Palmetto State Madness: Cougars and Paladins are ready for NCAA tournament (AUDIO)

Furman practiced in Orlando on Wednesday in preparation for Thursday’s matchup with Virginia (Furman Twitter)

The NCAA men’s basketball tournament tips off Thursday, and both South Carolina entrants will be playing in the afternoon session. First up in Orlando, the 13-seed Furman Paladins will meet 4th-seeded Virginia at 12:40pm on TruTV. The Paladins enter the NCAA tournament on quite a roll, having won 14 of their last 15 games and six straight. Furman knocked off Chattanooga, 88-79, on March 6th to earn its first Southern Conference Tournament title and NCAA bid since 1980.

On Wednesday, head coach Bob Richey met with the media in Orlando to preview Thursday’s matchup with the Cavaliers.

Furman HC Bob Richey — NCAA Press Conference

The CAA champion Cougars meet San Diego State on Thursday afternoon (CofC Athletics)

As soon as the Paladins and Cavaliers are done, the College of Charleston will step onto the floor to face San Diego State (3:10pm/TruTV). The Cougars begin the NCAA tournament tied for the nation’s best record at 31-3 and are the CAA’s highest-seeded team in the postseason since UNCW was also a No. 12 seed in 2017.

Cougars head coach Pat Kelsey met with the media on Wednesday as well to discuss his team’s matchup with the Aztecs and his excitement about returning to the NCAA tournament.

CofC HC Pat Kelsey — NCAA Press Conference

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