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

By Brian Rauf | Oct 19, 2018

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) /

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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) /

Season outlook

This is going to be another year of growing pains for the Gamecocks with so many freshmen playing key roles in the rotation. That’s something of the norm in college basketball nowadays, but the learning curve is steeper under Frank Martin because of the way he wants his teams to play defense.

I believe that will lead to some inconsistencies for the Gamecocks. They have the potential to – and I think they will – pull off a notable upset or two. On the flip side, they will also go through stretches where they really struggle and may lose a game or two they shouldn’t.

For as good as Chris Silva is, this season will be about building for the future. Martin wants to see his young players step up and fill major roles, giving themselves a firm identity for the 2019-2020 season when the program could take off (again).

Next. Preseason SEC Rankings for 2018-19. dark

South Carolina was projected to finish 11th in the SEC in the preseason poll, and that number feels about right for them given the overall strength of the conference. Making the NIT would be considered a success for this season.

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