The Maroon Tinted Glasses Still Fit

As is tradition on this blog, we like to start each season preview with a look back on the same kickoff post from the previous year. In November of 2013, CofC was entering a new conference with 2nd year head coach Doug Wojcik's cast of Cremins-era holdovers and first signing class rooks. Sounded like a shaky start to the season.

Those were the days. Remember how our biggest gripe last year was whether or not we liked the new athletics logo?

You all know how CofC basketball's summer went. If you happen to have lived under a rock or maybe you missed something, you can get a refresher with Sam Spence's excellent piece for the Charleston City Paper. 

Wojcik's actions are well-documented, but the discontent amongst Cougar fans was palpable by early conference play for pure basketball reasons too. The plodding offense, the stubborn play calling, the neck-vein-pulsing sideline anti-motivating. Fans were just waiting for an excuse to reprimand CDW the way he did his players and they smelled blood in the water at the first sign of trouble on George St.

CofC leadership made a mockery of the institution with the entire handling of the mess that was made this summer, but they eventually settled on the right call. Wojcik was swiftly dismissed and the bumbling search committee, through their own fortune or incompetence, made the right call in passing on former CofC standout Anthony Johnson in favor of Clemson's Earl Grant. 

Grant is the the coach CofC needed then and retains at the helm now. He's already demonstrating his value as the antithesis of Wojcik.

• Isolated fan base? Native Charlestonian Grant has taken a grassroots approach to meeting with Cougar Club members, student leaders and the community at large.
• Boring style of play? Coach Grant is encouraging his guys to take open shots and get out in transition. (hallelujah hallelujah)
• Prickly personality? Character traits are more important here than most jobs and Grant has come across as motivated, sincere and honest in each interview he's given. 

We haven't even played a game yet and EG is checking off items on the CofC fan wish list. We're not going to crown him as the new Gregg Marshall, but the off court results are very good so far.

On the court, the new coaching staff inherits a team that had probably peaked experience wise last season. Gone are leading scorer, rebounder and put-da-team-on-his-back workhorse Willis Hall. So too are sharpshooter Nori Johnson and utility wing Anthony Thomas. That's two starters and the team's 6th man. 

But the cupboard is not completely empty. Adjehi Baru and Anthony Stitt are moving onto their fourth coach in four years after being recruited by Cremins, but have been major contributors their entire college careers. 

Baru is finishing off a career that started with being the highest ranked player to ever commit to the College of Charleston. He's picked up numerous accolades and accomplishments along the way - but never the championship that many thought would lie at the end of the tunnel. After having knee surgery to take care of pain that lingered most of last season, along with Wojcik's defensive fundamentals and new assistant coach Antonio Reynolds-Dean's tutelage, this needs to be the year Adjehi becomes the consistent player he has the skills to be.

Stitt will have the ball in his hands a lot with EG drawing up the plays. At Clemson, Grant coached Anthony's cousin Demontez Stitt to lead the action on the floor. The head ball coach has already spoken highly of Stitt's senior leadership and toughness as characteristics of the type of players he puts his trust in. I for one am excited to see the rim-attacking, defensive pest that was freshman Anthony Stitt unleashed once again. No more slow pace, feed the post, take a contested three Stitt please. 

The rest of last years contributors each showed flashes of excellence. Canyon Barry looked like a surefire candidate to lead the Cougars in scoring as a redshirt freshman before poor shot selection and injuries derailed his season. Joe Chealey was brilliant running point as a true freshman but he too is coming off of injury. Seven footer David Wishon was Wojcik's guy, but he showed enough passing and defensive instincts to warrant a spot in the lineup this year. 

Word is unknowns like Cam Johnson and Terrance O'Donahue are making great strides in practice and will demand playing time - possibly even starters minutes. Then there's the flotsam of under classmen who will hope to be the one to separate themselves and become a contributor. 

As painful as this summer was, the positive vibes coming from the coaches, team and fans should be enough for you to put on the maroon glasses once again. Throw in a winnable conference and some very motivated individuals and it's acceptable to get excited. 

Freaking college basketball is back and it should be a much more exciting time for the Cougars. Cheesy branded hashtags be damned, it's time to Restore the Roar.