Lamont Paris looking to mold South Carolina into another SEC contender and NCAA Tournament team

By PETE IACOBELLI The Associated Press

FILE - South Carolina NCAA college basketball head coach Lamont Paris speaks during Southeastern Conference Media Days, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in Birmingham, Ala. Coach Lamont Paris thought the best part of his team's first NCAA Tournament trip in seven years was the bond they built early on. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Mike Stewart]

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Lamont Paris knows his team was among college basketball’s biggest surprises after going from 11 wins in 2022-23 to a school-record 26 victories and the NCAA Tournament last season. The third-year coach said things came together early for a group without many connections. They built chemistry workout by workout, drill by drill and were contending for an SEC title late into the season. Paris is trying to do the same thing this offseason as South Carolina lost its leading scorer in Meechie Johnson among four players who combined to start 116 games last season.