South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball
Encyclopedia
The South Carolina Gamecocks
men's basketball
team represents the University of South Carolina
and competes in the Southeastern Conference
. The program attained national prominence under hall of fame coach Frank McGuire
, posting a 205-65 record and three NCAA Sweet 16 appearances from 1967-1976. The Gamecocks won the 1970 ACC
championship, 1971 ACC Tournament, and the 1997 SEC
championship. South Carolina also won Southern Conference
titles in 1927, 1933, 1934, and 1945.
Most recently, the Gamecocks won the NIT
in 2005 and 2006 and claimed a share of the 2009 SEC Eastern division title. South Carolina is currently coached by Darrin Horn
and plays at the 18,000-seat Colonial Life Arena.
, winning regular season championships in 1927, 1933, 1934, and 1945. The program also won the conference's tournament championship in 1933. During World War II
, the basketball team's success was partially attributed to being assigned outstanding athletes by the U.S. Navy
as part of the V-12 program
. However, the Navy leaders kept the teams focus towards the war effort, and USC declined an invitation to the Southern Conference
Tournament in 1944.
before the 1964-65 season propelled South Carolina to its most successful period to date. McGuire's 16-year tenure was highlighted by an undefeated ACC regular season in 1970, an ACC Tournament championship in 1971, and three consecutive Sweet 16 appearances from 1971 to 1973. USC also posted a 69-16 overall record from 1968 to 1971, and John Roche
won consecutive ACC Player of the Year Awards (1969–1970). In November 1968, the Gamecocks began playing at the 12,401 seat Carolina Coliseum
, which became known as the "House that Frank Built." The success South Carolina achieved on the court brought resentment and anger from fellow ACC schools, especially those on "Tobacco Road," as the conference members of the state of North Carolina were known. The hostility of the road crowds, the unfriendly behavior of coaches and athletic directors in the conference, and the discrepancies in eligibility standards led McGuire to support South Carolina becoming an Independent
before the 1971-72 season.
As an Independent, the program gradually declined, and the University sought entrance into an athletic conference. This proved problematic because most conferences required schools to have a single athletic director, and South Carolina had multiple directors at the time. McGuire served as Athletic Director for the basketball program, and he would not relinquish his position. The University made several attempts to obtain McGuire's resignation, but ultimately honored his contract through 1980. McGuire finished with a 283-142 overall record at South Carolina and continues to be held in high regard by Gamecock fans. His six consecutive 20-win seasons from 1969 to 1974, which produced a 137-33 record, remain the benchmark for USC Basketball.
. The basketball program was placed on probation by the NCAA in the spring of 1987 for two years because of recruiting violations and the sale of complimentary player tickets. From 1987 to 1991, George Felton led the Gamecocks to an 87-62 overall record, which included a 1989 NCAA Tournament appearance and a 1991 NIT
berth. For three of Felton's five seasons (1987–1989), Tubby Smith
served as an assistant coach before leaving to join Rick Pitino's
staff at Kentucky. South Carolina joined the SEC
before the 1992 season and initially struggled, posting a combined 20-35 record in 1992 and 1993.
was hired away from Vanderbilt before the 1994 season and within a few years returned the Gamecocks to respectability. Under Fogler, South Carolina posted an impressive 66-28 record (34-14 SEC) during the 1996-1998 stretch, which included the school's first SEC championship in 1997. The 1997 Gamecocks posted a 15-1 record in SEC play and defeated league rival Kentucky twice, but lost in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. Fogler stepped down after the 2001 campaign, going 123-117 in eight seasons as the Gamecocks' head coach. His tenure included two NCAA Tournament appearances (1997, 1998) and two NIT appearances (1996, 2001). Fogler retired as one of the most successful head coaches in SEC Basketball history, having won regular season conference championships at both Vanderbilt and South Carolina.
posted four 20-win seasons during his tenure at South Carolina. He led the Gamecocks to an appearance in the 2004 NCAA Tournament and consecutive NIT
championships in 2005 and 2006. Odom's tenure also saw USC begin play at the 18,000 seat Colonial Life Arena during the 2003 season. Following the 2008 campaign, Odom resigned with a 128-104 overall record at USC.
