March 16, 2004

Columbia, SC – Tarence Kinsey, sophomore from Tampa, Fla.

Q. Tarence, talk about the resurgence in your game over the past four games

TK: “At the beginning of the season, I felt like I had something to prove. Once we started SEC play, the competition really picked up. The defenses started to get tougher and it took me a while to adjust to that.”

Q. What are some of the things that you think you bring to the team?

TK: “Everything revolves around the team. I try to do anything to help pick up the performance of the team. Hopefully, if I’m playing well, then that means the defense can’t key on just one or two players. I take a lot of pride in my offensive and defensive rebounding.”

Q. Talk about playing in your first SEC Tournament last week.

TK: “Last year I couldn’t play in the SEC Tournament, because I had broken my foot. At first, I was a little nervous, but then I kind of settled in.”

Q. Talk about how you felt when you saw South Carolina’s name come up on the TV screen Sunday.

TK: “It was like a dream. Everyone wants to play in the NCAA Tournament when they come to college. I was so happy that we made it.”

Q. What do you know about the Memphis Tigers?

TK: “They are very quick and they penetrate very well. All of their players can step out and shoot the 3. They like to run up and down the floor.”

Q. Last time you played in Kansas City, we won the tournament and you were MVP … do you like Kansas City?

TK: “I have some good memories from our last trip to Kansas City. Hopefully, history will repeat itself.”

Q. How do you think you will feel prior to game time on Friday?

TK: “I will have some butterflies, there’s no doubt about that. But, once we tip it off, I think I will settle down and play the best I can.”

Brandon Wallace, freshman from Jackson, SC

Q. Talk about your experience at the SEC Tournament last week.

BW: “The SEC Tournament was a great experience. Playing in a big dome like that was really different, but the rims were soft and it was a good place to shoot in. I’m just looking forward to this tournament coming up.”

Q. What are your thoughts about playing in the NCAA Tournament?

BW: “Hopefully, we will make this a habit. I want to play in the NCAA’s all four of my years at South Carolina.”

Q. What are your thoughts about Memphis?

BW: “They are definitely a good team. They had a great season; they were 12-4 in their conference and beat a lot of good teams. They have a very good shooting team.”

Q. Now that the feeling has sunk in about receiving a bid, how have things gone the past couple of days?

BW: “We looked forward to getting back on the court and preparing for Memphis. Sunday night we were all hyped up about receiving the bid, but by Monday, we were back to school and back to practicing.”

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