Friday, December 22
Conway, S.C.
7:00 PM
College of Charleston
at
Coastal Carolina
Cougars Road Trip To Coastal Carolina For Final Non-Conference Test
12/21/2017 5:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON (8-3, 0-0 CAA) vs. COASTAL CAROLINA (6-6, 0-0 Sun Belt)
Game #12
December 22, 2017 • 7:00 p.m. (ET)
HTC Center (3,212)
at Conway, S.C.
Television: None
Radio: College of Charleston Radio Network (ESPN Radio 910 AM)
Series History: CofC Leads 35-13
Last Meeting: CofC def. Coastal Carolina, 71-64, on Nov. 14, 2016 in Conway, S.C.
Internet: Free Live Statistics at http://www.goccusports.com/gametracker/launch/
Live Video: Free Live Video at http://www.goccusports.com/collegesportslive/?media=564649
Tickets: www.GoCCUSports.com
Twitter: @CofCBasketball
THE COACHES
College of Charleston: Earl Grant
Fourth Year at CofC: 59-51
Fourth Year Overall: 59-51
Coastal Carolina: Cliff Ellis
11th Year at Coastal: 205-132
43rd Year Overall: 817-482
TELEVISION (None)
RADIO (College of Charleston Radio Network)
Play-By-Play: Everett German
GAME PREVIEW
The College of Charleston men's basketball team (8-3) will road trip up to Coastal Carolina (6-6) for one final non-conference test on Friday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. (ET) in Conway, S.C. The Cougars are winners of their last six of seven contests including an 80-64 victory over South Carolina State on Dec. 19. They will open Colonial Athletic Association play after the holiday break against current league leader Towson (10-2) on Dec. 30 at TD Arena. The defensive-minded Cougars currently rank No. 21 in the nation and tops in the league in scoring defense (62.8 ppg) and No. 41 in field-goal percentage defense (39.4%). CofC has gotten a boost to its lineup with the return of preseason All-CAA First Team selection Jarrell Brantley, who missed the first 10 games of the season with a knee injury and played 16 minutes versus SC State registering eight points, seven rebounds and four assists off the bench. The Cougars are 2-2 on the road this season and will play in another tough environment at the HTC Center just as they did at No. 6-ranked Wichita State and Atlantic 10 Conference favorite Rhode Island. The Chanticleers, who were picked to finish eighth in the Sun Belt Conference, are coming off a pair of close losses to Power 5 foes in their last three games in South Carolina (78-80) on Dec. 9 and Wake Forest (80-84) on Dec. 18.
SCOUTING COASTAL CAROLINA
Coastal Carolina is led in both the scoring and rebounding columns by junior forward Zach Cuthbertson, who is averaging 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He has recorded three double-doubles on the season and is part of a front court averaging 40.9 boards per contest, which ranks No. 26-best in the country. The Chanticleers also rank No. 17 and tops in the Sun Belt Conference in rebounding margin (9.2). They are 3-3 at home this season at the HTC Center.
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 the HTC Center on the College of Charleston Radio Network.
PROJECTED COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON STARTERS
#13 Joe Chealey, G, 6-4, 190, Sr. (17.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.8 apg, 34.4 min)
#1 Grant Riller, G, 6-3, 195, So. (16.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 31.5 min)
#12 Cameron Johnson, G, 6-4, 200, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.9 apg, 33.5 min)
#24 Jaylen McManus, F, 6-7, 230, So. (6.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.7 apg, 20.4 min)
#23 Nick Harris, F, 6-10, 260, Jr. (8.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 0.4 apg, 26.7 min)
PROJECTED COASTAL CAROLINA STARTERS
#5 Jaylen Shaw, G, 6-1, 190, Sr. (16.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.9 apg, 30.2 min)
#1 Ajay Sanders, G, 6-4, 195, Jr. (6.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.7 apg, 28.2 min)
#13 Matt Lindsey, G, 6-1, 190, Jr. (6.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, 26.8 min)
#40 Zac Cuthbertson, F, 6-7, 185, Jr. (17.8 ppg. 7.6 rpg, 2.0 apg, 29.9 min)
#30 Josh Coleman, C, 6-9, 240, Jr. (5.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 0.1 apg, 20.8 min)
SERIES NOTES
College of Charleston leads 35-13 in the all-time series with Coastal Carolina. The Cougars have won 15 of the last 16 meetings between the two Palmetto State schools and is 14-10 lifetime when playing a contest on the road in Conway, S.C. They have won their last road trips to Coastal in 2011 (W, 77-70) and 2016 (W, 71-64). In addition, each of the last four contests in the series has been decided in single digits.
