A fresh start is exactly what North Carolina A&T and South Carolina need.
After disappointing seasons a year ago, one of them will find success when the programs meet Tuesday in the season opener in Columbia, South Carolina.
“One of the most exciting parts of this job is trying to get everyone on the same page,” said Gamecocks coach Lamont Paris, whose team will begin the season with four straight home games.
The biggest storyline surrounding the South Carolina team could be the return of guard Meechie Johnson for his second stint with the Gamecocks. He started 62 games for the team, but spent last season at Ohio State.
Now he’s back as a potential headliner for a team that went 12-20 last season, including 2-16 in the Southeastern Conference.
“We’ve talked about it as a team: We can’t imagine having brought a better player to our team than Meechie Johnson,” Paris said. “He knows what the expectations are. He’s a leader.”
Paris believes his team is more experienced than recent South Carolina teams.
“We will be able to spread the field a little more than last year,” Paris said.
North Carolina A&T is trying to find solid footing after a season that included player suspensions and close, frustrating losses. The Aggies finished 7-25 overall, 3-15 in the Coastal Athletic Conference. Coach Monte Ross acknowledges this is a restructured team, but he has strong defensive potential.
“That’s where we want to lay our hat,” Ross said. “We want to put our hat on the defensive side.”
North Carolina A&T, without any of its top five scorers from last season, is picked to finish last according to the preseason Coastal Athletic Association coaches’ poll.
With 10 newcomers, including eight transfers, it’s largely a new look for the Aggies. Junior guard Bryson Ogletree, who averaged 7.3 points per game last season, is the most accomplished returning player
“We have accepted the current situation because it’s not going anywhere,” Ross said.
Trent Middleton Jr., formerly of Ball State and Delaware, could emerge as North Carolina A&T’s primary perimeter threat.
South Carolina could receive an immediate impact from forward EJ Walker, one of five freshmen on the roster.
“He’s very smart on the basketball court,” Paris said.
The teams have met only once before, a 91-54 home victory for South Carolina in December 2014.
–Field level media
