May 20, 2013

Box Score: Detroit 63, Cleveland State 58

Cleveland State’s attempt for an invitation to the dance came to an abrupt end on Friday night, as the number two seeded Vikings lost to the number three seeded Detroit  Titans in Valparaiso. CSU shot just 23 percent from behind the arc and struggled to get much offensive rhythm going from the jump. The Vikings are now likely headed to the NIT.

Cleveland State

STARTERS MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
Tim Kamczyc, F 36 5-8 1-1 0-0 2 2 0 0 1 2 2 11
Aaron Pogue, F 19 2-6 0-0 1-2 3 7 0 0 0 1 3 5
Trey Harmon, G 27 3-9 0-3 2-2 0 0 2 2 0 1 5 8
Jeremy Montgomery, G 32 5-11 1-5 0-0 1 2 3 1 0 5 5 11
Marlin Mason, F 9 0-2 0-1 0-0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0
BENCH MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
D’Aundray Brown, G 32 5-7 1-1 6-7 3 7 0 2 1 1 2 17
Luda Ndaye, F 3 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Anton Grady, F 20 0-7 0-0 2-2 3 5 1 2 0 2 1 2
Charlie Lee, G 19 0-5 0-2 2-2 0 3 2 1 0 2 3 2
Ike Nwamu, G 3 0-0 0-0 2-3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
TOTALS FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
20-56 3-13 15-18 12 28 8 8 2 14 24 58
35.7% 23.1% 83.3%

Detroit

STARTERS MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
LaMarcus Lowe, F-C 19 2-4 0-0 0-0 2 2 1 0 3 4 3 4
Doug Anderson, F 4 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Chase Simon, G 38 3-11 0-5 2-2 4 8 2 1 0 2 3 8
Jason Calliste, G 37 3-7 3-6 4-4 0 7 2 1 0 3 3 13
Ray McCallum, G 39 7-10 1-3 11-13 2 6 5 2 1 4 1 26
BENCH MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
Eli Holman, F-C 29 2-6 0-0 2-4 2 6 0 3 1 1 4 6
Donavan Foster, G 27 3-10 0-1 0-0 1 2 2 0 0 0 1 6
Evan Bruinsma, F 5 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0
P.J. Boutte, G 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
TOTALS FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
20-50 4-16 19-23 11 31 12 7 5 16 18 63
40.0% 25.0% 82.6%

Vikings Collapsing At The Wrong Time

This one really hurt.

The Cleveland State men’s basketball team was riding high, sitting atop the Horizon League in control of their own destiny to host the conference tournament just two short weeks ago. Fast forward to last night, and not only has the league lead been taken away from them completely, but all of a sudden the all important double-bye in the tournament is on its way to disappearing.

Coming off of a pair of ill-timed home losses to league leading Valparaiso and Butler last week, the Vikings travelled to Wisconsin for the tough battle against Milwaukee. The Panthers, a team that CSU has caught, jumped, and pounded at the Wolstein Center 83-57 on January 22nd, took it to the Vikings and handed them their third straight loss last night 86-84. It wasn’t just that they lost, it was how the game ended. [Read more...]

While We’re Waiting…Kotchman vs. Duncan, Urban Recruiting, Cavs Contracts

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.

The Kotchman signing and what it means for Shelley: “However, I can’t shake the feeling that the Indians have found real value with Shelley Duncan and it’s a shame to not take advantage of it somehow. I don’t mind the Kotchman signing but this was not a case, as it has been portrayed most of the offseason, of a club with no first basemen or right-handed bat available. When I really sat down and looked at this, I’m surprised there wasn’t more of a push to simply hand Duncan the job and see how it goes. I certainly hope Duncan’s on the roster on opening day, and I wouldn’t predict he’ll be cut. The Indians are generally pretty smart and the smart thing to do would be to find Duncan at-bats. If I were Michael Brantley, I’d be wondering where, and if, I’d be playing most of the season.” [Let's Go Tribe]

[Read more...]

Norris Cole being a Bob Cousy Award Finalist is pretty awesome actually

Go back 5, 10, or 15 years and tell me if you ever thought that there would be a Cleveland State Vikings basketball player who would be regarded as the best in the country at his position?

Specifically, one who was considered a top-10 point guard in all of College Basketball, projected as an NBA Draft Pick, and somehow be able post a stat-line like the one Norris Cole did yesterday (41 points, 20 rebounds, and 9 assists).

I don’t know if you’re really going to go back in your mind and tell me whether you did or not but I can say for myself  with the utmost certainty, umm…no. 

I never in my wildest Cleveland sports fan dreams ever thought anything like that would be even remotely possible. [Read more...]

