COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON (5-3, 0-0 CAA) vs. DAVIDSON (5-1, 0-0 Atlantic 10)
Game #9
December 4, 2016 • 4:00 p.m. (ET)
TD Arena/John Kresse Court (5,100)
at Charleston, S.C.
 
Television: MyTV Charleston
Radio: College of Charleston Radio Network (ESPN Radio 910 AM)
Series History: Davidson Leads 55-15
Last Meeting: Davidson def. CofC, 82-81, on Nov. 21, 2015 in Davidson, N.C.
Internet: Free Live Statistics at www.CofCStats.com
Live Video: Free Live Video at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/charleston/
Twitter: @CofCBasketball
 
THE COACHES
College of Charleston: Earl Grant
Third Year at CofC: 31-41
Third Year Overall: 31-41
Davidson: Bob McKillop
28th Year at Davidson: 521-313
28th Year Overall: 521-313
 
TELEVISION (MyTV Charleston)
Play-By-Play: Jeff McCarragher
Color Analyst: John Kresse
 
RADIO (College of Charleston Radio Network)
Play-By-Play: Everett German
Color Analyst: Danny Johnson
 
GAME PREVIEW
Despite conference realignment, one of the most-heated rivalries continues on the hardwood as the College of Charleston men's basketball team (5-3) takes on former Southern Conference archrival Davidson (5-1) on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. (ET) at TD Arena. In an all-time series that dates back to 1927, the players and coaches may have changed through the years, but it's usually the one date on the calendar that is circled in red for both programs. The Cougars and Wildcats were picked to finish fourth in their respective preseason conference polls – the Colonial Athletic Association and Atlantic 10 Conference. In both teams' last outing, the Cougars held off Navy (70-64) on Dec. 1 and the Wildcats crushed Mercer (78-57) on Nov. 29. CofC's Grant Riller scored 20 of his career-high 26 points in the second half against the Midshipmen, while Davidson's Jack Gibbs notched 33 points launching eight three-pointers versus the Bears on the road. CofC, which ranks No. 38 nationally in scoring defense and No. 61 in three-point field goal percentage defense, will look to defend a Wildcat squad that is averaging 76.5 points and 10.0 three-pointers per game.
 
A LOOK AT THE WILDCATS
The Wildcats are currently on a four-game win streak with victories including back-to-back wins over two Power 5 foes in Missouri (70-55) out of the SEC on Nov. 18 and Arizona State (68-60) out of the Pac-12 on Nov. 20. The program's lone loss of the season was to Clemson (78-95) in the opening-round game of the Tire Pros Invitational on Nov. 17 in Orlando, Fla. Gibbs is the team's leading scorer averaging 23.4 points per game and is on multiple watch lists for the Naismith Player of the Year Award, Wooden Award and Lute Olson Award. Davidson ranks No. 21 in the nation in field-goal percentage defense (37.0) and No. 12 in free-throw percentage (79.4).
 
TICKET INFORMATION AND COFC WOMEN' SOCCER AUCTION
Single-game tickets are still available for purchase by calling (843) 953-COFC or going online at: www.CofCSports.com/tickets The College of Charleston women's soccer team will hold its annual auction on the concourse of TD Arena from pre-game until halftime. Be sure to bid on items that support the program.
 
COUGARS ON THE AIRWAVES
Fans can listen to all CofC men's basketball games throughout the 2016-17 season on ESPN Radio 910 AM in Charleston or via a live audio link at: www.charlestonsportsradio.com. Voice of the Cougars Everett German will call the action live from TD Arena alongside color analyst Danny Johnson on the College of Charleston Radio Network.
 
