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News Nuggets, 03.03.05
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

C-USA roundup: 49ers, Cards collide; SLU stuns Tigers

A night after Saint Louis ambushed Memphis to shake up the status quo in Conference USA, the league's real headline matchup will unfold Thursday night in Louisville.

Rick Pitino and Bobby Lutz recognize the enormity of the showdown between ninth-ranked Louisville and No. 18 Charlotte at Freedom Hall (7 p.m., ESPN2).

``Probably the biggest home game we've had since I've been here,'' Pitino said.

``Probably the biggest of any regular season game we've played,'' Lutz added.

Pitino's Cardinals (24-2, 12-2) and Lutz's 49ers (21-4, 12-2) are tied for first place with two games to play. The winner will capture at least a share of the conference crown and secure the No. 1 seed in the upcoming C-USA tournament.

``They're an outstanding ballclub, we're an outstanding ballclub,'' Pitino said. ``So it should be a heck of a game. And with something this big at stake, it should be.''

Louisville will close out the regular season at DePaul on Saturday, while Charlotte finishes up at South Florida.

The battle between the 49ers and Cards will be the only one on the C-USA slate Thursday night, with most of the league's midweek action having played out Wednesday night, including the stunning 70-61 win by Saint Louis over Memphis.

In other games Wednesday night, Marquette whacked Houston 76-55, UAB nipped DePaul 81-80, Texas Christian defeated South Florida 70-53 and No. 22 Cincinnati walloped Tulane 77-56.

Burglary rap adds to latest turmoil at USC

COLUMBIA — Two South Carolina players have been suspended indefinitely from the team after police said two televisions were stolen from university dorm rooms, the latest in a string of disciplinary problems involving the Gamecocks since late last season.

Defensive end Moe Thompson, a junior, and tackle Kevin Mainord, a redshirt freshman, were suspended, athletics spokesman Kerry Tharp said Wednesday.

Mainord was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree burglary and two counts of simple larceny.

Thompson has not been arrested or charged in the incident, university spokesman Russ McKinney said.

Mainord and Thompson entered a room about 3:30 a.m. Feb. 23 while the female residents were sleeping and Mainord admitted to taking a television and DVD player as well as $12, according to an arrest warrant.

A second arrested warrant states Mainord entered another dorm room and stole a television with another person, but it does not name Thompson.

``We're all extremely embarrassed by these allegations,'' South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said in a statement.

``I apologize to everyone who loves the University of South Carolina," Spurrier stated. "I have said many times as a coach I personally can't control what our players and former players do all of the time. But I can assure you that if these charges prove to be true those involved will never wear the garnet and black and represent our university on the football field.''

Thompson had 24 tackles and three sacks in 11 games last season. He is one of six players suspended for the Gamecocks season-opener against Central Florida on Sept. 3 for his part in an on-field brawl against Clemson last season. He also was one of several players not allowed to work out with the team last summer because of poor classroom attendance.

Mainord's arrest comes one day after Spurrier dismissed leading rusher Demetris Summers from the team for violating athletics department policy. The (Columbia) State reported Wednesday, citing anonymous sources, that Summers failed two drugs tests. The (Charleston) Post and Courier, also citing anonymous sources, reported that Summers tested positive for marijuana more than once.

``We've had some misfortune over the past several days with some of our student-athletes,'' Tharp said. ``However I can assure you this athletics department and football coaching staff will handle this situation decisively and appropriately.''

Last month, six other South Carolina players were charged after a total of $18,000 worth of computer and video equipment and framed photographs were taken from South Carolina's stadium Nov. 22. The theft occurred shortly after the team was told they would not go to a bowl game as punishment for the fight with Clemson.

C-USA standings, scores, schedule & TV

News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from Associated Press and other sources. Copyright 2005 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:21 PM