Sunday, December 1
Anaheim, Calif.
4:00 PM (ET) / 1:00 PM (PT)
College of Charleston
vs
UCF
Photo by: Kohjiro Kinno / ESPN Images
Cougars and Knights Meet Again at Wooden Legacy
11/30/2019 8:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON (4-3, 0-0 CAA) vs. UCF (4-2, 0-0 American)
ESPN PAYCOM WOODEN LEGACY FIFTH-PLACE GAME
Game #8
December 1, 2019 • 4:00 p.m. (ET) / 1:00 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: CofC Leads 12-6
Last Meeting: UCF def. CofC, 72-71, on Nov. 23, 2019 in Orlando, Fla.
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: 105-68
Sixth Year Overall: 105-68
UCF: Johnny Dawkins
Fourth Year at UCF: 71-36
12th Year Overall: 227-151
TELEVISION (ESPNU)
Play-By-Play: Eric Rothman
Color Analyst: Corey Williams
RADIO (College of Charleston Radio Network)
Play-By-Play: Everett German
GAME PREVIEW
It will be a rematch between the College of Charleston men's basketball team (4-3) and UCF (4-2) in a matter of eight days on different coasts as both schools meet in the fifth-place game of the Paycom Wooden Legacy on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. (ET) / 1 p.m. (PT) at Anaheim Arena in Anaheim, Calif. The game will be televised live nationally on ESPNU. In both teams' last meeting – a non-bracketed game of the tournament – the Cougars and Knights battled to a one-point 72-71 victory in favor of UCF on its home floor on Nov. 23 in Orlando. A college basketball rarity during the regular season and by virtue of how the tournament bracket played out, Charleston and UCF will face each other a second time. The Cougars are looking to avenge the blemish on their schedule in which the Knights went 21-of-26 from the free throw line, while CofC shot better than its opponent from the field (48.3%) and beyond the arc (41.2%). Collin Smith scored a game-high 23 points for UCF, while Grant Riller knocked down 20 for Charleston in front of his hometown crowd. Round 2 will present another dog fight on Sunday, this time at a neutral site. The Cougars are looking to go 2-1 in tournament play for the third-straight year having played last in the fifth-place game of the Great Alaska Shootout in 2017 and AdvoCare Invitational in 2018. CofC advanced to the fifth-place game after a 63-55 win over Providence in the consolation semifinals on Friday, while UCF beat Pepperdine, 78-65.
UCF AT-A-GLANCE
The Knights have won three of their last four games. Other than their 13-point win over Pepperdine, the team's previous contests have been decided in single digits including Illinois State (+2) on Nov. 17, Charleston (+1) on Nov. 23 and Penn (-1) on Nov. 28. UCF shot a season-best 51.8 percent and 40.0 percent from long range against the Waves in the consolation semifinals. They are led by redshirt junior forward Collin Smith, who turned in a double-double in his last outing with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
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. (7.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 28.0 min)
#1 Grant Riller, G, 6-3, 190, Sr. (21.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.4 apg, 33.9 min)
#2 Brevin Galloway, G, 6-2, 215, Jr. (11.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 28.9 min)
#24 Jaylen McManus, F, 6-7, 230, Sr. (10.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 0.1 apg, 27.7 min)
#33 Osinachi Smart, C/F, 6-8, 240, Jr. (4.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.3 apg, 18.0 min)
PROJECTED UCF STARTERS
#12 Dazon Ingram, G, 6-6, 205, RS-Sr. (12.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, 30.3 min)
#22 Darin Green Jr., G, 6-4, 180, Fr. (10.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.2 apg, 23.3 min)
#3 Dre Fuller Jr., G, 6-5, 210, Fr. (3.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 14.3 min)
#20 Frank Bertz, G, 6-5, 180, Sr. (5.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.2 apg, 24.3 min)
#35 Collin Smith, F, 6-11, 240, RS-Jr. (14.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.2 apg, 29.0 min)
SERIES HISTORY
CofC leads 12-6 in the all-time series versus UCF. However, the Knights have won the four out of last five meetings between the two former Trans America Athletic Conference (TAAC) rivals. The Cougars are looking to end a three-game skid in the series. Both last met in tournament settings in the ESPN Charleston Classic in 2016 and inaugural Battle 4 Atlantis in 2011.
LAST SIX GAMES IN SERIES
L, 71-72 on 11/23/19 in Orlando, Fla.
L, 40-60 on 11/18/16 in Charleston, S.C.
L, 63-74 on 11/24/11 in Paradise Island, Bahamas
W, 72-63 on 11/26/03 in Charleston, S.C.
L, 64-82 on 12/12/02 in Orlando, Fla.
W, 81-66 on 2/27/98 in Charleston, S.C.
PROVIDENCE RECAP
College of Charleston 63, Providence 55
• For the seventh-consecutive game, College of Charleston started Zep Jasper, Grant Riller, Brevin Galloway, Jaylen McManus and Osinachi Smart (4-3).
