Oct. 21, 2004

South Carolina senior Carlos Powell has been named to the Southeastern Conference’s first annual men’s basketball preseason All-SEC second team as the SEC prepares to kick-off another record setting year.

“I have seen a couple other pre-season magazines that didn’t have me first, second or third – nothing – so I was kind of mad. I’ve always been trying to prove myself since I got to school. Since I was little and played basketball, I have been trying to prove myself that I can play with anyone. I guess I have to keep going and make first team by the end of the season, but at the same time put my team first and try to help us win,” said USC’s Powell, a native of Florence, S.C. “I am a man on a mission this year. I am going to love this year. I can’t wait. I am going to try to play more under control this year and have fun.

Will this be the best team he’s played on so far at USC? “I think so,” said Powell. “We are more athletic, we get down the court. We have a good team, we will be alright.”

Alabama, Florida and Tennessee led all schools with three selections each. The preseason All-SEC first and second teams consist of a minimum of eight players on each squad, voted on by the SEC Head Men’s Basketball Coaches. No ties were broken and no predicted order of finish was made.

A complete list of the 2005 SEC Men’s Basketball Preseason All-SEC team follows.

FIRST TEAM ALL-SEC POS HT WT CL HOMETOWN

Kennedy Winston, Alabama F 6-6 205 Jr, Prichard, Ala.

David Lee, Florida F 6-9 249 Sr. St. Louis, Mo.

Anthony Roberson, Florida# G 6-1 180 Jr. Saginaw, Mich.

Matt Walsh, Florida F 6-6 205 Jr. Holland, Pa.

Chuck Hayes, Kentucky F 6-6 247 Sr. Modesto, Calif.

Brandon Bass, LSU F 6-8 252 So. Baton Rouge, La.

Lawrence Roberts, MSU# F 6-9 240 Sr. Houston, Texas

Scooter McFadgon, Tennessee G 6-5 205 Sr. Memphis, Tenn.

SECOND TEAM ALL-SEC POS HT WT CL HOMETOWN

Chuck Davis, Alabama F 6-7 230 Jr. Selma, Ala.

Earnest Shelton, Alabama G 6-3 200 Sr. Memphis, Tenn.

Ronnie Brewer, Arkansas G 6-7 200 So. Fayetteville, Ark.

Jonathon Modica, Arkansas G/F 6-4 200 Jr. Smackover, Ark.

Kelenna Azubuike, Kentucky G 6-5 208 Jr. Tulsa, Okla.

Carlos Powell, South Carolina F 6-7 220 Sr. Florence, S.C.

Brandon Crump, Tennessee F 6-10 250 Sr. Houston, Texas

C.J. Watson, Tennessee G 6-2 170 Jr. Las Vegas, Nev.

Mario Moore, Vanderbilt G 5-11 181 Jr. Nashville, Tenn.

#-Unanimous Selection; Ties are not broken

OTHER GAMECOCK NOTES:

o USC Head Coach Dave Odom announced that freshman Dwayne Day will not redshirt this year. He did not play in Canada last week as Day and the coaches evaluated the situation. On Monday Coach Odom met with Day and they decided that he would not redshirt this season.

o USC season ticket applications are due on Friday to the USC ticket office.

o USC’s first and only exhibition is Monday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 pm vs. USC-Upstate. The Gamecocks first regular season game is at 2 pm on Sunday, Dec. 21 against Western Carolina.