For Devan Downey, it was a win that legitimized his lengthy career that began at Cincinnati what seems like an eternity ago.

For Darrin Horn, it was a win that he understood as well as anyone – since he grew up in Lexington, Ky.

"Some teams don't get an opportunity to play the No. 1 team in the country," Downey said. "Honestly, I was 100 percent confident we were going to beat them. I knew if we'd fight for 40 minutes, we'd be fine."

"The reason that it's so cool for me is because I grew up there, I understand the magnitude of what they brought in here tonight," Horn added. "What being No. 1 means to the entire state. It gives me a greater appreciation."

I saw South Carolina lose a month or so ago at Boston College, and Horn's club didn't have the feel of a team that would be able to pull an upset over a team that has potentially four Top 15 picks in June's NBA Draft.

It was the Downey Show.

But Horn said his team has grown since SEC play began.

"It's the same people, but not the same team," he said. "We're playing with a greater sense of urgency, and people are understanding how they have to play for us to be successful."

Remember, this is a team that has been without its most versatile player, Dominique Archie, for all but the first five games. Horn even booted off talented big man Mike Holmes, who was averaging 11 points and 4.8 boards.

Yet he still managed to pull off the stunner over the nation's last remaining unbeaten team.

"It's a huge program-changing win," Horn said. "Our school has never beaten a No. 1 team."

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