Perhaps most impressively about the win, the Gamecocks, as they have done many times this year, proved themselves to be good enough to win games even with a major contributor struggling. On Saturday, it was Meechie Johnson who couldn't get going (0 points on 0-9 shooting), but the Gamecocks overcame and won 72-64.
BJ Mack was the leading scorer as he put in 21 big points (the same total he scored against Missouri on the road), and three non-Johnson guards combined for 33 points as Ta'Lon Cooper (4-5), Jacobi Wright (3-5), and Morris Ugusuk (3-3) only missed three shots for the whole game. Cooper, Wright, Ugusuk, Mack, and Zach Davis all hit 2 3-pointers.
Freshman Collin Murray-Boyles continued to be a do-it-all freak for the Gamecocks, as well, logging 7 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals while being the best overall defender for Lamont Paris' group. Big Josh Gray also kept up his strong play in the SEC schedule with 5 points, 3 rebounds, and a block in just 13 minutes while also providing some needed physicality and length down low.
Carolina trailed for just 3 minutes during the game, but it was never out of reach. The offense wasn't brilliant, but they made their outside looks (over 50% from 3 if you remove Johnson's shots), and the defense played well outside of a quick Missouri 11-0 run to start the 2nd half.
The win helps secure the Gamecocks in the NCAA Tournament field. Barring a collapse down the stretch (@Tennessee, @Georgia, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, @Auburn, LSU, @Ole Miss, @Texas A&M, Florida, Tennessee, @Mississippi State), South Carolina basketball fans should be able to watch their team play meaningful basketball in March as five more SEC wins should put USC in the Big Dance.
South Carolina Basketball vs. Missouri Tigers
Thumbs Up 1: Return of the Mack
It is no secret that the end of out-of-conference play and the first couple of games of SEC play were not kind to BJ Mack. He struggled with his shot, and his defense wasn't good. However, his past couple of games have been much better on both ends of the court.
On Saturday, Mack led the Gamecocks in scoring with 21 points, and he was efficient, shooting (6-11/2-5/7-11. He also played well on defense against some talented post players from Missouri in Jordan Butler, Connor Vanover, and Jesus Carralero Martin.
South Carolina Basketball vs. Missouri Tigers:
Thumbs Up 2: The "Other Guards"
It really isn't fair to view Ta'Lon Cooper as anything other than a legitimate All-SEC candidate, but when most people think of South Carolina's guards, they think of Meechie Johnson. However, on Saturday, it was the other guards who played well.
Ta'Lon Cooper, Jacobi Wright, and Morris Ugusuk scored 33 points with just 3 missed shots, and their 7 assists and 8 rebounds were big. Wing Zach Davis started again in place of the injured Myles Stute, and he knocked down 2 3-pointers and played pretty well on defense.
South Carolina Basketball vs. Missouri Tigers:
Thumbs Up 3: Collin Murray-Boyles
It can't be understated what type of impact that Collin Murray-Boyles has had on the Gamecocks since getting healthy from his bout with mononucleosis. Now firmly entrenched into the starting lineup, CMB put up another strong game against Missouri.
With 7 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals, it felt like Murray-Boyles was everywhere for Lamont Paris' team. He was very good on defense again, and he was a good compliment to whichever big Coach Paris wanted to play alongside him.
South Carolina Basketball vs. Missouri Tigers:
Thumbs Down 1: Meechie Johnson's Struggles
For much of this season, Meechie Johnson has been South Carolina basketball's best player on offense. Right now, though, the combo guard is struggling, and the struggles continued on Saturday against Missouri.
Johnson shot 0-9 from the field and 0-7 from the 3-point line in a scoreless outing. He only grabbed one rebound, as well, and Coach Paris had to sit his star for much of the 2nd half. The Gamecocks need the dynamic guard to bounce back as they fight forward toward the NCAA Tournament.
South Carolina Basketball vs. Missouri Tigers:
Thumbs Down 2: Perimeter Defense
Zach Davis was pretty good on defense against Missouri, but even he wasn't as good as he can be. The same could be said of Ta'Lon Cooper. Meechie Johnson, Morris Ugusuk, and Jacobi Wright struggled at times, though, and Missouri's top scorers Sean East and Tamar Bates got driving lanes anytime they wanted.
Carolina did not allow Mizzou to take many outside shots (just 8), but they had stretches with slow defensive rotations and overly aggressive closeouts, and East and Bates took advantage. It wasn't a huge problem against the Tigers, but it is something worth cleaning up before the next time out on the floor.
South Carolina Basketball vs. Missouri Tigers:
Thumbs Down 3: Transition
Fast breaks weren't kind to the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday. USC gave up 18 points to the Tigers in transition and only scored 3 points of their own outside of halfcourt sets or the free throw line. Meechie Johnson had a dunk attempt blocked in transition, and Carolina missed two layups on fast breaks, as well.
Sloppy passing killed a few fast break opportunities for the Gamecocks on Saturday, and there were multiple times in which Carolina players did not hustle back on transition defense or run with the ball handler when they tried to push the pace.