USC Euro-Hoops Day 1: Fun in Prague

The Gamecock men's basketball team arrived in Prague, Czech Republic, and after touring the Prague Castle on the River Vltava, they spent the rest of the day touring the capitol city. Prague has been the political, cultural, and economic centre of the Czech state for over 1100 years. The Gamecocks' first basketball game will be on Saturday at noon ET.

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (Aug. 7, 2008) - The Gamecock men's basketball team arrived in Prague, Czech Republic, on Thursday morning about 15 minutes ahead of schedule.

After passing the time on the 9-hour, 30-minute flight to Prague using various time-killing instruments (primarily iPods, PSPs, sleep and food) the Gamecocks cleared immigration, grabbed their bags and loaded the bus bound for the Intercontinental Praha. Their tour guides for the trip, Johnny Jokaj and his daughter Maria greeted them at the charter bus.

Not able to check in to the hotel until 1 p.m. local time, South Carolina took a brief tour of the area surrounding the famous Prague Castle followed by a quick tour of the city where Maria pointed out some of the notable landmarks.

Once checked in to the hotel, head coach Darrin Horn took his players on a light jog to keep them from falling asleep in an effort to help them adjust to the six-hour time difference. After the jog, everyone was left on their own to tour the city at their own free will.

The Gamecocks will tour Terezin concentration camp on Friday morning and later get an inside look at the Prague Castle. Carolina plays its first game Saturday against Bresnov BBC at noon ET.