May 24, 2013

The “Real” Ohio Gets Michigan, Bucks Stay East, Akron/CSU Get NIT Invites

March 12, 2012 by 6 Comments

Ah, we have arrived at March Madness. It is my favorite time of year. Now the country’s eyes are focused on a sport I follow intently all year long. I have a lot of friends that are of the “call me in March” group who love to parachute in for the tournament, but that is all right with me. Come one, come all, to the best event in all of sports.

Locally, we have lots to look forward to and to watch, starting as early as Tuesday night:

Ohio State – The Buckeyes, coming off a loss to Michigan State in the Big Ten finals, look to have regained some of their mojo over the past three weeks. The selection committee placed them as the #2 seed in the East Region, where Syracuse sits on top. Thursday in Pittsburgh, OSU will face 15th seeded Loyola (MD), winners of the MAAC Tournament. The thing they are best known for is their media darling coach Jimmy Patsos, who you will hear about 100 times this week as the “former bartender turned coach.” He was one of Gary Williams’s top assistants at Maryland for years before finally getting the gig at Loyola eight years ago. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buckeyes, College Basketball, CSU Vikings Tagged With: , , , , ,

Valpo Stuns Cleveland State; Vikings Left Searching For Answers

February 10, 2012 by 1 Comment

It was only their biggest game of the year to date. With the potential to take sole control of first place in the Horizon League, controlling their own destiny the rest of the way, the Cleveland State Vikings came out of the tunnel for their showdown with Valparaiso seemingly ready. Their largest crowd of the year (4,521) was ready. Everyone was on their feet as the ball went in their air…. and just like that, everything went, splat.

Valpo took control from the opening tip and never looked back. In the blink of an eye, the Vikings were down 17-1. While the Crusaders were hitting everything, the home team couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn (unofficial count had CSU missing NINE first half layups, en route to a 25% shooting evening). Even with star Center Kevin Van Wijk going down with an injury just seven minutes into the game, Valpo just took it to Cleveland State. Outside bomber Ryan Broekoff exploded for 24 points and reserve forward Richie Edwards added 20. For the first time in ages, the Vikings were not the aggressor; their opponent was. [Read more...]

Filed Under: CSU Vikings Tagged With: , , , ,

CSU Weekend Wrapup: Vikes Sweep Wisconsin Schools and Stay Atop Horizon League

January 23, 2012 by 1 Comment

It was a huge weekend for the Cleveland State Vikings basketball team. They entered Friday night’s home tilt with Green Bay in a three-way tie for the Horizon League lead with Valparaiso and the team they would be facing Sunday, Milwaukee. A sweep of the Wisconsin schools would be of the utmost importance, especially at home, considering the Vikings have already lost an in-conference home game against the upstart Youngstown State Penguins.

Before the first place showdown with the Panthers, CSU had to make sure they didn’t overlook Green Bay on Friday.

They didn’t.

In front of a National TV audience on ESPNU for the second straight week, the Vikings controlled the game and took down the fighting Phoenix 78-68. The first six minutes were a back and forth struggle, but after back to back threes by Senior Tre Harmon, the Vikings never looked back. They led by six at the half. [Read more...]

Filed Under: College Basketball, CSU Vikings Tagged With: , , , ,

CSU Vikings Leave Indiana With a Split

January 16, 2012 by 1 Comment

Horizon League play is always done in pairs. Each team has a travelling partner and the norm is to play two games on the road or at home over a three day period. During the Gary Waters era at Cleveland State, the toughest road trip for any of the League foes is always the Indiana combo.

Friday night, the then-4-1 Vikings headed to take on their nemesis, Butler, at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse in front of a National TV audience. As you know, the Bulldogs have been the darlings of the NCAA Tournament, making the last two National Championship games under the tutelage of wunderkind coach Brad Stevens. Since Waters took over in 2006, his teams are just 2-10 against Butler, with just one of those wins coming in Indy – the 2009 Horizon League title game.

So when the Vikes took the floor Friday night, they had plenty of payback on their mind. They lost three times to Butler last season and have the better team in 2012. They came out smokin from the start and never looked back in a hard-fought, 76-69 win, to put them in a first place tie at 5-1 with Milwaukee. The game was highly entertaining and the usually raucous Hinkle crowd was quieted early and often by the stifling Vikings defense.

The Senior duo of Tre Harmon and Tim Kamcyzc showed early that this one was going to be different. Harmon hit two threes and Kamczyc added seven quick points as CSU raced out to an 18-4 lead five minutes in. As they usually do, Butler creeped back ti within four points at 26-22 and re-energized the home crowd. They were silenced on the next trip down with a triple from the most unlikely of sources, 6-9 sophomore PF Luda Ndaye. It was his first three of the season and it couldn’t have come at a better time. At the half, CSU was clinging to a two-point lead and Butler seemed to carry the momentum. [Read more...]

