Lamont Paris Reflects on South Carolina’s Loss to Georgia, Looks Ahead to SEC Tournament
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – After South Carolina’s 73-64 loss to Georgia on Tuesday night, head coach Lamont Paris addressed the media, discussing the game’s turning points, his team’s struggles, and what lies ahead.
Opening Thoughts
“Well, I thought we were better defensively in the second half. Our recipe for winning doesn’t usually involve giving up 40 points in one half—ours certainly doesn’t. That put us in a hole early, but I thought the guys fought hard in the second half and cut the lead down to two. We had a few key possessions where we could have taken control, but we gave up an offensive rebound on one and allowed a layup after a timeout. Those were moments where we had a real chance to shift momentum, but we didn’t capitalize.”
Paris acknowledged Georgia’s competitiveness, saying, “They really compete. That was the difference in rebounds, loose balls—they imposed their will.”
Despite the loss, he praised his team’s effort, stating, “The guys wanted to win. We made a nice run in the second half, but just couldn’t get over the hump. If we had taken the lead, I think that would’ve been a huge confidence boost.”
On Senior Night Distractions
When asked whether Senior Night emotions played a role in the team’s slow start, Paris dismissed the idea:
“No, I don’t think so. It’s hard to know exactly what’s in these guys’ minds, but I didn’t see anyone uptight. I thought they handled it well and quickly locked into the game.”
Georgia’s Defensive Impact
Paris credited Georgia’s defensive approach for making it difficult for his team to score inside:
“They crowded the paint and rotated well. That makes it harder unless you have at least four shooters on the floor. We collapsed their defense a few times and kicked out for perimeter shots, but we didn’t stick with it. Other times, we tried to challenge their size one-on-one, which didn’t work in our favor.”
On Giving Up 40 First-Half Points
Paris highlighted a combination of defensive lapses and tough shot-making by Georgia as reasons for the Bulldogs’ strong first half:
“Our energy could have been better, but they also hit some tough shots. They made contested mid-range jumpers, hook shots, and difficult finishes. That’s eight points right there that could’ve gone the other way. Then, we had breakdowns—like Jordan Butler getting spun around for a layup. That adds up to about 14 points we gave away.”
Looking Ahead: Tennessee and the SEC Tournament
With No. 4 Tennessee up next, Paris confirmed that the team will return home before heading to Nashville for the SEC Tournament:
“I think we’re coming back here. I let Colby Arendale tell me what I’m doing most days, so I’ll go with that.”
Myles Stute’s Eligibility and Nick Pringle’s Future
On Myles Stute’s medical waiver, Paris shared that the process is underway:
“It’s unfortunate how things turned out for Myles. He’s a dedicated worker and a great young man. The paperwork has been filed, but we’ll have to see what the NCAA decides.”
Regarding Nick Pringle’s future, Paris said postseason meetings will determine the next steps:
“As soon as we’re back, we’ll meet with every player. It feels like we’re making transactions, but it’s about finding the best path for everyone. I’ve enjoyed coaching Nick, and we’ll have those discussions when the time comes.”
Final Thoughts
While South Carolina’s regular season is winding down, the SEC Tournament offers one last chance to make noise. Paris remains hopeful but acknowledges that his team must play better to make any kind of run.
