South Carolina's Depth Shines in Greenbrier Matchup Against Butler

South Carolina showcased its impressive depth in the Greenbrier matchup against Butler, emphasizing a strong team performance. The Gamecocks, under head coach Lamont Paris, have been relying on a deep roster, with ten players averaging at least 12 minutes per game early in the season.

Their depth was evident as South Carolina cruised to an 87-58 victory over Radford, with the bench contributing a staggering 50 points. Elijah Strong led the bench scoring with 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while Eli Ellis added 14.

This approach allows for flexibility in player rotations, as Paris noted, nobody is guaranteed playing time, allowing for accountability and competition among teammates. On the other side of the court, Butler was looking to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season against SMU, a nail-biter that ended 87-85.

Despite leading for most of the first half, Butler faltered in the second, allowing SMU to take control and ultimately win the game with a last-second shot. Finley Bizjack, a key player for Butler, emphasized the importance of starting strong and maintaining that intensity throughout the game.

Butler's defensive stats show some promise, allowing 72.8 points per game while limiting opponents to just 28.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Leading the Bulldogs' offense, Bizjack is averaging 15 points per game, while teammate Michael Ajayi contributes 14.8 points and an impressive 11.8 rebounds.

For South Carolina, Meechie Johnson paces the scoring with 14.5 points per game, despite a quiet performance against Radford, where he only scored two points. Ellis and Sharavjamts round out the scoring with averages of 13.5 and 11.5 points, respectively, with Sharavjamts also providing solid rebounding and three-point shooting.

The matchup against Butler marks a significant test for South Carolina as they look to solidify their standing in the early part of the season. With their depth and versatility, the Gamecocks aim to continue their unbeaten start and set themselves up for a strong season ahead.