South Carolina Basketball Looks to Play Spoiler on Senior Night Against Georgia
South Carolina men’s basketball may have faced challenges this season, but the Gamecocks are showing signs of life as they prepare for their final home game. With momentum on their side after winning two of their last three, Lamont Paris’ squad will aim to shake up the SEC standings once again when they take on Georgia at Colonial Life Arena on Tuesday at 6 p.m. on SEC Network.
Honoring the Seniors
Tuesday night marks Senior Night, a special occasion for five Gamecocks: Jacobi Wright, Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk, Myles Stute, Nick Pringle, and Jamarii Thomas. The ceremony will take place approximately 25 minutes before tip-off, around 5:30 p.m.
Jacobi Wright has been a staple in the program, predating Coach Lamont Paris and playing under former head coach Frank Martin before staying with the team through the transition.
Bosmans-Verdonk has been with the Gamecocks since Paris’ first season and will graduate with a law degree. Stute, who transferred last year, has missed nearly all of SEC play due to a blood clot injury.
Meanwhile, Pringle and Thomas, both transfers ahead of this season, have made their mark as two of South Carolina’s top scorers, trailing only Collin Murray-Boyles.
Can the Gamecocks Play Spoiler Again?
With their NCAA Tournament hopes all but out of reach, South Carolina (12-17, 2-14 SEC) has embraced the role of spoiler. In their last three games, they upset Texas and Arkansas, both of whom are fighting for a spot in March Madness.
As of Tuesday’s Bracketology update, Arkansas is barely holding onto a spot in the “last four in”, while Texas is in the “first four out.” Their losses to South Carolina, the worst team in the SEC by record, only hurt their chances further.
Now, Georgia (18-11, 6-10 SEC) is next in line. The Bulldogs are also on the tournament bubble, and if recent trends continue, Colonial Life Arena could be a tough test for them. The Gamecocks have played significantly better at home, boasting a 10-7 record in Columbia.
Even Arkansas coach John Calipari acknowledged South Carolina’s home-court advantage:
“If you played all home games, you’d be top-10.”
Developing the Future: Jordan Butler’s Growing Role
As South Carolina prepares for roster turnover, these final games serve as a crucial evaluation period. With several seniors departing and the transfer portal looming, Coach Paris needs to identify key returning players.
One name to watch is Jordan Butler. The sophomore forward has seen limited minutes this season (6.2 per game), but he’s been making the most of his recent opportunities. Over his last four games, he has played double-digit minutes in each, highlighted by a nine-point, 18-minute performance against Arkansas.
At 7 feet tall, Butler offers a unique skill set. He is shooting 32.3% from three-point range and went 2-for-4 from deep last game. Additionally, he has recorded five blocks in his last three games. With three games guaranteed, Paris could be looking at a future star if he continues to develop Butler’s potential.
Scouting Georgia
For a full breakdown of Georgia’s resume and key players, check out our Resume Check: South Carolina’s next opponent, the Georgia Bulldogs.
Injury Report
- South Carolina: Myles Stute – OUT (blood clot)
- Georgia: All players available
Game Details
- Matchup: South Carolina (12-17, 2-14 SEC) vs. Georgia (18-11, 6-10 SEC)
- Date: Tuesday, March 4
- Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Colonial Life Arena (18,000 capacity)
- TV: SEC Network
- Radio: 107.5 The Game
- ESPN Prediction: South Carolina has a 41.8% chance to win
Can South Carolina spoil another team’s NCAA Tournament hopes? Tune in Tuesday night to find out!
