The South Carolina Gamecocks experienced a devastating defeat against the Florida Gators on Wednesday night, falling 95-48. This loss marks a significant low point in their season as they now hold an 11-10 record overall and a disappointing 2-6 in conference play, placing them second-to-last in their league.
The Gamecocks” 47-point loss is recorded as the fourth worst in the history of the program. The last time South Carolina faced a defeat of this magnitude was in 1999, when they lost by the same margin to Syracuse. To find a more substantial loss, one would need to go back to 1930, when they fell to Furman by 59 points.
Throughout the game, South Carolina struggled significantly with rebounding, as the Gators dominated the boards with 45 rebounds compared to the Gamecocks” 24. Florida showcased their shooting prowess, converting 43 percent of their three-point attempts and 62 percent from the field. In stark contrast, South Carolina managed only 15 percent from beyond the arc and 26 percent overall.
The only players from South Carolina to reach double digits were Meechie Johnson, who scored 10 points along with one rebound and two assists, and Eli Ellis, who contributed 13 points, two rebounds, and one assist. For Florida, Thomas Haugh led the scoring with 18 points, three rebounds, and one assist.
This season has been a struggle for South Carolina, as they have lost five of their last six games, with three of those defeats coming by margins greater than 20 points. Unless a significant turnaround occurs, it appears the Gamecocks will once again miss out on postseason play.
They will look to rebound on Friday when they face the LSU Tigers. This matchup presents a potential opportunity for the Gamecocks, as LSU has only secured one win in conference play so far. The last contest between these two teams ended with a South Carolina victory by 10 points, but this time they will need to perform well on the road.
It has been a stark contrast to two years ago when the Gamecocks made their appearance in the NCAA tournament. Coach Lamont Paris and his squad will need to find solutions quickly as the season progresses to regain momentum.