LAST SEVEN GAMES IN THE SERIES
W, 71-64 (+7) on Nov. 14, 2016 in Conway, S.C.
L, 61-67 (-6) on Nov. 24, 2015 in Charleston, S.C.
W, 60-51 (+9) on Dec. 22, 2012 in Charleston, S.C.
W, 77-70 (+7) on Dec. 22, 2011 in Conway, S.C.
W, 83-67 (+16) on Nov. 16, 2010 in Charleston, S.C.
L, 59-70 (-11) on Nov. 13, 2009 in Conway, S.C.
W, 73-58 (+15) on Dec. 17, 2008 in Charleston, S.C.
RILLER TIME
Preseason All-CAA Second Team selection Grant Riller is having a breakout season for the Cougars. Since missing one game of the season at the Great Alaska Shootout over the Thanksgiving holiday break, he has been explosive with five-straight double-figure performances since. Riller currently ranks 11th among CAA leading scorers averaging 16.2 points per game and is one of seven players in the Colonial this season to reach the 30-point mark in a single game with a career-high 31 versus South Carolina State on Dec. 19. He also knocked down 21 points against Atlantic 10 Conference favorite Rhode Island on Dec. 16.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE RECAP
College of Charleston 80, South Carolina State 64
• For the fifth-straight contest, College of Charleston went with the starting lineup of Joe Chealey, Grant Riller, Cameron Johnson, Jaylen McManus and Nick Harris.
• With the win, College of Charleston improved to 13-8 in the all-time series with South Carolina State. The Cougars have now won six-straight games in the series.
• Grant Riller registered a career-and game-high 31 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the field, 4-of-6 from long range and 3-for-4 from the charity stripe against South Carolina State. He was the last CofC player to reach the 30-point mark in a single game with his previous career-high of 30 at Drexel on Jan. 28, 2017. Riller is now on a season-best five-game double-digit scoring streak and turned in back-to-back games with 20+ points. It marked his fourth game this season with 20-or-more points and second 30-point game of his career.
• Nick Harris recorded his first double-double of the season with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds versus South Carolina State. It marked the second double-double performance of his career.
• CofC claimed all-time win No. 99 at TD Arena and remain an undefeated 5-0 at home this season.
• The Cougars have now shot better than 46.7% from the field in three of their last four games.
• CofC dished out a season-high 18 assists against South Carolina State behind a team-best six from Joe Chealey. He currently ranks 15th all-time in career assists (328).
• Defensively, the Cougars have held each of their last seven opponents to 68 points or less of offensive scoring production. South Carolina State was held to 64 points and came into the game having scored 83 points or more in three of its last four contests.
COUGAR SOUND BITES
"Coastal is very good. It's going to be a big challenge for us. We had two days to prepare for them. They are a good team, are older and have a very good coach in Cliff Ellis. They have been giving everyone a good run (including Wake Forest) in non-conference play. They have some good wins and tough losses against some very good teams. It's on the road and we will have to be prepared." – College of Charleston Head Coach Earl Grant on the Cougars' final non-conference tune-up at Coastal Carolina before their CAA opener
"He (Grant Riller) had a great game last year at Drexel where he had 30 points. In high school, I saw him get 40 (points) and I'm still waiting for that 40. He is very talented. We wanted him to be aggressive against the zone and zone press. He flourishes in the open court and he had a lot of open-court opportunities." – Coach Grant on Grant Riller's career-high 31-point performance versus South Carolina State
"He's been like that since the first time he stepped on this campus. It's no surprise to me. I think every game should be like that for him. He is one of the best scorers I've ever seen." – Junior Forward Jarrell Brantley on the play of Grant Riller
Game #12
December 22, 2017 • 7:00 p.m. (ET)
HTC Center (3,212)
at Conway, S.C.
