Photo by: Al Samuels
Men's Basketball Announces 2017-18 Non-Conference Schedule
7/24/2017 5:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The College of Charleston men's basketball program has finalized its non-conference schedule for the 2017-18 season, a slate that includes more than 10,000 miles of airline travel and five opponents that advanced to postseason play a year ago.
"It was really important that we create a tough non-conference schedule as we prepare for the challenging CAA slate," CofC Head Coach Earl Grant said.
Game times, televised games and the team's full conference schedule will be released at a later date.
BY THE NUMBERS
1
Preseason ranking and predicted finish in the Colonial Athletic Association by preseason publications such as Athlon, Blue Ribbon Yearbook and The Sporting News.
3
Number of teams ranked in the NCAA Top 100 RPI index last season: Wichita State (No. 29), Rhode Island (No. 31) and CSU Bakersfield (No. 59). College of Charleston finished the year rated No. 65 in the nation and earned an at-large bid to the 2017 National Invitation Tournament.
4
Number of first-time opponents on this year's non-conference schedule (Siena, Cal Poly, Central Michigan and Sam Houston State).
5
Number of non-conference opponents who advanced to postseason play last season. Rhode Island and Wichita State each earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament, while CSU Bakersfield reached the NIT Semifinals at Madison Square Garden. Coastal Carolina played in the CBI and Idaho took part in the CIT.
5
Number of returning members of the Cougars' starting lineup. Led by All-CAA First Team selection Joe Chealey and All-CAA Second Team honoree Jarrell Brantley, CofC also returns CAA All-Defensive Team selection Cameron Johnson, CAA All-Rookie Team selection Grant Riller and junior big man Nick Harris.
10,800
Number of air miles logged-in during the non-conference season with road trips to Wichita, Kan., Anchorage, Alaska and Kingston, R.I.
A GAME-BY-GAME LOOK AT THE NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
11.2.17 | BOB JONES UNIVERSITY (exh.)
The Cougars will meet the Bruins for the first time on the hardwood in exhibition play at TD Arena. Last fall, Bob Jones hosted CofC during Hurricane Matthew on its college campus in Greenville, S.C.
11.10.17 | SIENA
CofC and Siena will officially kick-off the 2017-18 college basketball season at TD Arena. It will be a first-time meeting between both schools. The Cougars are 14-2 all-time in home openers since 1991-92. In the Earl Grant Era, CofC is 3-0 in season openers. This will be the first time the Cougars will face a MAAC-member school since playing Marist in December of 2013. The Saints knocked off top-seeded Monmouth in the MAAC semifinals last season before falling to Iona in the MAAC Championship title game.
11.13.17 | @ WICHITA STATE
The game will be a reunion of sorts for CofC Head Coach Earl Grant and Wichita State Head Coach Gregg Marshall, who Grant served under as an assistant coach at Wichita State (2007-10) and Winthrop (2004-07). Marshall also served as an assistant under legendary CofC Head Coach John Kresse from 1988-96. The Cougars last faced the Shockers in the 2011 NIT Quarterfinals (L, 75-82) on March 23, 2011 at Koch Arena in Wichita, Kan. It marked the deepest postseason run in the program's NCAA Division history (1992-Present).
11.18.17 | @ CHARLOTTE
Charlotte leads the series 12-9. The last two meetings between both schools have been thrillers. Joe Chealey scored a then-career high 30 points in an overtime thriller in Charlotte on Dec. 16, 2014. The 49ers are coached by former NBA point guard Mark Price, who played for former CofC Head Coach Bobby Cremins at Georgia Tech from 1982-86.
11.22.17 | vs. CAL POLY @ GCI GREAT ALASKA SHOOTOUT
The game will mark a first-ever meeting between the two schools from the Colonial Athletic Association and Big West Conference. The Cougars won the Great Alaska Shootout in 2002 with a thrilling 71-69 win over Villanova in the championship game. Cal Poly redshirt junior forward Josh Martin is the team's top returner after averaging nearly a double-double last season (10.8 points and 8.4 rebounds).
11.23.17 or 11.24.17 | vs. CENTRAL MICHIGAN or SAM HOUSTON STATE @ GCI GREAT ALASKA SHOOTOUT
Possible first-time meetings with Central Michigan out of the Mid-American Conference and Sam Houston State out of the Southland Conference in the consolation semifinals or semifinals of the Great Alaska Shootout during the Thanksgiving holiday break.
