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South Carolina Basketball – Projecting Next Season’s Starting Lineup

By Jacob Elsey

AUBURN, AL - JANUARY 22: Jermaine Couisnard #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks drives around Allen Flanigan #22 of the Auburn Tigers during the second half of the game at Auburn Arena on January 22, 2020 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL - JANUARY 22: Jermaine Couisnard #5 of the South Carolina Gamecocks drives around Allen Flanigan #22 of the Auburn Tigers during the second half of the game at Auburn Arena on January 22, 2020 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – FEBRUARY 6: Justin Minaya #10 of the South Carolina Gamecocks playing defense during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on February 6, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Gamecocks 81-65. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – FEBRUARY 6: Justin Minaya #10 of the South Carolina Gamecocks playing defense during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on February 6, 2018 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Gamecocks 81-65. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

OUTLOOK

Frank Martin has a strong core returning to next year’s team, and he should have a ton of experience and flexibility to work with, particularly in the backcourt.  For those reasons, college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein already has the Gamecocks in his preseason Top 45.

South Carolina will need to replace senior Maik Kotsar, which will require contributions from multiple players, but Coach Martin should have the availability to mix and match lineups depending on opponents.  Inexperience at the PF and C positions is a legitimate concern, but I think we’ll see the coaching staff plug wing players into these roles to help negate it.

Barring any unforeseen injuries or departures, South Carolina should be competitive enough to build upon last season, finish in the top half of the SEC for the fifth time in six years, and earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

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