The 2017-18 season was undeniably a brutal crash back down to Earth for the South Carolina Gamecocks. Coming off that magical Final Four run, expectations and excitement were running high. But most observers figured the Gamecocks were due for a step back with the loss of stars like Sindarius Thornwell and PJ Dozier, as well as reliable role-players like Duane Notice and Justin McKie. What most of those same observers likely didn’t realize, though, was just how much of a step back it would be.
Let’s take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly from this season, which ended with a 17-16 (7-11 SEC) record and no postseason action:
Unquestionably, the 84-75 upset of then-No.