Not bad some toughies, but over all could win more then lose in the month of Dec. Could have a good win lost between the 2 months before heading into SEC play.
Coastal Carolina (Dec. 1 at Coastal)
The Chanticleers (18-8, 9-5 Sun Belt) were a middle-of-the-road Sun Belt team last year that lost conference player of the year Devante’ Jones to Michigan. The Gamecocks are playing the Chanticleers for the first time since 2018 and are 2-0 against them all-time.
Georgetown (Dec. 5 at Colonial Life Arena)
An NCAA tournament team a year ago, Patrick Ewing’s Hoyas made the big dance by virtue of winning the Big East tournament as a No. 8 seed, but Georgetown (13-13) was shredded by Colorado in the first round. The Hoyas are bringing in a strong recruiting class this season, highlighted by Big East preseason freshman of the year Amniu Mohammed, and a revamped squad could provide a challenge for the Gamecocks.
Florida State (Dec. 12 at Rock Hill)
The Gamecocks will travel to nearby Rock Hill for a unique inaugural No Room for Racism Classic that will also feature several HBCUs. The USC-FSU matchup is the clear marquee matchup of the event, and the Seminoles will almost assuredly be viewed as a favorite after advancing to the Sweet 16 last season. Head coach Leonard Hamilton, 73, was a mentor for Martin early in his career and one of the more widely respected coaches in the game, turning FSU into a national power. “Obviously, Florida State has established itself as a top 15, top 10 caliber program over the last five, six, seven years,” Martin said when the tournament was announced. “Leonard has been unbelievably influential in my career and one of the guys I respect the most in the business.”
Clemson (Dec. 18 at Clemson)
Last year’s rivalry bout between the Gamecocks and Tigers was one of the casualties of the many COVID-19 cancellations USC experienced. The rivalry returns this season, and it represents one of the toughest matchups the Gamecocks will face on the non-conference docket. Brad Brownell’s Clemson squad lost leading scorer Aamir Simms to the NBA but returns a trio of regulars in Al-Amir Dawes, Hunter Tyson and Nick Honor on a team that finished in the Top 50 in both RPI and NET a year ago.
Army (Dec. 22 at Colonial Life Arena)
Army is coming off a middling season (12-10, 8-7 Patriot League), but Jimmy Allen’s team is defensively sound and was one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the Patriot League last season.
Coastal Carolina (Dec. 1 at Coastal)
The Chanticleers (18-8, 9-5 Sun Belt) were a middle-of-the-road Sun Belt team last year that lost conference player of the year Devante’ Jones to Michigan. The Gamecocks are playing the Chanticleers for the first time since 2018 and are 2-0 against them all-time.
Georgetown (Dec. 5 at Colonial Life Arena)
An NCAA tournament team a year ago, Patrick Ewing’s Hoyas made the big dance by virtue of winning the Big East tournament as a No. 8 seed, but Georgetown (13-13) was shredded by Colorado in the first round. The Hoyas are bringing in a strong recruiting class this season, highlighted by Big East preseason freshman of the year Amniu Mohammed, and a revamped squad could provide a challenge for the Gamecocks.
Florida State (Dec. 12 at Rock Hill)
The Gamecocks will travel to nearby Rock Hill for a unique inaugural No Room for Racism Classic that will also feature several HBCUs. The USC-FSU matchup is the clear marquee matchup of the event, and the Seminoles will almost assuredly be viewed as a favorite after advancing to the Sweet 16 last season. Head coach Leonard Hamilton, 73, was a mentor for Martin early in his career and one of the more widely respected coaches in the game, turning FSU into a national power. “Obviously, Florida State has established itself as a top 15, top 10 caliber program over the last five, six, seven years,” Martin said when the tournament was announced. “Leonard has been unbelievably influential in my career and one of the guys I respect the most in the business.”
Clemson (Dec. 18 at Clemson)
Last year’s rivalry bout between the Gamecocks and Tigers was one of the casualties of the many COVID-19 cancellations USC experienced. The rivalry returns this season, and it represents one of the toughest matchups the Gamecocks will face on the non-conference docket. Brad Brownell’s Clemson squad lost leading scorer Aamir Simms to the NBA but returns a trio of regulars in Al-Amir Dawes, Hunter Tyson and Nick Honor on a team that finished in the Top 50 in both RPI and NET a year ago.
Army (Dec. 22 at Colonial Life Arena)
Army is coming off a middling season (12-10, 8-7 Patriot League), but Jimmy Allen’s team is defensively sound and was one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the Patriot League last season.
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