• With the win, College of Charleston picked up its first-ever win in the three-game, all-time series with Providence. It was the program's first win against a team from the BIG EAST Conference since beating Villanova in the championship game of the 2002 Great Alaska Shootout in Anchorage, Alaska.
• Grant Riller registered a season-high 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field and 9-of-10 shooting from the charity stripe against Providence. He extended his double-digit scoring streak to 35 consecutive games. It marked his 37th career 20-point game and fifth of the season. Riller moved into third all-time on the school's career scoring list with 1,943 career points to date. Prior to the game, he was tied for third with 2019 NBA Draft pick and former CofC great Jarrell Brantley (2015-19).
• Osinachi Smart had a career game against Providence with a career-high nine points and season-high eight rebounds including three on the offensive end. He also shot 3-for-5 from the field and 3-for-3 from the free throw line.
• The Cougars outrebounded the Friars, 37-25 (+12). It was the second time this season they won the battle of the boards next to +12 versus USC Upstate on Nov. 5.
• The CofC defense held Providence to its lowest scoring output of the season and an opponent season-low tying 55 points next to 55 points versus USC Upstate.
COUGAR SOUND BITES
"At this point, it doesn't really matter who we played whether it was UCF or Pepperdine. We came to this tournament to grow. We knew the field when we signed up for it two years ago. We knew it would be a battle regardless of who we play." – CofC Head Coach Earl Grant on playing UCF for the second time this season
"This team is a developing team. We know the end of the tunnel, comes in March. I hope we can continue to grow, develop and morph into who we really want to be. I saw a beautiful illustration of Charleston Basketball (against Providence). The toughness I want to see, the collective spirit I want to see and the grit I want to see." – Coach Grant on the development of his team and playing some of the younger guys during the Wooden Legacy
"He stayed within himself. He did a really good job of moving the ball and being patient. He was 9-for-15 from the field, so that's a high percentage. It wasn't like he took a ton of shots to get to 29 (points). He was very efficient. He is learning that these teams are really being aggressive with him on the ball screens. He has to pass the ball and get rid of it and trust his teammates." – Grant on Grant Riller's play against Providence
"I thought Osi played well. He competed and rebounded the ball well. He was physical. It was good to see him have some success. He has been wanting to play more. He has accepted his new role and is getting more minutes. He showed up and was an anchor for us around the basket. They (Providence) had some physical guys in there. He did a good job of not only rebounding and protecting the rim, but guarding their guys for 33 minutes, if you look at their point totals." – Grant on the development of redshirt junior big man Osinachi Smart
ESPN PAYCOM WOODEN LEGACY FIFTH-PLACE GAME
Game #8
December 1, 2019 • 4:00 p.m. (ET) / 1:00 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: CofC Leads 12-6
Last Meeting: UCF def. CofC, 72-71, on Nov. 23, 2019 in Orlando, Fla.
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: 105-68
Sixth Year Overall: 105-68
UCF: Johnny Dawkins
Fourth Year at UCF: 71-36
12th Year Overall: 227-151
TELEVISION (ESPNU)
Play-By-Play: Eric Rothman
Color Analyst: Corey Williams
RADIO (College of Charleston Radio Network)
Play-By-Play: Everett German
GAME PREVIEW
It will be a rematch between the College of Charleston men's basketball team (4-3) and UCF (4-2) in a matter of eight days on different coasts as both schools meet in the fifth-place game of the Paycom Wooden Legacy on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. (ET) / 1 p.m. (PT) at Anaheim Arena in Anaheim, Calif. The game will be televised live nationally on ESPNU. In both teams' last meeting – a non-bracketed game of the tournament – the Cougars and Knights battled to a one-point 72-71 victory in favor of UCF on its home floor on Nov. 23 in Orlando. A college basketball rarity during the regular season and by virtue of how the tournament bracket played out, Charleston and UCF will face each other a second time. The Cougars are looking to avenge the blemish on their schedule in which the Knights went 21-of-26 from the free throw line, while CofC shot better than its opponent from the field (48.3%) and beyond the arc (41.2%). Collin Smith scored a game-high 23 points for UCF, while Grant Riller knocked down 20 for Charleston in front of his hometown crowd. Round 2 will present another dog fight on Sunday, this time at a neutral site. The Cougars are looking to go 2-1 in tournament play for the third-straight year having played last in the fifth-place game of the Great Alaska Shootout in 2017 and AdvoCare Invitational in 2018. CofC advanced to the fifth-place game after a 63-55 win over Providence in the consolation semifinals on Friday, while UCF beat Pepperdine, 78-65.
