COLUMBIA, S.C. — USC men’s basketball coach Frank Martin, fresh off an ESPN media blitz that is commonly known as the Bristol Car Wash, spoke with media on Wednesday regarding a wide range of topics.

Among them:

- Martin said he realized this year marks the 40th anniversary of USC’s last NCAA tournament victory.

- Martin now knows and understands the depths of the apathy issue facing the basketball program among the fan base and the media, adding that when he took the job a year ago, it was something he didn’t fully realize.

- Martin said the culture issues at Kansas State when he arrived with Bobby Huggins were somewhat similar to those he is facing at USC today, but the difference was the presence of Cartier Martin, a future NBA player who had the ability to come up with the big shot or rebound when Kansas State needed it. That type of player is missing at USC.

- Looking back at the Georgia game – a 62-54 overtime loss at Athens – Martin said he was pleased with the team’s overall effort an execution outside of the game’s final minute and overtime.

- Martin said the Gamecocks should feel some confidence facing Missouri on Thursday considering how well they played at Columbia, Mo., last month. However, the Tigers are a different team with the return of Lawrence Bowers.

- Bobby Knight will be provided color Thursday night for ESPN’s broadcast. Martin recalled instances in the past when Knight called Kansas State games and spoke to him immediately afterward about things he though Martin could improve upon. More on Knight and Thursday’s game in a bit.