College Basketball Preview: Is Kentucky Still the Class of an Improving SEC?

Team on the Decline: South Carolina Gamecocks

Coming off the heart-breaking omission from the NCAA Tournament in 2015, South Carolina proved they belonged last year by thrashing their way to the Final Four as a 7 seed, where they fell to Gonzaga 77-73. Unfortunately for the Gamecocks, they will have to hold on tightly to the fond memories of last year, because this year will likely be much different.

As is usually the case when an experienced team loses its seniors, the loss of key team members is tough to deal with when you don't have a solid recruiting class to follow it up. The graduation of star guard Sindarius Thornwell along with fellow starter Duane Notice would have been hard enough, but the early departure of P.J. Dozier really put the Gamecocks in a tough spot this year. Thornwell did everything for South Carolina, ranking 15th in the country with 21.4 points per game and also leading the team in rebounds and assists per game, while ranking 9th nationally in Defensive Rating.

South Carolina's identity centers around their tenacious defense. They will have to rely on a steady diet of coaching and effort on the defensive side to stay relevant in the SEC picture this season.