Amanda Knapp
South Carolina's basketball team, the Gamecocks, have been consistently unranked in the AP Top-25 Men's College Basketball Poll for several years. Despite some impressive wins and a strong roster, the team has faced challenges in being recognised in the rankings. The Gamecocks have often been underestimated and disrespected, with their performance and strategy being questioned. However, they have proven to be a tough opponent, even when placed at the bottom of the rankings. The team's lack of recognition may be attributed to various factors, including a weak strength of schedule and the dominance of other teams in the SEC.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ranking | 28 January 2025 |
| Ranking body | NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Committee |
| Number of teams in the ranking | 64 |
| South Carolina's ranking | Last place |
| Number of SEC teams in the ranking | 10 |
| Number of SEC teams in the top 14 | 7 |
| South Carolina's record | 17-3 |
| Number of ranked teams South Carolina has played | 2 |
| South Carolina's nonconference strength of schedule | 333 at KenPom |
| South Carolina's ranking in the first NET rankings of the 2024-2025 season | 135 |
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What You'll Learn
South Carolina's non-conference strength of schedule
The Gamecocks' non-conference schedule features a mix of home, away, and neutral site games. The season started with a home game against North Florida on November 4, followed by matches against SC State and Towson on November 8 and 12, respectively. The team then travelled to Indiana for an away game on November 16 before returning home to face Mercer on November 21. On November 25 and 27, they played in neutral site games against Xavier and either Michigan or Virginia Tech as part of the Fort Myers Tip-Off.
Moving into December, the Gamecocks had an away game at Boston College on the 3rd as part of the SEC/ACC Challenge. They then returned home for a series of games against East Carolina (Dec 7), USC Upstate (Dec 14), Clemson (Dec 17), Radford (Dec 22), and Presbyterian (Dec 30). This non-conference schedule presented the team with a range of opponents and locations to challenge and prepare them for the rest of the season.
Despite their efforts, South Carolina has faced an uphill battle in terms of rankings, partly due to the strength of their conference. The SEC has been dominant, with seven teams ranked in the top 14 of the latest AP Poll rankings, making it challenging for South Carolina to break into the top spots. However, their coach, Lamont Paris, has expressed pride in the team's performance and their ability to compete against high-quality opponents.
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Lack of respect for the Gamecocks
The South Carolina Gamecocks are considered the "Rodney Dangerfield of college basketball", receiving little respect despite their performance. The team has not been ranked in the top 25 for seven years since the 2017 Final Four.
The lack of respect for the Gamecocks was evident even before the 2024-2025 season began. In November, the media predicted that South Carolina would finish last in the SEC, 11 spots lower than their current standing. This influenced public opinion before the season even started, and the Gamecocks were not ranked in the initial AP Top-25 Men's College Basketball Poll.
Despite this, the Gamecocks have proven to be a formidable team. They are the only team this season to win a road game against a top-six team, and they have a strong, home-grown roster. Forward Collin Murray-Boyles, a South Carolina native, leads the team in scoring and has the best shooting percentage and second-highest rebound average in the SEC.
The Gamecocks' lack of ranking may be due to their weak strength of schedule. They have only played two ranked teams all year, with a loss at Clemson and a win hosting Kentucky. However, their overall record of 17-3 is better than 19 of the teams ranked in the top 25.
The South Carolina women's basketball team has also faced a similar fate. Despite being the defending national champion, they were not ranked #1 in ESPN's Women's College Basketball Power Rankings for the 2024-25 season. However, they have proven their strength by winning four in a row, three of which were against ranked opponents.
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The SEC's dominance
The SEC has been regarded as a football conference, with men's basketball often considered an afterthought. However, in recent years, the SEC has become a dominant force in college basketball, with some even calling it the best season a basketball conference has ever had.
Additionally, the SEC has had a successful run in the transfer portal, landing 17 of ESPN's top 50 transfers. This has bolstered the talent and depth of the conference's teams, contributing to their overall success. The SEC's strong performance in the SEC/ACC Challenge, clinching a 14-2 victory, further showcased their dominance.
