Lamont Paris is doing something weird in Columbia, and honestly, it’s working. If you’re looking at the South Carolina men’s basketball schedule, you probably noticed the Gamecocks aren't just coasting through a soft non-conference slate anymore. They are hunting.
After a 2024 season that shocked basically the entire SEC, the expectations have shifted from "hope we're competitive" to "why aren't we ranked higher?" It is a fascinating time to be a fan at Colonial Life Arena. The schedule this year is a gauntlet, specifically designed to keep the NET rankings high and the Quad 1 opportunities frequent.
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The Grind of the SEC Calendar
The meat of the South Carolina men’s basketball schedule really hits when January rolls around. You've got the standard home-and-home rivalries, but the SEC is a different beast now with Oklahoma and Texas in the mix.
Take a look at the upcoming stretch for January 2026. It’s brutal.
On Tuesday, January 20, the Gamecocks host the Oklahoma Sooners at 6:00 PM CST. That’s a massive home game. Then, things get really tricky. The team has to fly out to College Station to face Texas A&M on Saturday, January 24.
If you think there's a breather after that, you're wrong. Florida comes to Columbia on Wednesday, January 28, followed by a home tilt against LSU on Saturday, January 31. That is four high-stakes games in eleven days.
Non-Conference Lessons
Early season play showed us a lot about this roster. We saw the Gamecocks handle Southern Miss in November and battle through the ACC/SEC Challenge against Virginia Tech. Those games weren't just about wins; they were about finding out if the new pieces fit.
Mike Sharavjamts, the 6'9" senior from Mongolia, has been a revelation. His ability to facilitate the offense from the wing takes so much pressure off the guards. And let's talk about Meechie Johnson. Returning to Columbia was a legacy move, and his veteran presence is the only reason those close December games didn't slip away.
- Key Home Games: Oklahoma (Jan 20), Florida (Jan 28), LSU (Jan 31), Missouri (Feb 7).
- Toughest Road Trips: At Auburn (Jan 17), At Texas A&M (Jan 24), At Texas (Feb 3).
- The Rivalry: The Clemson game is always circled, but the conference battles with Tennessee and Kentucky are where the season is truly decided.
Why the Schedule Matters for March
Most people look at a schedule and just check for "W" or "L" marks. But Lamont Paris is playing the long game. By scheduling South Carolina State and Albany in late December, he gave the freshmen like Eli Ellis and Hayden Assemian room to breathe and find their rhythm before the SEC storm.
The SEC tournament in Nashville is the ultimate goal, but the seeding starts now. Every Tuesday night game in January is a brick in the wall. If the Gamecocks can split their road games and defend Colonial Life Arena, they are looking at a top-four seed in the conference.
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Nuance is everything here. You can't just look at the win-loss record. You have to look at the strength of schedule. The SEC is currently the deepest basketball conference in the country, and the South Carolina men’s basketball schedule reflects that reality. There are no "off" nights.
Managing the Roster Depth
The 2025-26 roster is arguably more talented than last year's squad, even if it lacks a single "superstar" archetype. It's a blue-collar group.
Collin Murray-Boyles staying for another year was the biggest "recruit" Paris landed. His defensive versatility allows the Gamecocks to switch everything on the perimeter, which is vital when you're playing high-octane offenses like Alabama or Florida.
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Watching the team rotate 10 players deep in the first half isn't a sign of indecision. It’s a strategy. They want to wear teams down by the under-four media timeout in the second half. That’s when the "Paris Ball" slow-down offense usually breaks the opponent's spirit.
Actionable Steps for Gamecocks Fans
If you’re planning to follow the rest of the South Carolina men’s basketball schedule, here is how to stay ahead of the curve:
1. Sync your digital calendar. Don't rely on memory for the midweek 9:00 PM ET tip-offs. The SEC Network times often shift based on the games preceding them.
2. Watch the NET Rankings. After the Florida game on January 28, check the NCAA's official NET rankings. This will give you the most accurate picture of where the Gamecocks stand for tournament selection.
3. Arrive early for home games. Colonial Life Arena has seen a massive surge in attendance. If you’re heading to the Oklahoma or LSU games, give yourself at least 45 minutes for security and seating.
The path to the NCAA Tournament isn't a straight line. It’s a messy, loud, and often stressful journey through one of the toughest schedules in the nation. But for the Gamecocks, that's exactly how they like it.