Martin on Bowen: Progress but no resolution

There’s been some movement, Frank Martin said, but nothing substantial yet when it comes to South Carolina’s quest to get Brian Bowen on the basketball court.

Bowen, the former McDonald’s All-American forward who joined USC from Louisville last month, is connected to the FBI probe that’s rocked the sport and led to the dismissal of Cardinals coach Rick Pitino. Per NCAA transfer rules, Bowen must sit the rest of this season and the beginning of next season.

Bowen still has to be cleared by the NCAA to play in games.

Martin, the Gamecocks coach, was asked for a Bowen update during a Monday press conference at Colonial Life Arena.

“I don’t want to get into every step of what’s happening,” Martin said. “Whenever there’s real information that’s valid stuff, we’re more than happy to (reveal it). We’re not trying to hide anything. We’ll be more than happy to share.”

Bowen, who signed with Louisville in summer 2017, spent the fall semester enrolled at the school but did not play. Though not mentioned directly, Bowen was identified later as the “unnamed player” that Adidas funneled $100,000 to at the request of a Louisville coach. The FBI alleges that Brian Bowen Sr., Brian Bowen’s father, received a payment worth $19,500.

“I think everyone knows his story so it’s not like we’re trying to kind of hide anything from everybody,” Martin said Monday. “First of all, I’m an open book, I’m not into hiding stuff. Second of all, that’s a process our compliance people are handling.

“There’s been some stuff going on, but nothing to sit here and tell you that there’s any kind of resolution or that kind of stuff.”

Martin ‘sad’ about Kennedy’s departure

Martin goes back nearly 20 years with Andy Kennedy, to when both were assistants at Cincinnati.

Kennedy, after 12 seasons as head coach at Ole Miss, stepped down from his position Sunday.

“It’s sad because I know who he is as a human being, and he’s a heckuva basketball coach,” Martin said. “When you take into consideration that the school had three 20-win seasons in its history before him and nine in his 12 years, it’s sad that we’re losing someone like that in this league.”

Kennedy is the winningest coach in Rebels history. He twice took them to the NCAA Tournament. They’re 11-16 this season and have lost seven consecutive games.

“We talk all the time, so I haven’t been caught by surprise about anything,” Martin said, “but it’s unfortunate because he’s one of the great guys in basketball. He’s been so good for this conference, let alone the University of Mississippi.”

‘Legends’ impact

Sindarius Thornwell and P.J. Dozier won’t be courtside Wednesday when the Gamecocks (14-13, 5-9 SEC) host Georgia (15-11, 6-8) at 6:30 p.m.

USC’s “Legends Weekend” centerpieces practiced with the current team before Carolina upset No. 10 Auburn on Saturday. Thornwell, Dozier and Duane Notice then cheered the win from the sidelines.

“Sindarius and them came back and they kind of changed our spirit,” senior guard Wes Myers said Monday. “They kind of told us to go back to being aggressive.”

Myers scored 13 points as South Carolina snapped a six-game losing streak.

“I never asked them to come back,” Martin said of Thornwell, Dozier and company. “They did that on their own. The guys in the locker room got to take that energy.

“Me and my staff, people can say whatever they want to say, we’re positive and we bring that every day. That’s where the growth in our locker room has to take place. Those guys, they’re the ones that got to take it.”

This story was originally published February 19, 2018 at 1:09 PM with the headline "Martin on Bowen: Progress but no resolution."