NCAA Basketball: Ranking state of South Carolina programs for 2019-20

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 30: Head coach Frank Martin of the South Carolina Gamecocks speaks with the media during a press conference for the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium on March 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /

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3. College of Charleston – CAA

Having the College of Charleston here in the No. 3 spot was quite a tough decision… I almost had them at No. 1. If you know the teams in the State of S.C. then you know that two schools from the Southern Conference are ranked 1st and 2nd on this list. With that, I decided that the strength of the Colonial just isn’t quite the level as the SoCon.

I do feel that College of Charleston has a great shot to win the CAA this year and earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. Losing Jarrell Brantley who was drafted 50th overall in the NBA Draft, will certainly hurt, but this Charleston squad still has plenty of talent. Senior guard Grant Riller averaged just under 22 points per game last season, and he is certainly poised to get this team back to the NCAA Tournament this year.

Riller will be a strong competitor this season and I believe he could potentially win the CAA Player of the Year Award. His experience and leadership would be far too much for other teams in the state of South Carolina to handle. The guy can win games by himself. Additionally, there is plenty of depth in the backcourt for the Cougars, and the guys in the frontcourt will need to step up in Brantley’s absence.

I am looking forward to watching the College of Charleston this season.

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