Nov. 18, 2005

With South Carolina’s basketball team set to tip-off Friday night at Western Carolina (6 pm, Gamecock Radio Network), Tarence Kinsey (TK) sat down to talk about `the three’, preseason and what goals he’s set for himself this season. Kinsey returns as a senior with 602 career points and 59 starts under his belt.

After ending last season somewhat as a hero, on the eve of the first game, talk about what the summer was like. Did a lot of people talk to you about the game-winning shot in the NIT finals?

TK: When we got our rings last week (for winning the NIT), that kind of put closure on last season. Right now we have high expectations for this season because we want to go to the NCAA Tournament. We start the season at Western Carolina and every game from here on out is the road to the NCAA Tournament so we have to take every game serious. We have to play hard every time in each game.

Did people talk to you a lot about the shot (at the NIT final)?

TK: They talked a whole lot about it. They talked about it to the point that I wasn’t avoiding people, but I would just smile and not comment. It’s a good memory, but it’s jus a memory now. I am looking for better memories now.

How did preseason practice go?

TK: It was more intense because we started earlier this year (due to new NCAA rules). It seems like we are better now than we were last year at this time. As of right now we have confidence in our team that if we were playing Kentucky or Western Carolina on Friday, we will put up a good fight right now.

Who impressed you in preseason practice?

TK: I’ve been really impressed with the play of Renaldo (Balkman). Clearly Renaldo. Keving (Palacios) has been playing pretty good ball, too. Renaldo has taken that next time. He tries not to talk back as much. Renaldo is Renaldo. He has to be his own self, but he’s not as jumpy as he use to be. He is talking to the younger guys, giving them good advice and stuff. He is staying out of trouble and keeping his grades up as well.

What are some personal goals you have set for yourself this season?

TK: I would like to get to the free throw line double what I did last year (was 52 of 78). If I get to the free throw line it means I am playing aggressive. I would also like to be one of the leading rebounders, too. I need to focus more on getting rebounds and hitting the boards. I want to continue to be the best defensive

What are some team goals?

TK: We haven’t really talked about those yet. But throughout the summer we talked about how good we thought we could be. We would like to play for the SEC Tournament title, the SEC Championship – make the NCAA Tournament. In the preseason I think we would like to go undefeated in to conference play.

The players always say you are the funniest player on the team. What makes you the funniest player?

TK: I don’t know really. I like to be myself and have fun, if I am not laughing or having fun that’s not me. But if I am quiet, they know it’s time to be serious. We have fun with each other. Carlos (Powell) use to do all the imitations. Renaldo is a crack jokes type of guy. It’s more spur of the moment type of humor. We just like laugh.

Any message for the fans?

TK: Please be there on Sunday (Toledo, 1:30 pm)!! We love our fans and when they come to our games and are loud. We want a packed house for every game.