ACC Player of the Year
All-ACC First Team
All-ACC Second Team
ACC Tournament Outstanding Player
Metro Conference Newcomer of the Year
All-Metro First Team
All-Metro Second Team
SEC Rookie of the Year
SEC Coach of the Year
SEC Defensive Player of the Year
All-SEC First Team
All-SEC Second Team
All-SEC Third Team
NIT Most Valuable Player
South Carolina Gamecocks
The University of South Carolina's 19 varsity sports teams are known as the "Gamecocks". The unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a South Carolina war hero who was given the name "The Carolina Gamecock" during the American Revolution for his fierce fighting tactics, regardless of his...
men's basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team represents the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
and competes in the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
. The program attained national prominence under hall of fame coach Frank McGuire
Frank McGuire
Frank Joseph McGuire was an American athletic coach who gained his greatest renown in collegiate basketball....
, posting a 205-65 record and three NCAA Sweet 16 appearances from 1967-1976. The Gamecocks won the 1970 ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
championship, 1971 ACC Tournament, and the 1997 SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
championship. South Carolina also won Southern Conference
Southern Conference
The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
titles in 1927, 1933, 1934, and 1945.
Most recently, the Gamecocks won the NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
in 2005 and 2006 and claimed a share of the 2009 SEC Eastern division title. South Carolina is currently coached by Darrin Horn
Darrin Horn
-External links:*...
and plays at the 18,000-seat Colonial Life Arena.
Southern Conference Years
South Carolina achieved a measure of regional prominence during its tenure in the Southern ConferenceSouthern Conference
The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
, winning regular season championships in 1927, 1933, 1934, and 1945. The program also won the conference's tournament championship in 1933. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the basketball team's success was partially attributed to being assigned outstanding athletes by the U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
as part of the V-12 program
V-12 Navy College Training Program
The V-12 Navy College Training Program was designed to supplement the force of commissioned officers in the United States Navy during World War II...
. However, the Navy leaders kept the teams focus towards the war effort, and USC declined an invitation to the Southern Conference
Southern Conference
The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
Tournament in 1944.
Frank McGuire Era (1965-1980)
The hiring of Frank McGuireFrank McGuire
Frank Joseph McGuire was an American athletic coach who gained his greatest renown in collegiate basketball....
before the 1964-65 season propelled South Carolina to its most successful period to date. McGuire's 16-year tenure was highlighted by an undefeated ACC regular season in 1970, an ACC Tournament championship in 1971, and three consecutive Sweet 16 appearances from 1971 to 1973. USC also posted a 69-16 overall record from 1968 to 1971, and John Roche
John Roche
John Michael Roche is a retired American professional basketball player in both the ABA and the NBA...
won consecutive ACC Player of the Year Awards (1969–1970). In November 1968, the Gamecocks began playing at the 12,401 seat Carolina Coliseum
Carolina Coliseum
The Carolina Coliseum is a 12,401 seat multi-purpose arena in Columbia, South Carolina. It was the home of the University of South Carolina men's and women's basketball teams and Columbia's main events venue until 2002, when the Colonial Center, now Colonial Life Arena, opened...
, which became known as the "House that Frank Built." The success South Carolina achieved on the court brought resentment and anger from fellow ACC schools, especially those on "Tobacco Road," as the conference members of the state of North Carolina were known. The hostility of the road crowds, the unfriendly behavior of coaches and athletic directors in the conference, and the discrepancies in eligibility standards led McGuire to support South Carolina becoming an Independent
NCAA Division I independent schools (basketball)
NCAA Division I independent basketball schools are four-year institutions that do not belong to a basketball conference or a primary conference for all sports teams.-Schools:...
before the 1971-72 season.
As an Independent, the program gradually declined, and the University sought entrance into an athletic conference. This proved problematic because most conferences required schools to have a single athletic director, and South Carolina had multiple directors at the time. McGuire served as Athletic Director for the basketball program, and he would not relinquish his position. The University made several attempts to obtain McGuire's resignation, but ultimately honored his contract through 1980. McGuire finished with a 283-142 overall record at South Carolina and continues to be held in high regard by Gamecock fans. His six consecutive 20-win seasons from 1969 to 1974, which produced a 137-33 record, remain the benchmark for USC Basketball.
