Game #137 of 364 37% complete

The TD Arena is located right in the heart of downtown Charleston surrounded by quaint shops and cool looking restaurants. It was disheartening to pass through this area and not have time to stop for some tourist time. But as is often when a big arena is in a crowded area, parking spots are not close. I was given a list of parking spots by the school before the game. Choosing the first one off of the list, I found myself with a 15 minute walk to the arena. Normally I enjoy a good walk but this was done in a driving rain storm.

The College of Charleston Cougars are one of the better mid major schools in the country currently occupying first place in Colonial Athletic league. First place and a preferred spot in the post league tournament is important because these leagues rarely get an at-large bid. The Cougars lost in the past two NCAA tournaments against eventual final four participants Alabama and San Diego State.

Chris Mack is the first year coach for the Cougars. He was previously at Xavier and Louisville. He was the 2018 Big East Coach of the Year at Xavier. He was fired from Louisville after reports that the fan base and players were unhappy with him. I wish him well with this energetic fan base and a team looking to make some noise this year in the tournament.

I was very impressed with Deywilk Taveras the sophomore guard for the Cougars who scored 32 points. He went 8 for 9 (yes, you’re reading that right) from the 3 point line and killed any comeback for Northeastern. He was the 2024 MEAC Rookie of the Year for Delaware State and is quite a pickup for the Cougars.

This scene above was in sight of where I was sitting. It has no significance other than showing a man in extreme pain for a cramp.

I get a kick when I hear the young kids singing songs that came out when I was a young kid. Songs like “Sweet Caroline” and “Friends in Low Places” are sung by the college kids as if they were their own anthems. Soon it will be their turn to feel nostalgic as the college kids 20 years from now will sing Taylor’s “You Belong To Me”.

This was an exciting game with College of Charleston pulling it at the end with a potential three pointer winner by Northeastern’s Rashad King clanging off the rim with time expired.

Some scenes from downtown Charleston as I walked in the rain.