March 17, 2005

The NIT has announced the University of South Carolina men’s basketball team will host the winner of the Arizona State-UNLV game (Thursday, March 17 at Midnight EST on ESPN2) in the second round of the NIT. The game between Carolina and ASU/UNLV will begin at 7:30 pm at the Colonial Center. National Invitational Tournament tickets will go on-sale Friday, March 18 at 10:00am.

Ticket information follows below.

It’s the Gamecocks ninth appearance in the NIT (12-8) with their last appearance netting an NIT Championship final appearance with Memphis (lost 62-72 after defeating Syracuse 66-59 in the semi-finals). See full results below.

USC is 16-13 and was 7-9 in the SEC.

“We are excited the NIT has named South Carolina as the second round host,” said South Carolina Head Coach Dave Odom. “This will give all of our students and Gamecock fans time to get their tickets for this second round match-up. Our team commented after the Miami game how loud the crowd was on Tuesday night and how much they helped them in the second half. While we are unsure of who we will play right now, we look forward to the challenges both teams will present us to us on Tuesday night in Columbia.”

NIT Tickets

National Invitational Tournament tickets will go on-sale Friday, March 17 at 10:00am. The weekdays hours for the Colonial Center box office are 10 an – 6 pm and the Colonial Center box office will be open Saturday, March 19 from Noon until 6 pm as well.

Fans can also buy tickets at the South Carolina-Arkansas baseball series this weekend at Sarge Frye Field as well.

Tickets can be purchased at the Colonial Center, by calling 1-866-472-8499 or by visiting www.thecolonialcenter.com. Tickets are $17.00 for lower level seating and $10.00 for upper level seating. Due to time limitations, we are expecting a large will call pick-up. Using the on-line print at home function will help expedite your entry into the Colonial Center. All reserve seating will be sold on a first come first serve basis.

USC Student Tickets

USC student tickets are $4.00 and can be purchased at the Russell House with a valid USC Id starting at 10:00am on Friday March 18.

USC’s National Invitation Tournament History

Nine Tournaments: Won 12, Lost 8.

1969: Madison Square Garden; New York

M.15 Southern Illinois 72-63 W

M.18 Army 45-59 L

1975: Madison Square Garden; New York

M.16 Connecticut 71-61 W

M.18 Princeton 67-86 L

1978: Reynolds Coliseum; Raleigh, N.C.

M.10 North Carolina State 70-82 L

1983: Frank McGuire Arena; Columbia, S.C.

M.16 Old Dominion 100-90 W

M.21 Virginia Tech 75-68 W

Greensboro Coliseum; Greensboro, N.C.

M.24 Wake Forest 61-78 L

1991: Frank McGuire Arena; Columbia, S.C.

M.15 George Washington 69-63 W

Albany Civic Center; Albany, N.Y.

M.19 Siena 58-63 L

1996: Frank McGuire Arena; Columbia, S.C.

M.13 Davidson 100-73 W

M.18 Vanderbilt 80-70 W

M.20 Alabama 67-68 L

2001: Harry A. Gampel Pavilion; Storrs, Conn.

M.14 Connecticut 65-72 L

2002: University Hall; Charlottesville, Va.

M.13 Virginia 74-67 W

Frank McGuire Arena; Columbia, S.C.

M.19 Nevada-Las Vegas 75-65 W

M.21 Ball State 82-47 W

Madison Square Garden; New York City, N.Y.

M.26 Syracuse 66-59 W

M.28 Memphis 62-72 L

(Second Place)

2005: Colonial Center; Columbia, S.C.

M.15 Miami 69-67 W