One game into 2025-26 season, what the analytics think of South Carolina basketball

South Carolina basketball opened the 2025-26 season earlier this week with a 91-72 victory over North Carolina A&T. The outcome wasn’t a surprise, and there’s really not much one should take from one game against a smaller conference opponent. However, because the Gamecocks played well on offense and were shaky at times defensively, overreactions (in both directions) have followed.

But what does the data say about South Carolina basketball?

Throughout the season, GamecockCentral will compile the data points and rankings from three major college basketball analytics publications — Ken Pomeroy’s Ken Pom rankings, Evan Miyakawa’s data from EvanMiya.com, and Bart Torvik’s T-Rank numbers — and compare them to USC’s numbers from the previous week.

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As a disclaimer, a one-game sample size doesn’t provide enough data to make a solid analytical statement about a team. This is especially true considering Carolina’s game came against a lower-level opponent, something that will naturally lower the team’s metrics. However, this is the first round of updates to the analytics models since the preseason rankings (set about a month ago), so it is worth noting. Early-season numbers will also include data from last season.

As of November 6th, KenPom slots in South Carolina at No. 90 overall. That is four slots lower than the Gamecocks’ mark from the preseason. The offense didn’t move, maintaining its spot at No. 85. That likely means that USC’s offense received a bump in the raw rankings that then shifted down due to competition level. Defensively, Carolina is now No. 102, five spots lower than Pomeroy’s offseason view.

The numbers from Miyakawa are more of a mixed bag. South Carolina dropped five spots from No. 94 to No. 99 nationally. However, the offense improved to No. 103 from 113. The defense shifted down 15 spots, though, to No. 101. After just one game, Miyakawa moved the Gamecocks’ roster talent ranking up a spot to 90th nationally.

For Bart Torvik, Lamont Paris’ team actually improved in the overall rankings. Now No. 104 (up from 107th), the Gamecocks actually dipped to 114 offensively and 101 defensively, three-spot and one-spot drops, respectively. In the immediate aftermath of the game, Carolina cracked the top-100 but dropped a bit as other games finished.

South Carolina remains 16th out of 16 SEC teams in each analytics model’s rankings. In fact, the Gamecocks are last in the conference in both offense and defense in all three models, as well.

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There will be plenty of chances for South Carolina to improve its analytic standing. Plus, the deeper into the season the Gamecocks get, the more their metrics will stem from this year’s data, instead of combining this year’s performance with the disappointment of the 2024-2025 campaign.

Next up, South Carolina will play another home contest on Sunday, November 9th at Colonial Life Arena. The Gamecocks will host the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at 6:30 p.m. SEC Network will broadcast the game, while the ESPN app makes it available via streaming.

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