OPINION: Examining The Hesitation Amongst Voters & Gamecock MBB
South Carolina Men's Basketball team, headed by second-year head coach Lamont Paris, has been on fire to start the 2023 season. The Gamecocks are currently 8-1 and sit at #6 and #28 in the NCAA's RPI and NET rankings, respectively. South Carolina also came in at #33 in Andy Katz's "Super 36" national power rankings this week after being ranked #26 the week prior.
However, some Gamecock fans have been up in arms on social media, as the team has seen little love in terms of votes from the AP and Coaches polls. The Week 6 AP poll saw South Carolina receive just 3 points, good for No. 39 in the poll. The Gamecocks didn't receive a single vote in the Coaches' poll.
With a strength of resume (SOR) ranking of #17 in the country and an 8-1 record, it's hard to argue that Gamecock fans don't have a point. Furthermore, South Carolina's only loss on the season was a 5-point loss on the road to the undefeated Clemson Tigers, who are ranked the #11/13 team in the Coaches'/AP Polls.
While the Gamecocks might not have the full attention of poll voters yet, this could be an advantage for Coach Paris as he works to keep his team focused throughout the coming weeks. The team has responded the right way to being picked to finish dead last in the SEC and certainly seems to have played with a chip on their shoulder. If Carolina continues to play at a high level, they will almost certainly be in the NCAA Tournament.
It is becoming an increasingly common gripe amongst Gamecock fans that the polls don't show their teams the proper respect. Many fans believe the polls in several sports wait until South Carolina has broken through as a top team in the nation before showing them respect in the polls. However, I think Gamecock fans should relish being the underdog as much as their teams do. South Carolina's men's basketball team certainly has a lot to prove the rest of this season, and if they continue to take care of business, they will find themselves dancing in March.
Let the rankings go for now, Gamecock fans, and for the rest of the year, remember this old saying from the Oakland Raider's legendary owner Al Davis: "Just win, baby."
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