Charleston Cougars
Record: 6-13 (CAA: 1-5, t-9th)
RPI: 240
SOS: 140

Charleston knocked off a struggling George Mason squad back on Nov. 23rd, and to date this remains their best win of the season. Still, despite their record, their average scoring margin is only -5.8. They've been losing close ones. Losses to UCONN, Texas A&M, Charlotte, Hofstra, and Northeastern all were decided by single digits. Most recently, NU scraped by by just 2 points this past weekend. This is reason # 1 to expect a closer game than expected.

Reason # 2 is that there's history here. Our results vs. the Cougars since the 2000-01 season:

2001 (Trask): L, 60-58
2002 (@ CoC): W, 78-69
2003 (Trask): L, 65-61
2004 (@ CoC): L, 59-57
2005 (Trask): L. 81-77
2006 (@ CoC): L, 91-70
2007 (Trask): W, 98-91
2008 (@ CoC): L, 100-80
2014 (Trask): W, 57-55
2014 (@ CoC): L, 75-70

That's a 3-7 record against this program since the start of the 21st century, with 8 of those 10 games being decided by single digits. We always seem to get the absolute best out of the Cougars, regardless of what kind of season either team seems to be having.

Charleston is led by sophomore guards Barry Canyon (11.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, .414 3-pt %) and Joe Chealey (12.1 ppg, 3.5 apg). Matchup-wise we measure up favorably. Charleston routinely gets out-rebounded, averages nearly 13 turnovers a game, isn't a great free throw shooting team (.655 % team average), though still slightly better than us (.652), and are susceptible to blocked shots (3.8 allowed per game). And of course, with such a young backcourt, Charleston can't match the experience level of Jackson, Spruill and Ponder.

But nothing in that last paragraph may matter, because when these 2 teams face off, the numbers can be thrown out.

It's a game which we should win. But we cannot afford to have a letdown. What 08 says is very true - throw out the numbers & the "shoulds" because this match up could be headed for rivalry status.

Keatts says this is the most talented team in the CAA. They just haven't been able to finish a number of games. It all adds up to a dangerous matchup.

If Freddie Jackson was healthy, there wouldn't be any problems. And, his ankle may not be ready in time.

BTW...UNCW blew huge leads in 2 of those games back in the day. Should have never lost those games.

Freddie is questionable

(01-19-2015 09:01 PM)billthebighawksfan Wrote:  BTW...UNCW blew huge leads in 2 of those games back in the day. Should have never lost those games.

Yep, I remember the loss in Trask in the 05-06 season. One of our bad holiday losses where the crowd was just never into it.

(01-19-2015 08:28 PM)SEA33HAWK Wrote:  Keatts says this is the most talented team in the CAA. They just haven't been able to finish a number of games.

With all due respect to your very knowledgeable coach, this just doesn't add up. We beat them by 30, no CoC player scored in double-digits, and our guards shredded them. Your Hawks play excellent defense and your guards are legit. Throw history out, you'll beat them by at least 12 points and CoC will be no threat to you after the first 10 minutes.

(01-20-2015 05:18 AM)Tribal Wrote:  

(01-19-2015 08:28 PM)SEA33HAWK Wrote:  Keatts says this is the most talented team in the CAA. They just haven't been able to finish a number of games.

With all due respect to your very knowledgeable coach, this just doesn't add up. We beat them by 30, no CoC player scored in double-digits, and our guards shredded them. Your Hawks play excellent defense and your guards are legit. Throw history out, you'll beat them by at least 12 points and CoC will be no threat to you after the first 10 minutes.

There's a difference in having the talent and using it. The talent can be there, which makes them dangerous. They have scared some good teams. And it sure doesn't hurt to take that approach with your players to try and insure no letdowns.

(01-20-2015 05:18 AM)Tribal Wrote:  

(01-19-2015 08:28 PM)SEA33HAWK Wrote:  Keatts says this is the most talented team in the CAA. They just haven't been able to finish a number of games.

With all due respect to your very knowledgeable coach, this just doesn't add up. We beat them by 30, no CoC player scored in double-digits, and our guards shredded them. Your Hawks play excellent defense and your guards are legit. Throw history out, you'll beat them by at least 12 points and CoC will be no threat to you after the first 10 minutes.

They've also played close with some other very good teams. Which tells me they can be a lot better than the team you destroyed. We'll see how it plays out on the court though.

You're right that we should be confident in a victory at this point, however. Expecting to win is a sign of an improving program.

I have some friends in Charleston and they have told me more than once this year that the team is TERRIBLE.No defense and no heart.

Well, there you have it. The mullet has friends.

(01-20-2015 01:07 PM)SEA33HAWK Wrote:  Well, there you have it. The mullet has friends.

Of course, that presupposes that you can take The Mullet's word for it...

charleston is a 1.5 point favorite.

They have lost 9 of their last 10 and you guys are playing very well winning 4 of 5 including at Northeastern and Hofstra. Bet your life savings on UNCW.

They have lost 9 of 10 and you guys have won 4 of 5 including @Hofstra and Northeastern. Bet your life savings on UNCW.

They have lost 9 of 10 and you guys have won 4 of 5 including @Hofstra and Northeastern. Bet your life savings on UNCW.

They have lost 9 of 10 and you guys have won 4 of 5 including @Hofstra and Northeastern. Bet your life savings on UNCW.

Based on the number of posts strongly suggesting I bet my life savings on covering the 1.5 pt. spread at CoC tomorrow night.....i'm going all in.

Thanks!

We are now 2 point dogs.

Hmmm. May need to reconsider then.