The numbers speak for themselves. In the latest Associated Press poll, the SEC boasted nine teams in the top 25, including four of the top six and eight of the top 16. The conference also had all 16 teams with at least a .750 win percentage entering January, a feat not seen since the 1983-84 ACC. The SEC's efficiency ratings are also impressive, with Auburn, Florida, Alabama, and Kentucky boasting the top four spots in the KenPom ratings.
Despite South Carolina's lack of ranking, the team has remained competitive within the dominant SEC. With a strong roster, including forward Collin Murray-Boyles, who leads the team in scoring and has an impressive shooting percentage, South Carolina has proven to be a tough opponent, even going up against highly-ranked conference rivals.
In conclusion, the SEC's dominance in men's college basketball is undeniable, and South Carolina, despite their lack of ranking, remains a force to be reckoned with within this competitive conference.
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Poor media perception
South Carolina's basketball team, the Gamecocks, have been described as "getting no respect" in college basketball, with the team failing to be ranked in the top 25 for seven years since the 2017 Final Four team. This is despite the team's impressive record of 17-3, which is better than 19 of the teams ranked inside the top 25.
The media's perception of the team has been negative, with predictions that they would finish last in the SEC, 11 spots lower than where they currently stand. This negative perception has influenced the opinions of fans and followers of the sport, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts, where the team is not ranked highly and, therefore, not respected.
The Gamecocks' head coach, Lamont Paris, expressed frustration at the media's role in forming negative opinions about the team:
> "In November, they told the world that we’re not good. So people form their opinion on that. Right? People that were never in one of our practices. They form their opinion on influencers."
The team's performance has been impacted by a weak strength of schedule, with only two games played against ranked teams, resulting in a loss to Clemson and a win over Kentucky. However, their overall record and performance indicate that they are a competitive team, as evidenced by their ability to compete in close games and their victory over a top-10 AP-ranked team, Kentucky.
Despite the poor media perception and ranking snubs, the Gamecocks have proven their resilience and fighting spirit, with players and coaches expressing optimism about their future prospects.
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The team's loss streak
The South Carolina Gamecocks have had a rough time in recent years, with a string of losses and a lack of respect in the rankings. In men's college basketball, the team has failed to make the top 25 rankings for several years, despite some impressive wins.
The Gamecocks' losing streak has been a source of frustration for fans and the team alike. In 2024, they had a disappointing start to the season, with four wins and three losses, matching the number of losses they had in mid-February the previous year. This placed them 16th out of 16 teams in the SEC in the NET rankings. The team's head coach, Lamont Paris, attributed this to the media's low expectations, which influenced people's opinions before the season even started.
The Gamecocks' struggles continued into the 2024-2025 season, with a tough loss to Xavier in the Fort Myers Tip-Off and a 4-3 record. This placed them 135th in the NET rankings, with all four wins being "Quad Four wins," meaning they were over lower-ranked teams. Despite this, the team remained optimistic, with Paris praising their competitiveness and fighting spirit.
In women's college basketball, the Gamecocks faced a challenging loss when junior forward Ashlyn Watkins suffered a season-ending knee injury. Watkins was a key player, averaging 7.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and a team-high 1.9 blocks. However, the team demonstrated its resilience by winning four games in a row after her injury, including victories over ranked opponents Texas and Oklahoma.
The South Carolina Gamecocks' losing streak and subsequent absence from the top rankings can be attributed to various factors, including media influence, tough competition, and unfortunate injuries. However, the team has shown determination and a capacity for growth, indicating a potential for future success.
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Frequently asked questions
South Carolina basketball has not been ranked in the top 25 for the past seven years since the 2017 Final Four team. The team has a weak strength of schedule, with only two ranked teams played all year. However, they have a 17-3 record, better than 19 of the teams ranked in the top 25.
South Carolina's non-conference strength of schedule is the main reason for their low ranking. They have four wins, and all four wins are "Quad Four wins," meaning they were over teams ranked 161 or lower at home, 201 or lower at neutral sites, or 241 or lower on the road.
The media picked South Carolina to finish last in the SEC, 11 spots lower than where they stand now. South Carolina's coach, Lamont Paris, expressed disappointment, stating that people form opinions without attending their practices.
The public, especially South Carolinians, believe that South Carolina basketball deserves more respect and a higher ranking. They argue that their 17-3 record outweighs the criticism of their strength of schedule.
