Cougars Stymie Ben Simmons, Beat LSU

Final Score: College of Charleston 70, LSU 58

Top Performers: 
Canyon Barry 19 pts (6-18 FG, 2-6 3pt), 3 rebs, 2 asts

Ben Simmons 15 pts (4-15 FG), 18 rebs, 7 to's

Wow. That was a lot of fun.

Coach Grant downplayed this win as much as he could after the game, reverting to the same coach-speak fans are used to; "It's just one game...we'll enjoy it and move on...there's plenty of basketball to be played...etc." But for the CofC men's basketball program this was a big win that should be savored. 

I couldn't be happier for Coach Grant, Canyon Barry, the freshmen, the student section and the casual CofC basketball fan. For Grant, his sparkling personality and game management skills were put on display under the national magnifying glass and he had a chance to witness his young team take a huge leap forward. Canyon Barry, a redshirt junior on the court but a senior in the classroom, enjoyed the apex of his career and balled out in front of a dozen NBA scouts mostly familiar only with his dad and brothers. 

The feel good story for me was Nick Harris who, as I mentioned was a possibility to make an impact, seized the opportunity of Gilmore sitting with an ankle injury to put together a masterful performance. Nick is a favorite of team parents and those close to the program. He's had to patiently wait through a redshirt season and shoulder injury as he watched the team struggle from the bench, but last night he showcased a glimpse of his skill set. In 25 minutes of play (another career high) he had 6 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, the highlight of the game and was rewarded with a front page pic.

For fellow freshmen Marquise Pointer, Jarrell Brantley and Grant Riller - they got to see the TD Arena experience at its finest. Props to the Sea of C (who can now get drunk AT the game) and the nearly 5,000 in attendance for keeping the place rollicking throughout the contest. This is a big win for the students and Charlestonians who have not kept up with the program since the Cremins/Goudelock days.

How crazy is it that for all the applause the Cougars have gotten for cutting off the head of the snake in Ben Simmons - he still finished with a 15-18 double-double? Shows you how talented he is and will be. The Cougars guarded him by committee - crowding him with gold jerseys and active hands all night. Brantley - who was zeroed in on defense from the opening tip, seemed to have no interest in following up his first career double-double with another offensive outing. He was locked in on Simmons every time they shared the court and forced two crucial steals despite being plagued with foul trouble.

Terrance O'Donohue, James Bourne and Nick Harris also took their turn on Simmons, performing above expectations defensively and on the glass. Hulsey, Cam Johnson and Marquise Pointer will also not get enough credit for limiting fellow freshman and LSU leading scorer Antonio Blakeney to just one point for the game.

As players and coaches reiterated after the game, this win was the summation of everyone doing their part and executing the game plan. Charleston took advantage of LSU coming out of the gates looking apathetic - like they'd roll over this team - and didn't take their foot off the gas until midway through the second half.

Big win for a program that has had a lot of negativity around it for the last few years. Again, it is just one win, and it means little this season if the Cougs don't build off the performance. They still have a long way to go (this season is all about growth, as we've said all year) but now the Cougs should be confident that they can get there.

A few more notes:

• Despite Simmons' 18 boards, the Cougars actually out-rebounded LSU 48-47
• When most people see a mid-major upset a power conference team, they assume it was because of a heroic outside shooting performance. You could maybe make that argument in the first half, but CofC was just quicker getting to their spots. The Cougars also held a 10 point advantage in the paint and doubled up the Tigers in bench points. CofC hardly shot lights out for the game.
• Seriously, why was alcohol not available for purchase inside the arena when I was a student?
• Coach Grant challenged Terrance O'Donohue to be a more consistent performer before the game. TO responded with an efficient shooting night and a big nine rebounds
• Payton Hulsey - swiss army knife with 9 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds in 17 minutes
• Marquise Pointer continuing to grow every game - 12 points, 4 steals and on the court in crunch time every game this year