Nov. 18, 2003

South Carolina will play Idado in the second round of the Guardians Classic tonight. Both teams advanced by winning their first round games (Idaho defeated Elon 84-60).

The two teams have met just once, with USC coming away with a 56-54 win in Columbia on Jan. 22, 1983. USC Head Coach Dave Odom will be meeting the Vandals, who play out of the Big West, for the first time and likewise for UI Head Coach Leonard Perry.

2,667 miles from home

According to mapquest.com, Idaho travelled over 2,667 miles from Moscow to Columbia to play in the Guardians Classic. Moscow is in the northwest corner of the state.

Idaho was 13-15 under second year head coach Leonard Perry in 2002-03. They posted a 9-9 record in the Big West, finishing fifth.

Perry, 22-34 in two seasons with Idaho, returns three starters and eight letterwinners for the Vandals.

Season Openers

Opening its 96th season of college basketball, USC is now 67-29 in season openers. Since joining the SEC in 1991, the Gamecocks are 8-5.

As a head coach Dave Odom is now 16-2 in season openers.

Chart Toppers

USC put six players in double figures on Monday versus Gardner Webb. In all of last season, USC never posted more than four in double figures.

USC would have had season bests in three pointers made (12) and equalled its season best in rebounds (49) if you compare the stats with last season bests.

USC Collects 14 Bests

USC collected a slew of career bests – 14 total – on Monday night vs. Gardner Webb, with Tarence Kinsey putting up eight different career bests, including his chart toppers in points (14) and rebounds (nine).

Carlos Powell collected the fourth double-double of his career, tying the Guardians Classic game record with 16 rebounds, also a career high.

Needed more than 70 in 2003

USC posted 83 points against Gardner Webb on Monday night – with the team only topping 83 once last year (84 points in the win at Vandy).

In 2002-03 USC was 9-1 when scoring more than 70 points, with its lone loss coming at the hands of the Gators (75-77 on Jan. 18). On the flip side, when USC scored less than 70, the Gamecocks were 3-15 with its only wins coming against Temple (66-47), The Citadel (66-50) and Mississippi (55-49).

Another fact. When USC went into the lockerrroom at halftime with the lead last season, they were 11-3. When they go in down, they were 1-13.