South Carolina men’s basketball opened the 2025–26 season with an offensive explosion, matching last year’s season-high total by scoring 91 points in a commanding win over North Carolina A&T. It was only the first game, but the Gamecocks looked faster, sharper, and more efficient than at any point during the Lamont Paris era.
While the number of possessions stayed roughly the same — 71 against NC A&T compared to last season’s average of 69 — it was the efficiency within those possessions that made the difference.
“To me, pace is, ‘How quickly do you get from one action to another action?’” Paris explained. “Our pace is, I would say, significantly better than last year. But efficiency reigns supreme when it comes to what your offense ultimately looks like. And I think we’ve been pretty efficient.”
Despite the faster tempo, Paris hasn’t abandoned his trademark philosophy. The Gamecocks still play his brand of basketball — disciplined, methodical, and rooted in strong execution.
According to Bart Torvik’s analytics, South Carolina’s adjusted tempo averaged 70.1 in the opener, marking the fastest pace in the Paris era. The early results also show improvement in scoring efficiency, with the Gamecocks averaging 1.30 points per possession through their first two outings — including the preseason exhibition against NC State.
Paris credited the team’s ability to move the ball and create open looks as a key reason for the early offensive surge. South Carolina knocked down 14 three-pointers against NC A&T — more than in any game from last season — and the head coach believes that number could have been even higher.
“I’ve always believed your propensity to make shots is directly related to the quality of shot you create by way of moving, by way of screening, by way of recognition,” Paris said. “So I thought we did a really good job in terms of creating high-quality shots that we can make.”
That efficient shooting went hand-in-hand with the team’s unselfish ball movement. All 12 players who saw action recorded at least one assist, something Paris said he had never experienced before in any game he’s coached or faced.
“I told them I’d never been around in a game — either that I coached or the opposing team — where every single player that went in had an assist,” Paris said. “They took some pride in that. They were happy about that. And I think they see that as a real weapon for us.”
Guard Meechie Johnson, who led the team’s tempo and composure, emphasized the importance of staying grounded as the Gamecocks prepare for their next matchup — a Sunday night showdown against Southern Miss.
“We’re focusing on us and what we’re doing,” Johnson said. “And then allowing what we’re doing to take care of itself on the court. Just staying true to ourselves. Not trying to get too high or too low — just staying right where we need to be.”
For Lamont Paris and his squad, the message is clear: the Gamecocks are playing faster, sharing the ball better, and building confidence early. If they can sustain this level of efficiency, South Carolina could be on track for one of its most dynamic offensive seasons yet.
