The old adage that defense wins championship is only half true.
Most teams that win championships at any level and in any sport are usually balanced teams that are solid defensively, but can still score.
It?s true that if the other team can?t score, you?re going to be a good position to win, but you?ve got to be able to put points, goals, runs or touchdowns up on the scoreboard.
The College of Charleston has the defense to win this weekend?s CAA basketball tournament in Baltimore.
The question is, can the Cougars score enough points?
Charleston head coach Earl Grant talked this week about simplifying the Cougars offense. Hoping that by simplifying it, the Cougars will be more aggressive and make a couple of more shots. Honestly, making a couple of more shots per game is all the Cougars really need to do.
Watch the Cougars in transition against Delaware.
Earl wants the Cougars to push the ball up the floor if the opportunity presents itself. If the Cougars get some easy baskets in transition and some good looks early in the shot clock they?ve got an excellent chance to make a run at this thing. They?ve got to be a more efficient offensively, so when they get an opportunity on a 2-on-1 are they executing and scoring?
If so, they?ll be OK.
If not, if CofC is playing a lot of half-court basketball and taking shots late in the shot clock, it?ll be a quick exit for the Cougars.
My prediction is that the Cougars will beat Delaware Friday night (I actually think it?ll be easier than during the two regular season that were decided by a total of four points), will play UNC Wilmington tough, but will ultimately lose because of depth and fatigue.
That would give the Cougars a 17-14 mark in Grant?s second season as head coach and that?s progress from his first year with the program.
The Cougars were represented very well on the CAA postseason awards. Jarrell Brantley was named Rookie of the Year and was All-CAA Third Team. Cameron Johnson was All-CAA Third Team and made the All-Defensive Team. Marquise Pointer was named to the All-CAA Rookie Team, while Payton Hulsey was named to the All-CAA Defensive Team.
For a team that finished below .500 in the league, that?s impressive.
All of those players return next season, along with Canyon Barry, Joe Chealey and Grant Riller. Throw in Chevez Goodwin and this team will be formidable for the next three or four years.
Earl has one scholarship to give. Point guard Zap Jasper and shooting guard Brevin Galloway have verbally committed to the Cougars, but will go to prep school next year. They would enroll in 2017.
The Cougars other main target is Jaylan McManus out of Charlotte. It was down to UNC Wilmington and the Cougars, but now Boston College has come in and offered him a scholarship. He was at TD Arena for the UNC Wilmington game. He probably won?t make a decision until the signing date in April. If McManus doesn?t sign with the Cougars, Earl has said he?d like to get a wing player from a Power 5 school and sit him out next season. There?s not going to be a ton of playing time next year at the small forward spot as it is, so having a guy redshirt might help with team chemistry.
Most teams that win championships at any level and in any sport are usually balanced teams that are solid defensively, but can still score.
It?s true that if the other team can?t score, you?re going to be a good position to win, but you?ve got to be able to put points, goals, runs or touchdowns up on the scoreboard.
The College of Charleston has the defense to win this weekend?s CAA basketball tournament in Baltimore.
The question is, can the Cougars score enough points?
Charleston head coach Earl Grant talked this week about simplifying the Cougars offense. Hoping that by simplifying it, the Cougars will be more aggressive and make a couple of more shots. Honestly, making a couple of more shots per game is all the Cougars really need to do.
Watch the Cougars in transition against Delaware.
Earl wants the Cougars to push the ball up the floor if the opportunity presents itself. If the Cougars get some easy baskets in transition and some good looks early in the shot clock they?ve got an excellent chance to make a run at this thing. They?ve got to be a more efficient offensively, so when they get an opportunity on a 2-on-1 are they executing and scoring?
If so, they?ll be OK.
If not, if CofC is playing a lot of half-court basketball and taking shots late in the shot clock, it?ll be a quick exit for the Cougars.
My prediction is that the Cougars will beat Delaware Friday night (I actually think it?ll be easier than during the two regular season that were decided by a total of four points), will play UNC Wilmington tough, but will ultimately lose because of depth and fatigue.
That would give the Cougars a 17-14 mark in Grant?s second season as head coach and that?s progress from his first year with the program.
The Cougars were represented very well on the CAA postseason awards. Jarrell Brantley was named Rookie of the Year and was All-CAA Third Team. Cameron Johnson was All-CAA Third Team and made the All-Defensive Team. Marquise Pointer was named to the All-CAA Rookie Team, while Payton Hulsey was named to the All-CAA Defensive Team.
For a team that finished below .500 in the league, that?s impressive.
All of those players return next season, along with Canyon Barry, Joe Chealey and Grant Riller. Throw in Chevez Goodwin and this team will be formidable for the next three or four years.
Earl has one scholarship to give. Point guard Zap Jasper and shooting guard Brevin Galloway have verbally committed to the Cougars, but will go to prep school next year. They would enroll in 2017.
The Cougars other main target is Jaylan McManus out of Charlotte. It was down to UNC Wilmington and the Cougars, but now Boston College has come in and offered him a scholarship. He was at TD Arena for the UNC Wilmington game. He probably won?t make a decision until the signing date in April. If McManus doesn?t sign with the Cougars, Earl has said he?d like to get a wing player from a Power 5 school and sit him out next season. There?s not going to be a ton of playing time next year at the small forward spot as it is, so having a guy redshirt might help with team chemistry.
