Saturday, November 9
TD Arena
2:00 PM
College of Charleston
vs
Georgia State
Cougars Continue Homestand With Georgia State
11/8/2019 5:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON (1-0, 0-0 CAA) vs. GEORGIA STATE (1-0, 0-0 Sun Belt)
Game #2
November 9, 2019 • 2:00 p.m. (ET)
TD Arena/John Kresse Court (5,100)
at Charleston, S.C.
Television: FloSports
Radio: College of Charleston Radio Network (ESPN Radio 910 AM | 94.7 FM)
Series History: CofC Leads 11-4
Last Meeting: CofC def. Georgia State, 72-66, on Nov. 11, 2006 in Atlanta, Ga.
Internet: Live Statistics at www.CofCStats.com
Live On-Demand Video: FloSports Subscription at http://bit.ly/2JP6sGV
Tickets: www.CofCSports.com/tickets
Twitter: @CofCBasketball
THE COACHES
College of Charleston: Earl Grant
Sixth Year at CofC: 102-65
Sixth Year Overall: 102-65
Georgia State: Rob Lanier
First Year at GSU: 1-0
Fifth Year Overall: 59-70
TELEVISION AND RADIO (FloSports and College of Charleston Radio Network)
Play-By-Play: Everett German
Color Analyst: Danny Johnson
GAME PREVIEW
The College of Charleston men's basketball team (1-0) continues its three-game homestand with Georgia State (1-0) on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. (ET) at TD Arena. The Cougars were picked No. 17 in this week's CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll – the only team representing the Colonial Athletic Association. They started the year off with a 74-55 season-opening victory over USC Upstate on Nov. 5 behind a game-high 26-point effort from preseason CAA Player of the Year and Lute Olson Award candidate Grant Riller. Ten players saw action against the Spartans including three freshmen, Trevon Reddish (five points), DeAngelo Epps and Brenden Tucker, who all made their collegiate debuts. The Cougars dominated the glass in their last outing with 43 boards including 11 on the offensive end. Known for their defense and holding opponents to under 60 points a game, they also held Upstate to 35.7 shooting from the field and 30.0 percent shooting from long range. Georgia State comes into the contest with size and length on its roster with two freshmen post players standing at 6-foot-9 and 6-foot-10. Damon Wilson, a senior guard, recorded a career-high 22 points in the Panthers' 104-35 rout of NAIA-member Brewton-Parker College on Nov. 6. GSU will be the last test before a Charleston-Oklahoma State rematch on Nov. 13 at TD Arena.
GAME PROMOTIONS
Join us as we celebrate Veterans Day at TD Arena. All veterans can purchase tickets for just $5 with valid identification. It's also Camp Reunion Night for those who attended Earl Grant Basketball Camp this summer. Campers are invited to join us for the game and participate in our pre-game tunnel as the Cougars take the court against Georgia State. Tickets are still available for purchase by calling (843) 953-COFC or online at: www.CofCSports.com/tickets
A LOOK AT GEORGIA STATE
The Panthers are coming off their second-straight Sun Belt Conference title and NCAA Tournament appearance (lost to Houston in first round). They will travel to Charleston for the first time since the 2005-06 season and under first-year head coach Rob Lanier. Both teams last played nearly 13 years ago in Atlanta with the Cougars coming away with a season-opening 72-66 road victory at GSU in 2006.
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 TD Arena along with color analyst Danny Johnson on the College of Charleston Radio Network.
PROJECTED COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON STARTERS
#10 Zep Jasper, G, 6-1, 175, So. (9.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg, 1.0 apg, 27.0 min)
#1 Grant Riller, G, 6-3, 190, Sr. (26.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 33.0 min)
#2 Brevin Galloway, G, 6-2, 215, Jr. (10.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.0 apg, 25.0 min)
#24 Jaylen McManus, F, 6-7, 230, Sr. (5.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 0.0 apg, 25.0 min)
#33 Osinachi Smart, C/F, 6-8, 240, Jr. (2.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 0.0 apg, 12.0 min)
PROJECTED GEORGIA STATE STARTERS
#1 Damon Wilson, G, 6-5, 190, Sr. (22.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 23.0 min)
#2 Justin Roberts, G, 5-9, 170, RS-So. (4.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 26.0 min)
#11 Corey Allen, G, 6-2, 205, RS-Jr. (15.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 18.0 min)
#12 Kane Williams, G, 6-3, 190, Jr. (14.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 6.0 apg, 22.0 min)
#23 Joe Jones III, C, 6-9, 245, Fr. (7.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 0.0 apg, 24.0 min)
SERIES HISTORY
College of Charleston leads 11-4 in the all-time series with Georgia State. Both were formerly members of the Trans America Athletic Conference (TAAC) and rivals in the late 1990s. The Cougars own an 11-game win streak in the series that dates back to an 88-63 win over the Panthers at the old John Kresse Arena on Feb. 6, 1993. This is the first meeting between the two schools since 2006 and with both schools members of two different conferences – the Colonial and Sun Belt respectively.