Metro Conference and SEC
In 1983, the University became affiliated with the Metro ConferenceMetro Conference
The Metropolitan Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, popularly known as the Metro Conference, was an NCAA Division I athletics conference, so named because all of its charter members were in urban metropolitan areas in, or at least on the fringes of, the Southern United States...
. The basketball program was placed on probation by the NCAA in the spring of 1987 for two years because of recruiting violations and the sale of complimentary player tickets. From 1987 to 1991, George Felton led the Gamecocks to an 87-62 overall record, which included a 1989 NCAA Tournament appearance and a 1991 NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
berth. For three of Felton's five seasons (1987–1989), Tubby Smith
Tubby Smith
Orlando "Tubby" Smith is an American college basketball coach. He is currently the men's basketball head coach at the University of Minnesota...
served as an assistant coach before leaving to join Rick Pitino's
Rick Pitino
Rick Pitino is an American basketball coach. Since 2001, he has been the head coach at the University of Louisville. He has also served as head coach at Boston University, Providence College and the University of Kentucky, leading that program to the NCAA championship in 1996...
staff at Kentucky. South Carolina joined the SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
before the 1992 season and initially struggled, posting a combined 20-35 record in 1992 and 1993.
Eddie Fogler Era (1994-2001)
Eddie FoglerEddie Fogler
Eddie Fogler was a college basketball player from the University of North Carolina from 1967-1970 where he played as a point guard on two NCAA Final Four teams. Fogler was an All-City guard from Flushing High School in Flushing, New York....
was hired away from Vanderbilt before the 1994 season and within a few years returned the Gamecocks to respectability. Under Fogler, South Carolina posted an impressive 66-28 record (34-14 SEC) during the 1996-1998 stretch, which included the school's first SEC championship in 1997. The 1997 Gamecocks posted a 15-1 record in SEC play and defeated league rival Kentucky twice, but lost in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. Fogler stepped down after the 2001 campaign, going 123-117 in eight seasons as the Gamecocks' head coach. His tenure included two NCAA Tournament appearances (1997, 1998) and two NIT appearances (1996, 2001). Fogler retired as one of the most successful head coaches in SEC Basketball history, having won regular season conference championships at both Vanderbilt and South Carolina.
Dave Odom Era (2002-2008)
Subsequent coach Dave OdomDave Odom
Dave Odom is a retired American men's college basketball coach, who most recently coached at the University of South Carolina...
posted four 20-win seasons during his tenure at South Carolina. He led the Gamecocks to an appearance in the 2004 NCAA Tournament and consecutive NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
championships in 2005 and 2006. Odom's tenure also saw USC begin play at the 18,000 seat Colonial Life Arena during the 2003 season. Following the 2008 campaign, Odom resigned with a 128-104 overall record at USC.
Darrin Horn Era (2009-Present)
On April 1, 2008, Darrin Horn was named the new head basketball coach at USC. In his first season, Horn led the Gamecocks to a 21-10 record (10-6 SEC), two victories over Kentucky, and a share of the 2009 SEC Eastern Division title. After a 15-16 campaign in 2010, Horn's current USC record stands at 36-26 (16-16 SEC).2005 Season
| Round | Opponent | Result/Score |
| First Round | Miami | W 69–67 |
| Second Round | UNLV | W 77–66 |
| Quarterfinals | Georgetown | W 69–66 |
| Semifinals | Maryland | W 75–67 |
| Finals | St. Joseph's (PA) | W 60–57 |
2006 Season
| Round | Opponent | Result/Score |
| First Round | Western Kentucky | W 74–55 |
| Second Round | Florida State | W 69–68 |
| Quarterfinals | Cincinnati | W 65–62 |
| Semifinals | Louisville | W 78–63 |
| Finals | Michigan | W 76–64 |
Conference championships
- 1927 SoCon (season) – South Carolina went 14-4 overall and 9-1 in Southern Conference play.
- 1933 SoCon (season & tournament) – South Carolina posted a 17-2 record (4-1 SoCon) and won the Southern Conference tournament.
- 1934 SoCon (season) – South Carolina went 18-1 overall and 6-0 in Southern Conference play.
