Cocks Not Dancing
The slipper didn’t fit for first-year head coach Darrin Horn and his Gamecocks.
Despite 21 wins and a share of the SEC East Championship, South Carolina was left out in the cold when it came time to punch tickets to the NCAA’s “Big Dance.”
Losses in three of its last four games conspired to doom South Carolina (21-9, 10-7 SEC), a team which seemed like a lock to make the tournament just two short weeks ago.
One of those losses – a March 5 home loss to the Tennessee Volunteers – was particularly damaging to USC’s chances, as the Gamecocks got blown out in front of a nationally-televised audience.
Losing to Mississippi State didn’t help either, and the Bulldogs added insult to injury by going on to win the SEC tournament and claiming an automatic NCAA bid.
That put the final nail in Carolina’s slim NCAA chances.
Now the Gamecocks will have to settle for a bid to the NIT – a tournament they won in 2005 and 2006 under former coach Dave Odom.
Clemson, on the other hand, will be going dancing in the NCAA’s.
The Tigers snared the seventh-seed in the South Regional, and will tip off later this week against the Michigan Wolverines.
A victory there would likely pit them against Big XII powerhouse Oklahoma.
Here’s your complete NCAA bracket …
Pic: Travis Bell, Sideline Carolina
Comments
By MSU Dawg House on March 15th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
The cowbell be clangin’ today. It’s getting pretty annoying, actually.
By reggie on March 15th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
very disappointing… the one time the state was in a flux and they lose to vandy, tennessee, and the friggin bulldogs!!!!! i mean, THE BULLDOGS!!!!!!!!
anyway, this is gonna be a good tourney season. i cant trust my bracket though….
By James the Foot Soldeir on March 15th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
NIT
NIT
NIT
(not invited tournament)
By Toyota Kawaski on March 16th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Still the NIT but if you win this years NIT you will have done something.Look at the field.
By Crooner on March 16th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
The interesting thing will be to see if Horn can get them motivated despite their disappointment at missing the Big Dance. Next year begins Tuesday at 7:00.