Jan. 16, 2003

To help welcome students back to campus, USC Head Coach will do his weekly radio show from USC’s Russell House on tonight (Thursday) from 7-8 pm. The call-in show will be held on the second floor in the lobby. Students are invited as is the general public.

The call-in show, hosted by Charlie McAlexander, will take questions from the audience as well.

SOUTH CAROLINA’S MARIUS PETRAVICIUS’ CAREER IS OVER

South Carolina senior Marius Petravicius, rehabbing the partial tear of his ACL the past two weeks, has decided to forego the remainder of his senior year and have corrective surgery in next week, as announced by USC Head Coach Dave Odom Wednesday evening. Petravicius suffered the injury in the first half of the Citadel game on Jan. 2.

Odom said after observing Petravicius’ both mental and physical struggle in his rehab the past week or so, he consulted with the trainer and team doctor at Kentucky. “It was painfully obvious that he was not doing well and that’s not like Marius,” said Odom.

Odom spoke with Petravicius on Sunday about his different options and asked him to consult with his parents and mentors in Lithuania. Odom felt it was a hard decision for anyone to make, but a decision that had to be made by Petravicius.

Petravicius and Odom met with Dr. Jeff Guy and team trainer, Dennis Williams, Tuesday night and decided he would go ahead with the corrective surgery immediately.

“Marius has given the University and it fans so much joy,” continued Odom. “We support his decision of corrective surgery in the near future. Marius struggled to come to this decision because he knew played his last game for USC. We will stand by him through the surgery and rehab. process.”

Odom said Petravicius wanted to be ready in May and next fall if the opportunity of basketball after college presented itself. He said Petravicius is hopeful if he has this surgery now, he will be fully recovered by this time.

“This was a tough decision. I have enjoyed my time at Carolina. One of the many highlights was the trip to New York City last year for the NIT Finals,” said Petravicius.

NO PRACTICE FOR POWELL TODAY, PROBABLE FOR SATURDAY

South Carolina sophomore Carlos Powell suffered a mid foot sprain in the Auburn game on Wednesday night. He was x-rayed Thursday morning by the team doctors and the x-ray was negative.

Powell will not practice Thursday, should practice on Friday and is listed as probable for Saturday’s 8:06 pm tip-off against Florida.