Archie To Seek Sixth Year At Carolina

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When Dominique Archie blew out his knee in November, it left South Carolina to become, in effect, a one-man team with little chance of reaching March Madness.

Now Archie is hoping to earn one more shot at the tourney… next year.

The senior forward said yesterday that he is planning to petition the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility.  “I understand it’s 50-50; they can say yes or no.  I’m not getting high hopes or I’m not trying too put myself down.  I’m trying to get myself prepared for both outcomes.”

Archie might have a hard time getting his sixth year.  In most cases, a player needs to have lost two seasons to injuries — or been the victim of some other rare circumstances — to be granted a sixth shot by the NCAA.

In Archie’s case, he was simply redshirted as a freshman.  He then played as a redshirt freshman, sophomore and junior before injuring his knee early this season.

You never say never, but the odds seem long against Archie.

“Every case is different,” said Darrin Horn.  “I think what we’re looking for is, based on what the guidelines are, is there anything that fits with his?  Because the reality of that is most of the decisions are based on medical things.”