Following the South Carolina Gamecocks’ 85-50 loss to No. 17 Mississippi State on January 4, 2025, head coach Lamont Paris addressed the media, expressing his disappointment with the team’s performance.
Paris acknowledged the Bulldogs’ strong play, stating, “Mississippi State did a lot of things well; we didn’t do many things well at all.” He noted that while some players were experiencing their first SEC game, the overall execution was lacking, stating, “We just didn’t have it.”
He emphasized the need for increased physicality and aggressiveness, areas where the Gamecocks fell short. Paris observed that Mississippi State’s inherent aggressiveness was unmatched by South Carolina, leading to defensive lapses. “We didn’t compete that way,” Paris admitted, expressing surprise at the team’s lack of resistance.
The coach also addressed the team’s struggles with offensive execution, particularly in passing and shooting. He noted that the difficulties seemed interconnected, with one player’s struggles affecting others. Paris expressed concern over the team’s inability to respond during the game, mentioning a perceived “disconnect” in the second half.
Looking ahead, Paris maintained a consistent sense of urgency for improvement, regardless of the game’s outcome. He emphasized the importance of each game in the 18-game SEC schedule, stating, “They are as motivated to be 1-1 in the conference as they would be if they were 1-0 after today.”
The Gamecocks will aim to rebound from this loss as they continue their SEC campaign, seeking to address the issues highlighted by Coach Paris and enhance their performance in upcoming games.
For a more in-depth understanding, you can watch Coach Paris’s full post-game press conference below: