I gave a decent amount of consideration to going down to the Charleston Classic but determined that it was just too early in the season to make that sort of trip. The lineup of teams wasn't exactly forcing my hand either.
Well the big news last night was that starting center Julian Vaughn made the trip after initially being ruled out for the weekend. Whatever it was that was ailing him, he got over it and was cleared to play.
So the Hoyas took on Coastal Carolina this afternoon in the first of four games at Carolina First Arena, home of the College of Charleston Cougars.
I wasn't sure if Vaughn would start, but he did. He also started the game with a nice dunk. It was great to see him do that after he struggled with his inside game at ODU.
I've been waiting for a few things to start clicking. I got to see one of them today. Chris Wright was passing the ball around like last season's Big East Tournament. The other thing I'm looking for still hasn't happened yet. Hollis Thompson still can't find his outside shot. I have him at 6-22 for the season. Not so good.
The Hoyas won 80-61 thanks in large part to the 3 pointer. At one point they had 20 points and only one 2 point bucket - a dunk. They finished 14-30 from deep.
For the 2nd game in a row they had a stretch late in the first where they couldn't score. Some of that has to do with JT3 tinkering with lineups. Some of it had to do with horrible turnovers that made me want to break my TV.
Play of the Game: After spending what seemed like forever trying to get his contact lenses back on his eye, Chris Wright came down the court and found Austin Freeman for a nice reverse lay-up. I bet the trainer for Coastal Carolina wishes he didn't help him out.
My favorite Stat: The first thing I look at during the game and immediately after the game is the assist to made field goal ratio. Today it was 26 to 32. That's sick.
My least favorite Stat: Turnovers. 16 of them is atrocious. Lubick and Vaughn combined for half of them. Nate couldn't get anything done out on the wing against the zone. I think that was a really bad spot for him.
Player run-down:
Freeman - Picked up some early fouls but was really impressive. He was a model of offensive efficiency as he was able to score from deep, on drives, and on some cuts.
Wright - 12 assists was easily his career high. He has 20 assists in his last 2 games. That will do.
Clark - he is shooting out of his mind since the 2nd half at ODU. People wondered how Freeman would get good looks with Monroe gone. Well if Clark is also torching the nets, that will do the job.
Vaughn - besides the turnovers, he looked good after missing a game with an undisclosed illness. He had some nice post moves and came up with 5 blocks.
Thompson - Wright said his in post game interview that he can't wait for Hollis to start hitting his shots. Me neither.
Lubick - Looked like a freshmen. That's not a compliment.
Sims - I can't remember ever thinking that Henry should have gotten more minutes but he should have today. He looked good out there today. He made some nice passes and didn't force anything. He also had a block and a steal (that he immediately gave back).
Sanford - Back to back nice games by Vee. He hit a 3, had some boards, and some dimes during his 11 minutes. Oh and a block. He is taking minutes that I thought would go to Starks.
Benimon - I'm not sure how he played 10 minutes without a rebound but he did. He got in the score book for he 10-11 season this afternoon. He gets in good spots but doesn't look to make moves. That needs to change.
Starks - I'm guessing that he is still recovering from being sick. Had 2 nice assists.
Bowen - Probably deserved more time but Thompson kept Freeman out there too long late in the game. He's had chances to score his first points from the line but just hasn't found the nylon. Doesn't seem strong enough yet.
It looks like tomorrow's game should be at 230pm against Wofford. The Terriers are playing something called USC-Upstate and it's ugly. I can't believe I'm watching it. Oh wait. I can.
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