South Carolina basketball: 2017-18 preview for the Gamecocks

GREENVILLE, SC - MARCH 19: Head coach Frank Martin of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts in the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2017 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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GREENVILLE, SC – MARCH 19: Duane Notice /

Key Non-Conference games

11/16 – Illinois State

11/30 – Temple (Madison Square Garden)

12/14 – Clemson

1/27 – Texas Tech (Big 12/SEC Challenge)

South Carolina never typically has a strong out of conference schedule, which bit them in the behind before. Their best opponent is likely the Raiders of Texas Tech, but even they aren’t considered a sure-fire tournament team.

The goal for the Gamecocks will be to avoid the bad losses, as those games will have more consequences to an at-large resume than mediocre wins.

Key Conference games

1/3 – Missouri

1/9 – at Alabama

1/16 – Kentucky

1/24 – at Florida

2/3 – at Texas A&M

2/10 – Florida

One source of good news in this unbalanced schedule is that South Carolina won’t be going to Rupp Arena to play Kentucky. The only game will be at South Carolina this year.

The schedule is very front-loaded, with road games against Florida and the sudden dangerous Missouri Tigers in the first month of conference play. On the back end, the last six games are very winnable, including a couple against the reeling Auburn Tigers. If a string of wins are needed towards the end, the Gamecocks will have their shot.

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