NCAA Basketball: 2023 Myrtle Beach Invitational preview and predictions

Bottom Half Previews

Wichita State (3-0)

We’re pretty far removed from those Wichita State programs that were among the best at the mid-major level, as the Shockers have seen more than a decade pass since their Final Four run in 2013. New head coach Paul Mills is tasked with getting the Shockers back on track in the AAC, though that solution isn’t going to come overnight. Defensively, Wichita State has looked very solid this season, with wins over Lipscomb and Western Kentucky and a non-D1 opponent in Friends University.

A bevy of transfers have reloaded the Shockers with talent, with Siena transfer Colby Rogers leading the team at 16 points a game. Wichita State did lose a lot in the offseason, but returners like Xavier Bell and Kenny Pohto have gotten off to hot starts this season. This tournament is Wichita State’s first efforts away from home and we’ll have to see how their offense performs after struggling against Western Kentucky just a week ago.

Coastal Carolina (1-0)

The Chanticleers finished 12th in the Sun Belt last season and went through major changes in the offseason, losing several of the big pieces from last year. Four different players who averaged at least 12 points a game are gone and nearly half a dozen transfers have taken their place. It’s also hard to know where this team stands right now, seeing as they barely escaped Piedmont, a non-D1 school, with a 2-point win on opening night and haven’t played in a week.

Duquesne transfer Kevin Easley had 20 points and 9 rebounds in that opening victory and looks like one of the key cogs for the Chanticleers, certainly the leader in the frontcourt. They had decent efforts from returning guards Kylan Blackmon and Jocob Meyer but you have to wonder if there’s enough talent on this team for them to compete for relevance this season. They are basically the home school in the Myrtle Beach Invitational; we’ll see how much that advantage plays into this tournament.

Furman (2-0)

Last year everything went according to plan for the Paladins. After several years of competitive play in the SoCon, it was finally Furman’s chance in the spotlight, not only winning the conference but upsetting Virginia on a memorable ending in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Their two stars Mike Bothwell and Jalen Slawson are both gone but the Paladins still return a boatload of talent, including JP Pegues, the man who made that memorable game-winner.

After stale shooting against North Greenville on opening night, Furman proved they still belong with a 23-point win against Belmont last weekend. Pegues missed that opener but came back strong with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists against the Bruins. Fellow returning guard Marcus Foster has averaged 17 points a game while newcomers Cooper Bowser and PJay Smith are fitting in well in Bob Richey’s system. Good things could be on the horizon again for the Paladins.

Liberty (2-0)

After settling for the NIT last season despite another regular season title in the A-Sun, there has been a lot of change for Liberty. Darius McGhee is gone after an incredible career and the Flames now play in Conference USA. Replacing McGhee is no easy task, though much of the rest of last year’s talent is back, aided by some new faces from the Transfer Portal. Throw in the fact that the offense has looked great after two games and there’s plenty of reason for excitement again.

Beating up on Mid-Atlantic Christian looks good, but the 12-point win against Charlotte last Friday was the real moneymaker for the Flames. Brody Peebles and Kyle Rode have been the big scorers to this point, both at 16 points per game, but the Flames should continue to get great contributions from names like Colin Porter and Shiloh Robinson. Liberty is in great shape, kicking off a new era of Flames basketball in style, and could be one of the favorites at Myrtle Beach.