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South Carolina Basketball: How the Gamecocks respond to losing Brian Bowen

By Tristan Freeman

GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 01: Head coach Frank Martin of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 01: Head coach Frank Martin of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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South Carolina Basketball was hoping to have Brian Bowen as part of their roster for 2018-19. Circumstances, however, have dashed those hopes.

After making their first-ever Final Four in program history, South Carolina Basketball took a step back this past season. The Gamecocks finished 17-16 (7-11) and were out of the NCAA Tournament picture early on in the season.

A big part of the issues came from the backcourt, with the team unable to replace the lost production from the perimeter players that went pro the season prior. The transfers that came to fill in were unable to produce in the SEC, hence the losses that occurred.

Head coach Frank Martin knew there were issues and tried to get a head start for next year. He was able to get a player, albeit one with a controversial past.

Brian Bowen was a former five-star prospect that was set to play for Louisville last season. He was never able to play, is alleged to have taken impermissible benefits from Rick Pitino and others. It resulted in both the head coach and others losing their jobs, and the program not clearing the freshman to play.

In limbo, Bowen decided to transfer to South Carolina, in hopes that he would be able to play for the 2018-19 season. It was a risk for the Gamecocks to even take him in, but it was also a low one at that.

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The deadline for players to withdraw from the 2018 NBA Draft was coming up and Bowen had his name in “just in case” he wasn’t cleared to play. The NCAA was dragging their feet somewhat, but towards the final days, they informed the former prized recruit that he would have to sit out at least another season – if he was even going to play in college at all.

The risk was too much for Bowen and his family to take, ultimately deciding to stay in the draft and foregoing all eligibility. It’s a huge blow for the Gamecocks, who were in a weak position on the perimeter.

South Carolina on the perimeter

As of now, rising sophomore Justin Minaya is the only guaranteed starter among the guards. The 6’5 guard averaged 7.9 ppg and 4.2 rpg, and should have an expanded role as the second offensive option behind star Chris Silva. Hassain Gravett, who led the team in assists last season with 3.6 apg, will also be called upon to produce more.

It’s iffy everywhere else. Georgetown grad transfer Tre Campbell is the only veteran true point guard on the roster, but he hasn’t shown that he deserved major minutes on a power conference team.

There will be opportunities for solid minutes for incoming freshman guards TJ Moss and Jermaine Couisnard, each ranked around the top-200 for the class of 2018. The recent quality guards for South Carolina weren’t ranked that high either, so the hope is that the program gets lucky once again.

Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft after college decisions

South Carolina looks to once again have questions among the guards coming into the basketball season. The gambit failed with Bowen, so for the sake of the Gamecocks getting back to the Big Dance, let’s hope Coach Martin and the staff had a Plan B in mind.

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