March 30, 2006

Matthew Shapiro
CSTV.com

NEW YORK - With just over six minutes remaining in the first half of the National Invitation Tournament final between Michigan and South Carolina, it looked as though the 7,054 in attendance at the "World's Most Famous Arena" were in for a championship game befitting a tournament of the NIT's prestige.

The Wolverines had cut a ten point lead to three, and the Michigan fans in attendance got a chance to make some noise in hopes to excite their team that looked lethargic through the first 14 minutes.

But with all the hope that the six minute mark brought, the three-point deficit was the closest Michigan would come for the rest of the game. By the end of the first, South Carolina had opened up a 12 point lead, and the Gamecocks were well on their way to a 76-64 win, and back-to-back NIT championships.

South Carolina Head Coach Dave Odom credited the win partially to his team's ability to play several different styles of basketball and their capacity to adjust depending on what the opposition brings.

"We can play different styles. We can play different types of games," he said. "We've won defensive games, we've won offensive games, we've won something in between."

Tonight, South Carolina was able to bang bodies with a Michigan squad that Odom called a "slug it out, bruise you kind of team." The credit for the Gamecocks' ability to play strong down low should go mainly to the NIT Most Outstanding Player, Renaldo Balkman, who finished with 10 points, 11 boards and six blocks.

"He is phenomenal," South Carolina senior Tarence Kinsey said. "He was everywhere, rebounding, blocking shots, getting steals, dunking balls. That's the Renaldo that we can get used to."

In a tournament that is touted as "College Basketball's Beginning," South Carolina's back-to back wins has some impressive historical significance. It's been 62 years since a team won two in a row; the last team to accomplish the feat was St. John's in 1943 and 1944.

With the success South Carolina has had at Madison Square Garden, maybe Knicks head coach Larry Brown could call Odom for some pointers.

"I know our university is proud and I know our state is proud," Odom said.

Odom is aware that winning back-to-back NIT titles may not receive the recognition it deserves, but he doesn't let that bother him.

"I only care about our team and our university," he said. "In the end, it always comes back to you need to get to the NCAA Tournament and you need to play for the National Championship. That does not demean this at all...We did win two back-to-back. And for that, I am thankful and very, very proud."

While Michigan certainly didn't play to its full potential, the Gamecocks must receive praise for a terrific effort. The Wolverines will be the first to tell you that.

"You give them the credit for what they were able to do tonight. I thought they had so much energy," Wolverine coach Tommy Amaker said. "They played an exceptional basketball game early that put us on our heels."

Michigan senior guard Daniel Horton agreed.

"They came out stronger than we did," Horton said. "After that we fought them pretty much the whole way. The first few minutes of the game decided the game."

While Horton and the Wolverines may have battled hard to stay in the game, the hole that they had dug by the end of the first half was too deep. The Gamecocks kept the pressure on as the second began, and were up 17 two and a half minutes in. The rest of the game featured only small glimpses of hope for Michigan, and each instance Horton tried to pull the Wolverines back from the dead, South Carolina made sure the Maze and Blue would remain flat lined.

As tonight signaled the final collegiate game for many players on the floor, the evening brought intense emotions from both sides. Odom explained what it is like to see his team come together to finish off a season the way it did.

"I love to build a team," he said. "When I know the job is complete and it was done right, that's one of the great satisfying things about coaching is to see your team become just that-- a team. Our team is that. I mean, really, really are a team right now."

"I guess I am emotional," he said. "But that's a good emotion I think."

Notes...The win was a significant one for Odom, as he picked up his 100th as head coach at South Carolina. 32nd Street and 7th Avenue seems to be a special place for Odom, as his 300th career victory came at the Garden in a 2002 NIT win over Syracuse...All-NIT Tournament Team: Taquan Dean, Louisville; Daniel Horton, Michigan; Tarence Kinsey and Tre' Kelley, South Carolina; Most Outstanding Player: Renaldo Balkman, South Carolina.