Gamecocks Back to MSG and the NIT Final Four

[scfan5338]

USC just beat Cincy 65-62 at Cincy. Gamecocks were led by Junior PG Tre' Kelley. He had 21 points. Cincy was led by Senior PF Eric Hicks, who had 22 points. If we played like this all season along, which a lot of people expected, we would be in the NCAA tourney and not the NIT.

Next year I think it's going to be a interesting season. We lose our most consistent player in Tarence Knisey, but we return, Bryce Sheldon, Tre Kelley, and Balkman. Hopefully with the class we have coming in we can make it to the NCAA( pass the first round PLZZZZZ).

[GamecockinIL]

Congrats to the Cocks!

I will be the first to admit that I NEVER expected them to perform at this level in NIT-2. Just didn't think their would be enough motivation. Plus throw in losing one of the more valuable memebers of the team before the FSU game, losing some fill-in players to injury, you would have never been able to convince me that we still be playing. The last two games have been nothing short of exceptional.

All of this just begs the question....where was this all year long? It just frustrates the living daylights out of me to think about what this team could have accomplished. But, at this point, all we can do is cheer them on. They will be one of only 8 teams still playing basketball after the weekend. Let's hope that what we didn't gain from last year's NIT win, we'll get from this one.

[Dr. Pepper]

Perhaps this helped a little bit!

White, Muhammad ruled ineligible for NITESPN.com news services


Two Cincinnati starters were ruled ineligible hours before the Bearcats' NIT quarterfinal Thursday night, the latest setback for a team that lost its coach before the season began and has been plagued with injuries.

The university cited an NCAA ruling in the case but did not say why seniors James White and Jihad Muhammad were ineligible. According to ESPN.com's Andy Katz, the two players were ruled ineligible for academic reasons. Cincinnati operates on a quarterly system, rather than a semester schedule.

"We have suspended the players indefinitely for failure to meet the standards set forth by the NCAA and the men's basketball program at the University of Cincinnati," interim head coach Andy Kennedy said in a statement released by the university.

"Our team will continue in its attempt to represent this university in the manner with which it deserves to be represented," he said.

The ruling was announced less than two hours before the start of the game between Cincinnati (21-12) and South Carolina (20-15) and shortly before a televised news conference in which former Bearcats coach Bob Huggins was introduced as coach at Kansas State.

Athletic department spokesman Tom Hathaway said the school would not comment on the dismissals without the consent of the players because of federal privacy laws.

"The timing of this action, with our team battling for a trip to the NIT final four, is incredibly unfortunate," athletic director Mike Thomas said. "I am very disappointed in how this affects the student-athletes, our coaching staff, the university and our fans."

White, a 6-foot-7 swing player from Washington, was the Bearcats' leading scorer at 16 points a game. Muhammad, a 5-11 guard from Plainfield, N.J., averaged 11 points and was Cincinnati's top 3-point shooting threat.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[GamecockinIL]

Perhaps this helped a little bit!

White, Muhammad ruled ineligible for NITESPN.com news services

White, a 6-foot-7 swing player from Washington, was the Bearcats' leading scorer at 16 points a game. Muhammad, a 5-11 guard from Plainfield, N.J., averaged 11 points and was Cincinnati's top 3-point shooting threat.

Sheesh! I had no idea that had happened. Hmmm...I guess you'd have to say that helped, but maybe it was our time to get a break. It might have been a little lucky, but you take what you can get.

[GamecockDieHard]

Watching the game, it seemed to me that it wouldn't have mattered who played. I was very proud of the Gamecocks tonight, win or lose, they had great moves and played with alot of class. If they don't win again, I'm very proud of their effort.

[rabidcock]

If they don't win again, I'm very proud of their effort.

Amen, bruthuh! We had our own share of adversity to conquer, as did the Bearcats, but we pulled through and that's what counts.

Here is yet another Odom-led Gamecock squad to be proud of and our fourth 20-win season in the past five years.

Whatever we do next season with the new group of recruits (NCAA's???), our boys are still in the fight---as you guys said, one of the very few teams still playing in the post-season.

GO COCKS!

[uscrules]

iIt was a great game. I hate that it was only on ESPNU, A friend ordered it for the game. I took over the pizza and beer. That was all they talked about the 2 guys from Cincinatti that were suspended for the game. Never did they mention that we lost one of our starters and 2 big men backups. Plus, Balkman got hit in the mouth early in the second half and did not return. The rest of the guys played one helleva defensive game. I don't think that there is a team anywhere playing better defense right now. GO COCKS.

[Dr. Pepper]

How is Balkman? I did not realize he was out the 2nd half. Hats off to the guys for winning without him!

[uscrules]

He came back to the bench with about 10 minutes left in the game. Looks like he was dazed pretty well. He never changed his expressions. They thought his nose was broken, but that was negative. I think he will be fine for the Louisville game.

[rabidcock]

Heard any early television reports? Times, etc?

[uscrules]

The game will be the second game of the semi-final and will start at approximately 9:30 PM and will nationally tellevised on ESPN2.

[uscrules]

Oh, and just in case we are on the same page, that is Tuesday night.