Sports

Gamecock Hoops Diss … In, Then Out

NCAA INADVERTENTLY TEASES SOUTH CAROLINA BASKETBALL PROGRAM We wrote earlier this month about the University of South Carolina men’s basketball team getting dissed by the NCAA – narrowly missing out on what would have been the school’s first men’s basketball tournament appearance in twelve years. Adding insult to injury?  A…

NCAA INADVERTENTLY TEASES SOUTH CAROLINA BASKETBALL PROGRAM

We wrote earlier this month about the University of South Carolina men’s basketball team getting dissed by the NCAA – narrowly missing out on what would have been the school’s first men’s basketball tournament appearance in twelve years.

Adding insult to injury?  A report indicating the Gamecocks were actually told they had made the “Big Dance” – only to be left hanging.  According to reporter Ron Higgins of  The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune, head coach Frank Martin‘s team was told it was in the tournament … only to see the bid go to Vanderbilt.

“The person that makes the travel arrangements for NCAA tournament teams had actually called South Carolina, told the Gamecocks they had been invited, then said to hold on and they would call back in 10 minutes,” Higgins reported.  “South Carolina never got the return call.  Vandy got the NCAA bid and then promptly lost by 20 points to Wichita State in one of the tourney’s First Four games in Dayton.”

Ouch …

The NCAA offered a slightly different explanation.

“Unfortunately, during the selection show a junior men’s basketball staff member mistakenly sent a text to a member of the University of South Carolina athletics department staff via an app we used for the first time during the 2016 tournament,” the organization said in a statement.  “The text was supposed to go to all teams, congratulating them for making the tournament. Regrettably, a text meant for another institution went to South Carolina instead.”

Cold … blooded.

The Gamecocks’ snub is especially troubling considering another “bubble” team – Syracuse – made the Final Four this year as a No. 10 seed, and is seeking to become the lowest seed to win the tournament since Villanova won it all in 1985.

South Carolina finished the 2015-16 season with a 25-9 record – easily its best mark in four years under Martin.  After a dismal first two seasons in which South Carolina posted a 28-38 record (and a 9-27 conference mark), Martin’s squad posted its first winning record last season and took an even bigger step toward respectability this year.  Let’s hope that upward trajectory continues next season, leaving no doubt about the squad’s postseason situation.

Pic: Travis Bell Photography

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13 comments

erneba March 31, 2016 at 3:48 pm

There’s got to be more to that story.

Reply
Tazmaniac March 31, 2016 at 3:57 pm

USC was tied with Vandy and LSU so it could have been as simple as one potato, two potato. Or legacy perception.

Reply
Flip March 31, 2016 at 4:04 pm

Legacy perception? Ouch, Gamecocks aren’t winning that one.

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9" March 31, 2016 at 4:05 pm

It was a big dis,but it’s the losingist tournament ever-win/loss ratio of accepted teams or something like that…

payback coming

Reply
TroubleBaby March 31, 2016 at 4:36 pm

Alright, but come on- they got bounced in the 2nd round of the NIT for crying out loud.

Reply
Lone Ranger March 31, 2016 at 7:04 pm

Meanwhile…Judi Gatson and WIS have changed plans to name Staley Coach of the Universe and are still in shock

Now that the overrated team AGAIN got out-coached and out-played…Staley will STILL be just the coach of the…Gamecocks !!!

Reply
Squishy123 April 1, 2016 at 9:02 am

Ol’ Salamander Eyes is quite the USCe Women’s Basketball fan.

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Toyota Kawaski April 1, 2016 at 11:58 am

mean while…. Clempson just signed a new sheep to coach the alleged Women’s program they have on campus. Rumor is the program left the building in Jim Davis Marlboro Light box. Admin is hoping the Goat can revive the program.

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Squishy123 April 2, 2016 at 11:03 am

Like anyone really gives a shit about women’s sports. Well except USCe because the men’s teams either suck or they choke when the pressure is on.

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Scooter March 31, 2016 at 8:18 pm

Lawd, it was not the first time that they have been humiliated.

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shittycommittee March 31, 2016 at 11:29 pm

I didnt chop down the cherry tree , st marys , s car and st bonny got shit on .worst job ever by a selection commitee. pac 12 went 2-8 tulsa , tex t , vandy, pitt WTF . They lucked out with cuse. I guess 1 for 12 is pretty good

Reply
Tigerted April 1, 2016 at 6:00 am

Maybe news of punks shooting BB guns made the rounds.
Martin got a contract extension
Not bad for an ex-bouncer

Reply
LouieBuoy April 1, 2016 at 10:49 am

oooohhhhh nooooo!!!! the chicken curse has returned!!!!

Reply

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