Friday, November 29
Anaheim, Calif.
4:30 PM (ET) / 1:30 PM (PT)
College of Charleston
vs
Providence
Photo by: Kohjiro Kinno / ESPN Images
Third-Ever Meeting For Cougars and Friars In Friday Consolation Round
11/28/2019 11:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON (3-3, 0-0 CAA) vs. PROVIDENCE (4-3, 0-0 BIG EAST)
ESPN PAYCOM WOODEN LEGACY CONSOLATION SEMIFINALS
Game #7
November 29, 2019 • 4:30 p.m. (ET) / 1:30 p.m. (PT)
Anaheim Arena (7,500)
at Anaheim, Calif.
Television: ESPNU
Radio: College of Charleston Radio Network (ESPN Radio 910 AM | 94.7 FM)
Series History: Providence Leads 2-0
Last Meeting: Providence def. CofC, 69-64, in NIT First Round on March 22, 2003 in Providence, R.I.
Internet: Live Statistics at http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/tournament.php?tid=686
Live On-Demand Video: https://www.espn.com/watch
Twitter: @CofCBasketball
THE COACHES
College of Charleston: Earl Grant
Sixth Year at CofC: 104-68
Sixth Year Overall: 104-68
Providence: Ed Cooley
Ninth Year at PC: 166-113
14th Year Overall: 258-182
TELEVISION (ESPNU)
Play-By-Play: Eric Rothman
Color Analyst: Corey Williams
RADIO (College of Charleston Radio Network)
Play-By-Play: Everett German
GAME PREVIEW
The College of Charleston men's basketball team (3-3) is looking to get back on the winning track after dropping three of its last four games including an opening-round 65-56 setback to Wake Forest during #FeastWeek. The Cougars will meet Providence (4-3) for only the third time in program history as both teams square-off in the consolation semifinals of the Paycom Wooden Legacy on Friday, Nov. 29 at 4:30 p.m. (ET) / 1:30 p.m. (PT) at Anaheim Arena in Anaheim, Calif. The game will be televised live nationally on ESPNU. Four players scored in double figures against the Demon Deacons including a season-best 13-point performance from sophomore guard Zep Jasper, who also went 3-for-4 from long range and dished out three assists with zero turnovers. Known for their defense, the Cougars held Wake Forest to 35.8 percent shooting from the field (19-of-53) – the third time this season an opponent shot in the 30s next to USC Upstate and Marshall. The contest will showcase two preseason all-conference first teamers in senior guard Grant Riller (Colonial Athletic Association) for Charleston and senior forward Alpha Diallo (BIG EAST) for Providence. It will be the first meeting with a BIG EAST opponent for the Cougars since traveling to defending national champion and then No. 2-ranked Villanova (L, 47-63) in a non-bracketed game of the ESPN Charleston Classic on Nov. 23, 2016 in Villanova, Pa. CofC is 23-23 all-time when competing in exempt in-season tournaments since becoming an NCAA Division I member in 1991-92.
A LOOK AT PROVIDENCE
The Friars were picked to finish fourth in the preseason BIG EAST Conference Coaches Poll and return all five of their starters from last year's NIT squad (lost to Arkansas in first round). Alpha Diallo is the team's leading scorer averaging 13.3 points per game and has recorded three double-doubles on the season. Providence led Long Beach State by as many as 17 points, before a one-point 66-65 loss to the 49ers in the closing minutes of its opening-round game.
COUGARS ON THE AIRWAVES
Fans can listen to all CofC men's basketball games throughout the 2019-20 season on ESPN Radio 910 AM and 94.7 FM in Charleston or via a live audio link at: www.charlestonsportsradio.com. Voice of the Cougars Everett German will call the action live from Anaheim Arena.