11.30.17 | WESTERN CAROLINA
The Cougars lead 21-7 against their former Southern Conference rivals and won on the Catamounts home court last season (W, 77-59) prior to the winter break. WCU returns redshirt senior guard Haboubacar Mutombo, who is the nephew of former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo.
12.4.17 | HIGH POINT
The Cougars lead the series, 3-2, and it will be a first-time meeting between the two schools since 1981 (W, 93-49) in Charleston, S.C. High Point is led by Andre Fox, who averaaged 12.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game last season.
12.10.17 | NORTH GREENVILLE
It will be the second-ever meeting between the Cougars and the NCAA Division II school. Both teams last met in a post-final exams matchup in December of 2015.
12.16.17 | @ RHODE ISLAND
The road trip to Rhode Island will be the third-ever meeting in the all-time series and second on the road in Kingston, R.I. The Cougars last faced URI (L, 66-75) as part of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer Classic on Nov. 19, 2010 in Toledo, Ohio. The Rams advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament last season, where they fell to eventual Final Four participant Oregon, 75-72.
12.19.17 | SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
CofC leads 12-8 in the all-time series with the Bulldogs and last played SC State in its season home opener in Coach Grant's second year with the Cougars (W, 74-54) at TD Arena. The Bulldogs made it to the second round of the MEAC Tournament before falling to Norfolk State, 93-88.
12.22.17 | @ COASTAL CAROLINA
CofC leads the all-time series, 35-13, after defeating the Chanticleers, 71-64, on Nov. 14, 2016 in Conway, S.C. The game was the first time the two schools had played each other in Coastal Carolina's new arena. Last season, Coastal turned in a 20-win campaign and advanced to the championship game of the CBI against Wyoming.
SEASON TICKET INFORMATION
Existing men's basketball season ticket holders can renew their season tickets now. New sales will start on July 31. Pricing for seating in Lower Level/Upper Level Side is $250, Upper Level End Zone is $175, CofC Faculty/Staff is $175 and Young Alum (last five years) is $125. CofC Basketball Mini Plans will go on sale on Oct. 16 and single-game tickets on Oct. 23. For more information on season tickets, log onto: www.CofCSports.com/tickets or call: (843) 953-COFC (2632).
"It was really important that we create a tough non-conference schedule as we prepare for the challenging CAA slate," CofC Head Coach Earl Grant said.
Game times, televised games and the team's full conference schedule will be released at a later date.
BY THE NUMBERS
1
Preseason ranking and predicted finish in the Colonial Athletic Association by preseason publications such as Athlon, Blue Ribbon Yearbook and The Sporting News.
3
Number of teams ranked in the NCAA Top 100 RPI index last season: Wichita State (No. 29), Rhode Island (No. 31) and CSU Bakersfield (No. 59). College of Charleston finished the year rated No. 65 in the nation and earned an at-large bid to the 2017 National Invitation Tournament.
4
Number of first-time opponents on this year's non-conference schedule (Siena, Cal Poly, Central Michigan and Sam Houston State).
5
Number of non-conference opponents who advanced to postseason play last season. Rhode Island and Wichita State each earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament, while CSU Bakersfield reached the NIT Semifinals at Madison Square Garden. Coastal Carolina played in the CBI and Idaho took part in the CIT.
5
Number of returning members of the Cougars' starting lineup. Led by All-CAA First Team selection Joe Chealey and All-CAA Second Team honoree Jarrell Brantley, CofC also returns CAA All-Defensive Team selection Cameron Johnson, CAA All-Rookie Team selection Grant Riller and junior big man Nick Harris.
10,800
Number of air miles logged-in during the non-conference season with road trips to Wichita, Kan., Anchorage, Alaska and Kingston, R.I.
A GAME-BY-GAME LOOK AT THE NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
11.2.17 | BOB JONES UNIVERSITY (exh.)
The Cougars will meet the Bruins for the first time on the hardwood in exhibition play at TD Arena. Last fall, Bob Jones hosted CofC during Hurricane Matthew on its college campus in Greenville, S.C.
