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Men’s hoops looks for breakout year Jonathan Hillyard SPORTS EDITOR While there might be a number of familiar laces on USC’s men’s basketball team in 2005, don’t be surprised if you don’t quite recognize the team on the court. Fifth-year ’ coach Dave Udom s team returns four starters from last year’s squad, but he also adds a number of new dimensions to the team. Despite losing leader Carlos Powell, the team, on paper, is bigger than it was a year ago — and, Odom said, it is much deeper. “At each position -we have good experience, and as I mix the teams up I can hardly tell the difference from one d%y to another and one practice to another,” Odom said after a preseason practice. “The players are in good shape, and they are getting better as time goes by.” Center/power forward The loss of Powell would seem to take away from the physicality of the Gamecock team. nnter junior college transfers O u s m a n e Konate and Keving Palacios. Konate, listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 286 pounds, is a sophomore transfer from Redlands junior college in Oklahoma. He had an offseason foot surgery, but Odom said he seems to be coming along. Palacios is listed at 6 feet 8 inches tall and 278 pounds. He will most likely play the power forward spot for the Gamecocks and is a transfer from Eastern Oklahoma State. The tandem of new comers down low will complement a stable of returning post players for the Gamecocks. Senior Antoine Tisby, who emerged as a low-post threat late in the season last year, will be back to anchor the power game. Also returning at forward is junior Brandon Wallace, a staple in the starting lineup during Carolina’s NIT championship run a year ago. Wallace averaged a litde less than 6 points per game last season, but is already No. 7 all-time at USC with 90 blocks. Small forward At the small forward position the Gamecocks might have their deepest talent pool. NIT PRCUICIU • 3 rw ' “The players are in good shape, and they are getting better.” DAVE ODOM USC men V basketball coach KatieKirkland/THE GAMECOCK Entering his fifth season at Carolina, men’s basketball coach Dave Odom has led the Gamecocks to three 20-win seasons. illik. r As a Credit Union Service Center Partner, you now have over 1900 locations nationwide with full access to your accounts. Visit www.carolina.org to map the locations you need. CAROLINA COLLEGIATE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION ' Making a difference, one member at a time! 1 CREDIT UNON semce ccntcrs. The Member- Friendly Financial Network ^^J>ROUD SUPPORTERS OF GAMECOCKJ3£g^^P