Balkman played an integral role in South Carolina's two wins over eventual national champion Florida during the 2005-06 college basketball season.
For Balkman, a defensive banger whose style Knicks general manager Isiah Thomas had likened to Dennis Rodman and Ron Artest, the 2006 NIT MVP award was a fitting capper to a three-year college career that produced 7.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and a .553