The College’s first Colonial Athletic Association basketball tournament is here. Before you know it, someone will walk up to you and say “How ’bout them Cougs?”
Don’t panic.
Here is a cheat sheet of College of Charleston basketball facts that will help you sound like a seasoned fan.
BTW, the answer to the question “How ’bout them Cougs?” is “How ‘BOUT them Cougs!”
1. Underhanded free throws are normal.
Yes, red-shirt freshman Canyon Barry really does shoot free throws underhanded. So did his father, Rick Barry. The same Rick Barry that made 90 percent of his free throws when he played in the NBA.
2. The Cougars are known as giant killers.
Say goodbye to defending national champion UNC. Adios to Tennessee. Try again Baylor University.
3. Know John Kresse.
This one is easy. Whenever someone says the name John Kresse, just slowly nod your head, smile and say “ ahh…John Kresse.” That is usually all you need to say.
If you are pressed for more information, you can say he coached the Cougars to a NAIA national championship in 1983 and had 560 wins in 23 years as men’s basketball head coach at the College of Charleston.
4. Sometimes Bill Murray shows up for games. Yes, THAT Bill Murray.
You’re not a Charlestonian until you’ve seen him at least once. Here he’s hanging out with Clyde on the court.
5. Cougars come is all sizes.
David Wishon is 7′ 2″ tall. Breannah David-Bloom and Brittney Johnson are 5′ 5″ tall.
6. Slam dunks are good.
Check out Adjehi Baru’s dunk against UMass. Here’s Johnathan Burroughs-Cook’s dunk against Newberry College. This one made NBCSports.com‘s #POSTERIZED list.
7. Coach Natasha Adair is an amazing story teller.
Women’s Basketball Head Coach Natasha Adair talks about transforming from a shy, gangly girl transformed into a confident woman ready to take on any challenge in her way.
8. Basketball players do more than just play basketball.
Men’s basketball players visited CATR Farms to meet with military veterans in conjunction with the ‘Horses For Heroes’ Program. Women’s basketball players participated in the Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure, and both teams hung out with children at the Carolina Youth Development Center.
9. Home games are at the TD Arena.
There are 13 women’s games and 16 men’s games in the arena this year. Check out the court being repainted with the new athletics logo.
10. Sometimes games are in the morning.
