South Carolina Gamecocks head men’s basketball coach Darrin Horn met with members of the media on Friday afternoon to discuss the 2009-10 hoops campaign and his thoughts on next season. The big news out of this meeting is that forward Austin Steed will not return next season.
The news of Austin Steed is not a shock but still hate to see this happen to him. Steed was not a significant contributor to the USC program, which is sad to say, but it is the truth. Here is his numbers as a Gamecock:
2007-08
Averaged 2.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.3 steals in 4.8 minutes per game, playing in six games.
2008-2009
2 starts, played in 31 games, Averaged 3.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 14.5 minutes per game
2009-2010
11 starts, averaging 2.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game for the year
As you can see, not huge numbers being lost.
What is interesting is this was Coach Horn’s call. It is reported, that Horn met with Austin and was informed that there was not a role for him on the team but if he chooses to remain at Carolina his scholarship will be honored.
Austin Steed joins the list of recently “let go” or transferees from the USC basketball program as the others are Mike Jones, Chad Gray and Mike Holmes.
I am kinda warming up to the ballzy approach of Coach Horn. This is certainly his program and he is building this program his way. He said no to the CBI and CBT, kicked Mike Holmes off the team and now sent Austin walking.
High risk, high reward is most certainly his style on and off the court.
Horn Quote of the Day –
“I’ve never been a part of a losing season as a head coach,” Horn said. “That’s not something that I’m accustomed to. That’s not something that I expect to be a part of.”
