Feb. 18, 2008

VOTE FOR DEVAN DOWNEY

Leading the SEC in steals, with 3.4 overall, and more importantly in scoring, with 21.5 ppg in league games and 19.8 ppg in all games, South Carolina sophomore Devan Downey, a Cousy finalist, entered the Alabama game at No. 2 in the NCAA in steals prior to tying his career-best with seven steals vs. the Tide.

He is also second in the SEC in assists and minutes played as well. The Gamecocks play at Florida on Wed., Feb. 20 at 8 pm (Raycom TV) before returning home to host Mississippi State on Sat., Feb. 22 at 4 pm (Raycom TV).

Gamecock fans are encouraged to vote for Downey as a Cousy Award Finalist (nation’s top point guard). Fans can vote at www.CousyAward.com.

Downey is averaging a team-leading 19.8 ppg, 5.2 apg and 3.4 spg with 36.9 mpg starting all 24 games. He has 16 3+ steal games this season and scored 20+ points 13 times – including 8 of 10 SEC games. Not just leading the team in scoring, Downey has tallied 17 4+ assist games this season.

Most recently, he scored game-high 29 points (career-best 6 3 pointers), tying career-best with 7 steals in win over Alabama. His three-pointer + one made free throw with :14 on the block sealed the 67-65 win.

He sat out last year after transferring from Cincinnati where he was named to the Big East All-Rookie team his freshman year. A native of Chester, S.C., he is a former Mr. Basketball in the state of South Carolina (2005).