South Carolina Coach Remains Confident Despite Preseason Ranking

South Carolina coach Lamont Paris expressed his confidence in his team despite being picked last in the SEC basketball preseason rankings. At the SEC basketball preview event, Paris acknowledged the media’s prediction and jokingly mentioned that being picked second-to-last wouldn’t have given him any motivational material, but being picked last would.

Paris emphasized how his team had been “undermanned” last season but still managed to win four conference games, including a victory over Kentucky. He highlighted the significant growth of his team’s experience and skill level, pointing out that the combined number of starts on the roster has increased from under 150 to over 400. Paris found it puzzling that his team was predicted to finish last this season considering the improvements made.

To bolster his argument, Paris cited last year’s preseason rankings, noting that none of the teams finished where they were predicted. He also mentioned that half of the teams were off by three or more spots. Paris acknowledged the overall strength of the conference, which had eight NCAA tournament selections last season. However, he made it clear that his team’s goal is not merely to avoid finishing last, deeming it a low ambition.

Paris shared his previous experience at Chattanooga, where they were picked to finish last in his first season but eventually ended up being chosen first in his fourth season. He used this example to illustrate the fluctuating nature of preseason rankings and the potential for improvement over time.

On the other hand, Tennessee coach Rick Barnes saw being picked to win the division as a compliment for his team. He embraced the expectations and emphasized the need for constant improvement. Barnes acknowledged the competitiveness of the SEC and anticipated a challenging season ahead.

South Carolina will open their season against USC Upstate on November 6th, while Tennessee will face Tennessee Tech on the same day.