NCAA Basketball: 2018 Gildan Charleston Classic preview and predictions
Predictions
Round 1 – Nov. 15
Ball State vs. Virginia Tech
In the first-ever meeting between these two teams, things should get interesting in the early going. The Cardinals already gave the Boilermakers a run for their money and the Hokies are another team that likes to shoot the 3-pointer.
Virginia Tech shot 40 percent from behind the arc with 10 made 3-pointers as a team in their season-opening victory over Gardner-Webb. Hokies guard Justin Robinson leads an experienced group ready to make waves this season. They’ll need to control the 3-point line in this one to get a victory. Look for Nickeil Alexander-Walker to have another big game after putting up 21 points, six rebounds and five assists in their season opener.
Alabama vs. Northeastern
The Crimson Tide are another team that likes to shoot the 3-ball but if John Petty and Kira Lewis Jr. aren’t on, they could struggle. So far, each is averaging over 2.0 makes from 3-point land and second and third-leading scorers on the team respectively.
Northeastern is led by a high-scoring backcourt of transfers in Jordan Roland and Vasa Pusica. Roland, a former George Washington Colonial, is averaging 21.0 points per game after pouring 35 points off the bench against Harvard. Pusica is putting up 20.5 points and 4.5 assists per contest. They’ll be a challenge for the Crimson Tide, but Alabama should win this one.
Purdue vs. Appalachian State
The Purdue Boilermakers survived a scared from Ball State, but they should get through Appalachian State with relative ease in this one, though. Star point guard Carsen Edwards and fellow senior guard Ryan Cline were a combined 3-of-19 from 3-point range against the Cardinals, a stat that’s sure to change on Thursday.
Appalachian State should make it a competitive game, given their backcourt is also a strength with Justin Forrest and Ronshad Shabazz. They also have 6-foot-9 forward Isaac Johnson, who’s averaging 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per contest.
Wichita State vs. Davidson
This will probably be the most exciting game of the opening round. Two mid-major teams with 11 combined NCAA Tournament appearances between them across the last eight seasons. Davidson has two scoring threats in the backcourt in Kellen Grady and Jon Axel Gudmundsson. Grady is averaging 23.5 points per contest this season while Gudmundsson is putting up 20.0 points per game.
It should be a battle in the frontcourt as the Shockers’ Markis McDuffie faces off against Wildcats’ forward Luka Brajkovic. McDuffie may not end up guarding Brajkovic, but as the best players on their respective clubs, all eyes will be on them to be the X-factors. It’s hard to pick against the Shockers but given the scorers the Wildcats have, they should come out on top.