LAST 15 GAMES IN THE SERIES
W, 72-66 on 11/11/06 in Atlanta
W, 83-75 on 2/18/06 in Charleston, S.C.
W, 70-63 on 12/22/01 in Charlotte, N.C.
W, 79-52 on 2/2/98 in Charleston, S.C.
W, 88-63 on 1/4/97 in Atlanta
W, 91-78 on 1/6/96 in Charleston, S.C.
W, 90-58 on 2/9/95 in Charleston, S.C.
W, 83-77 on 2/2/95 in Atlanta
W, 76-71 on 2/26/94 in Charleston, S.C.
W, 85-76 on 1/31/94 in Atlanta
W, 88-63 on 2/6/93 in Charleston, S.C.
L, 50-60 on 1/9/93 in Atlanta
L, 83-91 on 2/2/70 in Charleston, S.C.
L, 78-102 on 12/8/69 in Atlanta
L, 60-80 on 1/25/64 in Atlanta
IT'S RILLER TIME
Grant Riller needs 750 more points this season to break the school's all-time career scoring record held by 2011 NBA Draft Pick Andrew Goudelock, who scored 2,571 points in his career from 2007-11, which still ranks 44th all-time in NCAA history. Riller has recorded 1,822 career points to date, which ranks sixth most in school history. He is the school-record holder for most points scored in a single game (43 points versus Hofstra on 2/14/19) and was invited to the Chris Paul CP3 Elite Guard Camp this past summer.
USC UPSTATE RECAP
College of Charleston 74, USC Upstate 55
• College of Charleston went with the opening night starting five of Zep Jasper, Grant Riller, Brevin Galloway, Jaylen McManus and Osinachi Smart. It was McManus' 15th career start and Smart's first career start.
• With the win, the Cougars improve to 16-7 all-time versus USC Upstate (formerly USC Spartanburg) and 2-0 in both programs' NCAA Division I Era.
• CofC is now 17-2 all-time in home openers since its first season as a NCAA Division I member in 1991-92. In the Earl Grant Era, the Cougars are a perfect 6-0 in season openers.
• Grant Riller recorded a game-high 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field against USC Upstate. It marked his 33rd career 20-point game. He moved past former CofC great Sam Meade (1,812 from 1970-74) for sixth all-time on the school's career scoring list. Riller has now tabulated 1,822 points to date. He is currently on a 29-game consecutive double-figure scoring streak dating back to the 2018-19 season.
• Brevin Galloway turned in his 14th career double-figure scoring game with 10 points including a perfect 4-for-4 performance from the free throw line versus the Spartans.
• Sam Miller came off the bench and registered a near double-double with eight points and a career-high 14 rebounds against USC Upstate.
• The November 5th game against USC Upstate marked the earliest start in program history.
SCORING DEFENSE
Over the last five seasons, the Cougars have been one of the top teams in the country in scoring defense as well as tops in the CAA the last four-straight years under head coach Earl Grant. Last season, they held opponents to a league-best 68.6 points per game with eight opponents being held to under 60 points.
Number of Games Opponents Scored Under 60 Points
2019-20: 1
2018-19: 8
2017-18: 7
2016-17: 10
2015-16: 11
COUGAR SOUND BITES
"We have a really great schedule. They (Georgia State) have been to the NCAA Tournament two of the last three years. They have good players. It's going to be a challenge for us and I'm excited about it. Anytime you have a challenge, there is great opportunity. We will certainly have to play much better than we did against USC Upstate. We had three days to work on some things in order to get ready for the game. They are definitely a talented team. I hope our crowd can make it a hostile environment on Saturday." – Head Coach Earl Grant on Georgia State
"We are just starting our journey. This team has never been together before. There is a lot to be excited about this season. But, there is still a lot to find out. When you go on a journey, you are going to find some things out. I was glad we were able to win the first one. We have another good team coming in here on Saturday. We have to be prepared for them. We will try to go fight and live to see another day." – Coach Grant on starting off the season with a win against USC Upstate and learning from the first game
"Georgia State is a much different opponent than USC Upstate. We've watched film and learned what we did well and what we need to do better from that game. We've had a couple of days to get ready for a good team. It was big time to get the first game under our belt. The first game, you never know how it will go. We got the kinks out. It felt good to start the season on the right foot with a win." – Senior Guard Grant Riller on prepping for Georgia State after the season-opening win over USC Upstate
Game #2
November 9, 2019 • 2:00 p.m. (ET)
TD Arena/John Kresse Court (5,100)
at Charleston, S.C.
