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NCAA Basketball: 2023 Charleston Classic preview and predictions

Nov 6, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars guard LJ Cryer (4) drives with the ball as Louisiana Monroe Warhawks guard Savion Gallion (1) defends during the second half at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars guard LJ Cryer (4) drives with the ball as Louisiana Monroe Warhawks guard Savion Gallion (1) defends during the second half at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Cougars guard Jamal Shead Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Cougars guard Jamal Shead Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Bottom Half Previews

Houston (3-0)

It’s full speed ahead for a Houston program that’s advanced to at least the Sweet Sixteen in each of the last four NCAA Tournaments, including a Final Four back in 2021. Kelvin Sampson’s squad begins their era in the Big 12 sitting pretty after a hot start to the season. Some of the names are different in Houston, having to replace an All-American talent in Marcus Sasser, but the results are just the same, with big wins already over Louisiana-Monroe, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, and Stetson.

Baylor transfer LJ Cryer just put up 21 points on Monday night against the Hatters and seems to be fitting in well in his new home in the Big 12. Jamal Shead is developing into a fantastic ball distributor while names like Damian Dunn and Emanuel Sharp are becoming great scorers for the Cougars. The only ranked team in this field, this is clearly Houston’s tournament to lose and one of these other teams will have to play better than the Cougars for 40 minutes.

Towson (2-1)

Winners of 21 games last season, the Tigers tied for 3rd in a tough CAA and lost a few important pieces in the process. Pat Skerry’s program plays a slow defensive brand of basketball, though they certainly miss Nicolas Timberlake and Cameron Holden, two key cogs from last season’s success. After a tough opener at Colorado, they’ve responded nicely in their last two games, getting a road win at Coppin State and gutting out a tough one at home over Robert Morris.

Senior forward Charles Thompson is the guy to watch for the Tigers, and he’s nearly averaging a double-double three games into this final season. He’s a great defensive player and rebounder and is surrounded by young talent in the backcourt, including Tyler Tejada, a freshman who’s been Towson’s leading scorer to this point. There’s nothing too notable about the Tigers offense; we’ll just have to see if their defense can contain teams enough in this tournament.

Utah (2-0)

Head coach Craig Smith enters his third season with the Utes hoping that this is where everything starts to click. Utah finished barely above .500 last year, notching a 7th place finish in the Pac-12. In this conference’s final season, they’re hoping to make more of an impact and prove they belong with some of those upper tier teams in the league. Early blowout wins over Eastern Washington and UC Riverside have been great, but what have they really told us about this team?

We know that senior center Branden Carlson is one of the best bigs in the Pac-12, while transfer guard Cole Bajema is the leading scorer after two games, averaging 15 points in those initial two blowouts. One of the big calling cards for the Utes is their experience and depth, with most of the rotation really getting involved in those initial games. Veteran pieces like Ben Carlson and Gabe Madsen hope to make an impact if Utah wants to make strides in Charleston.

Wake Forest (1-1)

The Demon Deacons are progressing in a good direction in recent years, though they have lost some of the top talent that’s gotten there. Steve Forbes had to replace a really great guard in Tyree Appleby this past offseason all while trying to get Wake Forest to their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2017. After a decent showing on opening night against Elon, the Demon Deacons lost a tough game at Georgia back on Friday night, falling by just three points to that SEC foe.

Former Gonzaga guard Hunter Sallis may have been the biggest addition in the offseason, though other talented scorers are back for Wake Forest. Andrew Carr and Cameron Hildreth are both averaging more than 20 points a game, albeit just two contests into the season. Young guards like Parker Friedrichsen and Kevin Miller have looked promising early in the year. Seemingly forgotten in the ACC race, can Wake Forest actually make noise this season?