NCAA Basketball: 2018 Gildan Charleston Classic preview and predictions
Semifinals – Nov. 16
Alabama vs. Virginia Tech
Alabama will have a new look with Donta Hall, Petty and Lewis leading the way. Without Collin Sexton on the floor, the Crimson Tide will lose some of the flair that carried them to an 86-83 victory last season. Sexton had 25 points and six assists for Alabama against the Hokies in the NCAA Tournament.
The Gildan Classic will debut a new point of attack for Alabama but for the Hokies, their point of attack largely remains the same with Robinson at the point. The Hokies loss in the tournament is added fuel to the fire for Robinson and company. They should prevail here against the Crimson Tide in a rematch.
Davidson vs. Purdue
The Boilermakers and Wildcats have met once since establishing college basketball programs. In that meeting, Purdue won easily, 76-58, during the 2008-09 season, back when a guy by the name of Steph Curry was on the squad.
Carsen Edwards should steal the show from behind the arc for the other side in this one. Edwards has the ability to knock it down from 3 as well as his ability to distribute the basketball. He’s second on the team so far this season with 3.5 assists per contest. Cline is also averaging 6.5 assists per game. With playmakers in the backcourt and a budding star off the bench in Dartmouth transfer Evan Boudreaux, it’s Purdue’s game to lose.
Finals – Nov. 18
Virginia Tech vs. Purdue
Robinson, Alexander-Walker and Ahmed Hill face off against Edwards, Haarms and Cline in a matchup of two potential 2019 NCAA Tournament teams. While the Hokies are a bit outmatched in the frontcourt, they tend to always work against the odds in getting victories.
The challenge for them will be stopping the two-headed attack of Edwards and Cline in the backcourt while staying out of foul trouble. Big man Kerry Blackshear Jr. will have his work cut out for him if the Hokies make it this far.
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The Boilermakers have the advantage in the frontcourt with Haarms in the post as well as forward Evan Boudreaux, who could start, depending on matchups. It will be a battle for Edwards and Robinson as well in the backcourt. Expect big performances from these two teams with the Boilermakers coming out on top in the end.