South Carolina vs. Florida: Key Factors to Watch, Opponent Breakdown, and Injury Updates

Good evening, Gamecock fans. Here’s a live update on South Carolina basketball as they continue to struggle in SEC play, sitting at 10-14 overall and winless in league action at 0-11. Coach Lamont Paris’ team has been in close games all season but has just not been able to close them out. To add to their frustration, South Carolina has suffered seven losses this year by just one or two possessions, with six of those coming in SEC matchups.

In an ironic twist, South Carolina’s next chance to turn things around comes on the day after Valentine’s Day. This Saturday, they travel to Gainesville to face the No. 3-ranked Florida Gators (21-3, 8-3). The game will tip off at 8:30 p.m. in the O’Connell Center and will be broadcast on the SEC Network.

Let’s break down three key things to watch for in this matchup, along with a quick scouting report on the Gators and the latest injury updates.

Playing for Pride? Seeking Revenge?

South Carolina’s season hasn’t gone as hoped, but they are not as bad as their record suggests. The Gamecocks have been on the losing side of several heartbreaks, and frustration is mounting. While many teams in similar situations might have packed it in by now, South Carolina continues to fight.

What’s left to motivate this team? In a tough season, personal pride and commitment are key. If the Gamecocks want any chance at making a run in the SEC Tournament, they have to keep pushing, working on fixing mistakes, and maintaining that competitive edge.

This game also offers a chance for some on-court revenge after a crushing one-point loss to Florida earlier this season. In that game, South Carolina led but lost it late. A Will Richard layup gave the Gators the lead, and the Gamecocks had an ill-advised 30-foot attempt at the buzzer rather than a quality shot. South Carolina had outplayed Florida but turnovers and a poor finish let the game slip away. Will the Gamecocks come out ready to play a full 40 minutes this time?

An Unfamiliar Road Struggle

While South Carolina has shown more life at home, their road struggles have been well-documented. On the road this season, they are just 1-6, with their only victory coming against a struggling Boston College in December. The losses have been brutal: by 16, 35, 3, 20, 11, and 23 points. That’s an average loss margin of -18 points per game. Meanwhile, Florida has scored 73 or more points in every home game this season, so South Carolina will have to find a way to not just compete but possibly outscore them.

That said, in a strange turn of events, the Gamecocks have won three of their last four visits to the O’Dome. Could they make it four out of five? This game kicks off a tough stretch for South Carolina, with three of the next four games being on the road.

Florida’s Uncertainty: Who’s Playing?

A big storyline heading into this game is the health of Florida’s roster. The Gators announced on Friday that Micah Handlogten, their 7’1” center, will return after recovering from a leg injury. However, two of their other key post players, Alex Condon and Sam Alexis, are out for the game. Additionally, starting guard Alijah Martin has been sidelined for about two weeks with a hip issue. While he’s listed as “probable,” his status is still up in the air, with head coach Todd Golden calling him “questionable.”

Even with these personnel issues, Florida remains a formidable team. Thomas Haugh, one of the best bench forwards in the nation, could fill in if needed. If not, expect Handlogten to slide in as a seasoned veteran. For South Carolina, Collin Murray-Boyles (CMB) will be key. The Gamecocks’ star has been solid against Florida in his career, missing just five shots across two games, recording a double-double in one, and dishing out a career-high eight assists in another. Could CMB carry the Gamecocks to a much-needed win?

Injury Report

For South Carolina, Myles Stute is OUT due to a blood clot.

For Florida, Alex Condon and Sam Alexis are OUT, while Alijah Martin is listed as PROBABLE.

Game Details

• Who: South Carolina (10-14, 0-11 SEC) vs. No. 3 Florida (21-3, 8-3 SEC)
• When: Saturday, Feb. 17 at 8:30 p.m.
• Where: O’Connell Center, Gainesville
• How to watch: SEC Network/107.5 The Game
• ESPN gives South Carolina an 8.2% chance of winning.

As we look ahead to Saturday, the Gamecocks will need to pull off a monumental upset against one of the top teams in the nation. Stay tuned for more updates as we follow the action in Gainesville!