ROCK HILL - South Carolina’s first public look at the new group came with all the usual exhibition-game caveats: lineups still in flux, some guys still learning the system, and no shortage of rough edges to sand down.
Still, the Gamecocks handled enough of the important stuff to beat Wake Forest 78-69 on Thursday at the Sports and Event Center. They dealt with pressure, survived a late push, and leaned on a few newcomers to finish the job.
The night’s biggest issue showed up right away and again when Wake tightened the screws: getting the ball cleanly through the press. South Carolina built its largest lead at 17, watched it shrink to five, then saw a 10-point cushion get chopped to that margin in just 14 seconds by the Demon Deacons’ defense. But the Gamecocks settled back in, and Kory Mincy buried a jumper from the line after being defended one-on-one to seal it.
"We had to handle a little adversity. If you can draw it up, you want it the way things happened.
In all honesty, we haven’t done a lot against the press," Paris said. "We will, obviously."
Even with the rough spots, Lamont Paris had reason to like what he saw in other parts of the floor. South Carolina’s help defense around the basket was active, and the team kept bodying up and battling inside when Wake tried to turn the game into a paint fight.
"The way we can defend, I do think it takes a toll on other teams," said Cam Heide. "Also, I think it wore them down later in the game."
Jakub Necas was the most complete piece on the floor for the Gamecocks, finishing with 22 points, five rebounds and two blocks. Paris called him probably the most versatile player on the roster, and Necas looked the part, especially as South Carolina slowly found answers against Wake’s zone.
Freshman Marcus Johnson, stepping into the point guard role after the departure of cousin Meechie Johnson, showed the kind of burst that turns heads fast. He finished with 13 points and flashed easy rim pressure, including a couple of plays that suggested the family trait runs deep.
South Carolina didn’t rush shots against the zone the way last year’s more perimeter-heavy team might have. This group stayed patient, worked for openings and waited for Wake Forest’s shape to crack.
Heide helped make that happen. The Texas transfer, known for his shooting, knocked down a pair of 3-pointers to open the second half and finished with 14 points as USC held a nine-point lead for much of the final period.
There were other notable first impressions, too. Davion Hannah, the Alabama transfer, played with real pop and no fear in traffic, even if the shot chart wasn’t pretty - he went 1-of-6 from the floor but made 5-of-6 free throws. Juan Fernandez, who has pro international experience, wasn’t flashy running the floor, but he did the dirty work inside and gave South Carolina rebounds, blocks and points before fouling out with 10 points, eight rebounds and a block in 22 minutes.
Wake Forest, with assistant coach BJ McKie - South Carolina’s all-time leading scorer - on the bench, clearly keyed on Mincy and kept sending extra defenders his way.
The game was South Carolina’s first official scrimmage, even though the team beat Davidson in a closed “secret” scrimmage last weekend. It also marked another visit to a venue the Gamecocks know well; they’ve used the Rock Hill site for two other “secret” scrimmages and beat Florida State there in a regular-season game in 2021.
South Carolina will wrap up exhibition play against Campbell on Oct. 25 before opening the season at home against Stetson on Nov. 3.
Not everyone was available Thursday. Fifth-year guard Shane Blakeney, who is from Legion Collegiate and then played at Drexel, sat out with a minor injury and is day-to-day. Center Nasir Hines also missed the game, and Paris said the sophomore from Cleveland and Palm Beach College is ineligible this season.
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Even at 3-3, there is a noticeable difference in the way South Carolina carries itself on that side of the ball, and Shane Beamer has made it clear he values the lift Briles has brought. The former Clemson rival has been a fitting fit so far, giving the Gamecocks reason to believe the progress is real while leaving the bigger question of how high this offense can still rise. [Read more 🡒]
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Wake Forest brings its own roster turnover into the matchup, so this should tell both programs a little about where they stand after a busy offseason. Fans will be able to follow along through broadcast coverage, and tickets are available for anyone who wants an early glimpse at how South Carolinas overhauled group is coming together before the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
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For a program trying to get back to the postseason for the first time in two years, the path is suddenly clear enough to matter. Bowl projections have already started to point toward the Gasparilla Bowl if South Carolina keeps stacking wins, and there is even a chance for something a little better if it can get past Tennessee next week. For now, the Florida win did more than improve the record - it reopened a path that looked much narrower just a week ago. [Read more 🡒]