Dec. 15, 2002

FINALS ARE OVER, WOFFORD COMES TO TOWN After eight days off, to study and complete final exams, USC will take on Wofford Monday, Dec. 16 at approximately 8:07 pm in the Carolina Center (the women play Middle Tennessee State prior to the men’s game).

The contest will be televised regionally by ComCast. Play by play announcer is Mike Morgan and color analyst is former College of Charleston Head Coach John Kreese.

The game will be carried on the radio airwaves by the Gamecock Sports Network. Charlie McAlexander (play-by-play) and Casey Manning (color) will call the action on more than 25 stations in the Palmetto State and world-wide on the internet at www.uscsports.com.

South Carolina leads the Wofford series 35-18, coming away with a 64-49 win Nov. 28, 2001 in Spartanburg.

The first meeting between the two schools dates back to Feb. 29, 1909 when the Gamecocks took it on the chin, dropping a 23-18 contest in Columbia in USC’s first season of basketball.

Wofford won 12 of the first 17 meetings, but USC has come on strong as of late, winning the past 18 contests, includng a 92-41 pasting in 1998-99.

EXPECT TO SEE Coach Odom said today he expects to see more of freshmen Marcus Morrison and Tarence Kinsey because they’ve been ‘playing well this week’.

CHRISTMAS PARTY The men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted a Christmas party today for the Boys and Girl’s Clubs of Columbia, in cooperation with the USC Tip-off Club. The teams gave the kids gifts, signed autographs and lowered the baskets so the kids could slam-dunk. In addition, Santa Claus made a visit and for the second straight year, Santa sunk a three-pointer as he left the gym.

Last Friday the teams went with representatives of the Tip-Off Club to Richland Mall to buy the presents and on Sunday they were paired up with a child who received the gift.

USC participated in the Christmas party as a part of the USC Athletic Department’s community service program — Team Gamecocks … Athletes Who Care.

ON THE ROAD A reminder, USC departs Tuesday morning, Dec. 17 for it’s trip out West. The Gamecocks will take on Wyoming Thurs., Dec. 19 and then travel to Colorado State where they will take on the Rams on Sunday, Dec. 22 before returning to Columbia late Sunday night. The Gamecocks are 1-0 against both teams lifetime and it will be USC’s first trip to either school and its first visit to the state of Wyoming.