MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -  The College of Charleston men's basketball team kicks off the Myrtle Beach Invitational tomorrow at the HTC Center in Conway, S.C. vs Vermont. The Cougars are guaranteed three games through Sunday on the ESPN family of networks. Charleston will play either St. Louis or Wyoming on Friday following the outcome of Thursday's slate.

STORYLINES

• Charleston started the 2023-24 season on November 6 with a thrilling 71-69 victory over Iona at TD Arena. The Cougars frontcourt shined, led by Ante Brzovic with 16 points followed by graduate transfer Frankie Policelli with 15 and Ben Burnham with 13.
• Charleston suffered its first loss of the season, a 90-72 defeat to Duquesne at the tenth annual Veterans Classic at the United States Naval Academy on November 10. Kobe Rodgers led Charleston with 14 points as the Cougars struggled from the charity stripe, going 19-30.

• A victory over Vermont would give Pat Kelsey his 50th win as a Cougar in just his third season at the helm of the program. Charleston is currently 2-0 all time vs. Vermont with the last meeting on Dec. 29, 2012 in Burlington.
• The Cougars are looking to capture their second straight ESPN MTE title after winning the Charleston Classic a season ago.

SCOUTING THE CATAMOUNTS

• The Catamounts are currently 2-0 with wins over Merrimack and Plattsburg State to open the season. The program has won seven straight regular season titles.
• The contest vs. Charleston will be Vermont's first road game of 2023-24.
• TJ Long paces the Catamounts will 15.0 points per game followed by Shamir Bogues with 13.5 Ten different players scored in the team's win over Plattsburg State.

MYRTLE BEACH INVITATIONAL FIELD

• This year's field features the Cougars, Coastal Carolina, Furman, Liberty, St. Louis, Vermont, Wichita State and Wyoming
• In addition to their potential matchups this week, the Cougars will face Coastal Carolina at home on Dec. 18 and Liberty in Boca Raton, Florida on Dec. 1.
• The entire bracket can be found here.

HOW TO WATCH

• Thursday's contest will air on ESPNU with Robert Lee and Randolph Childress on the call
• Cougar faithful can listen to The Voice of The Cougars Everett German on the Varsity App along with Danny Johnson.