Bulldogs sticking with young lineup

Citadel basketball coach Chuck Driesell started three freshmen in the Bulldogs’ last game, and will stick with that lineup when Southern Conference-leading Davidson comes to McAlister Field House tonight.

The Bulldogs (4-19, 1-11 SoCon) started freshmen Lawrence Miller, Marshall Harris and Jordan Robertson alongside juniors Mike Groselle and Bo Holston in a 71-66 loss at Elon on Saturday, the Bulldogs’ eighth straight defeat.

Miller scored 15 points for the second game in a row, and the lineup did enough to earn another chance against Davidson (18-5, 12-1), Driesell said. At one point against Elon, the Bulldogs had five freshmen on the floor.

“I think those guys played well together,” he said. “They competed and did some things that our previous lineup was not doing. I was really pleased with the way we got off to a good start against Elon, and that’s what we will go with Thursday night.”

The Bulldogs will need a much better start tonight than they got in an 80-51 loss at Davidson on Jan. 21. The Wildcats led by 30-2 at the start of that game.

Since then, The Citadel has lost in double-overtime at Georgia Southern, by seven to Wofford and by five at Elon.

“I think we’re getter closer,” Driesell said. “Our last practice was very intense, and the guys really got after it. We’ve had a lot of competition on the practice court, and that’s what you look for. The guys have done a good job staying positive, and I feel like we are close. We’ve just been a play away in some games, and you’ve got to stay positive. This is a journey, and it’s not over.”

With three freshmen in the starting lineup, veteran guards Cosmo Morabbi and DeVontae Wright came off the bench against Elon, Wright for the first time this season.

“Those guys will just have to tweak their roles a little bit,” Driesell said.