2009 South Carolina Gamecocks: A Step In The Right Direction

Thank you!

What a heartbreaking, exhilirating, intense, emotional year this basketball season was for the South Carolina Gamecocks. 

Before the fans of the program begin speaking of the dissapointing NCAA omission and the NIT loss to Davidson and master shooter Stephon Curry, they should be thankful. 

There is an old saying among educators, before you say anything to a teacher, start with "thank you".  This saying applies with regard to this team. 

Thank you for bringing us to tears... for giving us something to cheer for... for giving your all... for delivering us an SEC east championship banner... for overachieving... thank you Zam for your years of dedication and your emotion... I believe that your tears after that loss in the NIT are one of the all-time great Carolina images. 

To begin with, our lineup now has the makings of one of the truly great basketball teams.  USC is only losing Zam, an underrated guard who sometimes played ahead of himself, and Branden Conrad. 

Carolina, barring an NBA departure, keeps a great senior leader in Devan Downy, an all-SEC selection who scored almost 20 points a game and always seemed to find ways to help us win. 

They also keep Dominique Archie, Sam Muldrow, and Mike Holmes, who really improved their play and should be a dominating front court next season.  The three players combined for nearly 30 points, 19 rebounds, and multiple blocks per game. 

Let's also not forget Brandis Raley-Ross, the sixth man of the year in the SEC (potential Downey replacement if Downey goes pro and possble Zam replacement), and Evaldus Baniulis, a hot shot three-point shooter, one of the top in the nation. 

To lead the team, we have a coach of the year finalist in Darrin Horn. 

Carolina fans, the future has never looked so good.  We have four freshman coming in.  A point guard, shooting guard, small forward, and power forward.  Find a center, and they have a brand new team to grow.  Carolina has not had a recruiting class like this in years.  Four solid three-star players coming in. 

The frontcourt needs to continue to grow, and someone needs to step up and be Downey's wingman due to Zam Fredricks departure.  If Double D leaves, then we will need two players to step up. Maybe a freshman and Raley Ross or maybe Baniulis can do the job. 

Either way, we celebrate the season.  Next year will be a pleasure to watch.  Thank you, Carolina for making basketball relevant again.