After disappointing conclusion, Martin readies for busy off-season
Watching South Carolina get thrashed by Georgia Tech Monday night (83-66 loss that wasn’t as close as the final score indicates) in front of a sparse crowd at Colonial Life Arena, you are tempted to believe life would have been so much different (and better) for the Gamecocks had the final 20 seconds against Georgia in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals unfolded differently.
*** ALSO SEE: Photo gallery by Chris Gillespie
The 74-72 loss to the Bulldogs in Nashville – USC’s third setback to Georgia on the season – led into South Carolina’s rejection and dejection on Selection Sunday, which led to two games in the NIT, five players being indefinitely suspended for a “conduct” issue (Marcus Stroman, Jamall Gregory, TeMarcus Blanton, Chris Silva and Eric Cobb) and the bitterly disappointing conclusion Monday night to a very good season overall.
“When last Sunday went down (Selection Sunday), our guys were deflated,” Martin said after Monday night’s loss. “We’ve tried real hard to get our guys to feel good about themselves. And they have tried real hard to make themselves feel good about what they’ve done. I was hoping after the High Point game that it would happen.
“Our attitudes and attention span were good in practice. Their genuine desire to help each other was very good. But I just saw our tank was on empty. That extra motivation to play (balls) to the wall every possession, which is what we needed to defeat a team like (Georgia Tech), (wasn’t there). Our guys gave everything their bodies and minds could absolutely give our team this year.”
The Gamecocks finished 25-9 overall, established a new school record for regular season wins (24) and won the most conference games (11) since 1998, yet the last eight days have, quite frankly, been a nightmare for the Gamecocks beyond the emotional first-round NIT win over High Point.
“We accomplished a lot of firsts this year, things that haven’t happened around here in a long, long time,” Martin said. “(More than that) we set school records for GPA, community service, beat the league champion on their court, set a school record for wins in the regular season and tied the school record for wins in a whole season.”
Martin expressed his dismay about the negative news surrounding the suspensions dominating the headlines, but as he acknowledged, “that’s the way the world works.”
“I’m real proud of our guys,” Martin said. “I have to separate from the season and gather my thoughts since our guys (departing players) depend on me for guidance on what their next step is. Then we have to help our returning guys understand we need to get better so we can take another step in the right direction.”
And, because of the suspensions, many questions now surround the 2016-17 roster. Specifically, out of the five suspended players, four were freshmen (TeMarcus Blanton, Eric Cobb, Jamall Gregory, Chris Silva) and one was a sophomore (Marcus Stroman). All of those players were expected to return next season.
Now? The 2016-17 roster is in a state of flux. Depending on his decisions regarding the five suspended players, Martin could be looking to fill nine or more spots on the roster. That’s a whole lot of new blood.
Depending on the fate of the five suspended players, Martin could be hitting the recruiting trail hard this spring seeking to find capable players ready, willing and able to come to Columbia and contribute right away.
Regardless of what happens, Martin intends to attack recruiting with the same ferocity he always has.
“If you don’t recruit 24/7, 365 to fill 13 spots, with today’s culture (of transfers), you get left without players,” Martin said. “So, you have to constantly recruit. You can’t stop recruiting. We’ve created a culture where guys just get up and leave. In college, we’re forced to manage that dynamic.
“I hope we don’t have to replace so many people, but you don’t know what’s going to happen. I’ve always recruited as if we have to fill 13 scholarships. We never stop. You have to be prepared at all times. If you don’t recruit, you get left with no players. That’s no fun.”
Next step for Martin? Negotiate a multi-year extension to his contract with AD Ray Tanner. Martin says he intentionally waited until the end of the season before commencing talks.
“I get emotionally engaged in my decisions,” Martin said. “I asked Coach Tanner to allow me the season to end so I can engage emotionally into that part. The school has respected my wishes there.”
Martin did receive one dose of positive news on Monday night. Around the time Monday night’s game tipped off at quiet Colonial Life Arena (the announced crowd was 2,856), former Gamecock assistant Brad Underwood was reportedly hired by Oklahoma State after three successful seasons at Stephen F. Austin that included two trips to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
“Brad is phenomenal. He is a very good basketball coach,” Martin said. “He is a character. He keeps everybody loose and in a good mood. The run he has been on at Stephen F. Austin has been incredible. I am ecstatic for him. No one deserves the opportunity more than him. He was a big part of our success at K-State. When we came here, he helped us establish the groundwork.”
Not a GamecockCentral.com member and want to get all the scoop? SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Never miss a moment with the GamecockCentral app: App Store - Google Play
