Media’s last-place pick of SC doesn’t faze coach

Alex Scarborough, ESPN

• Personnel WriterOct 18, 2023, 12:16 PM ET Close Covers the SEC.Joined ESPN
• in 2012.
• Graduate of Auburn University.BIRMINGHAM, Ala.– South Carolina coach Lamont

  Paris took note of the first question he got at the SEC basketball preview occasion Wednesday morning.”Right out of evictions with [being]

  picked last,” he said.The media did certainly vote the Gamecocks to end up 14th in the conference in

  Paris’second season leading the program. However, Paris said,” I don’t see it.”Paris pointed out how”undermanned”they were last season and still won four conference

  games, consisting of at Kentucky. They still ended up 12th, ahead of Ole Miss and LSU. South Carolina coach Lamont Paris, revealed while training the Chattanooga Mocs, at the SEC preview event Wednesday discussed his time with that team, which was selected to complete last and ended up ending up first in the Southern Conference. Associated Press Paris said they had less than 150 combined starts on the lineup getting in last season. This season, he said, that number is over 400. “It doesn’t make that much sense to me,”he stated of the preseason prediction.”However hopefully for my group it will provide motivation. … We’re significantly

  more proficient, substantially more experienced, and we didn’t end up last year. “South Carolina included 4 transfers this offseason, consisting of Stephen Clark from The Castle, Ta’Lon Cooper from Minnesota, B.J. Mack from Wofford and Myles Stute from Vanderbilt. A

  first-team All-Ohio Valley guard, Cooper completed last season 21st on the NCAA active leaders list for profession assists with 603. Paris joked that there was one benefit to them being chosen last, though. “Second-to-last is nothing, “he stated.” I can’t use that as billboard product. But last it is.

  “Paris came equipped with statistics in order to undercut the last-place selection.

  He stated that none of the groups in 2015’s survey ended up where they were forecasted, and half of the teams were

  three or more spots off.Paris made note of the total strength of the conference, which tied a record last season with 8 NCAA tournament selections.But, he stated, his group is”not playing to not be last. “”What a low goal that would be,” he said.Paris harkened

  back to his time at Chattanooga, where he remembered the Mocs being chosen to finish last his very first season there. By his fourth season, he stated, they were selected first.South Carolina will open the season

  in the house versus USC Upstate on Nov. 6.

  By contrast, Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said it was a compliment for the Vols to be picked to win the department. “I truly hope we’re that great, “he said, adding that they need to embrace expectations and”get better every night.” Barnes admired the strength of the SEC also.”It’s going to be a pet fight, “he said.Tennessee opens the season in the house versus Tennessee Tech on Nov. 6

  . The Vols will have a big early test later in the month on Nov. 29, when they take a trip to No. 19 North Carolina.