Charleston Classic 2014: Teams, Schedule, Live Stream, Bracket, TV Info
Plenty of teams come into the college basketball season with hype, but the early-season tournaments are a chance to really prove whether or not a squad is for real.
The 2014 Charleston Classic does not feature any elite teams, and most participants would be happy just to make the NCAA tournament. That being said, a few of the squads have the ability to make a serious run this season if things go right.
This tournament is a great chance to kick off the year and add some resume-building wins in November. The good news for coaches is that the players will not be distracted by the warm weather like those in the Bahamas or Puerto Rico.
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Here is a guide for everything you need to know for this entertaining event, with predictions for the week of action at TD Arena in Charleston, South Carolina.
| Nov. 20 | 1 | Southern California vs. Akron | 12:30 p.m. | ESPN3 |
| Nov. 20 | 2 | Drexel vs. Miami (FL) | 3 p.m. | ESPNU |
| Nov. 20 | 3 | Penn State vs. Charlotte | 5 p.m. | ESPNU |
| Nov. 20 | 4 | Cornell vs. South Carolina | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN3 |
| Nov. 21 | 5 | Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser | 12 p.m. | ESPNU or ESPN3 |
| Nov. 21 | 6 | Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN2 or ESPNU |
| Nov. 21 | 7 | Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner | 7 p.m. | ESPNU |
| Nov. 21 | 8 | Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser | 9 p.m. | ESPN3 |
| Nov. 22 | 9 | Game 5 Loser vs. Game 8 Loser | 1:30 p.m. | ESPN3 |
| Nov. 22 | 10 | Game 5 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN3 |
| Nov. 22 | 11 | Game 6 Loser vs. Game 7 Loser | 6:30 p.m. | ESPNU |
| Nov. 22 | 12 | Game 6 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner | 9 p.m. | ESPN2 |
Top Player to Watch: Sindarius Thornwell, South Carolina
Although he is not a household name, even among hardcore basketball fans, Sindarius Thornwell has the tools to be a star at this level. The 6'5" guard had an excellent freshman season and is looking for more in 2014-15, as noted by Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports:
He has the size, strength and athleticism to drive to the lane and make plays against virtually any defender. When left alone, he is capable of knocking down the open shot, as he drilled 37 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc last season.
With Brenton Williams gone, Thornwell will try to take over as the go-to option for the Gamecocks along with Tyrone Johnson.
While the guard has gotten off to a slow start this season, this tournament can be a chance to really put himself on the map.
Team That Could Surprise: Charlotte
If you love do-it-all point guards, you better start paying attention to senior Pierria Henry. The 6'5" guard filled up the box score last season, averaging 12.3 points, 5.8 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game.
Oh yeah, and he has the athleticism to do this:
This makes it no surprise he is considered one of the top players at his position coming into the year:
Charlotte did not turn too many heads last year, but they return a deep and now experienced team with Henry alongside Willie Clayton, Mike Thorne and Terrence Williams. Braxton Ogbueze is also capable of making a big impact after transferring from Florida.
While Conference USA has a number of tough teams, the 49ers could be one of the top teams in the conference and could make a serious impact over some larger programs in Charleston.
Predicted Winner: Miami (FL)
This tournament could be a stepping stone for a pair of USC teams (Southern California and South Carolina), but neither has played well in the first couple of games this year. D.J. Newbill could lift Penn State to success as well if he gets any help from his supporting cast.
However, the best team at this event will be the one with arguably the biggest win of the season so far. Miami went on the road and beat Florida, showing that a team of newcomers can be successful right away.
Myron Medcalf of ESPN put the win in perspective:
Transfers Sheldon McClellan and Angel Rodriguez each have been solid to start the year, although Rodriguez has been a star already in South Beach after coming over from Kansas State. Not only did he score 24 points against the Gators, but he also hit the go-ahead three in the closing seconds before drawing a charge on defense to seal the win.
Head coach Jim Larranaga had great things to say about his point guard:
It might be too difficult to contend in the loaded ACC this year, but the Hurricanes have what it takes to win this tournament to kick off the season.
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