Friday, November 10
TD Arena
7:00 PM
College of Charleston
vs
Siena
Cougars Host Saints In Season Opener In The Holy City
11/9/2017 7:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON (0-0, 0-0 CAA) vs. SIENA (0-0, 0-0 MAAC)
Game #1
November 10, 2017 • 7:00 p.m. (ET)
TD Arena/John Kresse Court (5,100)
at Charleston, S.C.
Television: None
Radio: College of Charleston Radio Network (ESPN Radio 910 AM)
Series History: First Meeting
Last Meeting: None
Internet: Free Live Statistics at www.CofCStats.com
Live Video: Free Live Video at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/charleston/
Tickets: www.CofCSports.com/tickets
Twitter: @CofCBasketball
THE COACHES
College of Charleston: Earl Grant
Fourth Year at CofC: 51-48
Fourth Year Overall: 51-48
Siena: Jimmy Patsos
Fifth Year at Siena: 69-68
14th Year Overall: 214-203
RADIO (College of Charleston Radio Network)
Play-By-Play: Everett German
Color Analyst: Danny Johnson
GAME PREVIEW
The College of Charleston men's basketball team will tip-off its 108th overall season with high expectations as the preseason favorite to win the Colonial Athletic Association. The Cougars are led by preseason CAA Player of the Year and Lute Olson Award candidate Joe Chealey, who averaged a team-leading 17.7 points and 3.2 assists per game last season. They will play host to Siena in their home opener on Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. (ET) at TD Arena. It will mark a first-time meeting between the Cougars and Saints. Both teams reached their respective conference tournament championship games last season, but fell to UNCW and Iona for a spot in the Big Dance. CofC was the No. 2 seed, while Siena was the No. 4 seed. The Cougars, who finished the year at 25-10 overall under 2017 CAA Coach of the Year Earl Grant, were still rewarded with a Postseason NIT berth. Heading into the new season, Charleston is currently ranked No. 4 in the preseason CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll behind No. 1 Gonzaga, No. 2 Saint Mary's and No. 3 Vermont. This will only be the second time for the Cougars to host a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) school in its home opener since a 78-69 season-opening victory over Holy Cross on Nov. 11, 2012 at TD Arena.
A LOOK AT SIENA
A perennial contender in the MAAC, Siena has made six NCAA Tournament appearances including its last in 2010. CofC will be one of two Colonial opponents the Saints will face in the non-conference portion of their schedule next to Hofstra on Nov. 25 in Albany, N.Y. Of the team's Top 5 scorers (all averaged double figures) from a year ago, only junior guard Nico Clareth returns and was third in scoring (13.7 ppg). He was selected to the preseason All-MAAC Second Team. The Saints are looking to rebound from a close two-point setback in exhibition play against Le Moyne, 73-71, on Nov. 4. Siena will play three of its first four games on the road.
COFC IN SEASON OPENERS
The Cougars are 14-2 all-time in home openers since 1991-92. Last year, they opened the season with crosstown rival The Citadel (W, 81-68) on Nov. 11, 2016 at TD Arena. In the Earl Grant Era, CofC is 3-0 in season openers.
LAST TIME OUT
In its lone exhibition tune-up, CofC topped Bob Jones University, 77-44, on Nov. 2 at TD Arena. Preseason All-CAA First Team selection Jarrell Brantley led all scorers with 16 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, while preseason All-CAA Second Team pick Grant Riller had 11 points. Big man Osinachi Smart, who redshirted the 2016-17 season, added eight points and five rebounds. He also went a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor in his unofficial collegiate debut.
COUGARS ON THE AIRWAVES
Fans can listen to all CofC men's basketball games throughout the 2017-18 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 along with color analyst Danny Johnson on the College of Charleston Radio Network.
PROJECTED COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON STARTERS (*2016-17 Statistics)
#13 Joe Chealey, G, 6-4, 190, Sr. (17.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.2 apg, 33.8 min*)
#1 Grant Riller, G, 6-3, 195, So. (13.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.2 apg, 27.0 min*)
#12 Cameron Johnson, G, 6-4, 200, Sr. (7.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.8 apg, 31.3 min*)
#5 Jarrell Brantley, F, 6-7, 250, Jr. (14.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.2 apg, 32.0 min*)
#23 Nick Harris, 6-10, 260, Jr. (5.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 0.3 apg, 24.5 min*)
PROJECTED SIENA STARTERS (*2016-17 Statistics)
#20 Roman Penn, G, 5-11, 170, Fr. (DNP)
#25 Nico Clareth, G, 6-5, 187, Jr. (13.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, 25.1 min*)
#23 Jordan Horn, G, 6-3, 196, Fr. (DNP)
#21 Ahsante Shivers, G, 6-4, 206, So. (4.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.0 apg, 18.2 min*)
#15 Prince Oduro, F, 6-8, 253, Fr. (DNP)
COUGARS AGAINST THE MAAC
CofC is 9-3 all-time versus opponents hailing from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference including prior contests with Canisius (2-0), Fordham (2-0), Holy Cross (2-0), Marist (1-1), Rider (1-1) and Saint Peter's (1-1). The Cougars last hosted a MAAC school on their home court versus Marist (L, 62-69) on Dec. 15, 2013 at TD Arena.
