Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Evaluating 2017 Final Four teams’ odds of a return trip

By Holden Walter-Warner

CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 30: Joel Berry II
CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 30: Joel Berry II /
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GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 01: Chris Silva
GLENDALE, AZ – APRIL 01: Chris Silva /

South Carolina Gamecocks (9-5)

As of this writing, the Gamecocks have a better SEC record than Texas A&M. That has to count for something. So does last year’s trip to the Final Four, the first in school history.

What followed has not been pretty. Two of the best players in program history found their way to the NBA, leaving little in the wake of Sindarius Thornwell and P.J. Dozier’s departures. The suspension of Rakym Felder, which is not expected to end this season, hurt the team as well.

14 games into the season, South Carolina has a grand total of zero victories against major conference foes. Even if they won games against Illinois State and Temple – which they didn’t – their 11-3 record would look unimpressive when lined up against their strength of schedule.

Chris Silva is averaging 13.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game and has a fighting chance to land on an All-SEC team. That would likely be the highlight for a team that may not even play past the SEC Tournament this year.

Next: First bracketology of 2018

Star recruit Zion Williamson will announce his commitment in two weeks – the Gamecocks are still on his list. That should be the last time South Carolina is in the news this season.

Prediction: No postseason play