Cincinnati's Downey transferring to South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Devan Downey, Mr. Basketball in South Carolina in 2004, has decided to transfer to South Carolina from Cincinnati after the school decided against retaining interim coach Andy Kennedy.<br> <br> The 5-foot-10 point guard told reporters Monday he will join the Gamecocks, after sitting out the 2006-07 season under NCAA rules. Downey will have three years of eligibility remaining.<br> <br> Downey, who averaged 12 points per game in his freshman season, was named to the Big East&#39;s all-freshman team. He led the Bearcats in steals and assistants.<br> <br> ``I just had a gut feeling that South Carolina was the place for me,&#39;&#39; the former star at Chester High said. ``Coach Odom and his staff are going to put the place in the right direction, and I want to be part of that.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Downey said earlier the coaching changes at Cincinnati were part of his decision to leave. Coach Bob Huggins resigned under pressure and interim coach Andy Kennedy was not retained. Kennedy is now head coach at Mississippi.<br> <br> (Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)