OVERVIEW
The 2023-24 Myrtle Beach Invitational is set to tip off in mere hours, and we could not be more thrilled to be a part of it for the first time. Also, for the first time, is the ESPN-sponsored event’s move to make this a complete event without a Power Six representative- opening the field to a wide cast of programs with an opportunity to win this thing come Sunday evening.
View from the Shores this morning before the 25 minute commute to Conway.
College of Charleston vs. Vermont - Game 1 Preview
The early favorite has been the College of Charleston since the field was announced earlier this spring. The Cougars came into the season as a complete team, daring the 2023 NCAA selection committee to dig deep in moments of potentially entering the at-large field. Following an uber-successful 31-4 season, the Cougars bring back leaders Ante Brzovic and Reyne Smith. In true Pat Kelsey fashion, the Cougars brought in some intriguing “up-transfers” including CJ Fulton from Lafayette. C of C passed its first test on opening night against Iona, however lost in the Veteran’s Classic by 18 to Duquesne. The Duquesne game had multiple wild runs for each team. The Dukes had the last laugh, getting a ton of good looks from inside the arc (22-for-33). Kelsey’s Cougs will need to clean that up today against the perennial America East favorite, Vermont.
John Becker’s Catamounts enter the Myrtle Beach Invitational with a rotation full of returners. However, the shining star in the season-opening win over Merrimack was Shamir Bogues. The transfer from Tarleton is quickly proving he is a terrific fit in Becker’s system. Bogues got the start had 19 points and shot the ball very well. Aaron Deloney is the preseason pick by many publications to win America East Player of the Year. Vermont only had one D1 game prior to this event and we will learn quite a bit in this marquee matchup this morning.
Wyoming vs. Saint Louis - Game 2 Preview
The great mystery game of the day! Wyoming brings a full roster of intrigue, and none more intriguing than Freshman Cam Manyawu. Manyawu is the first Cowboy in history to begin his career with back-to-back double-doubles. He’s athletic and surprisingly ready at such a young age for a major role at this level. Granted, Wyoming’s only D1 game was against Cal Poly. It is all we have to go off thus far. The very early returns on the Cowboys tell us that they are once again taking shots early in the shot clock (22nd fastest in the nation), and getting to the free-throw line more frequently than anyone in the country. Defensively, the Pokes have excellent defensive rebounding and forced mistakes metrics. Again, grain of salt stuff given Cal Poly is the only D1 game they’ve played. A matchup with Saint Louis will begin to tell us what Jeff Linder really has cookin’.
Billikens came to Myrtle Beach with a couple of D1 wins under its belt. SLU took care of Southern Indiana and Illinois State prior to arriving. Now the Bills hit the road for the first time in 23-24. Although Gibson Jimmerson is still technically a Junior, he has logged 99 games for the program. He continues to be a leader for this squad. Jimmerson made 15 free throws in a 20-point performance vs. Illinois State. The Billiken roster got a shot in the arm when Mike Meadows eventually fell to them via Portland in the portal. Meadows had big games for the Pilots. Unfortunately, he battled injuries all of last season but appears fully good after logging an average of 24.5 minutes in the first two D1 games. Terrence Hargrove can expose mismatches in a big way. He proved that in the opener with 27 points and 15 rebounds. We will see what Wyoming does to try to keep him off the glass. Pretty big key for both squads. Much like Wyoming, SLU will play fast - so this game should be high-octane and reveal quite a bit about both teams. The toughest test for each thus far on the young season.