The NIT, really? Why the Gamecocks’ season might not be over just yet

Turns out, the South Carolina men’s basketball season might have one last chapter — despite a brutal 2-16 SEC record.

The Gamecocks’ hopes of playing postseason basketball seemed buried after a first-round SEC Tournament loss to Arkansas. But thanks to the NIT’s updated selection rules, a lifeline could be coming their way.

The NIT now guarantees spots for the top two SEC and ACC teams that miss out on the NCAA Tournament. As of Thursday, South Carolina is in position to claim one of those golden tickets.

You can thank (or blame) Texas for that. The Longhorns — who finished 13th in the SEC — have been stirring things up in the conference tournament, knocking out Vanderbilt and Texas A&M and making a case to punch a ticket to the Big Dance. If Texas gets in, that could leave South Carolina and LSU, the league’s bottom two teams, as the SEC’s likely representatives in the NIT.

Call it a weird twist of fate, but the SEC’s overall strength may actually be working in the Gamecocks’ favor.

An invitation for USC would be unusual, but not unprecedented. While the Gamecocks (12-20) wouldn’t be the first sub-.500 team to make the NIT, it’s rare. The rule change is meant to keep Power Five schools in the mix, hoping to inject some energy and interest into a tournament that’s struggled with declining relevance and sagging ratings.

Now comes the big question: If the bid comes, will South Carolina even take it? And if they do, will star sophomore Collin Murray-Boyles suit up, or will he shift his focus to NBA Draft prep? His decision could be the difference between USC making some postseason noise or just being happy to be there. The Gamecocks have won the NIT twice (2005 and 2006).

There’s also the matter of whether Texas’ tournament run will actually get the SEC a record 14 NCAA bids. All it takes is one bid-stealing surprise from another conference to shake up the bubble picture and potentially send the Gamecocks back to prepping for next season.

For now, it’s all about the waiting game. Selection Sunday (March 16) will settle the NCAA Tournament field, and later that night, the NIT bracket will be unveiled.

Until then, South Carolina is in wait-and-see mode, perhaps hoping its season isn’t finished just yet.