Television: None
Radio: College of Charleston Radio Network (ESPN Radio 910 AM)
Series History: CofC Leads 35-13
Last Meeting: CofC def. Coastal Carolina, 71-64, on Nov. 14, 2016 in Conway, S.C.
Internet: Free Live Statistics at http://www.goccusports.com/gametracker/launch/
Live Video: Free Live Video at http://www.goccusports.com/collegesportslive/?media=564649
Tickets: www.GoCCUSports.com
Twitter: @CofCBasketball
THE COACHES
College of Charleston: Earl Grant
Fourth Year at CofC: 59-51
Fourth Year Overall: 59-51
Coastal Carolina: Cliff Ellis
11th Year at Coastal: 205-132
43rd Year Overall: 817-482
TELEVISION (None)
RADIO (College of Charleston Radio Network)
Play-By-Play: Everett German
GAME PREVIEW
The College of Charleston men's basketball team (8-3) will road trip up to Coastal Carolina (6-6) for one final non-conference test on Friday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. (ET) in Conway, S.C. The Cougars are winners of their last six of seven contests including an 80-64 victory over South Carolina State on Dec. 19. They will open Colonial Athletic Association play after the holiday break against current league leader Towson (10-2) on Dec. 30 at TD Arena. The defensive-minded Cougars currently rank No. 21 in the nation and tops in the league in scoring defense (62.8 ppg) and No. 41 in field-goal percentage defense (39.4%). CofC has gotten a boost to its lineup with the return of preseason All-CAA First Team selection Jarrell Brantley, who missed the first 10 games of the season with a knee injury and played 16 minutes versus SC State registering eight points, seven rebounds and four assists off the bench. The Cougars are 2-2 on the road this season and will play in another tough environment at the HTC Center just as they did at No. 6-ranked Wichita State and Atlantic 10 Conference favorite Rhode Island. The Chanticleers, who were picked to finish eighth in the Sun Belt Conference, are coming off a pair of close losses to Power 5 foes in their last three games in South Carolina (78-80) on Dec. 9 and Wake Forest (80-84) on Dec. 18.
SCOUTING COASTAL CAROLINA
Coastal Carolina is led in both the scoring and rebounding columns by junior forward Zach Cuthbertson, who is averaging 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He has recorded three double-doubles on the season and is part of a front court averaging 40.9 boards per contest, which ranks No. 26-best in the country. The Chanticleers also rank No. 17 and tops in the Sun Belt Conference in rebounding margin (9.2). They are 3-3 at home this season at the HTC Center.
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 the HTC Center on the College of Charleston Radio Network.
PROJECTED COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON STARTERS
#13 Joe Chealey, G, 6-4, 190, Sr. (17.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.8 apg, 34.4 min)
#1 Grant Riller, G, 6-3, 195, So. (16.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 31.5 min)
#12 Cameron Johnson, G, 6-4, 200, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.9 apg, 33.5 min)
#24 Jaylen McManus, F, 6-7, 230, So. (6.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 0.7 apg, 20.4 min)
#23 Nick Harris, F, 6-10, 260, Jr. (8.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 0.4 apg, 26.7 min)
PROJECTED COASTAL CAROLINA STARTERS
#5 Jaylen Shaw, G, 6-1, 190, Sr. (16.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.9 apg, 30.2 min)
#1 Ajay Sanders, G, 6-4, 195, Jr. (6.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.7 apg, 28.2 min)
#13 Matt Lindsey, G, 6-1, 190, Jr. (6.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, 26.8 min)
#40 Zac Cuthbertson, F, 6-7, 185, Jr. (17.8 ppg. 7.6 rpg, 2.0 apg, 29.9 min)
#30 Josh Coleman, C, 6-9, 240, Jr. (5.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 0.1 apg, 20.8 min)
SERIES NOTES
College of Charleston leads 35-13 in the all-time series with Coastal Carolina. The Cougars have won 15 of the last 16 meetings between the two Palmetto State schools and is 14-10 lifetime when playing a contest on the road in Conway, S.C. They have won their last road trips to Coastal in 2011 (W, 77-70) and 2016 (W, 71-64). In addition, each of the last four contests in the series has been decided in single digits.
