Video Link:
http://www.collegesportslive.com/?media=...36c8e2ecdd
Projected Starters
PG Grant Riller (Jr.): 22.2 ppg, 4.8 apg, .523 FG %, .815 FT %
SG Brevin Galloway (So.): 9.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.5 spg, .377 3-pt %
G Zep Jasper (r-Fr.): 7.3 ppg, 1.4 apg, .333 3-pt %
F Jarrell Brantley (Sr.): 20.5 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 0.9 bpg, .385 3-pt %
C Nick Harris (Sr.): 3.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 0.9 bpg
Primary Bench Players
F Jaylen McManus (Jr.): 4.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 20.1 mpg
G Marquise Pointer (Sr.): 2.8 ppg, 2.8 apg, 19.0 mpg
G Jaylen Richard (Fr.): 3.6 ppg, .783 FT %, 12.7 mpg
F Isaih Moore (Fr.): 2.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 9.5 mpg
2018-19 Non-Conference
The Cougars sit at 10-2 against D-I opponents, ranking # 67 in the NCAA NET and # 65 in the RPI. They have quality wins over Rhode Island (# 80) and VCU (# 29) on the road, and Memphis (# 133) on a neutral court. They are battle-tested and well-rested, having last played on Dec 21 (a 73-71 home win over Coastal Carolina).
The Cougars will open their CAA slate with three consecutive road games, facing Towson and JMU after they visit Trask.
Strengths
* Turnover ratio: The Cougars are averaging just 10.9 turnovers per contest, while forcing 13.6 opposing TO's. They also average 7.1 steals per game as a team. PG
Grant Riller's 1.9 A/TO ratio is a major driver of the team's success.
* Post play/Depth:
Jarrell Brantley does a lot of everything for the Cougars. He scores, both in the post and the perimeter, is arguably the CAA's best defender, and is very efficient. Don't expect him to get into foul trouble either, as he averages just 2.6 fouls per contest. Starting Center
Nick Harris and bench forwards
Jaylen McManus and
Isaih Moore have been effective as well.
* Overall Defense: The Cougars are allowing opponents to score just 67.3 points per contest, which ranks 79th in the nation. And they do so without committing many fouls, averaging just 14.9 per contest. The NCAA only ranks total fouls, not fouls per game, but if they did, the Cougars would rank in the Top 50 in this category. Head Coach Earl Grant's disciplined approach to defense is shining through, as it has throughout his tenure at Charleston.
Weaknesses
* Guard Depth: After Riller, things get a bit ugly when it comes to players who can contribute out of the backcourt.
Marquise Pointer only recently came back from an injury, and is still shaking off the rust. This will be his 5th game of the season.
Brevin Galloway,
Zep Jasper and
Jaylen Richard are talented, but raw.
* Perimeter Shooting: The Cougars are shooting just .310 as a team, and don't rely all that much on the three ball as a unit. They're attempting just 21.1 per game as a team, which puts them in the middle of the pack in the NCAA this season. Only Brantley and Galloway are consistent threats in this area, though of course, this has been a major weakness for the Seahawk defense this season.