South Carolina Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Gamecocks

By Brian Rauf | Sep 28, 2019

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) /

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 15: Samir Doughty #10 of the Auburn Tigers shoots the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the Quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Season outlook

South Carolina should fully expect to make it back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since that magical 2017 Final Four run or, at the very least, be in the bubble conversation.

Martin has finally been able to restock this roster with talent after it was so depleted due to unexpected departures following that run and should be able to have success in a relatively wide open SEC behind Kentucky, Florida, and LSU.

However, there are two big questions facing this team that will determine just how successful they will be. Without Chris Silva and Hassani Gravett, the Gamecocks lack experience – will that matter? And can they find reliable, consistent point guard play?

AJ Lawson gives South Carolina their first legitimate star since Sindarius Thornwell and the combination of him, Minaya, and Bryant on the wing will give opponents plenty of matchup problems. They should be able to provide enough offense to complement what we know will be a stingy defense under Martin.

There’s a real possibility that youth and inconsistent point guard play will sink the Gamecocks and keep them out of the postseason altogether for sixth time in Martin’s tenure. At the same time, there’s also enough talent on this roster to think they should finish in the top six in the SEC, potentially finishing as high as fourth for the second straight year.

Next. SEC Preseason Power Rankings. dark

Chances are, we’ll know which direction things will go for the Gamecocks following their trip to Cancun and that tough December stretch. My guess is they fall somewhere in the middle and sneak into the NCAA Tournament as a bubble team.

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