the Final Four, facing off against the UConn Huskies. Although they fell short in the championship game, losing 82-59, their journey captured the attention of millions, making it the most-watched women's college basketball game on record since 2019.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the South Carolina Gamecocks participated in the 2024 March Madness tournament.
The Gamecocks were a No. 6 seed in the 2024 tournament.
South Carolina played Oregon (No. 11 seed) in the first round of the 2024 tournament.
No, they lost to Oregon in the first round.
