Which games are "must wins" for South Carolina basketball to secure March Madness invite?
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Basketball's "Must Wins" for March Madness Berth
No. 2 @ Texas A&M Aggies
A 3-game losing streak for Texas A&M likely will move to 4 games after a trip to Thompson-Boling Arena to face the Tennessee Volunteers. The Gamecocks could be looking at their own 3-game skid if they fall to Ole Miss this weekend, or they could be looking to start a winning streak themselves. Either way, they need to win against the Fightin' Texas Aggies.
Frank Martin owned the Aggies in College Station, winning 4 of his last 5 tries on the road against A&M. Lamont Paris has not had the opportunity to play out there yet, but his team got smacked by 51 at home last season. Thankfully for this year's version of South Carolina basketball, the teams involved are very different this time around.
South Carolina is better than Texas A&M, but Reed Arena can be a rowdy environment if the home team gets a lead, and A&M might have the two most dynamic scorers in the matchup as Wade Taylor IV and Tyrece Radford can light up the scoreboard.
Former Gamecock Wildens Leveque has been one of the worst transfers in all of college basketball as he has had a really tough year for Buzz Williams' team. If the Gamecocks can force the A&M bigs into foul trouble, Collin Murray-Boyles and BJ Mack should be able to take advantage.
Because the Gamecocks should view themselves as the favorite heading into this game, it is very close to "must-win" territory. If Carolina can't beat Ole Miss in the prior game, the "must win" meter ratchets up significantly for the A&M game.