South Carolina is another team like Texas A&M that caught the eye last year and exceeded expectations at the SEC. It is hard to believe that Frank Martin is already in his 9th season in Colombia. They wait for a second dance at the NCAA Tournament this year.
Registration 2019: 18-13 (10-8), 6th at the SEC
Key return: (G) AJ Lawson, (G) Jermaine Couisnard, (F) Keyshawn Bryant, (F) Justin Minaya
Main additions: (G) Seventh Woods (UNC transfer)
Main Losses: (C) Maik Kotsar, (G) Jair Bolden
Season 2019
South Carolina had a solid 2019 season, helped by the emergence of the big shot Maik Kotsar. Kotsar won the honors of Second Team All-SEC as a senior and was the only threat within Frank Martin’s team. Gamecocks used a combination of physical and obstinate defense and quick counterattack opportunities to quickly score opponents.
Carolina left the conference 8-5, with some dubious defeats for decent opponents. For the second year in a row, they activated him for conference games, highlighting a big home win over Kentucky. SEC freshman Jermaine Couisnard lost 26 Wildcats points in a decisive game.
Injuries were a major factor, with striker Keyshawn Bryant and Justin Minaya wasting significant time. Bryant lost the first eight games in which Carolina made it 5-3. A healthy Bryant and Minaya will make a big difference in 2020.
Season 2020
Projected initial line: AJ Lawson (G, Jr), Jermaine Couisnard (G, So), Keyshawn Bryant (F, Jr), Justin Minaya (F, Jr), Alanzo Frink (F, Jr)
Beginners
Frank Martin’s attack came in 122th place at KenPom last year, while the defense came in 50th. The defense was one of the best in the SEC, which helped the attack stay fast and score in the transition.
Lawson and Couisnard are two of the best defenders of the conference this season. With no offensive juggernauts added to the squad, their development will be critical. The pair hit 33% and 29% respectively and can be a nightmare with improvements in that part of the game. Lawson is the only 2020 All-SEC player being voted for the second team.
Alanzo Frink had a bigger role at times last season, starting 12 games. Although he is only 6’7 ″, his size allows him to be acceptable in the pole position for a team that is significantly smaller. He is not a Maik Kotsar, but his intensity around the glass should help to fill the void.
With healthy seasons, Bryant and Minaya’s impact will be noticeable. Both are solid at hitting the boards and provide a little length and size in the initial lineup. Minaya proved that he could be a legitimate three-point threat if he managed to get back to the first year’s numbers.
Reservation
Seventh Woods is a former top 50 who has never been successful at UNC. He had a decent percentage of pitches two years ago, as a junior, but he turned the ball too far. He showed that he can distribute the ball well and can be a significant part of the attack if he can protect the ball.
Several sophomores will try to increase their role this year. Trae Hannibal and TJ Moss are also guys with an average of more than 10 minutes per game in their debut year. Both were extremely ineffective offensively, with the lowest offensive ratings and the highest staff turnover rate.
Two more sophomores will have to help provide some size for Gamecocks. Wildens Leveque has had several matches in the past year and is the only player over 6’7 ″ on the list. With 6’11 ”, he will probably be in the line-up against bigger teams to help with the low. Jalyn McCreary is only 6’7 ″, but has recovered almost as well as Leveque. Both players need to play smarter defensively, as they made fouls at an alarming rate last year.
Carolina’s ball club has a strong return core that stands out in the defense of the ball. Offensive production will need to be addressed for this group to enter the NCAA conversation, but Lawson and Couisnard are more than ready for this job. Frank Martin must have one of his best teams since the Final Four race.
Forecast: 8th
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