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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GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 01: Head coach Frank Martin of the South Carolina Gamecocks looks on in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Expectations for the season

South Carolina has made strides as a program, but they aren’t at a place where they can lose their best players and reload right away to make it back to the big dance. You have to give the coaching staff credit for trying, as every grad transfer with a lick of talent was being pursued by them this off-season. Unfortunately outside of Myers, they all rebuffed the Gamecocks.

The backcourt of Myers and Holden were great in the mid-major world, but stepping up to play against power five athletes is a huge leap. If they’re unable to transfer their production to the SEC, it’s big trouble for the team.

In that case, the emerging frontcourt of Kotsar and Silva will be relied on more than ever, both on defense and offense. However, both guys will have to stay on the court for long periods of time, because the depth behind them is limited.

Next: 5 SEC questions for 2017-18

The fortunes of this team could ultimately depend on the availability of Felder, who could come back right before conference play. His physicality and toughness in limited minutes last season fit perfectly into Martin’s system, and his return could ultimately be the difference between a return to the big dance and an NIT appearance.

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