USC MBB starting new season in prove-it mode again. Why Lamont Paris is OK with that

Lamont Paris knew the question was coming and was ready for it.

The South Carolina’s men’s basketball team was picked to finish 11th out of 16 teams in the SEC media preseason poll. Sure enough, that prediction was the basis for one of the first questions during Paris’ SEC Basketball Tipoff preseason press conference in Birmingham, Alabama on Tuesday.

Paris has a history of brushing off rankings, often pointing out how wrong they can be anyway.

“I think it’s generally accepted that, if the last-place team (in predictions) finishes first, you don’t get to pick anymore,” Paris joked about the media members responsible for the SEC poll. “So luckily we didn’t finish first for those guys.”

Last season, the Gamecocks finished tied for second in the SEC after being picked last in the preseason. They made the NCAA Tournament and finished No. 24 in the Associated Top 25 last season … and yet did not receive a single vote in this year’s preseason AP poll.

It’s a small jump from last year’s low prediction, but still a bit of a head-scratcher given their success last season.

“While I thought about channeling my inner JJ Redick (from) his opening press conference, I decided not to do that,” Paris said Tuesday.

Redick, the new Los Angeles Lakers coach, is known for bluntly telling reporters he doesn’t care about their narratives or any outside opinions. Paris, though, opted for his usual diplomatic approach.

He expects the ranking to serve as motivation for the Gamecocks.

“Honestly, I think it’s a favor to be put in a position where you have to prove yourself, and I think we all have to prove ourselves,” Paris said. “When you get a ranking that’s not as high as what guys think, it sets the stage for constant validation and approval amongst your peers, amongst the media, amongst the selection committee.

“There’s nothing that could be better than for us to be ranked in a way that (the players) perceive as disrespectful.”

Welcoming in the new guys

With the Gamecocks bringing in several new players, there’s going to be a learning curve for integrating them into the system.

Whether it’s freshman Cam Scott, who will play a major role for USC in Year One, or transfers Nick Pringle (Alabama), Jamarii Thomas (Norfolk State) and Jordan Butler (Missouri), all will have their own challenge with getting adjusted to the game of basketball.

Paris noted that Scott’s adjustment will likely be tougher than that of the transfers.

“The difference in the young guys and then the older guys that are new to this system: (The transfers) have been around college basketball,” Paris said. “So, I expect that the rate at which they acclimate to new things will be quicker than young guys.”

Knowing that, Paris has to take different approaches with each group: more patience with the younger players and higher expectations for the transfers.

“Your level of acceptance of continual mistakes, you have a shorter, smaller tolerance potentially for older guys that have been around,” Paris said.

Veteran players such as senior Jacobi Wright will be crucial in helping the newcomers get up to speed in Paris’ system.

Said Paris: “It’s one thing for me to show them or teach them something, but when they hear that voice coming from someone who’s been in this program that’s won a lot of games and understands it thoroughly, the carryover is so much more important.”

Murray-Boyles still working on his shot

Much has been said about Colin Murray-Boyles’ developing jumper, with his teammates praising his shooting during offseason workouts. Scott even mentioned he hadn’t seen Murray-Boyles miss a shot for weeks.

Even so, Paris pumped the brakes on the hype train of Murray-Boyles’ jumpshot.

“I do believe he’ll be able to shoot the ball with range — only time will tell when that happens,” Paris said. “I think that’s an area that he can grow.”

Translation: “I want to see him do it in a game.”

Hitting open shots in practice is one thing; knocking them down at game speed in the SEC is another.

South Carolina’s exhibition game is Oct. 30 against Wooster. The regular-season opener is Nov. 4 against North Florida.