Most college basketball analysts would say that Lamont Paris and his South Carolina basketball team had a good season out of nowhere last year. The Gamecocks wouldn't say that, though. Instead, they viewed the lack of preseason expectations as disrespectful.

Coach Paris and his players pointed this out throughout the team's run to the NCAA Tournament. “If they like us, they like us; If they don't, they will pay the price” became a rallying cry, and players like Myles Stute and Ta'Lon Cooper initially mocked the media for being hesitant to rate the team until they were the top -10 teams defeated Kentucky and Tennessee in one week.

Even before the season began, Paris criticized the media for his team finishing last in the SEC. He has since admitted that he used the insult as a motivational tool for his team.

Not much has changed.

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The media learned a little from their mistake last year and picked South Carolina 11th in the preseason SEC poll. They also added a Gamecock to the preseason All-SEC squad as sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles made the third team. Those voices may sound like an improvement over the perception that surrounded the program this time last year, but for the South Carolina basketball team, it sounds like disrespect.

Coach Paris wouldn't have it any other way.

Speaking at the SEC Tip-Off on SEC Network on Tuesday, he said his team is relishing the chance to prove their doubters wrong: “I think there's nothing better for them than for us to be ranked one way as they find “disrespectful.”

Every year is a challenge for the Gamecocks, and Paris told the SEC Network team that his team met the challenge.

“But you know, we have to prove ourselves. So why should we be classified differently? … We rely on being allowed to play the games to show that maybe the tips just aren't that accurate. But we’re excited to get the chance to prove it.”

(Win two tickets to the South Carolina-Texas A&M football game)

Paris also addressed his own status, which is often overlooked. He said Tuesday that he's used to it. Paris comes from a small school that not many people know (College of Wooster). He's not from the south and hasn't trained much there. That's fine with him, says Paris, because overcoming disrespect creates self-confidence. “I am who I am. I feel very comfortable with who I am.”

The Gamecock headman brought what will likely be his starting field to the SEC tipoff. Both Collin Murray-Boyles and Nick Pringle spoke very diplomatically about their prediction for 11th place. However, the duo expressed greater confidence in their team and expressed excitement about representing their home state.

Pringle called the Gamecocks' 2024-2025 cap “very high.” He also believes his new partnership with Murray-Boyles will play a big role in helping the team reach that ceiling. He quoted the book of Proverbs and said, “Iron sharpens iron.”

Murray-Boyles didn't let his selection to the All-SEC third team get to him. Instead, he shared where his focus is heading in his second year in garnet and black. “I'm just trying to stay focused… I'm not worried about my awards. I’m just worried about winning.”

Paris, Murray-Boyles, Pringle and the rest of the South Carolina basketball team will begin their regular season in less than three weeks. The Gamecocks host the North Florida Ospreys at Colonial Life Arena on November 4th.