5 Big Takeaways from 2013-14 South Carolina Basketball Season

By Taylor Sturm

South Carolina Gamecocks: 5 Takeaways from 2013-14 College Basketball Season

South Carolina Basketball
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The South Carolina Gamecocks were one of the worst teams in the SEC record-wise, but they showed flashes of greatness throughout the season. Their talent culminated in the upheaval of a Kentucky Wildcats team that eventually went to the 2014 National Championship game. Here are five takeaways from the Gamecocks' 2013-14 college basketball season.

5. Experience is Important

Brenton Williams
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

5. Experience is Important

Brenton Williams
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into the season, South Carolina was expected to be a weaker SEC team that was still growing. Part of that was the expectation that the team wouldn’t have a leader. But senior Brenton Williams stepped up to lead this team in scoring and was one of the best free throw shooters in the country.

4. Sindarius Thornwell is Good

Sindarius Thornwell
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

4. Sindarius Thornwell is Good

Sindarius Thornwell
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

While most of the country was paying attention to the freshmen of Kentucky, Arizona, Kansas, Duke and Syracuse, Thornwell was working hard for the Gamecocks. Expect him to jump onto NBA draft boards as soon as next year.

3. Lithuanians Make Big Impacts

Mindaugnas Kacinas
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

3. Lithuanians Make Big Impacts

Mindaugnas Kacinas
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

You might not be able to pronounce their names, but Mindaugnas Kacinas and Laimonas Chatkevicius produced for the Gamecocks in a big way. Whatever pipeline into Lithuania Frank Martin has, he needs to keep it up, because at times these players looked unstoppable.

2. Frank Martin is a Great Coach

Frank Martin South Carolina
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

2. Frank Martin is a Great Coach

Frank Martin South Carolina
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Say what you will about Martin’s coaching methods, but he gets the job done. The Gamecocks showed true signs on being able to compete at different times during the year.

1. Upset Over Kentucky Shows Future

Frank Martin
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

1. Upset Over Kentucky Shows Future

Frank Martin
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

While everyone blamed Kentucky’s loss to USC on a lack of concentration by the Wildcats, they forgot that this South Carolina team nearly defeated the Baylor Bears earlier in the season. The Gamecocks may not get any credit now, but eventually they will be a team capable of an NCAA Tournament run.

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