- 1945 SoCon (season) – South Carolina went 19-3 overall and 9-0 in Southern Conference play.
- 1970 ACC (season) – South Carolina went 25-3 overall and 14-0 in ACC play.
- 1971 ACC (tournament) – South Carolina posted a 23-6 overall record and defeated North Carolina for the ACC Tournament title.
- 1997 SEC (season & division) – South Carolina posted a 24-8 record (15-1 SEC) to win the SEC championship and Eastern Division title.
- 2009 SEC East (division) – South Carolina went 21-10 overall and 10-6 in SEC play to win a share of the SEC East title.
Awards
National Scoring Leader- Grady WallaceGrady WallaceGrady A. Wallace was an All-American basketball player for the South Carolina Gamecocks in 1955–56 and 1956–57...
- 1957 (31.3 ppg) - Zam FredrickZam FredrickZambolist "Zam" Fredrick, Sr. is a retired American expatriate professional basketball player. He spent his professional career playing in Europe from 1981 to 1990 after graduating college from the University of South Carolina in 1981...
- 1981 (28.9 ppg)
ACC Player of the Year
- John RocheJohn RocheJohn Michael Roche is a retired American professional basketball player in both the ABA and the NBA...
- 1969, 1970
All-ACC First Team
- Grady WallaceGrady WallaceGrady A. Wallace was an All-American basketball player for the South Carolina Gamecocks in 1955–56 and 1956–57...
- 1957 - Art Whisnant - 1962
- Ronnie Collins - 1964
- Skip HarlickaSkip HarlickaJules Peter "Skip" Harlicka is a former NBA basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks. Skip went to the University of South Carolina on a basketball scholarship, but also played baseball his freshmen year. During his college basketball career, Skip averaged 17.5 points per game on 47.5% shooting...
- 1968 - John Roche - 1969, 1970, 1971
- Tom OwensTom OwensThomas William Owens is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'10" center from the University of South Carolina, Owens played five seasons in the American Basketball Association and seven seasons in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Carolina Cougars, Memphis...
- 1970, 1971
All-ACC Second Team
- Grady WallaceGrady WallaceGrady A. Wallace was an All-American basketball player for the South Carolina Gamecocks in 1955–56 and 1956–57...
- 1956 - Art Whisnant - 1960, 1961
- Scott Ward - 1963
- Gary GregorGary GregorGary W. Gregor is an American former professional basketball player.A 6'7" forward/center from the University of South Carolina, Gregor played in the National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association as a member of the Phoenix Suns , Atlanta Hawks , Portland Trail Blazers ,...
- 1967, 1968 - Jack Thompson - 1967
- Frank Standard - 1968
- Tom Owens - 1969
ACC Tournament Outstanding Player
- John Roche - 1971
Metro Conference Newcomer of the Year
- Linwood Moye - 1985
All-Metro First Team
- Jimmy Foster - 1984
All-Metro Second Team
- Linwood Moye - 1986
- Michael Foster - 1987
- Darryl Martin - 1987
- John HudsonJohn Hudson (basketball)John Henry Hudson is a retired American professional basketball player. He was a 2,05m power forward. He played collegiately at San Jacinto Junior College and the University of South Carolina....
- 1988, 1989 - Jo Jo EnglishJo Jo EnglishStephen "Jo Jo" English is a professional basketball player who starred at the University of South Carolina in the early 1990s and later played parts of three seasons for the National Basketball Association's Chicago Bulls.A 6'4" guard, English is perhaps best remembered for being involved in a...
- 1991
SEC Rookie of the Year
- BJ McKieBJ McKieBJ McKie , is an American basketball player. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, McKie went to high school at Irmo High School and played for the University of South Carolina men's basketball team. In January 1999, he became the Gamecock's all time leading scorer, surpassing Alex English...
- 1996
SEC Coach of the Year
- Dave OdomDave OdomDave Odom is a retired American men's college basketball coach, who most recently coached at the University of South Carolina...
- 2004
SEC Defensive Player of the Year
- Sam Muldrow - 2011
All-SEC First Team
- Larry Davis - 1997
- BJ McKie - 1997, 1998, 1999
- Tre' KelleyTre' KelleyAlfrie Kelley , commonly referred to as Tre Kelley, is an American professional basketball player...