LAST SEVEN GAMES IN THE SERIES
W, 71-64 (+7) on Nov. 14, 2016 in Conway, S.C.
L, 61-67 (-6) on Nov. 24, 2015 in Charleston, S.C.
W, 60-51 (+9) on Dec. 22, 2012 in Charleston, S.C.
W, 77-70 (+7) on Dec. 22, 2011 in Conway, S.C.
W, 83-67 (+16) on Nov. 16, 2010 in Charleston, S.C.
L, 59-70 (-11) on Nov. 13, 2009 in Conway, S.C.
W, 73-58 (+15) on Dec. 17, 2008 in Charleston, S.C.
RILLER TIME
Preseason All-CAA Second Team selection Grant Riller is having a breakout season for the Cougars. Since missing one game of the season at the Great Alaska Shootout over the Thanksgiving holiday break, he has been explosive with five-straight double-figure performances since. Riller currently ranks 11th among CAA leading scorers averaging 16.2 points per game and is one of seven players in the Colonial this season to reach the 30-point mark in a single game with a career-high 31 versus South Carolina State on Dec. 19. He also knocked down 21 points against Atlantic 10 Conference favorite Rhode Island on Dec. 16.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE RECAP
College of Charleston 80, South Carolina State 64
• For the fifth-straight contest, College of Charleston went with the starting lineup of Joe Chealey, Grant Riller, Cameron Johnson, Jaylen McManus and Nick Harris.
• With the win, College of Charleston improved to 13-8 in the all-time series with South Carolina State. The Cougars have now won six-straight games in the series.
• Grant Riller registered a career-and game-high 31 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the field, 4-of-6 from long range and 3-for-4 from the charity stripe against South Carolina State. He was the last CofC player to reach the 30-point mark in a single game with his previous career-high of 30 at Drexel on Jan. 28, 2017. Riller is now on a season-best five-game double-digit scoring streak and turned in back-to-back games with 20+ points. It marked his fourth game this season with 20-or-more points and second 30-point game of his career.
• Nick Harris recorded his first double-double of the season with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds versus South Carolina State. It marked the second double-double performance of his career.
• CofC claimed all-time win No. 99 at TD Arena and remain an undefeated 5-0 at home this season.
• The Cougars have now shot better than 46.7% from the field in three of their last four games.
• CofC dished out a season-high 18 assists against South Carolina State behind a team-best six from Joe Chealey. He currently ranks 15th all-time in career assists (328).
• Defensively, the Cougars have held each of their last seven opponents to 68 points or less of offensive scoring production. South Carolina State was held to 64 points and came into the game having scored 83 points or more in three of its last four contests.
COUGAR SOUND BITES
"Coastal is very good. It's going to be a big challenge for us. We had two days to prepare for them. They are a good team, are older and have a very good coach in Cliff Ellis. They have been giving everyone a good run (including Wake Forest) in non-conference play. They have some good wins and tough losses against some very good teams. It's on the road and we will have to be prepared." – College of Charleston Head Coach Earl Grant on the Cougars' final non-conference tune-up at Coastal Carolina before their CAA opener
"He (Grant Riller) had a great game last year at Drexel where he had 30 points. In high school, I saw him get 40 (points) and I'm still waiting for that 40. He is very talented. We wanted him to be aggressive against the zone and zone press. He flourishes in the open court and he had a lot of open-court opportunities." – Coach Grant on Grant Riller's career-high 31-point performance versus South Carolina State
"He's been like that since the first time he stepped on this campus. It's no surprise to me. I think every game should be like that for him. He is one of the best scorers I've ever seen." – Junior Forward Jarrell Brantley on the play of Grant Riller
Players Mentioned
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