Sept. 17, 2004

The University of South Carolina men’s basketball team will take advantage of fall break by taking a trip of its own October 13-17 when the Gamecocks will travel to Canada for three pre-season games. The foreign tour will allow USC to travel with its four newcomers as well.

“This is a very exciting trip for our team and first I would like to thank the administration for having the foresight to make it possible,” said USC Head Coach Dave Odom. “This trip will help us in many ways, in many ways it will make us a better basketball team because we will be able to get to know each other better, be able to work together prior to the regular practice starting. I am not afraid this will make our team tired at the end of the season – we just won’t allow it. When we come back we will take 3-4 days off to re-group and then get after it in practice.”

“These games will not count towards are record but will speak volumes on what type of team we should expect to have,” continued Odom. “I plan to play everyone, everyone who travels will play a significant amount of time.”

The trip is being arranged by basketballtravelers.com – where additional information can be obtained on the tour and tours like this.

USC will play its first two games in Ottawa, playing Carleton University – the Canadian national champions the past two years – on Oct. 14 in Ottawa. They will play University of Ottawa on Oct. 15 and then travel to Montreal to take on Concordia University of Oct. 16.

South Carolina will have 10 days to prepare for the trip beginning on Oct. 13. All practices are closed to the public and will begin on Sept. 27.

South Carolina is making its first international trip since 2000 when it traveled to the Spain and the Canary Islands.

The following are the details of the trip to Canada (October. 13 – 17):

Wednesday, October 13, 2004
FLY FROM COLUMBIA TO OTTAWA

Thursday, October 14, 2004
GAME VS. CARLETON UNIVERSITY – NATIONAL CHAMPION OF CANADA LAST 2 SEASONS

Friday, October 15, 2004
GAME VS. UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
BUS TO MONTREAL AFTER GAME

Saturday, October 16, 2004
GAME VS. CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY

Sunday, October 17, 2004
FLY FROM MONTREAL TO COLUMBIA