PROJECTED COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON STARTERS
#10 Zep Jasper, G, 6-1, 175, So. (7.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, 28.0 min)
#1 Grant Riller, G, 6-3, 190, Sr. (19.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.3 apg, 33.3 min)
#2 Brevin Galloway, G, 6-2, 215, Jr. (11.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 29.2 min)
#24 Jaylen McManus, F, 6-7, 230, Sr. (10.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.2 apg, 27.7 min)
#33 Osinachi Smart, C/F, 6-8, 240, Jr. (3.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.2 apg, 15.4 min)
PROJECTED PROVIDENCE STARTERS
#3 David Duke, G, 6-5, 200, So. (12.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.4 apg, 29.9 min)
#11 Alpha Diallo, G, 6-7, 210, Sr. (13.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.4 apg, 29.4 min)
#12 Luwane Pipkins, G, 5-11, 180, Gr.-Sr. (10.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 6.0 apg, 29.6 min)
#13 Kalif Young, F, 6-9, 250, Sr. (5.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.7 apg, 19.0 min)
#15 Emmitt Holt, F, 6-7, 230, Gr.-Sr. (9.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 20.7 min)
SERIES HISTORY
Providence holds a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series with College of Charleston. This will be the first meeting between the two schools at a neutral site with both of the two previous meetings being played on the road on the Friars' home court. Each were decided by five points and in Postseason NIT play in 1995 and 2003.
LAST TWO GAMES IN THE SERIES
L, 64-69 (-5) on 3/22/03? in Providence, R.I.
L, 67-72 (-5) on 3/16/95 in Providence, R.I.
WAKE FOREST RECAP
Wake Forest 65, College of Charleston 56
• For the sixth time this season, College of Charleston went with the starting five of Zep Jasper, Grant Riller, Brevin Galloway, Jaylen McManus and Osinachi Smart (3-3).
• Wake Forest remains an undefeated 4-0 in the all-time series with College of Charleston. It was the second time both programs met in an early-season tournament next to the 2016 ESPN Charleston Classic.
• Zep Jasper recorded a season-high 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field including 3-of-4 from long range against Wake Forest. It marked his eighth double-figure scoring game of his career and second of the season. He also dished out a season-best three assists.
• Brevin Galloway extended his double-digit scoring streak to three-consecutive games with 10 points versus the Demon Deacons.
• Jaylen McManus also registered 10 points against Wake Forest and has now scored in double figures in four of the team's last five games.
• Grant Riller turned in 11 points versus the Demon Deacons and is now tied for third all-time in career scoring with 2019 NBA Draft second-round pick Jarrell Brantley (2015-19), who tallied 1,914 career points over the course of his four-year career.
• The CofC defense held Wake Forest to just 35.8 percent shooting from the field (19-of-53) – the second-lowest percentage by an opponent this season next to 35.7 percent (20-of-56) versus USC Upstate on Nov. 5.
COUGAR SOUND BITES
"Last year, we were undefeated when we held an opponent to 65 points or less. We did that today, but without the same outcome. Their (Wake Forest's) length really bothered us. We have to clean up some of our defensive rebounding. We played a lot of our young guys and a lot of our bench. We need to continue to execute better at five minutes and under. We settled for some shots with about 12 seconds left on the shot clock where we could have gotten better by being in the bonus and getting to the free throw line." – CofC Head Coach Earl Grant on the opening-round loss despite holding Wake Forest to just 65 points and 35 percent shooting from the floor
"We have to keep driving the ball and play strong off two feet. Hopefully, when you get in there, you make a strong dribble attack move to the rim. Plus 13 is a huge thing to overcome on the free throw line when you throw in another 13 offensive rebounds." – Coach Grant on the team getting into foul trouble inside which led to Wake Forest going to the line
"We have another big game tomorrow. It's another very good team and opportunity for us. They (Providence) play in a very good league. This is what this tournament is for – to be tested." – Grant on the one-day turnaround
"He was really aggressive driving the ball to rim. He did a good job of using the ball screens and attacking the basket. He was 3-for-4 from three. He got some good shots off screens and got his feet set and knocked them in. I thought he played really well for the minutes that he played and taking care of the ball with three assists." – Grant on the play of Zep Jasper against Wake Forest
"We were searching for more energy and we weren't rebounding the way we needed to. We needed guys who could go in and play with some energy. Also, with it being three games in four days, you need to use your bench. I thought it was an opportunity to get some of our younger guys in along with the combination of some of our older guys being in foul trouble. They (the freshmen) brought great energy off the bench and actually closed the gap and got it to about four points when they went in for that three-or four-minute stretch." – Grant on DeAngelo Epps, Trevon Reddish and Brenden Tucker coming into the rotation in the second half against Wake Forest
ESPN PAYCOM WOODEN LEGACY CONSOLATION SEMIFINALS
Game #7
November 29, 2019 • 4:30 p.m. (ET) / 1:30 p.m. (PT)
Anaheim Arena (7,500)
at Anaheim, Calif.
