COLUMBIA, S..C. - South Carolina coach Dave Odom says recruit Chad Gray has ``done well'' in classes at Midlands Technical College and could be available for the Gamecocks game with Princeton on Wednesday.<br>
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``I can tell you that reports are he did very well at Midlands Tech,'' Odom said Thursday. ``He did everything that they asked him to do and hopefully our university will agree.''<br>
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``But again,'' Odom said, ``there's nothing that's definitive.''<br>
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Almost nothing about 6-foot-8 Gray's attempt to join South Carolina has been black-and-white.<br>
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He was expected this fall, but his admission was denied by the university because of concerns over Gray's former prep school, Florida Preparatory Academy, which had been on a list of those being looked at as ``diploma mills'' by the NCAA. The NCAA later permitted schools to accept Florida Prep athletes. Still, Gray was not allowed into South Carolina.<br>
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Gray took classes at Midlands Tech this fall. He committed again to South Carolina last month.<br>
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Odom says Gray was promised the same review that anyone applying for admission would get. He had an official visit to South Carolina on Wednesday and could take part in practices as soon as next week.<br>
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Gray has come by to watch several South Carolina practices because his admission ``could be imminent,'' Odom said.<br>
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``If he is admitted, and he is on our team, the most that he would have is one day of practice,'' Odom said. ``How much would he play'' against Princeton?<br>
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``That depends on the game and other factors,'' Odom said.<br>
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If Gray gets in, he could bolster a frontline for South Carolina (6-2) that's attempted to find stability without expected senior Renaldo Balkman.<br>
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Balkman opted for the NBA draft after last season and was stunningly taken No. 20 overall by the New York Knicks.<br>
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Brandon Wallace, a 6-foot-9 senior, is South Carolina's most experienced and effective frontcourt performer. He is second on the team with a 12.3 points-a-game average and leads in rebounding and blocks.<br>
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Odom has used 6-7 Dominique Archie, a freshman, as Balkman's replacement. Junior Dwayne Day and senior Bryce Sheldon have also worked up front this season, as has 6-10 junior Ousmane Konate and freshman Evaldas Baniuis.<br>
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Odom expects to play Gray this season, perhaps at all three upfront positions of small forward, power forward and center.<br>
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Gray ``is certainly good enough to help us in some way,'' Odom said.<br>
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Odom's unsure now where Gray might fit, comparing the situation to a student who doesn't get to a world history class until halfway through the semester yet is responsible for ``the whole book come final exam. That's what he's faced with.''<br>
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``Is he a shooter? Is he a passser? Is he a rebounder? Is he a defender? I hope he's all those things,'' Odom said. ``But his role, at the end of the day, is to help our team be the best it can be.''<br>
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CHICKEN SCRATCHINGS: Odom said the team's game with Jacksonville at the Colonial Center on Dec. 29 has been pushed back an hour to at least 8 p.m. so fans can come to the arena and catch the second half of South Carolina football's Liberty Bowl game on video screens.<br>
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The building will open at 5:30 p.m., about an hour after kickoff in Memphis, Tenn. The Gamecocks are facing Houston in the football game.<br>
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Should the Liberty Bowl run later than expected, Odom said Jacksonville has agreed to start the basketball game 15 minutes after football finishes.<br>
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Also Odom said those fans heading to the Liberty Bowl who also have Gamecock basketball tickets games on Dec. 28 with North Carolina Asheville or the next night against Jacksonville can donate them to the ticket office.<br>
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Odom says the seats will go to the Boy's and Girl's Club and a number of other local school children who otherwise would not be able to attend the game.
