Game Notes

CONWAY – The Coastal Carolina men's basketball team is set to open the Myrtle Beach Invitational with Utah Thursday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.
 
The Chanticleers (2-2) and Utes have never met on the hardcourt with Utah (3-0) being one of three undefeated teams making an appearance in the three-day tournament.
 
Utah enters the game with five players averaging in double figures and one of the top scoring offenses in the nation averaging over 98 points per game. They picked up an impressive road win over Nevada (79-74) and another notable win, this time at home, over Minnesota (73-69).
 
Timmy Allen is the team leader in scoring (22.7) and rebounds (8.3) while Both Gach is averaging 17.7 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game. Other double-digit scorers include Riley Battin (12.3), Eli Ballstaedt (12.0) and Alfonso Plummer (10.5).
 
The Utes will come into the Invite with eight players on their roster listed at 6'-6" or taller, including five of those being over 6'-8". With all of their height they are out rebounding their opponents by 20 rebounds per game.
 
CCU will look to counter with five of its' own players scoring in double-digits led by Tyrell Gumbs-Frater's 16.3 points per game. DeVante' Jones is scoring at a 15 points per game pace, while Keishawn Brewton is averaging 16.3 points per game.
 
Garrick Green is chipping in with 11.3 points per game while Ebrima Dibba at 11.0 points per contest Dibba also leads the team in assists (19) and steals (7).
 
CCU is averaging over 41 rebounds per game and will have a smaller team on the court at all times. CCU will look for Green to continue his strong work on the boards (7.8) and for Tommy Burton's (6.8) energy to serve him well as he battles the taller front line of the Utes.
 
The Myrtle Beach field is quite competitive with a bevy of nationally recognized teams making their way to Conway. The combined record of the field thus far is 22-6 with Mississippi State (4-0) and Tulane (3-0) joining Utah as undefeated teams.
 
The rest of the field is made up of Baylor (2-1), Ohio (3-1), Villanova (2-1) and CCU's Monday night opponent Middle Tennessee (3-1).
 
Both teams will play again on Friday, but their opponents will come in a winner's and loser's bracket, which will be known following the outcome of the game.
 
Links for the video feed and live stats for the season-opener can be found at GoCCUsports.com.


 
For complete coverage of CCU men's basketball, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalMBB (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com.