Gamecocks fans finally being rewarded with winner on the hardwood

In some ways, it is about the haves and have nots.

Growing up, it seemed one thing fans of South Carolina athletics could not get a grasp on was the opportunity to celebrate a winner.

Certainly, those occasions would reveal themselves in spurts, the Gamecocks’ consecutive national titles in baseball or the basketball program’s success under Eddie Fogler in the late ‘90s that led to two NCAA tournament appearances.

But more often than not, there were moments of sheer disappointment. And unfortunately, even in moments of prosperity for South Carolina fans lies an inkling of doubt, wondering when the sky is going to open up and rain on their parade.

Despite all of that, Gamecocks fans remain loyal.

While it’s easy to get up for football games every Saturday afternoon or baseball games on a beautiful spring day, it sometimes can be a tad bit difficult to do so for basketball games — particularly when the team in question is losing with regularity.

Sustained success has proven hard to come by in either the men’s or women’s basketball program.

Coming into the season, the men’s program had only eight NCAA tournament appearances in its history, the last coming in 2004. But it has proved this season that it is headed in the right direction, going 24-7 and more importantly 11-7 in SEC play.

It has also gotten there by following a similar template created by its women’s basketball program, which has shown though sustained success isn’t easy, it is also far from impossible.

Prior to women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley’s arrival in Columbia, the Gamecocks made eight trips to the NCAA tournament, though held without an SEC tournament title.

Since the former Virginia star and 1996 Olympic gold medalist accepted the job eight seasons ago, her team has won 186 games, a pair of SEC tournament championships and – more importantly – led South Carolina to the Women’s Final Four.

The Gamecocks now sitting at 31-1 for the season, they now cast their sights toward the NCAA tournament, where this year they seek to finish the job and deliver the school its first title on the hardwood.

As for the men’s team, the push toward greatness – though agonizing and slow at times – is finally paying dividends. Hiring the fiery Frank Martin a few years ago, the squad has put itself in position for an at-large bid in the NCAAs, along with giving those in the state’s capital city and South Carolina basketball fans elsewhere a shot in the arm – a valid reason to fill the Colonial Life Arena on a regular basis.

Of note

A heaping helping of basketball action is there for the taking this week, with championship week shifts from the small schools and mid-majors to the big boys toward the end of the week. The aforementioned South Carolina men’s basketball team earned the SEC’s No. 3-seed in the conference tournament, next set to take the floor on Friday against either Georgia or Mississippi State. On the other hand, Clemson must find a way to maneuver itself through a tough ACC tournament for any shot of making the “Big Dance.” The Tigers will take the floor on Wednesday in the nation’s capital as the ACC’s No. 7-seed, taking on No. 10 Georgia Tech. Should it prevail, Clemson would take on a hot Virginia squad the following night. … All of the week’s activities lead to Selection Sunday, when the 68 teams that will take part in the NCAA tournament are revealed. … With the winter sports season solidly behind us, spring sports are a full go. Expect members of The Sun News sports staff at a school near you soon for a baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, tennis or track and field event in the near future. If you have an event or interesting feature idea that you would like to bring to our attention, feel free to contact us at sports@thesunnews.com.

This story was originally published March 7, 2016 at 1:00 AM with the headline "Gamecocks fans finally being rewarded with winner on the hardwood."