South Carolina men’s basketball tipped off the 2025–26 season in dominant fashion with a convincing win over North Carolina A&T, and head coach Lamont Paris is hoping to keep that momentum rolling. The Gamecocks, now 1–0, will look to make it two straight when they host Southern Miss on Sunday night at Colonial Life Arena.
Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m., with SEC Network airing the broadcast and live streaming available via the ESPN app. The matchup marks the first time these two former Metro Conference rivals have faced each other in over three decades, with South Carolina entering as an 18.5-point favorite.
Will the offensive fireworks continue?
If the early signs are any indication, the Gamecocks’ offense has taken a major leap forward. After a lackluster 2024–25 campaign, Lamont Paris’ group seems rejuvenated, scoring 91 points in their season-opening rout of North Carolina A&T.
The offensive surge wasn’t a one-game fluke. South Carolina reportedly dominated Georgia Tech in a closed scrimmage, then dropped 86 points in a strong exhibition showing against NC State. The most encouraging development? The Gamecocks’ newfound love for the three-ball. Against NC A&T, they connected on 14 three-pointers, spreading the floor and finding rhythm early and often.
If Carolina continues shooting at that clip, it won’t just mean another win over Southern Miss—it could help rebuild the team’s confidence and chemistry, reminiscent of the NCAA Tournament squad from two seasons ago.
Can the defense catch up to the offense?
While the offense is thriving, the defense remains a question mark. South Carolina has the athleticism and size to compete, but consistency on the defensive end is still a work in progress.
The Gamecocks’ defensive efforts in the NC State exhibition and season opener left room for improvement, something Paris acknowledged. “We’ve got guys who can guard,” he said earlier this preseason. “Now it’s about trusting each other and executing every possession.”
Players like Kobe Knox, Mike Sharavjamts, and Meechie Johnson have drawn praise for their potential as perimeter defenders. However, with only two players taller than 6’9″—both coming off the bench—the Gamecocks’ interior defense remains untested.
A strong defensive outing against Southern Miss would go a long way toward proving this team can contend at the SEC level and, potentially, return to March Madness.
What will Lamont Paris’ starting five look like?
The rotation and starting lineup are still fluid as Paris continues to tinker with combinations. Early projections had Mike Sharavjamts, Meechie Johnson, Myles Stute, Nordin Kapic, and Elijah Strong in the starting lineup.
However, Paris has already made adjustments. Jordan Butler earned a start in the NC State exhibition for his defensive presence, while Kobe Knox replaced Strong in the season opener, pushing Stute to a small-ball power forward role.
That flexibility could continue throughout non-conference play as Paris experiments with different looks. Expect a mix of Sharavjamts, Johnson, Stute, Kapic, Butler, Strong, Knox—and possibly even freshman Eli Ellis—to rotate through starting and high-minute roles as the season takes shape.
South Carolina looks to build on its offensive rhythm, sharpen its defense, and find lineup balance in what could be another statement performance. Sunday’s showdown with Southern Miss offers another step toward showing whether Lamont Paris’ squad is ready to rise again in the SEC.
