The South Carolina Upstate Spartans and the South Carolina Gamecocks meet in college basketball action from Colonial Life Arena on Monday.

South Carolina State Team Preview

The South Carolina Upstate Spartans come into the 2023-24 campaign look to build on a decent 2022-23 campaign in which the Spartans finished 16-16 on the year, including 10-8 in Big South Conference play. As the 4-seed in the Big South tournament, USC Upstate would narrowly beat Gardner-Webb before being knocked out by UNC-Asheville. The Spartans were invited to the CBI but were quickly dispatched by Indiana State in the first round. The Spartans do lose leading scorer Jordan Gainey, but bring back a pair of double-digit scorers in Trae Broadnax (11.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.1 APG) and Justin Bailey (10.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG) while welcoming back the likes of Jalen Breazeale and Andrew McConnell, a pair of key pieces that missed last year with injury.

South Carolina Team Preview

The South Carolina Gamecocks come into the 2023-24 season looking to bounce back from a frustrating season under then first-year head coach Lamont Paris, as South Carolina finished 11-21 on the year and 4-14 in SEC play. The Gamecocks season was quickly put to rest in the SEC tournament after a first-round loss to Ole Miss. The Gamecocks lost the services of GG Jackson, Hayden Brown and Chico Carter Jr. but Meechie Johson is back after logging 12.7 PPG and 3.6 APG last season. The Gamecocks hit the transfer portal hard as well, bringing in BJ Mack from Wofford (16.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG), Stephen Clark from the Citadel (16.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.8 APG) and Ta’Lon Cooper from Minnesota (9.8 PPG, 4 RPG, 6.3 APG) to bolster the depth in the lineup.

Chris’ Pick

I’m leaning towards the Gamecocks here. South Carolina Upstate did get some solid talent in Broadnax and Bailey, but this South Carolina team is still really good, and I like a lot of the pieces they brought in from the transfer portal. All in all, I think year two is going to be a lot more kind to Lamont Paris. Give me South Carolina here.