Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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_ __ The Opponents __ ALABAMA Nickname: Crimson Tide Conference: Southeastern 1999-2000 Record: 13-16,6-10 SEC (4th West) Key Losses: Scliea Cotton (G, 15,5 ppg, 4.5 rpg) Summary: Coach Mark Gottfried returns a solid nucleus of • the team that just got better as last season wore on. Although the Tide didn’t make postseason play, that should change tliis year. Senior Jeremy Hays averages 17.2 points per game, and is aided by Rod Grizzard, with 13.2 points per game. Both team mates are quick studies on Gottfried’s up-tempo style. Alabama plays USC: Feb. 14 (Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, Ala.) Grizzard Hays MISSISSIPPI Nickname: Rebels Conference: Southeastern 1999-2000 Record: 19-14,5-11 SEC (T5th West), NIT Quar terfinals Key Losses: Marcus Hicks (F, 14.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Lataryl Williams (F/G, 9.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg) Summary: Ole Miss had a productive off-season, signing the highest-rated recruit in school history (Justin Reed) to the team. Coach Rod Barnes will showcase a squad led by two seniors, Rahim Lockhart and Jason Flanigan. The pair combined to av erage 20.6 points per game last season. Mississippi plays USC: Feb. 17 (Frank McGuire Arena) □ Lockhart Flanigan i i a. i r^n ARKANSAS Nickname: Razorbacks Conference: Southeastern 1999-2000 Record: 19-15, 7-9 SEC (3rd West), NCAA First Round Key Losses: Chris Walker (G, 10.8 ppg, 4.5 ipg) Summary: Coach Nolan Richardson fielded the biggest upset special in the league last season as the ‘Backs won tire SEC Tour nament against all odds. Preseason Player of the Year Joe John son returns, averaging 16 points per game. TJ. Cleveland is a productive scorer as well as an avid advocate of Richardson’s trademark “40 Minutes of Hell” defense. Arkansas plays USC: Feb. 20 (Frank McGuire Arena) Johnson Cleveland MISSISSIPPI STATE Nickname: Bulldogs Conference: Southeastern 1999-2000 Record 14-16,5-11 SEC (T5th West) Key Losses: Todd Myles (G, 8.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg) Summary: Coach Rick Stansbury signed a terrific recruiting class to accentuate his senior tandem of Tang Hamilton and Antonio Jackson. The pair led the Bulldogs last season, chipping in a com bined 26.4 points per game. MSU plays USC: Mar. 3 (Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, Miss.) Hamilton Jackson Ross from page S5 year here and David Ross played two minutes a game, he’d be as happy as any body on our team. He understands winning is important. He’s mature.” Ross, of course, does more than play ing basketball. He enjoys golf in the off season, but his year-round focus is on his studies. He is currently working on a his tory degree and would like to return to the school next year and earn a master’s degree in business. Ross said he got to where he is today by hard work and discipline. He refuses to let himself or his team get away with sub par play. His work ethic is to give 110 per cent every time, whether it’s in practice or in the game. His philosophy in the game, as well as in life, is likely why he’s so suc cessful on and off the court. “Play hard every play, every day. You’re going to make mistakes, but giving your all every time makes up for all of your mis takes.” • Locker Rooms/Showers • Heavy Bag/Speed Bag • Full Line of Nutritional Supplements • Personal Training & , Tanning Available I • Monthly, Semester Student Rates Available • Located 1/2 Mile from Campus • Best Equipped Gym in Columbia (Full Line of Hammer Strength Equipment, plus 20,000 lbs of Free Weights & Separate Cardio Area) FREE ONE DAY TRIAL - - - 1 Come in receive 1 . five dollars month! . 1 - 1 I I 11311 B. Rosewood Dr. * Columbia, SC 29201 »(803) 771-63331 Grant from page S5 stud. "I think we are picked fourth in the East this year, but a lot of those teams ahead of us know how good we are as a team. Some of those teams are going to be sleeping on us and we are definitely going to sneak up and catch some people sleeping.” Grant said he's looking forward to being one of the senior leaders on tliis season’s team. Grant has played in more games (93) and has more career sums (51) than any other member of the team. “I’m really looking forward to making it back to the (NCAA) Tournament. That’s something that I would like to do my senior year,” Grant said. “We know that when we step on the court, we ex pect to win. We have to have a good mental attitude. We have to play hard, unselfishly, and together. If we take those tlirce tilings, I think that we will be able to win a lot of games this year.” Grant is also known as the jokester of the team. The forward said he doesn’t like to see his team mates uptight and that they should be able to enjoy what they’re doing. “When I see everyone uptight, I like to tell some jokes or something to help break the tension. You don’t need to be uptight; you need to be relaxed when you play.” Grant also saidhe’s looking forward to the NBA after his senior year, but that it’s going to take a tremendous effort by the team and by him to have a shot at it. “1 feel like the NBA is so hard. I would have to have a really good season to have a shot at it. I just want to do something where I can make some mon ey,” Grant said smiling. He hopes that the fans will have a huge impact on the team tliis year, as well. After hist season’s fin ish, he knows a lot of added pressure will be on this team. “I know everyone has big expectations, but if winning doesn’t come right away, I just want them to keep supporting us, and we will be back in the Tournament this year.”