Filed Under: CSU Vikings Tagged With: , , , , ,

Buckeyes beat a bad team and Cleveland State gets conference win over Detroit

December 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Ohio State played the University of Texas Pan-American today.  The Broncs, as opposed to the Broncos, are not a good basketball team.

After beating Victory University in late November by 19 points, the school first founded in 1927 as Edinburgh College has now fallen all the way to 2-7 on this 2011-12 season.  But enough about the tenth largest university in Texas who came up short against the Sullinger-less Ohio State Buckeyes 64-35 earlier today in the Columbus.

What’s important is that OSU moves to 8-0 with the win today, and now readies the ship for a collision with TD’s Kansas Jayhawks.

Evan Ravenal got his first start of his career today, and finished with 11 points and 7 rebounds in 20 minutes of work.   Deshaun Thomas also scored eleven, and that many guys got into the game for Thad Matta’s group on the day.

Sullinger is expected back for the trip down to Kansas on December 10th, and as of today the Jayhawks are ranked 14th in the nation. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buckeyes, CSU Vikings Tagged With: , , , ,

Cleveland State Beats Kent State 57-53 Before A Packed House

November 23, 2011 by 5 Comments

The SEC or Big East didn’t need to send teams like Vanderbilt or West Virginia to Northeast Ohio last night in order to create that big-time basketball atmosphere.

The Cleveland State Vikings and Kent State Golden Flashes took care of that by themselves.  Besides, they beat those two teams already anyways.

As a result of those early signature wins, Cleveland State came in ranked 26th in the AP Poll while the votes Kent State received had them slotted at 37th.  Both collectively recognized as two of the nation’s top-40 college basketball teams, both hailing from Northeast Ohio.

6,327 basketball fans filed in as a result last night.  The largest crowd for a non-conference game at Kent State in forty years. [Read more...]

Filed Under: CSU Vikings Tagged With: , , ,

While We’re Waiting…CSU exits NIT, Butler advances, and Buckeyes prep for Mason

March 20, 2011 by Leave a Comment

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. 

At least a half-dozen NBA scouts and executives were at the Wolstein Center, including Cavs General Manager Chris Grant and San Antonio Assistant General Manager Danny Ferry. They came to see two conference MVPs — the Vikings’ Norris Cole of the Horizon League and Andrew Goudelock from the Southern Conference. Charleston’s 64-56 victory was not what anyone expected, be it the scouts or the two teams’ coaches.

CSU had a 15-8 edge in second-chance points, 14-3 on fast-break points. They committed only six turnovers while forcing 15. It was CSU, 40-20, in points in the paint.

“Our bench even outscored them, 8-3, and our bench never outscores anyone,” said Waters. “In 30 years of coaching, I never lost a game like this.”

So why did the Viking lose?

“It was 1-for-25,” said Charleston coach Bobby Cremins. “They shot 1-for-25, and that was the end of things.”

Cremins meant that CSU was 1-of-25 on 3-pointers. They missed their last 22. 

Norris Cole put 18 agonizing points next to his name in the box score, but was 6-of-22 (0-of-8 on 3 pointers). In four years, he has never shot so many airballs, glass balls, or balls that simply had no chance to go in. He even missed two free throws, breaking a streak of 30 in a row.

Waters had a message for the scouts at the game: “A smart scout sees that he held their best player to 13 points and only 12 shots. . . . Norris just had a bad shooting night. . . . He’s one of the best players I’ve ever recruited in regards to the total package.  Not just the basketball player he is, but also his leadership. [Terry Pluto / The Plain Dealer]

[Read more...]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , ,

WFNY Bracket Challenge Off Day Update

March 19, 2011 by 4 Comments

The first round is now officially in the books and the top ten is changing bit by bit.  Long gone is the thought of anyone getting everything right.  That being said, here is your top ten.  Rather than typing it all, I got lazy this time and took an image.

That’s right folks. Your “Commissioner” in this Yahoo! group is currently in 355th place. I stink.

We also have a new “Mr. Irrelevant” bringing up the rear. In 370th place is Va Beach 2. If you stink it up long enough, you just might get a prize for your (lack of) effort.

As always, you can check out the group here.

Filed Under: Buckeyes, College Basketball, CSU Vikings Tagged With: , , ,

CSU, Norris Cole Squeak By Vermont

March 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

As the final shot by Vermont hung all over the rim before finally falling away, I’m not sure whether joy or relief was more prevalent for the CSU Vikings.  Their opening round NIT game featured what seemed like a million lead changes.  With just over two minutes remaining in the game, the Vikings trailed by two.

In the end, they win by three, but not before Vermont’s Brendan Bald made a circus three between two CSU defenders to bring the Catamounts within one 60-61.  Norris Cole received the inbound pass, got fouled, and nailed his 26th and 27th points to put the Vikes up by three again.  It wasn’t over though.  Matt Glass had a chance to tie and his three point shot hung on that rim for what seemed like an hour.