Television: FloSports
Radio: College of Charleston Radio Network (ESPN Radio 910 AM | 94.7 FM)
Series History: CofC Leads 11-4
Last Meeting: CofC def. Georgia State, 72-66, on Nov. 11, 2006 in Atlanta, Ga.
Internet: Live Statistics at www.CofCStats.com
Live On-Demand Video: FloSports Subscription at http://bit.ly/2JP6sGV
Tickets: www.CofCSports.com/tickets
Twitter: @CofCBasketball
THE COACHES
College of Charleston: Earl Grant
Sixth Year at CofC: 102-65
Sixth Year Overall: 102-65
Georgia State: Rob Lanier
First Year at GSU: 1-0
Fifth Year Overall: 59-70
TELEVISION AND RADIO (FloSports and College of Charleston Radio Network)
Play-By-Play: Everett German
Color Analyst: Danny Johnson
GAME PREVIEW
The College of Charleston men's basketball team (1-0) continues its three-game homestand with Georgia State (1-0) on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. (ET) at TD Arena. The Cougars were picked No. 17 in this week's CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll – the only team representing the Colonial Athletic Association. They started the year off with a 74-55 season-opening victory over USC Upstate on Nov. 5 behind a game-high 26-point effort from preseason CAA Player of the Year and Lute Olson Award candidate Grant Riller. Ten players saw action against the Spartans including three freshmen, Trevon Reddish (five points), DeAngelo Epps and Brenden Tucker, who all made their collegiate debuts. The Cougars dominated the glass in their last outing with 43 boards including 11 on the offensive end. Known for their defense and holding opponents to under 60 points a game, they also held Upstate to 35.7 shooting from the field and 30.0 percent shooting from long range. Georgia State comes into the contest with size and length on its roster with two freshmen post players standing at 6-foot-9 and 6-foot-10. Damon Wilson, a senior guard, recorded a career-high 22 points in the Panthers' 104-35 rout of NAIA-member Brewton-Parker College on Nov. 6. GSU will be the last test before a Charleston-Oklahoma State rematch on Nov. 13 at TD Arena.
GAME PROMOTIONS
Join us as we celebrate Veterans Day at TD Arena. All veterans can purchase tickets for just $5 with valid identification. It's also Camp Reunion Night for those who attended Earl Grant Basketball Camp this summer. Campers are invited to join us for the game and participate in our pre-game tunnel as the Cougars take the court against Georgia State. Tickets are still available for purchase by calling (843) 953-COFC or online at: www.CofCSports.com/tickets
A LOOK AT GEORGIA STATE
The Panthers are coming off their second-straight Sun Belt Conference title and NCAA Tournament appearance (lost to Houston in first round). They will travel to Charleston for the first time since the 2005-06 season and under first-year head coach Rob Lanier. Both teams last played nearly 13 years ago in Atlanta with the Cougars coming away with a season-opening 72-66 road victory at GSU in 2006.
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 TD Arena along with color analyst Danny Johnson on the College of Charleston Radio Network.
PROJECTED COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON STARTERS
#10 Zep Jasper, G, 6-1, 175, So. (9.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg, 1.0 apg, 27.0 min)
#1 Grant Riller, G, 6-3, 190, Sr. (26.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 33.0 min)
#2 Brevin Galloway, G, 6-2, 215, Jr. (10.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.0 apg, 25.0 min)
#24 Jaylen McManus, F, 6-7, 230, Sr. (5.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 0.0 apg, 25.0 min)
#33 Osinachi Smart, C/F, 6-8, 240, Jr. (2.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 0.0 apg, 12.0 min)
PROJECTED GEORGIA STATE STARTERS
#1 Damon Wilson, G, 6-5, 190, Sr. (22.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 23.0 min)
#2 Justin Roberts, G, 5-9, 170, RS-So. (4.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 26.0 min)
#11 Corey Allen, G, 6-2, 205, RS-Jr. (15.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 18.0 min)
#12 Kane Williams, G, 6-3, 190, Jr. (14.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 6.0 apg, 22.0 min)
#23 Joe Jones III, C, 6-9, 245, Fr. (7.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 0.0 apg, 24.0 min)
SERIES HISTORY
College of Charleston leads 11-4 in the all-time series with Georgia State. Both were formerly members of the Trans America Athletic Conference (TAAC) and rivals in the late 1990s. The Cougars own an 11-game win streak in the series that dates back to an 88-63 win over the Panthers at the old John Kresse Arena on Feb. 6, 1993. This is the first meeting between the two schools since 2006 and with both schools members of two different conferences – the Colonial and Sun Belt respectively.
LAST 15 GAMES IN THE SERIES
W, 72-66 on 11/11/06 in Atlanta
W, 83-75 on 2/18/06 in Charleston, S.C.
W, 70-63 on 12/22/01 in Charlotte, N.C.
W, 79-52 on 2/2/98 in Charleston, S.C.
W, 88-63 on 1/4/97 in Atlanta
W, 91-78 on 1/6/96 in Charleston, S.C.
W, 90-58 on 2/9/95 in Charleston, S.C.
W, 83-77 on 2/2/95 in Atlanta
W, 76-71 on 2/26/94 in Charleston, S.C.
W, 85-76 on 1/31/94 in Atlanta
W, 88-63 on 2/6/93 in Charleston, S.C.
L, 50-60 on 1/9/93 in Atlanta
L, 83-91 on 2/2/70 in Charleston, S.C.
L, 78-102 on 12/8/69 in Atlanta
L, 60-80 on 1/25/64 in Atlanta
IT'S RILLER TIME
Grant Riller needs 750 more points this season to break the school's all-time career scoring record held by 2011 NBA Draft Pick Andrew Goudelock, who scored 2,571 points in his career from 2007-11, which still ranks 44th all-time in NCAA history. Riller has recorded 1,822 career points to date, which ranks sixth most in school history. He is the school-record holder for most points scored in a single game (43 points versus Hofstra on 2/14/19) and was invited to the Chris Paul CP3 Elite Guard Camp this past summer.
USC UPSTATE RECAP
College of Charleston 74, USC Upstate 55
• College of Charleston went with the opening night starting five of Zep Jasper, Grant Riller, Brevin Galloway, Jaylen McManus and Osinachi Smart. It was McManus' 15th career start and Smart's first career start.
• With the win, the Cougars improve to 16-7 all-time versus USC Upstate (formerly USC Spartanburg) and 2-0 in both programs' NCAA Division I Era.
• CofC is now 17-2 all-time in home openers since its first season as a NCAA Division I member in 1991-92. In the Earl Grant Era, the Cougars are a perfect 6-0 in season openers.
• Grant Riller recorded a game-high 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field against USC Upstate. It marked his 33rd career 20-point game. He moved past former CofC great Sam Meade (1,812 from 1970-74) for sixth all-time on the school's career scoring list. Riller has now tabulated 1,822 points to date. He is currently on a 29-game consecutive double-figure scoring streak dating back to the 2018-19 season.
• Brevin Galloway turned in his 14th career double-figure scoring game with 10 points including a perfect 4-for-4 performance from the free throw line versus the Spartans.
• Sam Miller came off the bench and registered a near double-double with eight points and a career-high 14 rebounds against USC Upstate.
• The November 5th game against USC Upstate marked the earliest start in program history.
SCORING DEFENSE
Over the last five seasons, the Cougars have been one of the top teams in the country in scoring defense as well as tops in the CAA the last four-straight years under head coach Earl Grant. Last season, they held opponents to a league-best 68.6 points per game with eight opponents being held to under 60 points.
Number of Games Opponents Scored Under 60 Points
2019-20: 1
2018-19: 8
2017-18: 7
2016-17: 10
2015-16: 11
COUGAR SOUND BITES
"We have a really great schedule. They (Georgia State) have been to the NCAA Tournament two of the last three years. They have good players. It's going to be a challenge for us and I'm excited about it. Anytime you have a challenge, there is great opportunity. We will certainly have to play much better than we did against USC Upstate. We had three days to work on some things in order to get ready for the game. They are definitely a talented team. I hope our crowd can make it a hostile environment on Saturday." – Head Coach Earl Grant on Georgia State
"We are just starting our journey. This team has never been together before. There is a lot to be excited about this season. But, there is still a lot to find out. When you go on a journey, you are going to find some things out. I was glad we were able to win the first one. We have another good team coming in here on Saturday. We have to be prepared for them. We will try to go fight and live to see another day." – Coach Grant on starting off the season with a win against USC Upstate and learning from the first game
"Georgia State is a much different opponent than USC Upstate. We've watched film and learned what we did well and what we need to do better from that game. We've had a couple of days to get ready for a good team. It was big time to get the first game under our belt. The first game, you never know how it will go. We got the kinks out. It felt good to start the season on the right foot with a win." – Senior Guard Grant Riller on prepping for Georgia State after the season-opening win over USC Upstate
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballCharleston Women's Basketball Post Game Press Conference vs. Charleston Southern (11/7/25)
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Tuesday, November 04
