Feb. 3, 2006

Columbia, SC – On the eve of the Arkansas game, South Carolina junior forward Renaldo Balkman has been upgraded to probable for the Carolina-Arkansas game on Sat., Feb. 4 at 3 pm in Fayetteville.

“Renaldo practiced in most of the live scrimmage drills,” said USC Head Coach Dave Odom. “His knee held up well and I would upgrade his availability to probable for limited action. We are very pleased with the way he has responded to his rehabilitation.”

Balkman injured his left knee during play early in practice on Monday. After x-rays and an MRI, USC’s team doctors and medical staff examined him and determined it was a knee sprain.

Balkman leads the team with 6.3 rpg and is third in scoring with 10.3 ppg. He has played in all 20 of USC’s games this season, starting 13. USC is 11-9 and 2-5 in the SEC.