Chris Mack lauds Pat Kelsey after Charleston Cougars steal a win from UNC Wilmington Seahawks: “It’s one of a kind, through the roof”

Pat Kelsey and the College of Charleston Cougars are firing on all cylinders. After taking over the program last season, Kelsey has the Cougars surging this season.

Kelsey coached Winthrop since 2012. In his last season with the Eagles, Kelsey led the team to an impressive 23-2 record. After taking over at Charleston in 2021, the Cougars went 17-15 in their first season.

Fast forward to this season and the College of Charleston has looked like a completely different team. After losing their second game of the season to North Carolina, the Cougars (17-1, Colonial Athletic Association) have won 16 straight games. That includes an impressive 71-69 road win on Wednesday night against UNC Wilmington (14-4, 4-1).

The Cougars have found themselves earning the respect of the AP poll, currently ranked 22nd and are trending upward. On the "Field of 68" show, former college basketball coach Chris Mack praised Pat Kelsey and his energy as a coach.

“It’s one of a kind," Mack said. "Through the roof. It never shuts off.”

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Pat Kelsey and Charleston trending upward in college basketball

Pat Kelsey has the College of Charleston firing on all cylinders.

Pat Kelsey has No. 22 College of Charleston (17-1, 5-0 CAA) trending upward in college basketball.

After topping UNC Wilmington, which had won at least a share of the CAA title in each of the past three seasons, the Cougars will look to keep their momentum going. The team will take on Elon (2-15, 0-4) on Saturday before a game on Monday against William & Mary (7-10, 2-2). Both games are at home.

Charleston, which last made the NCAA Tournament in 2018, has already equaled the win total from Kelsey's first season: 17-15 a year ago. The Cougars last held an AP ranking in the 2002-03 season (25th). Charleston was picked fourth (and received one first-place vote) in the preseason CAA coaches poll.

Charleston has gotten balanced scoring: senior guard Dalton Bolon (13.1 points per game), senior guard Ryan Larson (11.2 ppg), sophomore guard Reyne Smith (10.5 ppg), sophomore forward Ante Brzovic (10.4 ppg), senior guard Pat Robinson III (10.3 ppg) and sophomore forward Ben Bernham (7.8 ppg).

The Cougars are lead by a pair of impressive senior guards including Dalton Bolon and Ryan Larson. Bolon is averaging 13.1 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 41.6% from the field. Larson has been a force for the Cougars, averaging 11.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He's also shooting 44.9% from the field and 35.3% from three-point range.