COLUMBIA, S.C. — In what many consider to be the biggest game in the history of the Colonial Life Arena for the South Carolina men’s basketball program, the 17th-ranked Gamecocks host number four Tennessee with a chance to pull into a first place tie with the Volunteers.
Carolina is 12-4 in the SEC, one game behind Tennessee who currently sits alone in first place with a 13-3 conference mark.
A victory over the Volunteers followed by a win Saturday at Mississippi State would give the Gamecocks the outright SEC regular season title and the top seed in next week’s SEC Tournament.
Considering his team was picked to finish last in the SEC according to the preseason media poll, Lamont Paris is a lock for SEC Coach of the Year and will receive strong consideration for national coach of the year honors.
Auburn and Alabama are tied for third with 12-5 SEC records.