Small Town Big Time: Davidson Visits Charleston in SoCon Shootout

While most of the hoops nation will be fastidiously devouring UConn v. Georgetown tonight, there is another HUGE conference matchup that slips under the radar. Davidson and the Steph Curry road show travel to 10-1 conference foe Charleston in a game that has huge NCAA Tourney implications.

Think I am exaggerating? Consider this: What does the committee do with Davidson should they go, say 14-2 in conference and lose the automatic bid to Charleston? Do you think there is any way the Wildcats are NOT invited? With the schedule and the wins they have piled up, plus the holdover credit from last March's captivating run (I know, it is this season that counts, but the committee is human - and Davidson is a household name now) Davidson is a lock barring a complete meltdown.

If they slip to an invite rather than automatic bid, somewhere in SEC, Big12, Big 10, ACC country, someone is going to the NIT.

Charleston on the other hand is a different story. Other than their sacrificial lamb visit to Chapel Hill on Jan 7th, Davidson home and home are their only two chances to legitimize what could be a gaudy record come March. They enter the age 10-1, with wins over South Carolina and TCU, their lone loss a 5-point defeat at Temple. A reasonable, but not bid-inviting schedule. It is not outrageous to project them at 25-5, or even as high as 27-3 at the end of the season. However without a win over Davidson, it STILL might not be enough to punch their dance ticket. The Cougars are a balanced club, with Andrew Goudelack leading the scoring at 17.4 ppg along with four others averaging double figures. This is a stark contrast to the one-headed monster that is Davidson. The Cougars don't have the length and depth that Purdue used to stifle the 'Cats, but they are a very good ball club.

Suffice it to say the Cougars will be ready for Steph and company tonight at Colombia First Arena.
Maniac's Pick: Charleston (+5)
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