After starting 22-5 and 9-5 in the SEC, Frank Martin and South Carolina have their hopes set on a trip to The Big Dance.
The Gamecocks have had wins away from home against quality opponents such as Texas A&M and Tulsa, No. 24 and No. 37 in RPI, respectively. To add to their case, a home win over Alabama, No. 48 in RPI, earned South Carolina a split series with a team that many writers projected to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
The long-suffering men’s program carried even more momentum after a high-scoring victory over future NBA first-rounder Ben Simmons and the LSU Tigers, but few could see a trainwreck in the making.
South Carolina had the opportunity to steal the conference lead from Kentucky on Feb. 13, but two things happened instead. First, the Wildcats broke the Gamecocks' spirit on their home floor. A loss to last-place Missouri followed.
New year, same collapse? Why wouldn’t long-suffering Gamecock basketball fans think so?
In its over 100-year history, this school has only qualified for eight NCAA Tournaments. The last time this program was a national power, it was the 1970s, and South Carolina was a member of the ACC.
Twenty-four seasons as a member of the SEC produced only five seasons with a league record over .500, and the one season the Gamecocks won the league’s championship, they were embarrassed by No. 15-seed Coppin State in the national tournament.
The collapse could still happen, but a hard-nosed win over the Florida Gators, No. 32 in RPI, makes that possibility remote. The 73-69 win further builds South Carolina’s resume, and they’ll likely need only one more win to reach the tournament. The selection committee may not have much of a choice. The Gamecocks’ final four games are against Tennessee, Mississippi State, Georgia and Arkansas.
With a 23rd win, it’s a near-certainty that men’s basketball will take part in March Madness for the first time in over 10 years. What a relief.