Television: ESPNU
Radio: College of Charleston Radio Network (ESPN Radio 910 AM | 94.7 FM)
Series History: Providence Leads 2-0
Last Meeting: Providence def. CofC, 69-64, in NIT First Round on March 22, 2003 in Providence, R.I.
Internet: Live Statistics at http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/tournament.php?tid=686
Live On-Demand Video: https://www.espn.com/watch
Twitter: @CofCBasketball
THE COACHES
College of Charleston: Earl Grant
Sixth Year at CofC: 104-68
Sixth Year Overall: 104-68
Providence: Ed Cooley
Ninth Year at PC: 166-113
14th Year Overall: 258-182
TELEVISION (ESPNU)
Play-By-Play: Eric Rothman
Color Analyst: Corey Williams
RADIO (College of Charleston Radio Network)
Play-By-Play: Everett German
GAME PREVIEW
The College of Charleston men's basketball team (3-3) is looking to get back on the winning track after dropping three of its last four games including an opening-round 65-56 setback to Wake Forest during #FeastWeek. The Cougars will meet Providence (4-3) for only the third time in program history as both teams square-off in the consolation semifinals of the Paycom Wooden Legacy on Friday, Nov. 29 at 4:30 p.m. (ET) / 1:30 p.m. (PT) at Anaheim Arena in Anaheim, Calif. The game will be televised live nationally on ESPNU. Four players scored in double figures against the Demon Deacons including a season-best 13-point performance from sophomore guard Zep Jasper, who also went 3-for-4 from long range and dished out three assists with zero turnovers. Known for their defense, the Cougars held Wake Forest to 35.8 percent shooting from the field (19-of-53) – the third time this season an opponent shot in the 30s next to USC Upstate and Marshall. The contest will showcase two preseason all-conference first teamers in senior guard Grant Riller (Colonial Athletic Association) for Charleston and senior forward Alpha Diallo (BIG EAST) for Providence. It will be the first meeting with a BIG EAST opponent for the Cougars since traveling to defending national champion and then No. 2-ranked Villanova (L, 47-63) in a non-bracketed game of the ESPN Charleston Classic on Nov. 23, 2016 in Villanova, Pa. CofC is 23-23 all-time when competing in exempt in-season tournaments since becoming an NCAA Division I member in 1991-92.
A LOOK AT PROVIDENCE
The Friars were picked to finish fourth in the preseason BIG EAST Conference Coaches Poll and return all five of their starters from last year's NIT squad (lost to Arkansas in first round). Alpha Diallo is the team's leading scorer averaging 13.3 points per game and has recorded three double-doubles on the season. Providence led Long Beach State by as many as 17 points, before a one-point 66-65 loss to the 49ers in the closing minutes of its opening-round game.
COUGARS ON THE AIRWAVES
Fans can listen to all CofC men's basketball games throughout the 2019-20 season on ESPN Radio 910 AM and 94.7 FM in Charleston or via a live audio link at: www.charlestonsportsradio.com. Voice of the Cougars Everett German will call the action live from Anaheim Arena.
