Back to Charleston?

It looks like the South Carolina men’s basketball team will be headed back to Charleston next season, but under more ideal circumstances than last year.

Coach Darrin Horn told a Gamecock Club meeting on Tuesday night that the Gamecocks would “probably” play in an exempt tournament in Charleston. He wasn’t more specific, but he almost certainly meant the tournament set to be hosted by College of Charleston.

Other teams under consideration for the eight-team field include Miami and South Florida, according to an industry source.

This is the second year of the Charleston tournament, and USC was almost in it last time. The Gamecocks originally agreed to be in it, but when the dates were switched a conflict was created. So the Gamecocks instead played a single game at the Cougar’s new building – and lost in overtime. Horn made no secret of not liking the game, but deferred to Bobby Cremins, the former Gamecock player and current Cougar coach.

By playing in an exempt tournament, USC would be able to play 30 regular-season games. The Gamecocks are so far committed to five other nonconference games: Baylor, Furman and Western Kentucky at home, and at Clemson and Wofford.