Choose Charleston

One of the last two teams named to the field was the USC Upstate Spartans.  The Spartans will add the local flavor of the Charleston Classic 2010 field.  USC Upstate recently received a $4 million dollar donation to help renovate the basketball facilities.  USC Upstate will feature a very young team as they are just now starting to be able to recruit players on the level that is required to compete.  The Spartans will use the tournament to help get ready for conference play and work out some of the issues that come along with such a young team.

Charlotte joins the Charleston Classic 2010 field with several questions. The biggest news for Charlotte is that Coach Allen Major will be taking over the program after Charlotte fired former Coach Bobby Lutz.  Lutz is the all-time leaders in wins at Charlotte and has left plenty for Major to work with.  Lutz had his Charlotte team on a roll until a late season cold streak left them sitting at home with no NCAA or NIT bid.  The A.D. decided Lutz winning record was not enough and decided to roll the dice on Major, who has no head coach experience.

Charlotte does not have a proven point guard, which usually is a huge disadvantage at the college level.   This is especially true when going through a coaching change.  I expect the Charlotte 49ers still trying to find who they are when they are playing here at the Charleston Classic 2010. On the wing, they will lean on Derrio Green to handle the outside scoring load. Inside,the Charlotte 49ers have two very solid players.  Former Boston College player, Shamari Spears and Chris Braswell provide two wide bodies who can both rebound and play at a physical level.  These guys will be key in potential match up against N.C. State as they have one of the best post scorers in the nation with Tracy Smith.

In Summary: Charlotte has some talented guys, I just think the inexperience at point guard and players adjusting to a new coach will be too much for this team to make a strong run at the Charleston Classic.  I feel they can out talent a team like East Carolina, but a team that can apply constant pressure on the ball could present problems for Charlotte. The question is, will Charlotte take that step forward this year and make a run in the Charleston Classic to help build an appealing NCAA resume or will they falter early on and test a rookies coach ability to rally the troops together for a March bid?

Interesting Fact: Shamari Spears formerly played at Boston College.  Spears could meet some familiar faces against N.C. State.  Spears transferred to Charlotte to be closer to home and will be finishing his career as a Charlotte 49er.

As we see the oil continue to spill all over the beaches of our gulf area, I wonder to myself, would people like the idea of drilling off of Charleston S.C. if it was viable?

I was reading the article online here  and I see the comments and stand that Ted Turner presented.  If we had a oil spill close to Charleston and God forbid the oil made it to our shores, our tourism would take a HUGE hit.  Heck, even Florida has taking a beating with tourism and they have not even got the tip of the iceberg yet!

Would you be all for saving a few dimes on a gallon of gas if offshore drilling was used closed to Charleston.  Closed enough if they were a spill, the wildlife here in Charleston could be ruined?

What do you think guys?  Yay or nay?

A great event is taking place in Charleston starting tonight.  The second annual Charleston Classic which will be hosted in at the new Carolina First Arena at the College of Charleston.

You can purchase tickets here.

The field is loaded with talent with some common local teams such as C of C conference rival Davidson.  The South Carolina Gamecocks are also joining the field with coach Darrin Horn looking to make a national splash.  UNC-Wilmington joins, along with the ACC’s Miami Hurricanes.

The other teams making up the Charleston Classic for 2009 is  Tulane, USF, NIT champ Penn State, and La Salle.

I don’t know if they are really clear cut best team in the field but I expect several games to go down to the wire!

I will have some game updates as the Charleston Classic is played out this weekend.

The games will be played Nov. 19-22

As the summer heat comes down upon us, I begin to wonder.  What is it my readers love most about being in Charleston for the summer? Do you have a special place you like to kick back and relax? 

Do you like to dine at a certain place?

Maybe you go golfing with your dad on a paticular weekend each summer?

 No matter what it is, I want to know.

 Have you guys been creating any new memories in Charleston this summer?

 Or has the economy driven you into depression and you are stuck in your room doing nothing? I hope not!

 Look forward to hearing about all of your favorite Charleston summer events.

Charleston came up with a major upset tonight against the #1 seed and SoCon powerhouse Davidson Wildcats.  If you recall, Charleston had beat them earlier in the year.  Charleston was down at the half, but rallied in the second half to steal the victory from the Wildcats.

Here is a link to the AP story covering the big win.

The Cougars will face Chattanooga Monday for a chance to play in the NCAA tournament.

 It will be a battle for sure, I will have more coverage soon in regards to the run   C of C is currently on!

Oh btw, I told you the guys were heading in the right direction….NIT bid is looking good even if the Cougars fall Monday.

Everyone is currently busy making a list of things to change in 2009.

Could it be weight loss?

Stop smoking?

Get a new job?

You can make the changes you desire, you just need a good reason to keep them!

Here is my idea and hopefully everyone will join in!

Post your 2009 resolution in the comments section of this blog. After each month or so, come back and update us on your progress.

Example: I want to lose 25 pounds in 2009.  I plan on eating more healthy and walking 2 miles per day.

Then next month, check in and give us a quick update.  If we can get enough people to share 2009 resolutions, we can support each other and achieve our goals together!

I will start with mine.

I want to post five articles a month for the year of 2009.

Share yours!

Happy New Years Charleston!

So the thrills of opening presents are over.  Maybe you completed a long drive back to Charleston, SC. to see your friends and family.  After stuffing yourself with way more than you should ever eat (and maybe drinking more than you should ever drink?) you start to get frustrated with those lovely friends and family. 

It is late Saturday night and you are thinking, how much more can I take?  My sister’s new boyfriend is really getting on my last nerve!

You need to get out of the house and explore Charleston again!

Maybe you should check out some of my recent articles such as Charleston- Things to do.  If you grew up in Charleston, you probably cannot stand the Charleston carriage tours but your kids will love the experience it provides!

If you have no kids to hold you back, check out the Charleston nightlife scene. You could visit one of the new clubs or check out one of your favorite college hangout spots!

Lastly, if you have been really nice this year….maybe you could get your mom to whip up some Charleston Shrimp and Grits!

Happy Holidays to all!

Times are rough and Charleston business owners are not the only owners looking for a way to survive harsh economic times. I know as a business owner, you are always looking for a way to capture new customers.  What about the customers that refused to pay you?

 Wrote you a bad check?

 Customers that owe YOU but you cannot locate?

 Don’t worry!  Help is here!  I recently discovered a South Carolina debt collection company that will get your past due customers to pay.

 The best feature is, you don’t have to pay a SINGLE DIME until they collect for you!  Place accounts with them for FREE!

 Check them out, SentryRisk.com.

P.S.- After they collect a few payments for you, contact me and tell me thanks for the tip!

I think everyone realizes that John McCain is favored to win and will win in South Carolina.

 My question is, by how much?

 Most poll averages have him ahead in South Carolina by 12%.

 Do you think Obama will keep it closer than that or will McCain cover the 12% spread?

 Also, post any of your thoughts on the 2008 election that you desire.  What is the residents of Charleston going to be voting on?  What should they be voting on?

Lastly, who do you think will win the 2008 election? Obama or McCain? Or….Barr!