Corpus Christi Classic 2014: Teams, Schedule, Live Stream, Bracket, TV Info

You can't expect to compete with the big boys until you separate yourself from the little guys.

This has to be the mindset for the eight teams in the Corpus Christi Coastal Classic. While this tournament does not feature big programs with rich histories, a bunch of squads are looking to raise their profiles with some nonconference wins to start the year.

Considering Virginia won this event last season en route to an ACC title and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, there is reason for each team to be optimistic this time around.

Here is a preview of what to watch for in this tournament with predictions for the week-long event.

	Opening Round Games
	Sub Bracket
Nov. 29	Championship Game	TBA	American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Tex.
Date	Teams	Time (ET)	Location
Nov. 17	Mississippi Valley St. vs. Mississippi St.	8 p.m.	Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, Miss.
Nov. 23	North Carolina A&T vs. Bradley	5 p.m.	Carver Arena, Peoria, Ill.
Nov. 23	Texas A&M-Corpus Christi vs. Saint Louis	2 p.m.	Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis
Nov. 24	Mississippi Valley St. vs. TCU	8 p.m.	Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas
Nov. 25	North Carolina A&T vs. Saint Louis	8 p.m.	Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis
Nov. 25	Texas A&M-Corpus Christi vs. Bradley	8 p.m.	Carver Arena, Peoria, Ill.
Nov. 26	Radford vs. TCU	8 p.m.	Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas
Date	Teams	Time (ET)	Location
Nov. 28	Radford vs. North Carolina A&T	12:30 p.m.	American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas
Nov. 28	Mississippi Valley St. vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi	4 p.m.	American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas
Nov. 29	Consolation Game	TBA	American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas
	Championship Bracket
Date	Teams	Time (ET)	Location
Nov. 28	Bradley vs. TCU	7 p.m.	American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas
Nov. 28	Saint Louis vs. Mississippi State	9:30 p.m.	American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas
Nov. 29	Consolation Game	TBA	American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas
Nov. 29	Championship Game	TBA	American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas

Championship rounds can be seen on CBS Sports Network. Select games can be viewed online courtesy of Watch ESPN.  

Top Player to Watch: Karviar Shepherd, TCU

USA TODAY Sports

While players such as Bradley's Omari Grier and St. Louis' Austin McBroom put up big numbers in their first games, that production is not sustainable. However, Karviar Shepherd has a chance to take a big jump in his second year with TCU.

The center was highly recruited out of high school but decided to stay close to home in Texas. Rustin Dodd of The Kansas City Star noted how much one big program wanted Shepherd:

He stuck with the Horned Frogs and ended up averaging a respectable 9.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game as a freshman.

Shepherd has good size at 6'10" and 225 pounds, and he has a work ethic that allows him to make plays in the low post. He will hope that translates into even more production on both ends of the court as he tries to help TCU compete in the Big 12.

Shepherd earned a double-double in his first game of the year, and the Horned Frogs should expect more of the same in this tournament. 

Sleeper Team: Radford

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

While each of the bigger programs is looking forward to the semifinals in Corpus Christi, it is important not to overlook the matchups on campus. One team that could cause some problems early on is Radford.

The Highlanders lost their opening game to Richmond, but they finished last season with a 22-13 record and return virtually every major contributor. Javonte Green plays much bigger than his size (6'4", 205 pounds) and creates good balance with guard R.J. Price. Ya Ya Anderson is one of the more dangerous three-point shooters in the nation.

There is not a lot of size on the roster, but Radford knows how to win and has what it takes to win a few games in this tournament. 

Predicted Winners: Mississippi State

USA TODAY Sports

TCU has a few talented players and should be better than last year, but it is still far from contention. Bradley struggles mightily defensively and will not be able to keep up with bigger programs. Saint Louis has been great in recent seasons, but losing its top four scorers from last season will lead to a slow start.

However, Mississippi State could surprise people despite a terrible end to the 2013-14 season.

Sure, the Bulldogs lost 14 of their last 15 games to finish the year 14-19. In most cases, you would want to blow up the roster and start over while pretending the last few months didn't exist.

What makes Mississippi State different is that it returns virtually every key player on a young team that also adds some impact freshmen. Craig Sword, Gavin Ware and Fred Thomas should become leaders on a team that could be above average in the SEC.

Head coach Rick Ray thinks the added depth will help create pressure on the defensive end, via Michael Bonner of The Clarion-Ledger:

"

We can really do some things 94-feet defensively; things that I've been wanting to do here in the past couple of years.

Obviously we haven't been in that situation before because we simply didn't have the personnel and the depth to do that. But what I would like to see is for us to play at a faster tempo on the defensive end.

"

The Bulldogs might not be the best team at year's end, but the squad will be ready to compete and can surprise people with some wins in this tournament. 

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