Commissioner [995]
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Joined: 8/21/03
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For all of you that think that the coots have a chance...
Mar 15, 2005, 12:59 AM
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... against Miami, don't forget the Chicken Curse.
In honor of the start of the NCAA and NIT tournament seasons (the post below reminded me of how fun this was to behold):
   (Ok, so this one was from the next year when they lost to #3 seeded superpower, Richmond. Hey, the Chicken Curse is the gift that keeps giving.)
Gamecocks curse extended in loss to Coppin State
(c) 1997 Copyright Nando.net
(c) 1997 Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Mar 15, 1997 - 12:02 EST) -- South Carolina's most surprising basketball season in years ended with one of the school's most stunning defeats.
That's saying a lot, since the Gamecocks' athletic program often is marked more by hexes and failure than championships and success.
South Carolina, seeded second in the NCAA East Regional, became only the third team in 13 years to lose to a No. 15 seed with its 78-65 defeat by Coppin State on Friday.
The losss overshadowed the Gamecocks' first Southeastern Conference championship and revived talk of the Chicken Curse.
"It ranks right up there with the Navy loss in football and losing to The Citadel in football," South Carolina fan Miguel Taylor said in The (Columbia) State on Saturday.
In 1984, South Carolina's football team was a surprising 9-0 and could have risen to No. 1 if it had beat a weak Navy team. Instead, the Gamecocks' national title dreams died in a 38-21 loss.
In 1990, South Carolina was beaten in its home stadium by Division I-AA Citadel 38-35.
That's when the curse was at its most potent. The incantation was laid on the school by former governor and U.S. Sen. "Pitchfork" Ben Tillman, who founded Clemson college to create a heated state rivalry.
Tillman was a farmer by trade and had little use for the bluebloods of Columbia and the University of South Carolina. He vowed their endeavors would forever be cursed and the spell has since been used to explain why bad things happen to Gamecock sports.
There have been moments of surprise in the darkness. Frank McGuire earned four straight NCAA appearances during the early 1970s and assembled some of the most formidable college basketball teams of the decade. Football coach Joe Morrison went to three bowl games in five seasons -- although he never won -- before his death of a heart attack in 1989.
The late 1980s and early 1990s, however, were cursed by lawsuits, scandal and confusion.
Football player Tommy Chaikin admitted in Sports Illustrated he used steroids for three years and alleged 50 players used the performance-enhancing drug. Athletic director Bob Marcum was fired and later sued the school. Former basketball coach Steve Newton lost his job over five secondary NCAA recruiting violations.
With the hiring of athletic director Mike McGee, the Gamecocks' program brightened. His choice for football coach, Brad Scott, scored the school's first bowl victory after eight losses.
McGee replaced Newton with current coach Eddie Fogler, who slowly restored the basketball team in McGuire's image.
Fogler's club started 5-5 this season, then went on a surprising run that carried it to two wins over Kentucky and the SEC title. More than 5,000 people packed the city airport when the Gamecocks returned home from Lexington, Ky., two weeks ago.
Players, coaches and fans were eager to keep the surge going all the way to the Final Four.
The Gamecocks were heavy favorites over Coppin State, from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference that was 0-15 in the NCAA tournament.
South Carolina led 47-40 with 13 minutes left, then collapsed.
"That's part of being in the NCAA tournament," Gamecocks point guard Melvin Watson said. "Either you come ready to play or you're going to leave if you're not ready."
South Carolina should remain strong next season if there are no major upheavals. Only all-SEC guard Larry Davis and reserve Nate Wilbourne will leave. However, Fogler's name is at the top of many school's list with a coaching vacancy.
Rutgers was given permission by McGee to speak with Fogler about its opening and others like Ohio State and Tennessee could follow with big offers. If McGee can keep his coach -- which he believes he can -- that would go far to returning the Gamecocks to the NCAA.
And ridding any curses that have stuck to the program.
(And two years later, the curse continued to give as this blessing rolled down the pike:  ).
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