11.10.17 | SIENA
CofC and Siena will officially kick-off the 2017-18 college basketball season at TD Arena. It will be a first-time meeting between both schools. The Cougars are 14-2 all-time in home openers since 1991-92. In the Earl Grant Era, CofC is 3-0 in season openers. This will be the first time the Cougars will face a MAAC-member school since playing Marist in December of 2013. The Saints knocked off top-seeded Monmouth in the MAAC semifinals last season before falling to Iona in the MAAC Championship title game.
11.13.17 | @ WICHITA STATE
The game will be a reunion of sorts for CofC Head Coach Earl Grant and Wichita State Head Coach Gregg Marshall, who Grant served under as an assistant coach at Wichita State (2007-10) and Winthrop (2004-07). Marshall also served as an assistant under legendary CofC Head Coach John Kresse from 1988-96. The Cougars last faced the Shockers in the 2011 NIT Quarterfinals (L, 75-82) on March 23, 2011 at Koch Arena in Wichita, Kan. It marked the deepest postseason run in the program's NCAA Division history (1992-Present).
11.18.17 | @ CHARLOTTE
Charlotte leads the series 12-9. The last two meetings between both schools have been thrillers. Joe Chealey scored a then-career high 30 points in an overtime thriller in Charlotte on Dec. 16, 2014. The 49ers are coached by former NBA point guard Mark Price, who played for former CofC Head Coach Bobby Cremins at Georgia Tech from 1982-86.
11.22.17 | vs. CAL POLY @ GCI GREAT ALASKA SHOOTOUT
The game will mark a first-ever meeting between the two schools from the Colonial Athletic Association and Big West Conference. The Cougars won the Great Alaska Shootout in 2002 with a thrilling 71-69 win over Villanova in the championship game. Cal Poly redshirt junior forward Josh Martin is the team's top returner after averaging nearly a double-double last season (10.8 points and 8.4 rebounds).
11.23.17 or 11.24.17 | vs. CENTRAL MICHIGAN or SAM HOUSTON STATE @ GCI GREAT ALASKA SHOOTOUT
Possible first-time meetings with Central Michigan out of the Mid-American Conference and Sam Houston State out of the Southland Conference in the consolation semifinals or semifinals of the Great Alaska Shootout during the Thanksgiving holiday break.
11.30.17 | WESTERN CAROLINA
The Cougars lead 21-7 against their former Southern Conference rivals and won on the Catamounts home court last season (W, 77-59) prior to the winter break. WCU returns redshirt senior guard Haboubacar Mutombo, who is the nephew of former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo.
12.4.17 | HIGH POINT
The Cougars lead the series, 3-2, and it will be a first-time meeting between the two schools since 1981 (W, 93-49) in Charleston, S.C. High Point is led by Andre Fox, who averaaged 12.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game last season.
12.10.17 | NORTH GREENVILLE
It will be the second-ever meeting between the Cougars and the NCAA Division II school. Both teams last met in a post-final exams matchup in December of 2015.
12.16.17 | @ RHODE ISLAND
The road trip to Rhode Island will be the third-ever meeting in the all-time series and second on the road in Kingston, R.I. The Cougars last faced URI (L, 66-75) as part of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer Classic on Nov. 19, 2010 in Toledo, Ohio. The Rams advanced to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament last season, where they fell to eventual Final Four participant Oregon, 75-72.
12.19.17 | SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
CofC leads 12-8 in the all-time series with the Bulldogs and last played SC State in its season home opener in Coach Grant's second year with the Cougars (W, 74-54) at TD Arena. The Bulldogs made it to the second round of the MEAC Tournament before falling to Norfolk State, 93-88.
12.22.17 | @ COASTAL CAROLINA
CofC leads the all-time series, 35-13, after defeating the Chanticleers, 71-64, on Nov. 14, 2016 in Conway, S.C. The game was the first time the two schools had played each other in Coastal Carolina's new arena. Last season, Coastal turned in a 20-win campaign and advanced to the championship game of the CBI against Wyoming.
SEASON TICKET INFORMATION
Existing men's basketball season ticket holders can renew their season tickets now. New sales will start on July 31. Pricing for seating in Lower Level/Upper Level Side is $250, Upper Level End Zone is $175, CofC Faculty/Staff is $175 and Young Alum (last five years) is $125. CofC Basketball Mini Plans will go on sale on Oct. 16 and single-game tickets on Oct. 23. For more information on season tickets, log onto: www.CofCSports.com/tickets or call: (843) 953-COFC (2632).
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