South Carolina and UMass will start a home-and-home series beginning in the 2016-17 season and ending in 2017-18. Sources reported that 2016’s game will be in Columbia, an away game for the Minutemen, and then the series will return to Amherst in 2017. This should be a great matchup between two on-the-rise programs.
South Carolina and UMass will start a home-and-home series next season in Columbia, source told @CBSSports. Return game in Amherst in 17-18.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 14, 2016
Though both teams lose some solid seniors from last year, they both have very good recruiting classes coming in. Forward Sedee Keita is a 4 star recruit who should make an immediate impact for the Gamecocks next season. In addition, shooting guards Sindarius Thornwell and Duane Notice will be returning for their senior seasons after they averaged 13.4 and 10.8 points per game respectively. The Gamecocks fell just short of the NCAA Tournament last season and lost in the second round of the NIT to Georgia Tech.
Massachusetts will thrive off young talent next season when it brings in four 3 star recruits to fill the gaps left by departing seniors. Leading scorer Trey Davis as well as Jabarie Hinds and Antwan Space will all be graduating, but a lot of talent remains on this UMass roster. Donte Clark will more than likely lead the Minutemen in scoring next season, and players like Seth Berger, Rashaan Holloway, and C.J. Anderson will provide some upside as well. Look for this team’s young talent to flourish within the next couple seasons.
This should be a fun non-conference matchup between two teams that could play each other very closely. Were the Minutemen able to steal one on the road this upcoming season, they’d be making a statement before entering Atlantic 10 Conference play.
