Preview | Nagy Era Begins Monday Against College of Charleston

A New Era Begins

After a long wait, the Nagy era in Charleston begins Monday night when the Cougars host the College of Charleston Cougars. Pat Kelsey era officially tips off Monday night as the Cougars host the College of Charleston Cougars in the season opener for both teams.

Nagy, who was hired in March after spending the previous six seasons at South Dakota State, inherits a team that went 6-23 last season. The Cougars haven't had a winning season since 2018-19, but Nagy is hoping to change that this year.

Nagy's Expectations

Nagy has high expectations for his team this season. He wants the Cougars to be a contender in the CAA and he believes they have the talent to do it.

"I think we have a chance to be a really good team," Nagy said. "We have a lot of talent and a lot of experience. We just need to put it all together."

The Cougars return three starters from last season's team, including senior guard Ryan Larson. Larson is the team's leading scorer and rebounder, and he will be counted on to be a leader this season.

Key Newcomers

Nagy has also added some key newcomers to the roster, including junior college transfer Ben Burnham. Burnham is a 6-foot-9 forward who is expected to be a major contributor this season.

Nagy is also excited about the potential of freshman guard Tyrese Grant. Grant is a highly touted recruit who is expected to make an immediate impact for the Cougars.

Schedule

The Cougars open the season with three straight home games before hitting the road for a four-game road trip. They open CAA play on January 7th at Elon.

The Cougars have a tough schedule this season, but Nagy is confident that his team is up for the challenge.

"We're going to play a lot of tough games this year," Nagy said. "But I think we're ready for it. We're excited to get started."