Cougars to Take on LSU in Thanksgiving Day Game

If you’re looking for something to bring you out of a food coma on Thursday evening after your decadent Thanksgiving meal, College of Charleston basketball has you covered.

For the first time in program history, the College of Charleston men’s basketball team (3-1) will participate in the AdvoCare Invitational on Nov. 22, 23 and 25, 2018, at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. The Cougars will take on No. 19 Louisiana State University at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU. Fans can also catch the game on the radio at ESPN 910 AM / 94.7 FM.

The defending Colonial Athletic Association regular-season and tournament champions, the Cougars are one of three schools in this year’s AdvoCare Invitational field that played in the 2018 NCAA Tournament field next to defending national champion Villanova and NCAA Elite Eight participant Florida State.

“This is the third time we have played them (LSU) in four years. As a coach and player, this is the type of game you want to play,” says Head Coach Earl Grant. “This is why you play this game – to be challenged. It’s a big-time tournament. You play three games in four days. LSU is talented, but they are young. They are big with all five guys out there at one time. It’s a great test and opportunity for us on Thanksgiving Day. We will give it our best effort and try to play to our standards. I am happy we get to spend the time at Disney with our families, while also trying to compete against some of the best teams in the country this week in Orlando.”

The players see the tournament as an opportunity to strengthen their game and work together as a team.

“It’s a big week for us. We have a chance to bond as a team, enjoy the moment and play hard,” says junior gaurd Grant Riller on playing LSU in the opening round. “It will be a good experience for all of us. We know they (LSU) are highly talented. Coach (Grant) has done a good job of preparing us. We have a good plan. We just need to play Charleston Basketball and let the chips fall where they may.”

The winner/loser of the match will either face Florida State (3-0) or the University of Alabama at Birmingham (3-0) in the semifinals/consolation round on Friday. The Cougars will take on the South Carolina State Bulldogs at home on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018, at 7 p.m. in TD Arena.

Featured image: Freshman guard Jaylen Richard takes a shot during a recent game against Rhode Island.