While We’re Waiting…Cavs snap streak, Vikings fall, and big name NBA trades

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com

Cavs beat Knicks in OT: ”In the end, it seemed like it wouldn’t end.  The game or the streak.  Finally, after five overtime minutes and after multiple Cavaliers played the hero’s role, the Cavs are back in the win column.

They topped the Knicks 109-102 Saturday night as the Cavaliers scored the final points in regulation and never trailed in the overtime session. Mo Williams led the way with 23, including the driving layup to send it to overtime, and 14 assists. Anderson Varejao had 14 points and 17 rebounds, and Antawn Jamison finished with 21 points and 9 rebounds.  All three were instrumental in putting the game away.

Stoudemire had 23 points and 11 rebounds, but he didn’t win his individual battle with Varejao. Stoudemire was whistled for 3 offensive fouls and committed 8 turnovers.  [FSO / Zac Jackson]

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It’s Cedric: Former Viking to Fill PG Void

cedric-jacksonYesterday, Rick wrote a piece examining the options at PG to fill the void created by injuries to Mo Williams and Delonte West.  The seriousness of Delonte’s finger injury is still unknown.  In the interim, the Cavs, due to the broken finger, have ruled him out of tonight’s challenging match-up against the Thunder and categorized him day-to-day going forward.  That specific injury status is particularly nebulous and cause for anxiety in some instances as David Halberstam articulated in Breaks of the Game where Bill Walton’s distaste for the possibly misleading day-to-day status was evident.  Delonte is obviously a different case in a different time.  He is one of the toughest players on the team and in the league when it comes to playing with pain.  Cavs fans, however, should not expect to see him on the floor for at least the next two games with the potential for an extended hiatus.

Rick wrote that immediate help would most likely be sought in the form of a 10 day contract for a worthy D-leaguer.  He linked to D-League authority Scott Schroeder at Ridiculous Upside.  In his piece examining the Cavs’ options for a D league PG, Schroeder nailed his analysis and prediction and called former CSU Viking Cedric Jackson a darkhorse among the group of potential call ups.  Many Cavs fans should be familiar with Jackson’s work on the collegiate level at CSU.  He was the sparkplug leader of the Viking team last year that upset Butler in the Horizon Conference tournament and dominated fourth seeded Wake Forest in the NCAA tournament.  Jackson was tremendous all season but his play in that Wake game garnered national attention.  How has he been doing so far at the pro level?

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Recap: 2009 NCAA Tournament, first weekend

Four days in.  By now we all might have gotten our fill of Gus Johnson, and definitely have had more than enough of Bill Raftery doing his best Tourette’s impression.   WITH THE KISS! GRUGGGG!!! We’ve screamed at the players that we love to hate.  Now we are subjected to what could be the worst three days of our lives – when we have to listen to Doug Gottleib take up 45 minutes of Sportscenter.  We get to hear the term “Bracket-buster” more than anyone should ever have to endure.  That being said, we also have some time to reset, restock our fridges, and “be contributing members of society” for a few days.

So, with all of that out of the way, here’s an incredibly superficial review of the weekend:

The Buckeyes lost to Siena, who many people (after the fact) claimed that they had said Siena was the new George Mason.  Siena gave Louisville a good game in the second round, which maybe lessens the blow to Buckeyes fans.  For me, it doesn’t.  Hopefully Club Trillion‘s take on it will help me mend, whenever it’s posted. [Read more...]

Cleveland State Recap: The Dream Ends In a Hail of Bricks

MooreArizona 71, Cleveland State 57 (box

During Friday night’s upset blowout over fourth-seeded Wake Forest, the Cleveland State Vikings came out a house of fire, jumping to a 9-0 lead and knocking down the three ball from all angles. The same recipe would have to be used if the Vikings were going to pull off back to back stunners and advance to the Sweet 16.

Unfortunately, the best laid plans crashed in a hail of misfires and bricks. Arizona’s full court pressure and suffocating zone never allowed the Viking shooters to get into any sort of rhythm in the 71-57 Wildcat win. Shooting has been the bugaboo for this tough, physical group all year long. It is one thing to shoot 3-23 from deep against Youngstown State. It’s quite another to do it against an extremely athletic and talented Arizona club, that boasts three potential NBA first round picks (Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger, Nic Wise). [Read more...]

While We’re Waiting…

While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing.  Have something you think we should see?  Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.

Wally Szczerbiak’s inside game can officially be accredited to Kevin McHale.  “He drafted me, kind of molded me, schooled me, taught me a lot about the game — on and off the court.” Ten years from now, Wally can look forward to being an awful GM and an interim head coach.  [MSB]

[Read more...]