TOP PRESEASON BILLING FOR THE COUGARS
Whether you were reading the 2017-18 Street & Smith's College Basketball Yearbook, Athlon Sports or Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook – all have the Cougars picked to win the Colonial. CBSSports.com went as far as touting College of Charleston as the top team (of the 12 NCAA Division I men's basketball schools) in the Palmetto State ahead of 2017 NCAA Final Four participant South Carolina in second, Furman in third, Winthrop in fourth and Clemson in fifth.
PRESEASON COLLEGEINSIDER.com MID-MAJOR TOP 25 POLL
1. Gonzaga (28)
2. Saint Mary's (3)
3. Vermont
4. College of Charleston
5. Oakland
6. Bucknell
7. Harvard
8. BYU
9. UT Arlington
10. Belmont
11. Northern Kentucky
12. FGCU
13. Louisiana
14. South Dakota State
15. Mercer
16. Missouri State
17. Furman
18. Albany
19. Yale
20. Samford
21. Princeton
22. Elon
23. Western Michigan
24. UNC Asheville
25. Georgia State
DYNAMIC DUO
Not only are Joe Chealey and Jarrell Brantley the Top 2 returning players and scorers in the CAA, the dynamic duo are ranked No. 12 in the nation when it comes to top returning scoring duos in NCAA Division I. Both averaged 32.0 points per game combined in 2016-17 and accounted for 46.2 percent of the team's scoring last season.
NCAA DIVISION I TOP RETURNING SCORING DUOS (POINTS PER GAME)
1. Jaylen Adams (20.6) and Matt Mobley (18.5), St. Bonaventure – 39.1
2. Jonathan Stark (21.9) and Terrell Miller (16.0), Murray State – 37.9
3. Tiwian Kendley (21.0) and Phillip Carr (16.6), Morgan State – 37.6
4. Ike Smith (19.6) and Tookie Brown (17.1), Georgia Southern – 36.7
5. Chris Clemons (25.1) and Shane Whitfield (11.1), Campbell – 36.2
6. Tyler Hall (23.1) and Harald Frey (12.7), Montana State – 35.8
7. Cameron Morse (22.9) and Francisco Santiago (11.6), Youngstown State – 34.5
8. Shamorie Ponds (17.4) and Marcus LoVett (15.9), St. John's – 33.3
9. Trevon Bluiett (18.5) and J.P. Macura (14.4), Xavier – 32.9
10. Khadeen Carrington (17.1) and Desi Rodriguez (15.7), Seton Hall – 32.8
11. Matt Scott (17.0) and Kahlil Dukes (15.5), Niagara – 32.5
12. Joe Chealey (17.8) and Jarrell Brantley (14.2), College of Charleston – 32.0
13. Deandre Burnett (16.5) and Terence Davis (14.9), Ole Miss – 31.4
14. Josh Okogie (16.1 ppg) and Ben Lammers (14.2), Georgia Tech – 30.3
COUGAR SOUND BITES
"It's another year and we are excited for the start of college basketball. It's the game that we love to play and love to coach. We have a really good opponent coming in on Friday. Siena is a great program with good players and a good coach. They are used to winning. They played in their championship game last year in the MAAC. They expect to win and we have to be ready to play." – CofC Head Coach Earl Grant on the start of the college basketball season
"Today, there are a lot of things being written about our program which is good. Our guys have been laboring and working hard. That comes with the territory. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that our guys stay focused on the process and the work that needs to be done. We have to have good days in practice and then get into the game and let the results take care of themselves. We have 30+ games that won't be promised. We just have to take one game at a time and do the best that we can." – Coach Grant on the high expectations for the program and national buzz surrounding The College this season
"In the exhibition, we played well and did a really good job of sharing the ball. Our defense was where we needed it to be for about 35 minutes. We had a few unorthodox lineups in there late. I thought our guys played really hard and played to our standards on the defensive side of the ball." – Coach Grant on the team's exhibition win over Bob Jones
"We are very excited to kick-off the season. The energy is up and the students feel it (the excitement) on campus. We know it's coming, and for the seniors, we know we are close to the end. It's hard not to get up for this one." – CofC senior guard Cameron Johnson on opening up the year at home against Siena with high expectations for the season
Game #1
November 10, 2017 • 7:00 p.m. (ET)
TD Arena/John Kresse Court (5,100)
at Charleston, S.C.