PROJECTED COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON STARTERS
#13 Joe Chealey, G, 6-4, 195, RS-Jr. (13.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.8 apg,  29.8 min)
#1 Grant Riller, G, 6-3, 185, RS-Fr. (10.6 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.6 apg, 19.8 min)
#12 Cameron Johnson, G, 6-4, 200, Jr. (7.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.8 apg, 31.5 min)
#5 Jarrell Brantley, F, 6-7, 250, So. (13.3 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.3 apg, 30.6 min)
#23 Nick Harris, F, 6-10, 250, So. (5.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 0.1 apg, 22.4 min)
 
PROJECTED DAVIDSON STARTERS
#3 Jon Axel Gudmundsson, G, 6-4, 190, Fr. (8.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.0 apg, 29.0 min)
#12 Jack Gibbs, G, 6-0, 195, Sr. (23.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, 31.6 min)
#32 Rusty Reigel, G, 6-2, 205, Jr. (5.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.7 apg, 30.0 min)
#23 Peyton Aldridge, F, 6-8, 225, Jr. (19.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.0 apg, 35.8 min)
#22 Will Magarity, F, 6-11, 240, RS-Jr. (8.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.5 apg, 21.7 min)
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
Davidson leads 55-15 in the all-time series with College of Charleston. Last season, the Wildcats defeated the Cougars in an 82-81 thriller on Nov. 21, 2015 in Davidson, N.C. They have won five of the last six contests between both schools. This will be just the fourth meeting outside of Southern Conference play for the Cougars and Wildcats.
 
LAST 10 GAMES IN THE SERIES
L, 81-82 on Nov. 1, 2015 in Davidson, N.C.
L, 68-80 on Dec. 20, 2014 in Charleston, S.C.
W, 76-64 on Jan. 1, 2013 in Davidson, N.C.
L, 55-74^ on March 11, 2013 in Asheville, N.C.
L, 59-75 on Feb. 14, 2013 in Charleston, S.C.
L, 68-77 on Jan. 14, 2013 in Davidson, N.C.
W, 86-78 on Feb. 11, 2012 in Charleston, S.C.
L, 69-87 on Jan. 19, 2012 in Davidson, N.C.
L, 64-75 on Jan. 29, 2011 in Davidson, N.C.
W, 82-73 on Dec. 2, 2010 in Charleston, S.C.
^ SoCon Tournament
 
NAVY RECAP
College of Charleston 70, Navy 64
• With the win, College of Charleston remains an undefeated 2-0 in the all-time series with Navy. Both teams met for the first time last season in Annapolis, Md.
• Grant Riller made his third career start and registered a game-and career-high 26 points against Navy. It marked his third game in double figures and second career 20-point game in only eight games of the season.
• Jarrell Brantley extended his team-leading double-digit scoring streak to eight-straight games with 13 points and team-high seven rebounds against Navy.
• Cameron Johnson turned in a season-high 14 points in addition to four rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals versus the Midshipmen.
• The Cougars shot a season-high 46.2 percent from the field (18-of-39) and their second-best percentage of the season from beyond the arc at 36.8 percent (7-of-19).
• CofC was sent to the free throw line 36 times – the second-most this season in a single game behind 42 attempts versus The Citadel in the season opener on Nov. 11.
 
COUGAR SOUND BITES
"It's the next game on the schedule. It's a big-time game. When we were both in the Southern Conference, it was a big-time rivalry and game. Davidson is three and a half hours away from here. They are an old Southern Conference, traditional team. Both programs have great history. There will be a lot of pride on Sunday." – CofC Head Coach Earl Grant on the Davidson game still being a big-time rivalry despite both programs being in different conferences now
 
"We know it's a pretty big game. Our last couple of practices have been good. We prepared well and we will do the same as we did against Navy in the Davidson game. In order to shoot as well as we did against Navy, we have to be patient with our shots, defend, get to the free throw line and get out in transition." – Redshirt Freshman Guard Grant Riller on the rivalry game with Davidson on Sunday
 
"I try my best every game. My teammates do a good job with help defense. It's not all me. It's a team effort. There is a lot of rotation. As far as my shot, my mentality is, I want to put them up and get back on defense." – Junior Guard Cameron Johnson on defending each opponents' top player, but also helping the team in the scoring column