Simmons draws suspension

An already thin College of Charleston front line has become further depleted after Cougars coach Bobby Cremins announced Friday that junior center Jeremy Simmons has been suspended for tonight's exhibition game against USC Aiken as well as next Friday's regular season opener at Coastal Carolina.

The men's team plays USC Aiken, which reached the "Sweet 16" in last year's NCAA Division II tournament, at 5 p.m. at Carolina First Arena, while the women's team will play USC Aiken at 7 p.m.

Cremins said Simmons was suspended for a violation of team rules. The 6-8 center played in 34 games last season and averaged 6.8 points and 5.1 rebounds, hitting 57.8 percent from the floor.

In the preseason, Charleston lost 6-7 junior Antwaine Wiggins for the season because of a torn ACL, and the team has suffered a lot of nagging injuries leading up to today's 5 p.m. exhibition contest.

Charleston returns preseason Southern Conference player of the year Andrew Goudelock (16.7 ppg) and Tony White Jr. (12 ppg), who also was a preseason All-SoCon selection. Donovan Monroe, a sixth man who averaged 8.7 points last year, was moved into the lineup to replace Wiggins. Casaan Breeden, a 6-8 senior who transferred from Florida State, also will start. Cremins is counting heavily on a trio of freshmen: 6-6 Willis Hall, 6-9 Rashad Wright and 6-1 Andrew Lawrence. Matt Sundberg, a 6-8 sophomore who played in 25 games and averaged 6.6 minutes of playing time, has been bothered with tendinitis and has missed all but one day of preseason practice.

"The freshmen and sophomores have to step up. I'm depending on them to step up," Cremins said, adding that he hoped the Cougars would be at full strength by the middle of next week.

Charleston Classic

Brackets have been announced for this year's Charleston Classic men's tournament, which will be Nov. 19-23 at Carolina First Arena. Because NCAA rules prohibit teams from playing in what is termed an "exempt tournament" more than once every four years, Charleston, which hosted last year's event, is not in the eight-team field.

Headlining the tournament is South Carolina, which will face LaSalle in the final game of Thursday's opening session. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU. Southern Conference power Davidson will tackle South Florida in the other night session game, scheduled to start at 7 p.m. In the afternoon session, Tulane will play Miami at 1:30 p.m., with Penn State meeting UNC Wilmington at 4 p.m. (ESPNU).

Sunday's championship game is set for 6 p.m. on ESPN2.

Tickets are $90 for the complete tournament (12 games in three days) or $20 for individual session tickets. Call (843) 953-2632 or visit www.charlestonclassic.com.

Johnson selected in NBDL draft

Jermaine Johnson, who helped lead the College of Charleston to a 27-9 record last season, averaging 9.4 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds, was selected in the sixth round of the NBA Development League Draft by the Reno Bighorns.

Johnson, a 6-7 forward, finished his career at Charleston with 1,276 points (13th all-time) and was one of four players to grab at least 850 rebounds. He was third-team All-Southern Conference last year and was the league's freshman of the year in 2005-06. He graduated last December with a BA in corporate communication.

"Walking with Kings"

The College of Charleston is releasing this month a two-DVD set featuring the greatest moments of College of Charleston men's basketball since 1983.

"Walking with Kings" runs approximately four hours and costs $20. Cougar Club members receive one copy free. It can be ordered through the mail by sending checks to: Cougar Club, Attn: DVD Purchase, 66 George Street, Charleston, SC, 29424. The DVD will also be on sale at Carolina First Arena before and at halftime of the following games: Dec. 5, Davidson; Jan. 22, Wofford; Feb. 6, Samford; Feb. 8, The Citadel; and Feb. 17, Appalachian State.

The DVD includes a review of the 1983 NAIA national championship, a look at each NCAA and NIT games, the 2002 Great Alaska Shootout title, signature wins over teams such as Maryland and North Carolina, the final game at John Kresse Arena, a tribute to Anthony Johnson, a review of last year's 27-9 College Basketball Invitational team and the opening of Carolina First Arena.

"This DVD brings back wonderful memories of some great basketball teams and our transition from NAIA to NCAA Division I," said former Cougars coach John Kresse. "It took terrific players, terrific fans and a terrific community with a common goal and purpose to make the Cougars of the College of Charleston a national name in the hoops world. It's the perfect gift for any college basketball fan."

College of Charleston Exhibitions

Carolina First Arena

Men's Game

5 p.m. - College of Charleston vs. USC Aiken

Women's Game

7 p.m. - College of Charleston vs. USC Aiken