Cougars to Compete in Veterans Classic

Friday, November 10

Annapolis, Md.

6:00 PM

College of Charleston

Duquesne

Tickets

11/9/2023 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Watch Listen Tickets Game Notes

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The College of Charleston men's basketball team will face Duquesne in the 10th annual Veterans Classic hosted by the United States Naval Academy on Friday. Action is set for 6:00 p.m. in Annapolis.

STORYLINES

Charleston started the 2023-24 season with a thrilling 71-69 victory over Iona at TD Arena. The Cougars front court shined, led by Ante Brzovic with 16 points followed by graduate transfer Frankie Policelli with 15 and Ben Burnham with 13.
The defending CAA champion College of Charleston men's basketball team was picked to finish first in the CAA. The Cougars received 165 points with ten first-place votes from the league's head coaches. Charleston finished the 2022-23 campaign with an overall record of 31-4 on their way to their first CAA title since 2018.
The Cougars won twenty-straight contests and an automatic bid to March Madness. Charleston won the 2022 Charleston Classic and spent four weeks ranked in the AP Top 25 poll, peaking at No.18. Charleston is receiving votes in the AP preseason poll.
Ante Brzovic earned a spot on the All-CAA Preseason First Team. A third team selection a year ago, Brzovic averaged 11.6 points per game and team-high 5.9 rebounds per game. He scored 20 + points on three occasions.
Reyne Smith was named to the All-CAA Preseason Second Team. A junior from Tasmania, Smith averaged 10.8 ppg in 2022-23. Known for his sharp shooting abilities behind the arc, he tied the CofC single game 3-point record with 8 vs. Richmond while also scoring a career-high 29 points.
Newcomer Frankie Policelli earned a nod on the honorable mention list. A graduate transfer from league member Stony Brook, he posted a league best 310 boards in 2022-23 averaging 9.4 a contest.
A victory over Duquesne would give Pat Kelsey his 50th win as a Cougar in just his third season at the helm of the program.

SCOUTING THE DUKES

The game between the College of Charleston and Duquesne will be the second meeting between the teams. The Cougars defeated the Dukes, 69-66, Nov. 24, 2000, in a game played in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The Dukes are coming off of 79-77 victory over Chicago State to open the season. The back-and-forth affair featured 13 ties and 13 lead changes.
Duquesne was one of the most improved teams in the country last season. The Dukes tied for third in the ranking –– with the College of Charleston –– as they went from posting a 6-24 record in 2021-22 to compiling a 20-13 mark in 2022-23.
Duquesne tied for sixth place in the Atlantic 10 Conference regular season this past year with a 10-8 record and ended the campaign by playing in the College Basketball Invitational.

VETERANS CLASSIC

Traditionally held on or around the Veterans Day holiday weekend, the event pays tribute to veterans of all our armed forces.
Now in its 10th year, teams immerse themselves in the USNA on Thursday through tours of ship simulators, helicopters, and ships. They then eat lunch in King Hall with members of the Brigade of Midshipmen.
Veterans of all service branches are honored during the course of the doubleheader.

HOW TO WATCH

The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network with John Sadak, Steve Lappas, and Jon Rothstein on the call.
Cougar faithful can listen to The Voice of The Cougars Everett German on the Varsity App.