By Compiled from staff and wire reports
Published March 31, 2006
NEW YORK - South Carolina didn't begin the season hoping to repeat as NIT champions.
The Gamecocks were, however, happy to end it that way and become the second school to win consecutive NIT titles.
Tampa natives Renaldo Balkman and Tarence Kinsey were the stars as South Carolina beat Michigan 76-64 on Thursday. Balkman had 10 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks and was named the MVP of the tournament. Kinsey scored 21. Tre' Kelley added 20 points and seven assists.
The Gamecocks (23-15) joined St. John's (1943-44) as back-to-back champions.
"When you look at the leadership Tarence had, you'll have to go back a long way to find a player who has had more success in the NIT than Kinsey has had in two years," South Carolina coach Dave Odom said of his senior, who hit the winning shot last year against Saint Joseph's.
Daniel Horton scored 18 to lead Michigan (22-10).
Trailing 24-14, Michigan closed to 24-21 on Ron Coleman's 3-pointer with 6:07 left in the half. Tempers flared soon after when Balkman blocked Petway's shot. Balkman grabbed the loose ball and caught Petway with an elbow in the lip. Petway shoved Balkman to the floor for an intentional foul.
USF assistant leaves
TAMPA - University of South Florida assistant men's coach Julius Allen is leaving to move closer to his native New York area, coach Robert McCullum announced.
"I truly enjoyed my time at USF," Allen said. "I worked with some great people, and I really believe the program is going to develop into one of the best in the Big East."
Allen spent the past two seasons with the Bulls after working for one year (2003-04) at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
"We certainly respect Julius' desire to move closer to home," McCullum said. "We appreciate his contributions to the program and wish him the best of luck in the future."
AUBURN: Forward Joey Cameron said he plans to leave the program, becoming the eighth player to depart in the two years since Jeff Lebo became coach. Cameron cited lack of playing time in his freshman season. Four players left within two weeks of Lebo's hiring, two left after last season and one quit early this season.
BUCKNELL: Coach Pat Flannery's contract was extended two years after he took the small private school to the NCAA Tournament for a second straight season. Flannery, 48, has a 199-151 record in 12 seasons at Bucknell.
DUKE: Point guard Greg Paulus had arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left wrist and is expected to make a full recovery. "Greg showed a great deal of toughness and resolve playing through the injury as a freshman," coach Mike Krzyzewski said.
SAN DIEGO STATE: Junior forward Marcus Slaughter declared for the NBA draft and hired an agent, meaning he can't return to school. The first-team All-Mountain West selection averaged 16.5 points and 11 rebounds.
McDONALD'S ALL-AMERICAN GAME: Kevin Durant scored 11 of his 25 during a 17-0 run in the second half to help the West high school players rally for a 112-84 victory Wednesday night in San Diego. Durant, who will attend Texas, and Chase Budinger, who will attend Arizona, shared the MVP award. Gerald Henderson, a Duke recruit, helped the East take a 44-24 lead but the West rallied.
