Staff Pix: App In The Charleston Classic

Appalachian State’s basketball team is in Charleston, SC, this week for the Charleston Classic in what is annually a very competitive tournament.

Here Is The Bracket

Here are our picks for how the Mountaineers will do and who they will face in their three games:

App enters the Charleston Classic after proving it can hang with the big boys from the Power Five after a strong showing against Alabama. App will need its A game right off the bat against nationally ranked Purdue, and really for every game with such a strong group of teams. I believe the Mountaineers will be competitive in each matchup but have difficulty seeing it getting more than one win in the three game tournament. I project a 1-2 record with losses against Purdue and Wichita State, and the lone victory coming in the 7th place game against Northeastern.

Appalachian State travels to Charleston this week for the Charleston Classic where it will open against No. 23 Purdue on Thursday evening. Following Purdue, the most likely opponent will be an old Southern Conference rematch against Davidson. After Davidson, the Mountaineers will most likely play either Northeastern or Ball State. Right now, it looks like it could be tough for the Mountaineers to get any wins in this tournament as they will be the underdog in each matchup, but that is why they play the game on the court and not on paper.

Appalachian will finish 5th place. They will finish 2-1 and lose to Purdue, beat Davidson, beat Ball State. The Apps can get some early pre-season momentum with a good showing in this tourney.

The Mountaineers will have a tough time with Purdue but could give Wichita State trouble Friday, and a win there would give them a chance to pick up a second win over the weekend versus either Northeastern or Ball State, though both will be challenges. App goes 2-1 and heads home with a 3-2 overall record with respectable losses to at Alabama and Purdue on a neutral floor on its resume.