Hoops teams get Sweet send-off

Both the men's and women's basketball teams were honored at a Sweet 16 pep rally Tuesday night. Thousands of fans packed Foundation Square in front of Colonial Life Arena to cheer on the Gamecock squads as they head to the Sweet 16.

The estimated crowd of more than 1,000 heard from President Harris Pastides, Athletics Director Ray Tanner, coaches and players. The event, which was MC'ed by Curtis Wilson, had fight songs from the band, as well as a playing of "Sandstorm" that whipped the student-heavy crowd into a frenzy.

At one moment, during a plea of "no class" by the students, President Pastides promised the student body that classes would be canceled if both teams won the national championship. This was followed shortly by a less-serious suggestion by Tanner to cancel classes for the rest of the year.

Fans have seen a surge of success in recent years in Dawn Staley's women's program, and that success has found its way to Frank Martin's Men's squad.

Both Martin and Staley spoke to the crowd, before leaving for a dual coaches call-in show. Staley was greeted by chants of "USA" and Martin greeted with "Frank the Tank." Both coaches said a few words and expressed the desire to be back in front of the arena celebrating trips to the Final Four. Immediately following the rally, Martin and Staley headed up Lincoln Street to host a dual call-in show.

Both the men's and women's teams wrapped up Sweet 16 berths on Sunday by defeating Duke and Arizona State, respectively. USC is one of four schools to still have both squads alive in the Big Dance. The men's team plays 3-seed Baylor on Friday at 7:29 PM (TBS), while the women's team plays 12-seed Quinnipiac at 4:00 PM on Saturday.