SEC basketball teams who are dark horse contenders right now

South Carolina Gamecocks – The Gamecocks were projected to finish last in the SEC by many coming into this season. Currently, they are 14-3 overall under second-year head coach Lamont Paris. Paris and the Gamecocks finished the seasons 11-21 last year, so, understandably, not much was expected from them.

But they already have three more wins than they had all of last season, and we are only halfway through. Before arriving in Columbia, Paris did lead the Chattanooga Mocs to a 27-8 record and an NCAA tournament appearance.

Two of his last three seasons at Chattanooga were 20-plus win campaigns. It does not matter what conference you are in. Winning 20 or more games in college basketball is quite impressive. Look for the Gamecocks to keep trending upward this year and beyond as long as Paris is in town.