Television: None
Radio: College of Charleston Radio Network (ESPN Radio 910 AM)
Series History: First Meeting
Last Meeting: None
Internet: Free Live Statistics at www.CofCStats.com
Live Video: Free Live Video at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/charleston/
Tickets: www.CofCSports.com/tickets
Twitter: @CofCBasketball
THE COACHES
College of Charleston: Earl Grant
Fourth Year at CofC: 51-48
Fourth Year Overall: 51-48
Siena: Jimmy Patsos
Fifth Year at Siena: 69-68
14th Year Overall: 214-203
RADIO (College of Charleston Radio Network)
Play-By-Play: Everett German
Color Analyst: Danny Johnson
GAME PREVIEW
The College of Charleston men's basketball team will tip-off its 108th overall season with high expectations as the preseason favorite to win the Colonial Athletic Association. The Cougars are led by preseason CAA Player of the Year and Lute Olson Award candidate Joe Chealey, who averaged a team-leading 17.7 points and 3.2 assists per game last season. They will play host to Siena in their home opener on Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. (ET) at TD Arena. It will mark a first-time meeting between the Cougars and Saints. Both teams reached their respective conference tournament championship games last season, but fell to UNCW and Iona for a spot in the Big Dance. CofC was the No. 2 seed, while Siena was the No. 4 seed. The Cougars, who finished the year at 25-10 overall under 2017 CAA Coach of the Year Earl Grant, were still rewarded with a Postseason NIT berth. Heading into the new season, Charleston is currently ranked No. 4 in the preseason CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll behind No. 1 Gonzaga, No. 2 Saint Mary's and No. 3 Vermont. This will only be the second time for the Cougars to host a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) school in its home opener since a 78-69 season-opening victory over Holy Cross on Nov. 11, 2012 at TD Arena.
A LOOK AT SIENA
A perennial contender in the MAAC, Siena has made six NCAA Tournament appearances including its last in 2010. CofC will be one of two Colonial opponents the Saints will face in the non-conference portion of their schedule next to Hofstra on Nov. 25 in Albany, N.Y. Of the team's Top 5 scorers (all averaged double figures) from a year ago, only junior guard Nico Clareth returns and was third in scoring (13.7 ppg). He was selected to the preseason All-MAAC Second Team. The Saints are looking to rebound from a close two-point setback in exhibition play against Le Moyne, 73-71, on Nov. 4. Siena will play three of its first four games on the road.
COFC IN SEASON OPENERS
The Cougars are 14-2 all-time in home openers since 1991-92. Last year, they opened the season with crosstown rival The Citadel (W, 81-68) on Nov. 11, 2016 at TD Arena. In the Earl Grant Era, CofC is 3-0 in season openers.
LAST TIME OUT
In its lone exhibition tune-up, CofC topped Bob Jones University, 77-44, on Nov. 2 at TD Arena. Preseason All-CAA First Team selection Jarrell Brantley led all scorers with 16 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, while preseason All-CAA Second Team pick Grant Riller had 11 points. Big man Osinachi Smart, who redshirted the 2016-17 season, added eight points and five rebounds. He also went a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor in his unofficial collegiate debut.
COUGARS ON THE AIRWAVES
Fans can listen to all CofC men's basketball games throughout the 2017-18 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 along with color analyst Danny Johnson on the College of Charleston Radio Network.
PROJECTED COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON STARTERS (*2016-17 Statistics)
#13 Joe Chealey, G, 6-4, 190, Sr. (17.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.2 apg, 33.8 min*)
#1 Grant Riller, G, 6-3, 195, So. (13.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.2 apg, 27.0 min*)
#12 Cameron Johnson, G, 6-4, 200, Sr. (7.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.8 apg, 31.3 min*)
#5 Jarrell Brantley, F, 6-7, 250, Jr. (14.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.2 apg, 32.0 min*)
#23 Nick Harris, 6-10, 260, Jr. (5.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 0.3 apg, 24.5 min*)
PROJECTED SIENA STARTERS (*2016-17 Statistics)
#20 Roman Penn, G, 5-11, 170, Fr. (DNP)
#25 Nico Clareth, G, 6-5, 187, Jr. (13.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, 25.1 min*)
#23 Jordan Horn, G, 6-3, 196, Fr. (DNP)
#21 Ahsante Shivers, G, 6-4, 206, So. (4.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.0 apg, 18.2 min*)
#15 Prince Oduro, F, 6-8, 253, Fr. (DNP)
COUGARS AGAINST THE MAAC
CofC is 9-3 all-time versus opponents hailing from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference including prior contests with Canisius (2-0), Fordham (2-0), Holy Cross (2-0), Marist (1-1), Rider (1-1) and Saint Peter's (1-1). The Cougars last hosted a MAAC school on their home court versus Marist (L, 62-69) on Dec. 15, 2013 at TD Arena.
