USC Hoops Tips Off Season Against Allen

COLUMBIA, S.C. (USC SID) — Sunday’s exhibition contest vs. Allen marks the first-ever meeting between the two Columbia-based schools. The Yellow Jackets are led by head coach Nelson Jones in his first season, while Carolina is led by fourth-year head coach Frank Martin. HALFTIME HONORS Gamecock Athletics and head coach Frank Martin announced earlier this week that during halftime of the exhibition vs. Allen, the nine victims of the Emanuel AME Church shooting and their families in attendance will be honored at Colonial Life Arena. The ceremony will take place at the beginning of halftime. RETURNING FOR THE GAMECOCKS This year‘s squad is comprised of eight returning letterwinners, including four returning starters in senior forwards Laimonas Chatkevicius and Michael Carrera, and junior guards Duane Notice and Sindarius Thornwell. The Gamecocks return at least 72 percent of their stats in every major category from last season. In returning four of their top five scorers, led by Notice‘s 11.7 points per game last season, the Gamecocks will see 78.7 percent of their scoring output, 78.7 percent of made field goals and 83.3 percent of made 3-point field goals back on the court for 2015-16.