Gamecocks Hold 1st Basketball Practice of 2009-2010 Season

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -
Darrin Horn always gets excited this time
of year. South Carolina’s coach may have even more reason for
optimism these days.

The Gamecocks, who shared the top spot in the Southeastern
Conference’s Eastern Division with Tennessee last spring, have four
starters back, including speedy star Devan Downey in Horn’s second
season.

Horn led the Gamecocks to a 20-win season and their best SEC
mark in 11 years at 10-6. That didn’t gain them a bid to the NCAA
tournament, however. That goal got a significant boost last June
when two of South Carolina’s key players in Downey and forward
Dominique Archie opted to return for their senior seasons instead
of remaining in the NBA draft.