South Carolina basketball has been living in the shadows of its own women’s program for years. Dawn Staley built a dynasty, and the men’s side has been grinding to find that kind of identity. Lamont Paris is trying to change that.
He has got recruiting momentum, a stronger staff, and a roster that feels more SEC-ready than in past years. But here is the thing. In the SEC, ready means nothing if you cannot finish games against Kentucky, Tennessee, or Alabama. Paris knows this is not about moral victories anymore. It is about building a contender that can actually push for March.
This year feels like a pivot point. The question is not if South Carolina can compete. It is if Paris can finally get them to believe they belong.
