Monday, March 16, 2009

Gamecock Reflections going into NIT

No way to spin this... it was quite the disappointing finish for the Gamecocks to end what was shaping out to be a special year for Coach Horn and his boys. The hurt began with the loss to Vanderbilt in a must-win situation. I think that was the worse loss of them all...win that one and we are in NCAA. Then getting pounded in 2nd half vs Tennessee. Then draggin hope into the SEC Tourney only to be "one and done" but after a double digit lead over MSU. Oh and not to mention the snub for conference player and coach of the year voting. As LOHD always has stated...."it is tough being a gamecock fan."

But now we must get pumped for the NIT. A tourney we have won back to back so we know what it takes to win. I still think the #3 seed in NIT was bullsh*t but I guess no one asked us.

Time to make the most out of the opportunity for the men's basketball team to continue play. Grow as a team, learn more from Coach Horn and hopefully win more games.

I am proud of what they did accomplish this season — a thrilling win over Florida, beat Kentucky in their backwoods then beat them again in columbia (1st time we have beat UK twice in 1 season), a fantastic home record (only two losses all year), a renewed sense of purpose thanks to Horn and the school’s first SEC East title since 1997. Gotta say Go Cocks on that one and hope that we can forget the past and focus on Davidson now. The Garnet Army needs to be loud Tuesday and the team needs to bring their "A" game!

Being SEC East Co Champs, winning 10 games in the SEC and 20+ wins for the season is a excellent start to many long years with Coach Horn. I hope to look back on the 08-09 season as the start of a nice run for USC basketball and the beginning of a winning tradition. With that said I will take a 3rd NIT title but next year I hope for nothing less that NCAA tourney!

Go Cocks!

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