Things haven’t been going well for South Carolina men’s basketball in recent weeks. In Lamont Paris’ third season as head coach, the Gamecocks are under .500 and 0-8 in SEC play going into February. It’s a far cry from this time last year when the program was in the midst of one of its best seasons to date,

It’s been a difficult opening month of SEC play for the South Carolina Gamecocks, going 0-8 to open up SEC play and putting them in last place in the conference. For head coach Lamont Paris, there’s plenty to be frustrated about.

The 0-8 start to conference play is extra maddening for a program that wanted to build off last year’s NCAA Tournament appearance.

That depth took a hit last offseason. Three of the Gamecocks’ top four scorers departed from last year’s 26-win, NCAA Tournament team — Ta’Lon Cooper, Meechie Johnson and BJ Mack. Paris attempted to reload with transfers Nick Pringle (Alabama), Jamarii Thomas (Norfolk State) and Jordan Butler (Missouri), as well as four-star freshman Cam Scott.

Lamont Paris’ South Carolina is in the midst of a challenging season, with an eight-game losing streak and still no Southeastern Conference victory in sight.

Lamont Paris, head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball team, has demonstrated significant potential and capability during his tenure. After a

Freshman forward Okku Federiko has officially joined the South Carolina men’s basketball team after resolving NCAA eligibility issues, the school announced Friday.

Lamont Paris’ South Carolina remained winless in SEC play after a 65-60 overtime loss to No. 14-ranked Mississippi State on Saturday.

A preview of South Carolina's matchup against the Florida Gators for men's college basketball. The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team is scorchin

Following the latest one at 65-60 in overtime to Mississippi State on Saturday, Lamont Paris said the Gamecocks continue to fight, though, through their longest losing streak since two seasons ago. “Well, if it doesn’t break you, it’ll make you stronger, um, and it hasn’t broken our guys,” said Paris.

Paris was critical of the Gamecocks' turnovers in the one-possession loss at Vanderbilt this week as 25 was their most in a game since 2011.

The 0-8 start to SEC play is extra maddening for a program that wanted to build off last year’s NCAA Tournament appearance.