The College of Charleston Cougars will take on the Hampton Pirates on Thursday morning in a Coastal Athletic Association matchup. Both teams are jockeying for better positioning down the stretch in conference play, with Charleston near the top of the league standings and Hampton near the bottom of the CAA. Before this contest begins in Virginia, continue reading for my Charleston vs Hampton prediction in college hoops.
Matchup: College of Charleston Cougars @ Hampton Pirates
Date & Time: Thursday, February 26, 2026, 11:00 a.m. ET
Venue: Hampton Convocation Center, Hampton, Virginia
Broadcast: FloSports
Key Storylines
Charleston has won three in a row and sits near the top of the CAA standings, riding good form into this road contest.
Hampton’s overall record is subpar and the Pirates have struggled in recent weeks, dropping three straight games entering this matchup.
Hampton has a losing record this year, but they are 9-1 at home this season and will try to get their 10th home win of the season.
Key Players
Charleston Cougars
Jlynn Counter – Leads the Cougars with 15.9 points per game, with 5.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists, giving Charleston a dynamic offensive presence with contributions across the board. He is a catalyst for the Cougars' offense.
Christian Reeves – A rebounding force at 7.8 boards per game and a scoring threat as well. His ability on the glass helps Charleston close out defensive possessions.
Hampton Pirates
Xzavier Long – The Pirates’ leading rebounder, averaging around 9.7 rebounds per game and helping Hampton fight for extra possessions.
Michael Eley – Hampton’s primary scoring option with roughly 12.9 points per game. His ability to put the ball in the basket is crucial for the Pirates’ offense.
Daniel Johnson – Adds perimeter scoring and the occasional outside threat, averaging about 9.4 points per game and offering floor spacing.
Stat Comparison
Stat
Charleston
Hampton
Points per game
75.6
69.2
Points allowed per game
73.1
69.5
Team Field Goal %
44%
41%
Rebounds per game
37.8
36.7
Assists per game
13.3
12.1
Head‑to‑Head & Betting Trends
In the first meeting between these teams this season, Charleston won 74‑70.
Charleston is 17-11 against the spread coming into this contest.
Hampton is 13-12 against the spread entering Thursday morning's matchup.
Charleston vs Hampton Model Projection
Score Projection: Charleston 78 – Hampton 68 ATS PRO
Win Probability: Charleston 68%, Hampton 32% ATS PRO
Final Thoughts
Charleston appears to hold the overall advantages in form, scoring, and efficiency heading into this CAA contest. While Hampton has home court and has enjoyed solid results there, their recent struggles and scoring woes make it difficult to trust them in this spot. The early-morning start time for this game makes this a spot where volatility could hinder both of these teams, but Charleston’s balanced attack and superior offensive metrics lead me to back the Cougars to win and cover in this game on Thursday.
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