Busting Brackets
Fansided

South Carolina Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Gamecocks

By Brian Rauf

GREENVILLE, SC - MARCH 19: Chris Silva #30 of the South Carolina Gamecocks dunks the ball 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)
GREENVILLE, SC - MARCH 19: Chris Silva #30 of the South Carolina Gamecocks dunks the ball 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 30: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during practice before the 2018 Men’s NCAA Final Four at the Alamodome on March 30, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 30: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during practice before the 2018 Men’s NCAA Final Four at the Alamodome on March 30, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Non-conference schedule

Nov. 6: USC Upstate
Nov. 9: Stony Brook
Nov. 13: Norfolk State
Nov. 17: vs. Providence (Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off)
Nov. 18: vs. George Washington/Michigan (Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off)
Nov. 26: Wofford
Nov. 30: Coastal Carolina
Dec. 5: at Wyoming
Dec. 8: at Michigan
Dec. 19: Virginia
Dec. 22: Clemson
Dec. 31: North Greenville
Jan. 26: at Oklahoma State

South Carolina doesn’t have a non-conference schedule that features many challenges – it’s one that focuses more on the number of wins rather than quality – but there are a few notable games worth watching.

Most notably, the Gamecocks have two potential games against Michigan (the reigning national runners-up) on the schedule. The two will meet in a previously-scheduled game in Ann Arbor on Dec. 8 but could meet in the final round of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off.

Whether they play them once or twice, the Wolverines will provide a very stiff test because of their offensive production. They have several players capable of winning a game by themselves, meaning South Carolina’s young players will have to be up to speed defensively if they’re going to hang with Michigan.

However, their biggest non-conference game comes when they host Virginia on Dec. 19. The Cavaliers return virtually their entire core from last year’s ACC championship team and are expected to be a preseason top five team. It could be ugly to watch, however, as both teams figure to be among the best defensive teams in the country (as they traditionally have been).

Who’s ready for the rock fight to end all rock fights?

South Carolina will follow that game with in-state rival Clemson, who is also expected to be ranked in preseason polls after making the Sweet 16 a year ago.

Home/South Carolina Gamecocks