Cougars Host UNC Wilmington in Battle of CAA Unbeatens
College of Charleston (15–4, 6–0)
UNC Wilmington (17–2, 6–0)
TD Arena
Tipoff at 7:00 pm on ASN and CAA.TV
It’s been a while since the The College had a natural basketball rival. Davidson may have been the most recent, back when Andrew Goudelock and Bobby Cremins laid a couple body blows on Steph Curry and the Wildcats, but the Cougs have floundered through a transition period since then.
During that time, Charleston’s closest geographic conference foe reached the pinnacle of college basketball. The UNC Wilmington Seahawks claimed a league title last year and played in the NCAA Tournament.
The Cougars are now on a rocket trajectory to what they hope is an even higher apex. These teams are not quite rivals yet, but tonight’s battle for first place- and a still-empty loss column- will certainly have the atmosphere of a grudge match.
You’ve probably heard it by now — the Cougars and Seahawks could not play more opposite brands of basketball. Coach Kevin Keatts, a disciple of Rick Pitino, has his team running (16 second avg. possession length), gunning (87.4 ppg) and wrecking havoc on defense (23% turnover rate on defense).
Earl Grant is cut from Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall’s cloth. The Cougars have their own eye popping numbers. Teams only average 59.4 points vs. CofC’s defense (10th best nationally). The offense only gives the ball up 10 times per game (11th best nationally). Opponents average 29.4% shooting from three (2nd best nationally).
Whichever team twists the opponent into a game that fits their strengths will win. If the Cougar defense halts Wilmington in their tracks, look for another grinder with Charleston pulling through. If the Seahawks get Grant’s squad on their heels, Wilmington will ride home with a victory.
This Wilmington offense is a well-oiled machine. Three of the top six scorers in the ENTIRE CONFERENCE are in the starting lineup. CJ Bryce, Chris Flemmings and Denzel Ingram each average more points per game than Charleston’s Joe Chealey.
Even then, those three can’t be the Cougars’ primary focus. Devontae Cacok, one part of their jumbled frontcourt rotation last year, has developed into the CAA’s DeAndre Jordan during his sophomore season. The springy forward is capable of blocking shots, and then beating defenses down the floor for lob opportunities and other easy looks. He’s on pace to shatter the NCAA’s all-time record for field goal percentage. Currently he is making 81.5% of his attempts. He is also pulling down 9.6 rebounds per game —even more than Jarrell Brantley.
Wilmington is projected to be so far above the rest of the league this season that they are favored in the rest of their games. According to most statistical models, their toughest remaining game is this one. The Cougar defense should be the most elite unit Wilmington has seen since Clemson — a team that made easy work of the Seahawks, and the former employer of Earl Grant.
Expect a lively crowd not just from Cougar fans and students, but Wilmington natives making the trek down to the Carolina coast’s superior city. The boys in maroon will need the boost, as a win against the Seahawks would mean both bragging rights and another step toward the summit.