UCF AT-A-GLANCE
The Knights have won three of their last four games. Other than their 13-point win over Pepperdine, the team's previous contests have been decided in single digits including Illinois State (+2) on Nov. 17, Charleston (+1) on Nov. 23 and Penn (-1) on Nov. 28. UCF shot a season-best 51.8 percent and 40.0 percent from long range against the Waves in the consolation semifinals. They are led by redshirt junior forward Collin Smith, who turned in a double-double in his last outing with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
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. (7.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 28.0 min)
#1 Grant Riller, G, 6-3, 190, Sr. (21.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.4 apg, 33.9 min)
#2 Brevin Galloway, G, 6-2, 215, Jr. (11.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 28.9 min)
#24 Jaylen McManus, F, 6-7, 230, Sr. (10.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 0.1 apg, 27.7 min)
#33 Osinachi Smart, C/F, 6-8, 240, Jr. (4.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.3 apg, 18.0 min)
PROJECTED UCF STARTERS
#12 Dazon Ingram, G, 6-6, 205, RS-Sr. (12.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, 30.3 min)
#22 Darin Green Jr., G, 6-4, 180, Fr. (10.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.2 apg, 23.3 min)
#3 Dre Fuller Jr., G, 6-5, 210, Fr. (3.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 14.3 min)
#20 Frank Bertz, G, 6-5, 180, Sr. (5.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.2 apg, 24.3 min)
#35 Collin Smith, F, 6-11, 240, RS-Jr. (14.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.2 apg, 29.0 min)
SERIES HISTORY
CofC leads 12-6 in the all-time series versus UCF. However, the Knights have won the four out of last five meetings between the two former Trans America Athletic Conference (TAAC) rivals. The Cougars are looking to end a three-game skid in the series. Both last met in tournament settings in the ESPN Charleston Classic in 2016 and inaugural Battle 4 Atlantis in 2011.
LAST SIX GAMES IN SERIES
L, 71-72 on 11/23/19 in Orlando, Fla.
L, 40-60 on 11/18/16 in Charleston, S.C.
L, 63-74 on 11/24/11 in Paradise Island, Bahamas
W, 72-63 on 11/26/03 in Charleston, S.C.
L, 64-82 on 12/12/02 in Orlando, Fla.
W, 81-66 on 2/27/98 in Charleston, S.C.
PROVIDENCE RECAP
College of Charleston 63, Providence 55
• For the seventh-consecutive game, College of Charleston started Zep Jasper, Grant Riller, Brevin Galloway, Jaylen McManus and Osinachi Smart (4-3).
• With the win, College of Charleston picked up its first-ever win in the three-game, all-time series with Providence. It was the program's first win against a team from the BIG EAST Conference since beating Villanova in the championship game of the 2002 Great Alaska Shootout in Anchorage, Alaska.
• Grant Riller registered a season-high 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field and 9-of-10 shooting from the charity stripe against Providence. He extended his double-digit scoring streak to 35 consecutive games. It marked his 37th career 20-point game and fifth of the season. Riller moved into third all-time on the school's career scoring list with 1,943 career points to date. Prior to the game, he was tied for third with 2019 NBA Draft pick and former CofC great Jarrell Brantley (2015-19).
• Osinachi Smart had a career game against Providence with a career-high nine points and season-high eight rebounds including three on the offensive end. He also shot 3-for-5 from the field and 3-for-3 from the free throw line.
• The Cougars outrebounded the Friars, 37-25 (+12). It was the second time this season they won the battle of the boards next to +12 versus USC Upstate on Nov. 5.
• The CofC defense held Providence to its lowest scoring output of the season and an opponent season-low tying 55 points next to 55 points versus USC Upstate.
COUGAR SOUND BITES
"At this point, it doesn't really matter who we played whether it was UCF or Pepperdine. We came to this tournament to grow. We knew the field when we signed up for it two years ago. We knew it would be a battle regardless of who we play." – CofC Head Coach Earl Grant on playing UCF for the second time this season
"This team is a developing team. We know the end of the tunnel, comes in March. I hope we can continue to grow, develop and morph into who we really want to be. I saw a beautiful illustration of Charleston Basketball (against Providence). The toughness I want to see, the collective spirit I want to see and the grit I want to see." – Coach Grant on the development of his team and playing some of the younger guys during the Wooden Legacy
"He stayed within himself. He did a really good job of moving the ball and being patient. He was 9-for-15 from the field, so that's a high percentage. It wasn't like he took a ton of shots to get to 29 (points). He was very efficient. He is learning that these teams are really being aggressive with him on the ball screens. He has to pass the ball and get rid of it and trust his teammates." – Grant on Grant Riller's play against Providence
"I thought Osi played well. He competed and rebounded the ball well. He was physical. It was good to see him have some success. He has been wanting to play more. He has accepted his new role and is getting more minutes. He showed up and was an anchor for us around the basket. They (Providence) had some physical guys in there. He did a good job of not only rebounding and protecting the rim, but guarding their guys for 33 minutes, if you look at their point totals." – Grant on the development of redshirt junior big man Osinachi Smart
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
C/F
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