South Carolina’s men’s basketball team enters Southeastern Conference play with much to prove. Through non-conference games and a 10-3 record, the Gamecocks have shown flashes of brilliance but have struggled to establish consistency. Here’s what you need to know ahead of USC’s SEC opener at No. 17 Mississippi State on Saturday:

MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 17 points to lead South Carolina's balanced offense, and the second-ranked Gamecocks used a 17-0 run in the second half to beat Missouri 83-52 in their SEC opener Thursday night.

No. 2 South Carolina largely controlled its SEC opener against Missouri, overcoming a few early challenges en route to a dominant 83-49 road win Thursday night. The Gamecocks women’s basketball team has now won eight games in a row following a Nov. 24 loss at No. 1 UCLA, which snapped a 43-game winning streak.