College of Charleston Cougars
Southern Conference (26-8, 15-5)
RPI: 102
Big Wins: 11/28 South Carolina (82-80), 2/7 at Davidson (77-75), 3/8 vs Davidson (59-52)
Bad Losses: 1/31 Elon (53-59), 2/5 at Western Carolina (68-70), 2/14 Citadel (58-72)
Coach: Bobby Cremins
Probable Starters:
Tony White, Jr, Junior, Guard, 11.7 ppg, 2.7 apg
Andrew Goudelock, Sophomore, Guard, 16.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg
Antwaine Wiggins, Sophomore, Forward, 8.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Dustin Scott, Senior, Forward, 9.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.4 bpg
Jermaine Johnson, Senior, Forward, 9.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Marcus Hammond, Senior, Guard, 5.4 ppg, 1.2 apg
Donavan Monroe, Sophomore, Guard, 8.9 ppg, 1.9 apg
Jeremy Simmons, Sophomore, Forward, 6.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg
Why They Can Surprise:
Most of the publicity in the Southern Conference goes Davidson’s direction, but Coach Bobby Cremins has done a great job at the College of Charleston. The Cougars started out very strong, tallying a 10-1 record to begin the season. The team later even won at Davidson. Charleston gets it done with an efficient and potent offense led by Andrew Goudelock. The 6-1 sophomore is one of the best outside shooters in the nation, connecting on 43.1 percent of his attempts, but he will also score around the basket.
Tony White Jr. and Antwaine Wiggins are also good outside shooters and will be starting on the perimeter alongside Goudelock. White is not a very flashy scorer, but he always seems to tally at least ten points per game. Wiggins, a 6-7 sophomore, gives the team plenty of size on the wing and is a threat to get to the basket or drain the outside shot. The Cougars have only lost one game all year when Wiggins hits the double digit mark and getting him involved in the offense is extremely important.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Forwards Jermaine Johnson and Dustin Scott are two more capable scorers, but the team does have trouble on the glass. Johnson and Scott are the best two rebounders, but they do not get much help from anybody else. Wiggins spends a lot of time on the perimeter and does not use his size as well as he could on the glass. That puts a lot of pressure on Johnson and Scott to get the job done.
Who To Watch:
Jeremy Simmons is one player who can help out in the rebounding department. The 6-8 sophomore has been playing his best basketball during the month of March and is a quality player who can spell Scott or Johnson. If he can help the team on the glass and block a few shots, Charleston’s frontcourt is pretty good. Donavan Monroe will provide more of a scoring spark off the bench. Like Simmons, Monroe has had some great games late in the season. He is a dangerous shooter and can score above the rim. If Charleston can get quality minutes from Simmons, Monroe and sharpshooter Marcus Hammond off the bench, they are a team that can keep pace with any high scoring offense in the nation.
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 77.2 (38th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 71.8 (272, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 47.1 (39, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 44.0 (213, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.1 (29, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.5 (50, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 66.0 (251, 8)
Rebound Margin: -1.2 (231, 7)
Assists Per Game: 14.1 (98, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.6 (65, 2)
Joel’s Bracket Says: Final Four loss to Wisconsin Green Bay