TOP PRESEASON BILLING FOR THE COUGARS
Whether you were reading the 2017-18 Street & Smith's College Basketball Yearbook, Athlon Sports or Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook – all have the Cougars picked to win the Colonial. CBSSports.com went as far as touting College of Charleston as the top team (of the 12 NCAA Division I men's basketball schools) in the Palmetto State ahead of 2017 NCAA Final Four participant South Carolina in second, Furman in third, Winthrop in fourth and Clemson in fifth.
PRESEASON COLLEGEINSIDER.com MID-MAJOR TOP 25 POLL
1. Gonzaga (28)
2. Saint Mary's (3)
3. Vermont
4. College of Charleston
5. Oakland
6. Bucknell
7. Harvard
8. BYU
9. UT Arlington
10. Belmont
11. Northern Kentucky
12. FGCU
13. Louisiana
14. South Dakota State
15. Mercer
16. Missouri State
17. Furman
18. Albany
19. Yale
20. Samford
21. Princeton
22. Elon
23. Western Michigan
24. UNC Asheville
25. Georgia State
DYNAMIC DUO
Not only are Joe Chealey and Jarrell Brantley the Top 2 returning players and scorers in the CAA, the dynamic duo are ranked No. 12 in the nation when it comes to top returning scoring duos in NCAA Division I. Both averaged 32.0 points per game combined in 2016-17 and accounted for 46.2 percent of the team's scoring last season.
NCAA DIVISION I TOP RETURNING SCORING DUOS (POINTS PER GAME)
1. Jaylen Adams (20.6) and Matt Mobley (18.5), St. Bonaventure – 39.1
2. Jonathan Stark (21.9) and Terrell Miller (16.0), Murray State – 37.9
3. Tiwian Kendley (21.0) and Phillip Carr (16.6), Morgan State – 37.6
4. Ike Smith (19.6) and Tookie Brown (17.1), Georgia Southern – 36.7
5. Chris Clemons (25.1) and Shane Whitfield (11.1), Campbell – 36.2
6. Tyler Hall (23.1) and Harald Frey (12.7), Montana State – 35.8
7. Cameron Morse (22.9) and Francisco Santiago (11.6), Youngstown State – 34.5
8. Shamorie Ponds (17.4) and Marcus LoVett (15.9), St. John's – 33.3
9. Trevon Bluiett (18.5) and J.P. Macura (14.4), Xavier – 32.9
10. Khadeen Carrington (17.1) and Desi Rodriguez (15.7), Seton Hall – 32.8
11. Matt Scott (17.0) and Kahlil Dukes (15.5), Niagara – 32.5
12. Joe Chealey (17.8) and Jarrell Brantley (14.2), College of Charleston – 32.0
13. Deandre Burnett (16.5) and Terence Davis (14.9), Ole Miss – 31.4
14. Josh Okogie (16.1 ppg) and Ben Lammers (14.2), Georgia Tech – 30.3
COUGAR SOUND BITES
"It's another year and we are excited for the start of college basketball. It's the game that we love to play and love to coach. We have a really good opponent coming in on Friday. Siena is a great program with good players and a good coach. They are used to winning. They played in their championship game last year in the MAAC. They expect to win and we have to be ready to play." – CofC Head Coach Earl Grant on the start of the college basketball season
"Today, there are a lot of things being written about our program which is good. Our guys have been laboring and working hard. That comes with the territory. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that our guys stay focused on the process and the work that needs to be done. We have to have good days in practice and then get into the game and let the results take care of themselves. We have 30+ games that won't be promised. We just have to take one game at a time and do the best that we can." – Coach Grant on the high expectations for the program and national buzz surrounding The College this season
"In the exhibition, we played well and did a really good job of sharing the ball. Our defense was where we needed it to be for about 35 minutes. We had a few unorthodox lineups in there late. I thought our guys played really hard and played to our standards on the defensive side of the ball." – Coach Grant on the team's exhibition win over Bob Jones
"We are very excited to kick-off the season. The energy is up and the students feel it (the excitement) on campus. We know it's coming, and for the seniors, we know we are close to the end. It's hard not to get up for this one." – CofC senior guard Cameron Johnson on opening up the year at home against Siena with high expectations for the season
Players Mentioned
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