April 19, 2006

COLUMBIA, SC – At USC’s men’s basketball banquet held Wednesday evening in the Colonial Center, senior Tarence Kinsey was named the Frank McGuire Team MVP, with Brandon Wallace picking up the Most Improved Award and Rocky Trice being awarded the Outstanding Defensive Player and the Sportsmanship Award. The Gamecocks finished the season with their second straight NIT title, defeating Michigan 76-64 on their way to a 23-15 record.

Kinsey finished the season averaging 15.8 ppg and was named to the All-SEC Second Team (coaches). He led the team in free throw (84%) and three-point % (38%), was second in steals with 1.6 spg and minutes per game at 34.8 mpg and was third in rebounding with 4.6 rpg and assists (2.3 apg). Kinsey was named to the 2006 NIT All-Tournament team, leading USC to its second straight title. Kinsey finished No. 25 on USC’s all-time points list with 1204 points. He finished the year at No. 2 all-time in a season with 1323 minutes played (second only to teammate Tre’ Kelley’s 1330 minutes played) and No. 2 in a season with 37 starts. All told he played in 123 career games (No. 3) and his 602 points this season rank No. 7 on the single season best list. He averaged 9.8 ppg during his career.

Trice and Kinsey each did a senior address. The duo also presented Coach Odom with a special plaque commemorating his 100th win at Carolina (in the NIT Championship game).

Please see the following list for the awards for the USC Men’s Basketball Team.