- 2007 - Devan DowneyDevan DowneyDevan Deangelo Downey is an American professional basketball player.-Amateur career:He was born in Chester, South Carolina where he attended Chester High School. Named S.C. Class AAA Player of the Year and Mr...
- 2008, 2009, 2010
All-SEC Second Team
- Jamie WatsonJamie Watson (basketball)Jamie Lovell Watson is an American professional basketball player, formerly in the NBA, currently a member of Jordanian team, Al Riyadi....
- 1993, 1994 - Larry Davis - 1996
- Melvin Watson - 1997, 1998
- Tarence KinseyTarence KinseyTarence Anthony Kinsey is an American professional basketball player. He is a 6'6" , 189 lbs guard-forward...
- 2006 - Dominique Archie - 2009
- Zam Fredrick, Jr. - 2009
All-SEC Third Team
- Emmitt Hall - 1993, 1994
- Melvin Watson - 1996
- Marijonas PetravičiusMarijonas PetraviciusMarijonas Petravičius is a Lithuanian professional basketball player. He currently a free agent. He is a member of the Lithuania national team...
- 2001 - Jamel Bradley - 2002
- Carlos PowellCarlos PowellRicardo Auturo "Carlos" Powell is an American basketball player for Maccabi Haifa B.C. of the Israeli Basketball Super League. He is notable for receiving the NIT Most Valuable Player award, in the NIT tournament. Other honors he has received include 2003-2004 All SEC, 2004-2005 Preseason All SEC,...
- 2004, 2005 - Brandon WallaceBrandon WallaceBrandon Wallace is an American professional basketball player.-High school:Wallace spent his high school years at Silver Bluff, where he averaged 21.9 points, 15.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 4.3 blocks per game during his senior season...
- 2007
NIT Most Valuable Player
- Carlos Powell - 2005
- Renaldo BalkmanRenaldo BalkmanRenaldo Balkman is an American professional basketball player, formerly of the University of South Carolina. He currently plays for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association . He has represented the Puerto Rico national team in international competition...
- 2006
Gamecocks in the NBA
- Renaldo BalkmanRenaldo BalkmanRenaldo Balkman is an American professional basketball player, formerly of the University of South Carolina. He currently plays for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association . He has represented the Puerto Rico national team in international competition...
— Denver NuggetsDenver NuggetsThe Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams... - Alex EnglishAlex EnglishAlexander English is a retired American basketball player and former assistant coach of the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association who played at the forward position...
— Denver NuggetsDenver NuggetsThe Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
, retired 1991; Toronto RaptorsToronto RaptorsThe Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
assistant coach - Mike Dunleavy, Sr.Mike Dunleavy, Sr.Michael Joseph Dunleavy is a retired American professional basketball player, former head coach, and former general manager of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. He is the father of Indiana Pacers player Mike Dunleavy, Jr.-Early life:...
— Los Angeles ClippersLos Angeles ClippersThe Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
, head coach
Retired jerseys
| Retired jerseys | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Player | Years |
| 42 | Grady Wallace Grady Wallace Grady A. Wallace was an All-American basketball player for the South Carolina Gamecocks in 1955–56 and 1956–57... |
1955–1957 |
| 11 | John Roche John Roche John Michael Roche is a retired American professional basketball player in both the ABA and the NBA... |
1968–1971 |
| 43 | Kevin Joyce Kevin Joyce (basketball) Kevin Francis Joyce is a retired American basketball player.A 6'3" guard, Joyce played at the University of South Carolina. During the 1971 ACC Tournament championship game, he out-jumped North Carolina's 6-10 Lee Dedmon with seconds left to tap the ball to a wide open Tom Owens under the basket... |
1970–1973 |
| 22 | Alex English Alex English Alexander English is a retired American basketball player and former assistant coach of the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association who played at the forward position... |
1972–1976 |
| 3 | BJ McKie BJ McKie BJ McKie , is an American basketball player. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, McKie went to high school at Irmo High School and played for the University of South Carolina men's basketball team. In January 1999, he became the Gamecock's all time leading scorer, surpassing Alex English... |
1995–1999 |