May 19, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina men’s basketball team will host Providence in the Big East/SEC Challenge next season, it was announced on Thursday. The Gamecocks will play host to the Friars on Thursday, Dec. 1, at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia. ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will combine to televise all 12 games of the three-day event.

“We are excited to play Providence in the Big East/SEC Challenge next season and to host at Colonial Life Arena,” South Carolina head coach Darrin Horn said. “This will be a good test for our team early in the season and will only strengthen what is already going to be a tough non-conference schedule. It’s a great event for both leagues.”

The Gamecocks and Friars have met seven previous times, with Providence holding a 4-3 edge in the series. Every game of the series has been played in the month of December. South Carolina won the most recent matchup between the two schools, a 68-67 road win on Dec. 6, 2007. South Carolina head coach Darrin Horn has never faced the Friars during his eight seasons as a head coach.

Below is the series breakdown between the two schools:
Dec. 28, 1970 – (Holiday Festival Tournament), New York, NY – S.C. win, 102-86
Dec. 15, 1972 – (Utah Classic), Salt Lake City, Utah – Providence win, 79-64
Dec. 31, 1993 – Providence, R.I. – Providence win, 88-69
Dec. 31, 1994 – Columbia, S.C. – Providence win, 79-71
Dec. 30, 2000 – Providence, R.I – Providence win, 60-55
Dec. 3, 2001 – Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina win, 67-48
Dec. 6, 2007 – (Big East/SEC Challenge, Philadelphia, Penn. – South Carolina win, 68-67

2011 BIG EAST/SEC CHALLENGE (times and networks are to be determined)
Thursday, Dec. 1
Georgetown at Alabama
Providence at South Carolina
St. John’s at Kentucky
Ole Miss at DePaul

Friday, Dec. 2
Auburn at Seton Hall
Florida at Syracuse
Cincinnati at Georgia
Vanderbilt at Louisville

Saturday, Dec. 3
Arkansas at Connecticut
West Virginia at Mississippi State
LSU at Rutgers
Pittsburgh at Tennessee