While visibly disappointed by the result, Paris praised his players for their fight against one of the best teams in the nation, especially in the face of adversity.
“We gave ourselves a chance to win against a really, really good team,” Paris began. “I’m proud of the way our guys battled tonight. We had to adjust without a couple of key contributors, but that’s part of the game. What I saw was a team that refused to back down, and that’s something to build on.”
Freshman forward Collin Murray-Boyles stole the spotlight with a career-high 25 points, showcasing why he’s one of the team’s most promising young players. Paris had high praise for his effort. “Collin was phenomenal tonight,” Paris said. “He’s a competitor, plain and simple. Whether it’s fighting for rebounds, attacking the basket, or playing tough defense, he’s always ready. I’m really proud of him for stepping up in a big moment.”
South Carolina’s defense was a highlight of the night, holding Auburn to one of their lowest-scoring games of the season. Paris credited his coaching staff and players for the game plan but noted there’s still work to do. “Our defense kept us in this game,” Paris said. “We made things uncomfortable for Auburn, and we forced turnovers. That was one of the goals coming in. But on the offensive side, we had some missed opportunities. We need to clean that up.”
Missing guards Myles Stute and Jamarii Thomas, the Gamecocks leaned on younger players to fill the void. While they performed admirably, Paris admitted their absence hurt the team’s rhythm. “You can’t replace guys like Myles and Jamarii easily,” Paris explained. “But I thought the guys who stepped in gave everything they had. That’s the culture we’re trying to build here—next man up.”
The loss moves South Carolina to 10-6 overall and 0-3 in SEC play, but Paris remains optimistic about the team’s trajectory. “This group has so much potential,” Paris said. “We’re learning how to finish games. We’re going to keep working on the little things, and eventually, those close games are going to start going our way.”
The Gamecocks now shift their focus to their next matchup, a road game against Vanderbilt on January 15. Paris acknowledged the challenge ahead but emphasized the importance of sticking to the process. “Every game in this league is a test,” Paris said. “We’ll watch the film, make adjustments, and get ready to go again. That’s all we can do—focus on getting better every day.”
For a more in-depth understanding of Coach Paris’s perspective, you can watch the full postgame press conference below: