COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON (12-8, 6-2 CAA) vs. UNCW (6-15, 1-7 CAA)
Game #21
January 25, 2020 • 4:00 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 15-13
Last Meeting: CofC def. UNCW, 70-61, on March 2, 2019 in Charleston, S.C.
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: 113-73
Sixth Year Overall: 113-73
UNCW: Rob Burke (Interim)
Third Year at UNCW: 1-1
First Year Overall: 1-1
 
TELEVISION AND RADIO (FloSports and College of Charleston Radio Network)
Play-By-Play: Everett German
Color Analyst: Danny Johnson
 
GAME PREVIEW
After enjoying a one-game bye week, the College of Charleston men's basketball team (12-8, 6-2 CAA) is ready to get back into action with a rivalry matchup slated against UNCW (6-15, 1-7 CAA) on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 4 p.m. (ET) at TD Arena. Both the Cougars and Seahawks are one week removed from big wins over two of the top teams in the league in preseason favorite Hofstra (W, 69-67) and Northeastern (W, 76-74 OT) respectively. CofC has won five of the last six meetings between the two coastal schools, who are travel partners in the CAA. Next week, both squads will hit the road for a two-game swing at James Madison and Towson. Senior forward Sam Miller is coming off back-to-back 20-point outings versus the Huskies and Pride, while senior guard Grant Riller – a triple-double and double-double performance. Charleston is currently in second in the latest league standings, one game back of first-place William & Mary (15-6, 7-1 CAA). This will be the last game of the first half of conference play and the first of two regular-season meetings versus UNCW.
 
SCOUTING UNCW
The Seahawks, who have one of the youngest teams in NCAA Division I, snapped a 12-game losing skid with a thrilling 76-74 overtime victory over Northeastern on Jan. 18 in Wilmington, N.C. It marked the first career NCAA Division I coaching win for interim head coach Rob Burke, who previously served as an assistant coach at crosstown rival The Citadel. It was also UNCW's fifth league game this season to be decided in single digits, showing the strength of the CAA from top-to-bottom.
 
GAME PROMOTIONS
It's the White Out Game presented by TBonz. Fans are encouraged to wear white to the game. Free white pom poms will be handed out (while supplies last). The 2020 College of Charleston Athletics Hall of Fame Class comprised of former men's golfer and head coach Mark C. Steelman (1986-89), former Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year Rachael Stern Price (2003-05), former dual-sport volleyball and women's basketball athlete Teresa G. Tincher (1983-87) and former men's basketball All-American Troy Wheless (1999-03) will be recognized during the game. Tickets are still available for purchase by calling (843) 953-COFC or online at: www.CofCSports.com/tickets
 
COACHES VS. CANCER #SUITSANDSNAKERS WEEK
Coaches vs. Cancer Suits And Sneakers ® Week is a nationwide event that unites coaches across the country to raise funds and awareness about the fight against cancer and promotes the American Cancer Society as a source of inspiration and hope for those facing cancer. While coaching games during the week, coaches wear sneakers with their game attire as a visible reminder of their support of the American Cancer Society. For over 25 years, the Coaches vs. Cancer program, in collaboration with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), has united coaches and fans nationwide to help the American Cancer Society defeat a common enemy – cancer. The fight isn't over and we need you on our team. For more information and to join coaches in the fight against cancer, visit: www.coachesvscancer.org.
 
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. (7.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.7 apg, 29.4 min)
#1 Grant Riller, G, 6-3, 190, Sr. (21.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.2 apg, 32.5 min)
#2 Brevin Galloway, G, 6-2, 215, Jr. (11.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 29.7 min)
#24 Jaylen McManus, F, 6-7, 230, Sr. (8.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 0.5 apg, 27.1 min)
#20 Sam Miller, F, 6-9, 240, Sr. (8.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.0 apg, 22.7 min)
 
PROJECTED UNCW STARTERS
#2 Shykeim Phillips, G, 6-0, 170, Fr. (9.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.2 apg, 24.4 min)
#4 Mike Okauru, G, 6-3, 185, Jr. (8.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.9 apg, 26.8 min)
#1 Brian Tolefree, G, 6-5, 195, So. (6.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.2 apg, 24.0 min)
#30 Jaylen Sims, G, 6-6, 195, So. (13.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 30.9 min)
#23 Marten Linssen, F, 6-8, 255, RS-So. (9.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 0.4 apg, 19.5 min)
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
College of Charleston holds a two-game lead in the all-time series with UNCW, 15-13. Last year, the Cougars swept the Seahawks in regular-season play for only the second time since joining the Colonial Athletic Association in July of 2013 with a 70-61 victory in both team's season finale on March 2, 2019 in Charleston. CofC is 3-3 all-time when playing UNCW as members of the CAA at TD Arena.
 
LAST 10 GAMES IN THE SERIES
W, 70-61, on 3/2/19 in Charleston, S.C.
W, 73-66 on 12/29/18 at Wilmington, N.C.
W, 88-74 on 2/17/18 at Wilmington, N.C.
W, 80-76 on 1/18/18 at Charleston, S.C.
L, 78-69 on 3/6/17 at North Charleston, S.C.^
W, 67-66 on 2/2/17 at Wilmington, N.C.
L, 59-65 on 1/19/17 at Charleston, S.C.
L, 64-66 on 3/5/16 at Baltimore, Md.^
L, 55-59 (OT) on 2/20/16 at Charleston, S.C.
L, 55-65 on 1/30/16 at Wilmington, N.C.
^ CAA Tournament
 
COUGARS AMONG NCAA ALL-TIME WINNINGEST PROGRAMS
College of Charleston boasts a 621-274 (.692) all-time record since joining the NCAA Division I ranks in 1991-92. The Cougars' winning percentage ranks No. 6 all-time behind Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas, Duke and UNLV. In an article written by the NCAA on the winningest D-I men's college basketball programs from every state, CofC also ranks tops in the Palmetto State. Credit all due to former and current players and coaches, who have built Charleston Basketball into the program it is today, over the last 29 years.
 
HOFSTRA RECAP
College of Charleston 69, Hofstra 67
• For the 10th-consecutive game, College of Charleston started Zep Jasper, Grant Riller, Brevin Galloway, Jaylen McManus and Sam Miller (7-3).
• With the win, College of Charleston takes a one-game lead, 7-6, in the all-time series with Hofstra. It was the Cougars' first win in the series in the last 365 days after the Pride swept the regular-season series last season.
• Sam Miller recorded a game-high and career-high tying 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field including two 3-pointers and a perfect 4-for-4 performance from the free throw line. It was Miller's sixth double-figure scoring game of the season and second career 20-point outing next to his 20 versus Northeastern on Jan. 16.
• Grant Riller registered his third career double-double including his triple-double against Northeastern with 17 points and a team-high 10 rebounds versus Hofstra. He also added five assists and three steals. Riller extended his double-digit scoring streak to 48-consecutive games and has now tabulated 2,228 career points to date.
• Zep Jasper turned in a season-high tying 13 points against the Pride. It marked his 14th career double-figure scoring game and eighth of the season.
• For the second-straight game, the Cougars outrebounded their opponent: Northeastern (+2) and Hofstra (+7).
• CofC drained seven of its eight 3-pointers in the ballgame in the first half of play.
• Defensively, the Cougars held the CAA's top scoring offense (76.9 ppg) to its second-lowest scoring production in league games this season (67 points).
 
COUGAR SOUND BITES
"He (UNCW Interim Head Coach Rob Burke) has them playing really hard right now. They have the same personnel and had a big win last week. Every team in this league is capable. I have not seen a lot of blowouts in this league. A lot of games are close. It doesn't matter who the opponent is that you play. You have to show up and be ready to play. There are not a lot of off nights. There are no free passes in this league. We have to game plan, go out, play hard, be spirited in front of our home crowd and execute our game plan on Saturday." – CofC Head Coach Earl Grant on UNCW
 
"On film, they play together as a team. They are a really solid team, who are trying to figure things out along the way this season. They are in, every single game. They are still Division I college basketball players, so we have the same respect for them as any other opponent in this game." – Sophomore Guard Jaylen Richard on UNCW and not taking them lightly
 
"They are definitely a team you can't take for granted. If you look at their record, you may say it would be an easy game and you can play the bench. But they beat Northeastern, one of the best teams in the CAA, so that's a team we can't take for granted." – Freshman Guard Trevon Reddish on UNCW
 
"Cougar Nation at TD Arena has helped us win a lot of games, especially in crunch time. I know against Hofstra they really helped us with the crowd noise and crowd volume. We really appreciate them and hope them come out on Saturday." – Reddish on the last two home crowds at TD Arena