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.

Paris went 26-8 last season with the Gamecocks and made the NCAA Tournament, so this is certainly new territory for him and South Carolina.

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

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

Paris’ sleepless night came after a game in which his South Carolina team blew a 14-point lead, a lead it had held for most of the contest against the Gators. Only in the last minute did Florida surge ahead to take the lead in the waning moments.

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.

Trevyn Gray is an intern, covering South Carolina men’s basketball for The (Columbia) State. He is a recent graduate from the University of Georgia and previously worked at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Tampa Bay Times. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

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

Georgia (15-6, 3-5 SEC) pulled away early and South Carolina never led at Stegeman Coliseum. USC fought back to make it close midway through the period, but UGA outscored the Gamecocks 17-5 in the latter portion of the first half and led 35-21 at the break.

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

South Carolina and No. 13 Texas A&M will face off in a matchup of SEC opponents. The teams match up Saturday for the first time this season.