The University of South Carolina men’s basketball team has had a successful run in the NCAA tournament, making the Final Four in 2017 and the Sweet Sixteen in 2018. However, if they want to continue this success, they will need to rely on contributions from their bench players.
The Gamecocks have a talented starting five, but it is the bench players that can make the difference in close games. In the 2017 tournament, South Carolina’s bench players provided key contributions in several games, including a combined 18 points from Duane Notice and Justin McKie in the Elite Eight win over Florida.
Bench players can provide a spark in several ways. They can bring energy and enthusiasm to the team, which can help motivate their teammates. They can also provide a change of pace, as their fresh legs can help the team push the tempo or slow down the game when needed.
In addition, bench players can provide valuable minutes when starters are in foul trouble or need a rest. This is especially important in the NCAA tournament, where teams often play multiple games in a short period of time. Having reliable bench players who can step in and play quality minutes can be the difference between advancing and going home early.
South Carolina’s bench players will need to be ready to contribute if the Gamecocks want to make another deep run in the tournament. They will need to bring energy and enthusiasm to the team, and be ready to provide quality minutes when needed. If they can do that, South Carolina could be celebrating another Final Four appearance in the near future.
