Cougars Begin Groce Era Against Southern Wesleyan - College of Charleston Athletics

Monday, November 2

Charleston, S.C.

7:30 PM

College of Charleston

Southern Wesleyan

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Braden Pierce high-fiving teammates as he heads back to the bench.

11/1/2026 1:44:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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CHARLESTON, S.C. – College of Charleston men's basketball begins the John Groce Era Nov. 2 versus Southern Wesleyan at TD Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. with the game streaming live on FloCollege.

GROCE'S FIRST SEASON
Groce was hired on March 30 as the 26th head coach in program history and ninth in the Division I era. Groce arrives in Charleston after spending the previous nine seasons leading Akron. With the Zips, Groce posted a 197-94 overall record (.677), with trips to the NCAA Tournament the previous three years and four in the last five campaigns.

Groce brings with him 2026 Mid-American Conference Tournament MVP and 2026 All-MAC First Team selection Tavari Johnson from Akron, where he played for four seasons with three NCAA Tournament appearances. Johnson's 253 field goals ranked ninth in the country last season while his 19.7 points per game was good for 39th. Groce's son, Connor, also joins the Cougars after a pair of seasons with the Zips.

In addition to Johnson and Groce, he brings in 11 total new players while retaining four from the 2025-26 roster in Martin Kalu, Djordje Curcic, Will Mortimore and AJ Fowler. All eight transfers have Division I playing experience, while true freshmen Kobe Edwards and JaShawn Ladd and former Italian professional Nicolo Virginio complete Groce's inaugural roster.

TD ARENA SELLOUT (AGAIN)
For the fourth consecutive season, the College of Charleston athletic department has sold out TD Arena with men's basketball season tickets prior to the start of the 2026-27 season.

Since the 2022 campaign, the Cougars are 103-32 overall and 54-9 at TD Arena.

TD Arena has seen 54 consecutive men's basketball sellouts dating back to December 29, 2022, the eighth longest sellout streak in Division I men's basketball.

There will be no single-game tickets for sale through the College of Charleston Ticket Office. Fans still looking to purchase tickets are reminded to visit SeatGeek, our official secondary ticket marketplace. You can check SeatGeek for potential ticket availability or additional seating options by clicking HERE.

PRESEASON RUMBLINGS
Four members of the program earned Preseason All-CAA honors while the Cougars were picked to finish second in the league's coaches' poll with 130 points behind UNCW's 143 points. The four selections were the most by any team in the league.

Eli Ellis highlights the selection with a spot on the Preseason All-CAA First Team. Xavier Abreu earned All-CAA Second Team honors while Max Green and Kalu garnered honorable mention nods.

EXHIBITION RESULTS
Groce's squad opens the official slate after two public exhibition victories, defeating The Citadel 69-59 at the LinkU Invitatonal at Credit One Stadium on Sept. 27 and Furman 89-83 on Oct. 25 at TD Arena. Ben Bradford (15), Eli Ellis (13), Max Green (12), Xavier Abreu (12) and Braden Pierce (11) all scored in double-figures against the Paladins as the Cougars shot 53% from the field.

SCOUTING SOUTHERN WESLEYAN
Southern Wesleyan enters its third season under head coach Joel Stites. The Warriors finished 14-15 overall and 10-10 in the Conference Carolinas last season. Southern Wesleyan was selected to finish ninth in the 2026-27 Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll. Malachi Cooper highlights the returners for the Warriors. Cooper shot 40.5% from the field with 318 total points.

SERIES HISTORY
Charleston leads the all-time series, 10-1, and are 2-0 in the Division I era. The Cougars defeated Southern Wesleyan (formerly Central Wesleyan) 65-43 on Dec. 11, 1999, in their most recent meeting. The series began in 1980-81, with Charleston winning all seven home matchups against the Warriors.

HOW TO WATCH
Fans can watch the broadcast live on FloCollege or listen to the game on the Varsity App with the Voice of the Cougars Everett German and Danny Johnson on both calls.

UP NEXT
Charleston hosts Newberry Nov. 6 for a 7 p.m. tip from TD Arena.

GAMEDAY REMINDERS
Doors to TD Arena will open 90 minutes prior to tip-off. Concession stands will open when doors open and the Cougar Spirit Shop opens one hour before tip.

Add your tickets to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay App prior to arriving at TD Arena for the smoothest entry experience.

Don't forget the College of Charleston has implemented a Clear Bag Policy for athletic events. CLICK HERE to read the policy.

An ADA drop-off lane is provided in the right-hand lane traveling along Meeting Street next to TD Arena.

ALCOHOL BEVERAGE RETAIL SALES AND SERVICE REGULATIONS
As instituted last season, in order to sell and/or serve an alcoholic beverage in TD Arena, the following requirements apply:
Moving forward, a valid ID is required to be scanned/swiped for each transaction. Vertical IDs will not be accepted at sales locations regardless of the individual's age. All ID checks will be handled directly by our Aramark concession partners at each stand. EPI staff will no longer check IDs or provide wristbands. No more than two (2) alcoholic beverages may be sold or served per transaction.

MAGNETOMETER SECURITY FEATURE
As fans enter the main entrance of TD Arena on Nov. 2, they will see walk-through magnetometers, or metal detectors. In addition to the existing Clear Bag and prohibited items policy at TD Arena, the magnetometers are an added security feature to enhance the safety of our fans.

WHAT TO EXPECT
1.     Fans will enter TD Arena at the Meeting Street entrance.
2.     Once inside, fans will be asked to take their belongings out of their pockets and place them in a bin. This includes phone, wallet, keys, etc. If you bring a bag compliant with the Clear Bag Policy, your items can be placed in the bag.
3.     EPI security staff will provide guidance on when to walk through the magnetometer and assist in retrieving your belongings after you clear through the magnetometer.
4.     Finally, approach the pedestal ticket scanners at the base of the stairs, scan your tickets, and cheer on the Cougars!

For complete coverage of Charleston men's basketball, follow us on X (@cofcbasketball) and Instagram (@cofcbasketball).