As I posted back on Thursday, the Charleston Classic released its field today with Coastal Carolina and USC Upstate rounding out the field of eight.
The event, to be held on November 18, 19, and 21 may receive an attendance and intensity boost because of the proximity of the schools.
Three are from South Carolina: Coastal, Upstate, and Wofford, representing the host Southern Conference. However, the last two are both from Spartanburg, clear on the other side of the state.
Three are from North Carolina: NC State, East Carolina, and Charlotte.
The remaining two are from here in the DC area: Georgetown and George Mason.
The bracket aims for a Georgetown-NC State final, something that isn't a slam dunk, even with a lack of marquee names in the field.
Top half: Coastal Carolina vs. Georgetown and USC Upstate vs. Wofford: The Terriers, in particular, are capable of springing an early upset on the Hoyas.
Bottom half: East Carolina vs. NC State and George Mason vs. Charlotte: The Wolfpack are warned -- the winner of the Patriots-49ers game won't be content with settling for 3rd place.
While ESPN wasn't able to lure more than two BCS conference schools to Charleston, they were able to grab some of the spirit of the old Dixie Classic (albeit with fewer ACC teams, thanks to current rules), setting up an event that will showcase the depth of basketball quality in the Carolinas and Mid-Atlantic.