PROJECTED COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON STARTERS
#10 Zep Jasper, G, 6-1, 175, So. (7.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, 28.0 min)
#1 Grant Riller, G, 6-3, 190, Sr. (19.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.3 apg, 33.3 min)
#2 Brevin Galloway, G, 6-2, 215, Jr. (11.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 29.2 min)
#24 Jaylen McManus, F, 6-7, 230, Sr. (10.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.2 apg, 27.7 min)
#33 Osinachi Smart, C/F, 6-8, 240, Jr. (3.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.2 apg, 15.4 min)
PROJECTED PROVIDENCE STARTERS
#3 David Duke, G, 6-5, 200, So. (12.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.4 apg, 29.9 min)
#11 Alpha Diallo, G, 6-7, 210, Sr. (13.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.4 apg, 29.4 min)
#12 Luwane Pipkins, G, 5-11, 180, Gr.-Sr. (10.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 6.0 apg, 29.6 min)
#13 Kalif Young, F, 6-9, 250, Sr. (5.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.7 apg, 19.0 min)
#15 Emmitt Holt, F, 6-7, 230, Gr.-Sr. (9.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 20.7 min)
SERIES HISTORY
Providence holds a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series with College of Charleston. This will be the first meeting between the two schools at a neutral site with both of the two previous meetings being played on the road on the Friars' home court. Each were decided by five points and in Postseason NIT play in 1995 and 2003.
LAST TWO GAMES IN THE SERIES
L, 64-69 (-5) on 3/22/03? in Providence, R.I.
L, 67-72 (-5) on 3/16/95 in Providence, R.I.
WAKE FOREST RECAP
Wake Forest 65, College of Charleston 56
• For the sixth time this season, College of Charleston went with the starting five of Zep Jasper, Grant Riller, Brevin Galloway, Jaylen McManus and Osinachi Smart (3-3).
• Wake Forest remains an undefeated 4-0 in the all-time series with College of Charleston. It was the second time both programs met in an early-season tournament next to the 2016 ESPN Charleston Classic.
• Zep Jasper recorded a season-high 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field including 3-of-4 from long range against Wake Forest. It marked his eighth double-figure scoring game of his career and second of the season. He also dished out a season-best three assists.
• Brevin Galloway extended his double-digit scoring streak to three-consecutive games with 10 points versus the Demon Deacons.
• Jaylen McManus also registered 10 points against Wake Forest and has now scored in double figures in four of the team's last five games.
• Grant Riller turned in 11 points versus the Demon Deacons and is now tied for third all-time in career scoring with 2019 NBA Draft second-round pick Jarrell Brantley (2015-19), who tallied 1,914 career points over the course of his four-year career.
• The CofC defense held Wake Forest to just 35.8 percent shooting from the field (19-of-53) – the second-lowest percentage by an opponent this season next to 35.7 percent (20-of-56) versus USC Upstate on Nov. 5.
COUGAR SOUND BITES
"Last year, we were undefeated when we held an opponent to 65 points or less. We did that today, but without the same outcome. Their (Wake Forest's) length really bothered us. We have to clean up some of our defensive rebounding. We played a lot of our young guys and a lot of our bench. We need to continue to execute better at five minutes and under. We settled for some shots with about 12 seconds left on the shot clock where we could have gotten better by being in the bonus and getting to the free throw line." – CofC Head Coach Earl Grant on the opening-round loss despite holding Wake Forest to just 65 points and 35 percent shooting from the floor
"We have to keep driving the ball and play strong off two feet. Hopefully, when you get in there, you make a strong dribble attack move to the rim. Plus 13 is a huge thing to overcome on the free throw line when you throw in another 13 offensive rebounds." – Coach Grant on the team getting into foul trouble inside which led to Wake Forest going to the line
"We have another big game tomorrow. It's another very good team and opportunity for us. They (Providence) play in a very good league. This is what this tournament is for – to be tested." – Grant on the one-day turnaround
"He was really aggressive driving the ball to rim. He did a good job of using the ball screens and attacking the basket. He was 3-for-4 from three. He got some good shots off screens and got his feet set and knocked them in. I thought he played really well for the minutes that he played and taking care of the ball with three assists." – Grant on the play of Zep Jasper against Wake Forest
"We were searching for more energy and we weren't rebounding the way we needed to. We needed guys who could go in and play with some energy. Also, with it being three games in four days, you need to use your bench. I thought it was an opportunity to get some of our younger guys in along with the combination of some of our older guys being in foul trouble. They (the freshmen) brought great energy off the bench and actually closed the gap and got it to about four points when they went in for that three-or four-minute stretch." – Grant on DeAngelo Epps, Trevon Reddish and Brenden Tucker coming into the rotation in the second half against Wake Forest
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