By Nathan Hutchinson
Register Sports Editor
RICHMOND — Almost immediately after a first-round loss in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, Eastern Kentucky University coach Jeff Neubauer started preparing his team for a possible postseason appearance. The Colonels (20-12) knew a bid to the NCAA Tournament wasn’t coming and an NIT invitation was probably out of the question. However, there were other postseason opportunities. So, they continued to practice and prepare. And early Monday morning, the Colonels found out their season wasn’t over, just quite yet. EKU received a bid to the College Basketball Invitational (CBI). The Colonels will face College of Charleston (21-11) at 7 p.m. today in the opening round of the 16-team tournament at McBrayer Arena. The winner advances to face Virginia Commonwealth next Monday in the quarterfinals. “We lost to very good teams down the stretch,” Neubauer said. “I do think we played good basketball in February, so now we have an opportunity because of our consistency throughout the season to keep playing in the postseason.” The CBI not only gives the Colonels a chance to keep playing, it also gives them an opportunity to make history. EKU has never won a postseason game, losing in all seven appearances, including NCAA Tournament games in 2005 and 2007. “Hopefully we can have a great crowd and that will help propel EKU basketball to its first-ever postseason win.” The Colonels were sitting in third place in the OVC for most of the season, but they lost three of their final five regular-season games, forcing them to travel to Eastern Illinois in the opening round of the conference tournament. EKU fell to Panthers, 88-74, on March 2. “The one concern is that we have not played for 15 days,” Neubauer said. “It’s hard at any point in the season to go 15 days without a game. So, our team has practiced very well and hopefully the team can light the fire and play a great game.” The Colonels have played extremely well at home the past few seasons. EKU won 19 straight at McBrayer Arena until falling to Morehead State at home in January. The Colonels lost just two home games this season. “Josh Taylor and Robin Mestdagh have won more games than any other players in EKU history,” Neubauer said. “Now for them to get to play in two postseasons is really special as well. Hopefully, they can play great one more time in McBrayer Arena.” The game will mark the first-ever meeting between EKU and the College of Charleston. The Cougars are making their second-straight appearance in the CBI. They defeated Troy in the opening round last year before falling to Richmond in the quarterfinals. COC finished with a 14-4 record in the Southern Conference, but fell to Appalachian State in the tournament semifinals. College of Charleston’s biggest win of the season came on Jan. 4 at home against defending national champion North Carolina. “College of Charleston is a tremendous offensive team,” Neubauer said. “They are going to put four talented shooters on the court, then they also have a talented inside player in Jermey Simmons. They are one of those teams that is so hard to defend.” The Cougars are coached by former Georgia Tech coach Bobby Cremins. COC will be without the services of Rashad Wright, Casaan Breeden, Garrett Campbell, Jordan Turok and Quasim Pugh. According to Cremins, they are staying behind to concentrate on their academic work. The Cougars have four players who average double figures in scoring, highlighted by Andrew Goudelock.
