South Carolina basketball head coach Lamont Paris was emotionally and physically drained after his team’s 83–79 overtime victory against Southern Miss on Sunday night at Colonial Life Arena. The Gamecocks improved to 2–0 on the season, but Paris admitted the win didn’t come easy — or without lessons.
“This might be the most exhausted I’ve ever been after a game in my whole life,” Paris said, opening his postgame remarks. “That was an exhausting game — the roller coaster of everything that was happening.”
Despite the dramatic finish, Paris made sure to credit the Golden Eagles for their toughness and fight.
“I hate when someone says, ‘That was not our finest effort,’ because that takes away from the other team,” he explained. “They were tougher than us today — maybe just tougher than us, period. They deserve credit for that.”
Yet, in Paris’ mind, the adversity was necessary. “The way the game turned out was perfect,” he continued. “You can never script something better for your team to learn from. This game tested every part of us — execution, focus, composure. It was exactly what we needed, even if it was tough to live through as a coach.”
Three-Point Barrage and Offensive Challenges
South Carolina’s identity under Paris has been clear — the Gamecocks love to shoot threes. Against Southern Miss, they set a school record with 43 attempts, hitting 16 of them. But Paris said the number wasn’t by design — it came as a product of how Southern Miss defended.
“They switch everything, they crowd the paint, and they don’t let you drive all the way in,” Paris said. “So you skip it for threes. And I thought most of those were good, clean looks.”
While acknowledging the streaky nature of shooting, Paris said he’s comfortable with his players’ shot selection.
“From a points-per-possession standpoint, we were in a fine spot,” he said. “If threes are open, go ahead and shoot ’em.”
Managing Lineups and Trusting Freshmen
Paris was also asked about his decision to keep two freshmen — Eli Ellis and Hayden Assemian — on the court during crunch time.
“The flow of the game dictated it,” he explained. “Those guys were playing well, and we made our run with that group. Once we got rolling, I wasn’t going to break that rhythm.”
He also praised Assemian’s maturity and effort.
“I’ve been so impressed with that guy,” Paris said. “He plays incredibly hard and knows exactly what we need from him. He’s obedient — and I mean that in the highest regard. He’s physical, he’s disciplined, and he’s growing fast.”
Paris confirmed that Abu Yarmah will redshirt this season, saying, “He felt really comfortable with that decision. If he’s happy, I’m happy.”
Meechie Johnson’s Heroics
The game’s defining moment came from Meechie Johnson, who went “supernova,” hitting clutch shots down the stretch and in overtime. Paris smiled when asked what he told his star guard before those plays.
“I told him to make them,” he joked. “Seriously, I just trust him completely. We have a unique relationship — I can coach him hard, tell him the truth, and he knows it comes from belief in him.”
Johnson delivered, finishing with a team-high performance that fueled South Carolina’s late surge.
Defensive Lapses and Lessons
The Gamecocks’ defense, however, had its share of breakdowns. Paris admitted that a miscommunication cost them a late layup at the end of regulation.
“We were ‘cornfused,’” Paris said with a grin. “We were supposed to be in zone, but some wires got crossed. Four guys were doing one thing, one guy was doing another — that’s never good. That one’s on me.”
Despite those lapses, Paris praised his team’s perseverance and ability to respond under pressure.
Looking Ahead
Three players — Johnson, Ellis, and Myles Stute — accounted for 70 of the team’s 83 points, something Paris said is both a luxury and a concern.
“You can’t rely on it every night,” he cautioned. “But sometimes you just need guys to take over when the game slows down. Tonight, those guys did exactly that.”
After a grueling win, Paris ended with a note of perspective:
“It wasn’t pretty, but our guys found a way. Games like this build character. They test who you are — and I’m proud of how we responded.”
South Carolina will look to carry that resilience into its next game, as Lamont Paris and his squad continue to forge their identity early in the 2025–26 season.
