Frank Martin nearly threw his arm out of socket he punched the air so hard. Sandstorm blared from the Colonial Life Arena speakers. Gamecock Jesus danced on the videoboard.
This was South Carolina basketball at its peak in 2018-19. The Gamecocks had their arch-rivals on the ropes and everyone from their coach to their in-house deejay to their most famous fan was feeling it.
Saturday’s 77-68 loss to Clemson on Saturday confirmed the Gamecocks have some fight in them. An A.J. Lawson pass and Keyshawn Bryant dunk was what sparked the above scenes.
The freshmen connected on an electric play that got Carolina to within six points with 8:22 left.