Gators & Gamecocks: Don’t Underestimate a Road Foe

When fans hear “on the road against the Gamecocks,” a certain play might come to mind, like when Will Richard sealed the deal with five seconds left in the game with a layup to put the Gators up 70-69. It marked one of the season’s the best plays, even with all the late-game antics from the NCAA Tournament.

Florida basketball returns to Columbia on Wednesday night against unranked South Carolina, looking for a better performance.  

Despite the amazing finish, the Gators simply looked horrible the last time they went to Columbia. South Carolina had an overall record of 10-8 (0-5 SEC).

Trailing for most of the second half, the Gators relied on another miracle comeback, just as they did so many times later in the season. The Gators shot 33% from 3 and underperformed in a game that they should’ve dominated. 

Three players who didn’t meet the mark were Alex Condon, scoring 5 points in 31 minutes, Thomas Haugh, with 2 points in 25 minutes, and Rueben Chinyelu, with only 2 points in 17 minutes.

Looking to Wednesday, the same trio has to dominate to win as Florida’s starting frontcourt. Auburn showed what happens an opponent shuts down the paint, and it didn’t end well for the Gators. Relying on outside shots has never been the game plan for Florida to win, especially as it’s hitting only 28.5%. 

This season’s version of Florida also struggles away from the O’Dome. Losses to Arizona, TCU, Duke, UConn and the SEC opener against Missouri all showed how vulnerable Florida is on the road. 

Similar to last season, the 2025-26 Gamecocks aren’t exactly a daunting opponent. They sit at 13th in the SEC, but have played competitively at Auburn and against Georgia. The Gators often fall into the trap of playing down to an opponent, so the frontcourt needs to show up to earn a road win in Columbia. 

If they’re down late, Will Richard won’t be there to make another heroic play.

Category: Basketball, College Basketball, Gators Men's Basketball