How this year’s South Carolina team compares to other 20-win seasons in program history
For the 18th time in program history, South Carolina men’s basketball has eclipsed the 20-win mark in a season.
Doing so in just 23 games, that’s tied for second fewest game to reach that mark with only the 1969-70 team achieving that feat in less games (22). Below is a look at how the 17 previous teams who won 20 games did that season. The teams are in order based on fewest games it took to win 20 games.
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1969-70 (22)
Finished: 25-3, ACC Regular Season Champs
The only team in program history to be ranked as high as No.1 in the AP poll, this Gamecock squad went a perfect 14-0 in conference play to win the ACC regular season title. A loss in double-overtime in the ACC Championship to NC State kept South Carolina from playing in the NCAA Tournament that season.
2015-16 (23)
Finished: 25-9; NIT Second Round
Considered one of the biggest snubs in NCAA Tournament history, South Carolina played in the NIT that season. They were eliminated in the second round.
1970-71 (24)
Finished: 23-6; ACC Tournament Champs; Sweet 16
Led by legendary coach Frank McGuire, South Carolina made history that season. Not only did they capture their first ACC Tournament title, but they also reached the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in program history.
1971-72 (24)
Finished: 24-5; Sweet 16
A year after reaching the program’s first Sweet Sixteen, and starting the year 9-0, the Gamecocks jumped out to another hot start to begin the 1971 season. USC would advance back to another Sweet Sixteen that season.
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1973-74 (24)
Finished: 22-5, NCAA Tournament Appearance
Ranked as high as No.10 by the AP that season, South Carolina was eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
1968-69 (25)
Finished: 21-7. NIT Quarterfinals
South Carolina was ranked as high as No.8 that season and reached the NIT. Their season would come to end in after losing in the quarterfinals.
1997-98 (25)
Finished: 23-8; NCAA Tournament Appearance
Ranked as high as No.5 in the AP poll, South Carolina earned a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Gamecocks would lose in the first round to 14-seeded Richmond
2016-17 (25)
Finished: 26-11; Final Four
The greatest season in program history, South Carolina advanced to its first and only Final Four. Led by Frank Martin and behind the play of SEC Player of the Year Sindarius Thornwell, the Gamecocks finished (26-11).
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2003-04 (25)
Finished: 23-11; NIT Appearance
Behind coach Dave Odom, the Gamecocks would play in the NIT that season. They were eliminated in the first round of the tournament.
1972-73 (26)
Finished: 22-7; NCAA Tournament Second Round
The Gamecocks would fall in the second round of the NCAA Tournament before winning the third-place game to end the year in the Midwest Regional.
1996-97 (26)
Finished: 24-8; SEC Regular Season Champs; NCAA Tournament Appearance
Appearing as high as No.3 in the AP Poll that season, the Gamecocks’ magical year ended after losing to 15 seeded Coppin State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
2008-09 (26)
Finished: 21-10; SEC Regular Season Champs; NIT Appearance
Losing four of their final five games of the season, South Carolina was eliminated in the first round of the NIT.
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1982-83 (28)
Finished: 20-9, NIT Quarterfinals
The Gamecocks earned their 20th win of the season after winning in the second round of the NIT. They would lose in the next round.
1990-91 (32)
Finished: 20-13; NIT Second Round
Being ranked as high as 12 in the AP poll that season, South Carolina earned their 20th win of the season in the first round of the NIT. Their season would in after losing in the next round.
2004-05 (33)
Finished: 20-13; NIT Champs
The first of two NIT Championships in program history, South Carolina won five straight to close out the year to reach the 20-win mark on the season.
2001-02 (34)
Finished: 22-15; NIT Finals
After starting the season 1-2 in what marked Odom’s first season as head coach at South Carolina, the Gamecocks won five in a row to close out the calendar year. They could lose to Memphis in the NIT Championship.
2005-06 (35)
Finished: 23-15; NIT Champs
Finishing with a record of 15-14 in the regular season, South Carolina marched to the SEC Finals that season but came up short of earning an automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament. The Gamecocks would instead go on to win their second straight NIT Championship.
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