Final Score: College of Charleston 51, Old Dominion 44
Top Performers:
Willis Hall 14 points, 7 rebounds
Aaron Bacote 13 points
Following a mostly listless performance against Marist, the Cougars needed a spark to light the fires under their back sides. Departing from his usually rigid habits, Wojcik surprised many when he made the decision to pull Joe Chealey and Canyon Barry from the starting lineup and replace the duo with fellow freshman Johnathan Burroughs-Cook and senior Anthony Thomas.
The #FreeJBC movement faltered before it really even got started as Cook's potential to score in bursts was hindered by early fouls and turnovers. The third member of the Freshman Big Three finished with zero points.
At the small forward position, AT (who started every game last season) had his clear best game of the year in extended minutes. For the moment he has snatched back the starting spot from Canyon. Thomas finished second to Hall in points and rebounds, played stellar defense and came up with two big offensive tip-ins late to kill any momentum the Monarchs worked up. While he lacks the scoring touch Barry showed early in the season, AT is a much better defender and rebounder. Until Barry earns his minutes back we should be more than content to welcome back Thomas with open arms.
The willingness to try something different with the rotation was a welcome sign but the team continued to struggle offensively - the very reason for the change. Hall and Thomas were the only players who scored in double figures and the team shot just 37% for the game. Once again turnovers (13) and lack of clock awareness forced the clunky Cougar offense to stutter. It could be a freshman wall or cold streak but the CofC backcourt rotation of Stitt, JBC, Barry and Chealey was a combined 6-23 from the field. Some of those shots were forced as the clock ran down but you can't fault the coaching staff for the open looks that aren't falling.
On the positive side, CofC's defense played great and their FREE THROW SHOOTING was outstanding. Anthony Thomas and David Wishon deserve recognition for the way they played last night on the defensive end. Wishon had the best game of his career, subbing in for the foul plagued Baru he packed the paint, grabbed seven boards and blocked three shots. Thomas is such a great one-on-one stopper but his value last night was as a team defender. He's very aware of when to leave his man and where everyone is on the floor. It's something Canyon hasn't picked up yet and part of the reason why the lineup of Wishon-Hall-AT-Stitt-Chealey was so productive.
Compared to ODU the Cougar offense looked like they were playing in an open gym. The Monarchs admittedly missed some bunnies but also were harassed into bad shots again and again. They were 1-10 from beyond the arc and barely cracked 30% shooting from the field. Bacote was their go-to scorer coming into this game and Anthony Stitt deserves a lot of credit for keeping him in check the entire game.
It all made for another sloppy affair in which the Cougars were only really threatened once. ODU was able to make a push with a few minutes left in the 2nd half, but timely tip-ins by AT and Canyon Barry's clutch three (his only basket) from the top of the key as one of the final shot clock possessions expired put this one away.
Moving forward I'd love to see the guys continue to hit free throws at a solid clip and play the same type of defense they played last night. Wishon finally looked serviceable as a role player and AT should remain in the starting lineup. I also think JBC should not see his minutes cut so drastically. He did not seize the opportunity last night and CDW benched him much of the game but the team desperately needs someone who can create offense. Up next is a surprisingly competent Kent State team at TD Arena. I'm not expecting a decent crowd but the Cougs could use a boost in their shooting confidence. It's either that or a sacrifice to the shooting gods.
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