'Very resilient' South Carolina looks to make some noise in Hoover, solidify postseason case
It’s a brand new season. Regardless of how the last two weeks have gone for South Carolina, things can feel a lot better if it finds a way to just get one win.
“Kids are much more resilient than I think we all give them credit for,” head coach Mark Kingston said. “They know what we’ve been through. They know the gauntlet that we’ve endured. This team is playing as hard as they can. They’re supporting each other, and there’s been no hanging our heads or moping.”
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Heading into the SEC Tournament, the Gamecocks are in something of a tail spin. After looking like a regional host or better a few weeks ago, circumstances have changed after dropping their last six games. They’ve gone from potential Super Regional host to barely staying above water in the hunt for the postseason.
“You know, I keep getting asked, ‘How’s the team doing?’ The people asking that, generally — if they saw how this team practiced today, if they saw how we are on the bus, if they saw how they support each other in the dugout, the questions wouldn’t be asked because this team is very resilient,” Kingston said.
Despite their recent struggles, the team is still in a good spot. They’re 19th in RPI, seventh in strength of schedule and have 13 wins in SEC play this year. Kingston continues to believe in the set precedent. If you have these numbers, you should be in the NCAA Tournament.
“The resume’s very strong. It’s just we happened to play the best schedule in the country. (We) played 18 games against the top seven teams in the RPI,” Kingston said. “It’s a ridiculously hard schedule. We endured it, we survived it and we still came out the other side with a 19 RPI. So that’s a slam dunk NCAA team.”
South Carolina opens its stay in Hoover against Alabama on Tuesday (2 p.m., SECN). Just like their opponent, the Crimson Tide are in a very similar situation. They also have 13 SEC wins and are on the bubble of making the postseason.
While both teams could make it either way with their resumes, a win would certainly go a long way in solidifying one’s case.
“I have no doubt now. But 14 would be great, 15 would be better and 16 would be better than that,” Kingston said. “As we have all year, we just try to win the next game.”
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Although, South Carolina’s history in Hoover isn’t exactly for the faint of heart. During Kingston’s tenure, the Gamecocks have lost in the first round three times and only have two wins in the tournament since he got here.
But in what will be Kingston’s sixth trip to this house of horrors, he’s hoping for a better outcome. And one win or better this week all but certainly locks up a spot in a regional. Beyond that, he still has hope, with a good run of course, that this team can get back on the hosting bubble.
“Look, we go there and win three or four (games), then you’re right back in that conversation,” Kingston said. “That’s what a thin line this whole thing is. Are you worried about getting in, or are you worried about hosting? If you think you still are within striking distance of being able to host with a good run, then, obviously, you should be in the NCAA Tournament.”
