For the first time in seven seasons, John Kresse locked the basketballs in a closet at the College of Charleston and watched postseason play on television. For the first time in seven seasons, John Kresse locked the basketballs in a closet at the College of Charleston and watched postseason play on television. With five starters back from a team that won 24 games last season, the Cougars shouldn't be excluded from March Madness this season. At least that's what the media thought, unanimously voting Charleston the favorite of the South Division of the league. The media picked Georgia Southern's men second in the six-team division behind the Cougars.
Polls are for the media and fans, but coaches and players are more realistic.
They understand there are 16 conference games and three or four more games in the conference tournament. You can't hang your hat on preseason polls. In 1999, the Cougars were the first Southern Conference team to go 19-0 and earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Last season, Charleston dropped to 13-3 in league play and advanced to the finals of the conference tournament before losing to Appalachian State. But a 24-6 record didn't get Kresse more postseason play.