Lamont Paris looking for more 'defensive competitiveness' from South Carolina

South Carolina prioritized shooting, skill and experience while building its roster in the portal. 

So it stands to reason the Gamecocks should be improved on the offensive end of the floor. But a week into practice it’s the defensive end where Lamont Paris wants to see more growth. 

“Defensive competitiveness in a one-on-one scenario. That’s part of it. You have to look the guy across from you in the face,” Paris said. “And he has to believe he’s going to have a tough time scoring on you. For some guys, that’s never been their role in their entire careers. Developing that can be a challenge.” 

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South Carolina wasn’t a good defensive team last year, ranking No. 226 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency. The Gamecocks’ 107.3 points per 100 possessions allowed was well above the national average of 104.8 points per 100 allowed. 

South Carolina ranked No. 13 out of 14 teams in the SEC in league play allowing 113.6 points per 100 possessions. Only LSU (113.7) was worse. 

South Carolina has some pieces–especially veterans and guys who’ve been in the system for a year–to improve on that end of the floor. The key now is actually doing it. 

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“We have to develop someone to be our best defender. Then we have to develop our worst defender to where his defensive effort is at minimum acceptable. If you do both of those things and everything else in the middle is OK you’ll be fine,” Paris said.

“If you have one guy who can be the litmus of how you’re going to play that day defensively…if your worst defender that plays a lot can be reasonable, I think you have a chance.” 

The Gamecocks return their three best defensive players per EvanMiya in Josh Gray (1.17 DBPR), Zachary Davis (0.72) and Jacobi Wright (minus-0.06). 

But all three guys have to continue to improve along with the rest of the roster if the Gamecocks are going to take another step defensively. 

If South Carolina does, Paris likes what this team can be. 

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“We have a lot of work to do on the defensive end, but we have a lot of guys who can put the ball in the basket,” Paris said. “It would be really hard for me to put a ceiling on what we can do. I stay cautiously optimistic. But I like our group a lot. I really like our group. We have a chance to be pretty good if we can put it together on the defensive end.” 

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