Charleston Classic (Charleston, S.C.)
Nov. 19, 20 and 22
Bracket
Top half: Tulane vs. Miami, UNC Wilmington vs. Penn State
Bottom half: South Florida vs. Davidson, La Salle vs. South Carolina
Projected NCAA teams: South Carolina
Bubble: Penn State, Miami and possibly La Salle
Five key storylines:
• Davidson starts the season without Stephen Curry for the first time in three years.
• Penn State junior point guard Talor Battle had a stellar trip with the U.S. at the World University Games in Serbia last month. He has a shot to finally get the Nittany Lions back to the NCAAs, beginning with this event.
• Miami debuts the much-heralded freshman guard Durand Scott, a player who could replace Jack McClinton’s scoring rather quickly.
• South Carolina could be a trendy pick to cause some anxious moments for Kentucky and Tennessee in the SEC East with the return of Devan Downey and Dominique Archie. This should be the Gamecocks’ tournament to win.
• La Salle, led by senior guard Rodney Green, plays South Carolina in the first round, and the majority of A-10 coaches say the Explorers could be the sleeper pick in the league title race.
via Andy Katz’s Daily Word: Breaking down six early-season tournament brackets – ESPN.