Show Me My Opponent, 2023-24: South Carolina, Part One
Hootie and the No-Longer-Blowsfish
Tennessee welcomes the South Carolina Gamecocks to Knoxville in the final game of a pretty pivotal January for both. For Tennessee, it was pivotal in the “be at the top of the SEC standings entering February” category, which they’ve done. For South Carolina, it was “deliver on the promise of non-conference play,” which I would say they’ve also done. It’s hard to look at each’s respective January to date and not call them each a real success.
While South Carolina’s goals for the year are probably pretty modest - make the NCAA Tournament, be a strong SEC team, potentially finish top four, etc. - this does represent a huge chance for a statement. Beating Kentucky at home is meaningful, sure. But beating a top 10 SEC team on the road is something South Carolina does not do. They beat #8 A&M in 2016 and #7 Florida in 2006. Beyond that, they’re 2-21 in their last 23 bites at the big top 10 apple versus SEC competition.
Tennessee has largely done well with the Gamecocks under Rick Barnes, going 11-4 and having won nine of the last 10. (Also worth noting they’re a perfect 10-0 when favored in this matchup.) But, as Hootie and the Blowfish said…ah, I don’t know. They always bored me, sorry.
BEHIND THE WALL ($): you guessed it: a competent, good South Carolina team