I am not sure overtime would have really bothered CSU superstar Norris Cole anyway.  The dude with the 1980′s Bobby Brown haircut doesn’t seem to get phased by anything at all.  He looked completely relaxed as he hit the final two free throws with a tenuous one point lead.  He seemed fearless as he drove down the lane and scored a tricky layup to finally give CSU the lead 57-55.  If you ever thought a player had “it,” you would have to think it is Norris Cole. [Read more...]

Filed Under: CSU Vikings Tagged With: , , , ,

The third and final chance for Norris Cole and his Vikings tonight

March 5, 2011 by 2 Comments

The home date with the Butler Bulldogs in front of the most energized Cleveland State crowd in recent history a few weeks ago would have been a great opportunity for Gary Waters and his Vikings to capitalize on the momentum his program has begun to generate under his watch.  

They didn’t win though.  They lost for the second time this season to their big brothers from Butler 73-61.

The officiating was epically horrible that game to be sure, but the few thousand extra people who strolled into the Wolstein Center that day walked out thinking this Norris Cole guy and these Cleveland State Vikings really aren’t as good as we’ve been hearing they were.  People would be wrong to think that, but the reality is it is extremely difficult to convince for a pro sports minded town who also pays homage to the Ohio State Big Ten Buckeyes that a mid major team in the Horizon League is worth their attention.

So while that one would’ve been big in that respect, the game today up in Milwaukee is even more so.  Beat Butler tonight and Norris Cole and his Vikings are well on their way back to the NCAA tournament.  Norris Cole deserves that stage and so do Tre Harmon, Jeremy Montgomery, and the rest of the Vikings. 

D’Aundray Brown deserves it too, and the difficult thing for people who’ve paid attention to CSU Hoops over the last few years is that if D’Aundray was healthy it’s hard to say they would’ve lost to Butler twice this season.  It’s also hard to say they wouldn’t have an even better chance for that tourney win tonight, but you gotta roll with what you got. [Read more...]

Filed Under: CSU Vikings Tagged With: , , ,

While We’re Waiting…Eric Wright’s death threats, Baron’s debut, and trusting Dan

March 5, 2011 by 10 Comments

Eric Wright said he received death threats last season: “Browns cornerback Eric Wright, who received a second-round tender from the Browns on Thursday, is determined to rebound from his poor 2010 season and the sting of death threats from fans.

“I went from people expecting me to be a top cornerback in the league to receiving death threats,” Wright said. “It was a lot to deal with.”

Wright’s career, which featured a stellar 2009 season, took a drastic turn in Week 3 when he gave up three touchdown passes to Anquan Boldin in a 24-17 loss to the Ravens. Suddenly, a player many expected to make the Pro Bowl in 2010 was under siege by fans and media.

“It’s hard to dig yourself out of that type of hole when you have the worst game of your career,” Wright said. “Then, the team’s losing and we had a young corner in Joe Haden who looked great playing. There was a lot of negative attention around my struggles and it was hard to overcome.”

The next week against the Bengals, Wright was blamed for many of Terrell Owens’ 10 catches and 222 yards, though, few were his fault. Five games later against the Jets, Santonio Holmes beat him on a short slant that turned into the 37-yard game-winning touchdown in overtime as Wright, T.J. Ward and Eric Barton missed tackles.

“Whether others were there or not, it didn’t matter,” Wright said. “By that time, it’s going to be Eric Wright’s fault.” [Mary Kay Cabot / The Plain Dealer] [Read more...]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , ,

Dual Performance – Montgomery and Cole Charge CSU To Sole Possesion of Horizon League Lead

February 4, 2011 by 3 Comments

I am proud to say I was one of the 4,400 plus that was in attendance last night at the Wolstein Center to watch the best and most well coached team our city has to offer. Yes folks, I am talking about your Cleveland State Vikings who excited the crowd all night during their 76-65 win over Valparaiso, the team that entered only a half game behind them for first place in the Horizon League.

It was the first of a two game homestand that would make or break the chances for a regular season title and hosting the Conference Tournament in early March. [Read more...]

Filed Under: CSU Vikings Tagged With: , , ,

Cleveland State Takes Two: Keeps Pace in Horizon League

January 24, 2011 by 2 Comments

As we’ve said before, the Horizon League in 2011 is a minefield. Seemingly on any night, any team can jump up and bite you for an unexpected loss. That is why this past weekend was so important for the Cleveland State Vikings. They returned home after a three-game road trip for two games against teams jockeying for upper tier position in the standings. First was Detroit, followed by Wright State.

The UDM Titans boast one of the best starting fives in the league and have a ton of talent. They landed the league’s first McDonald’s All-American straight out of High School, Ray McCallum Jr, along with a couple of high major transfers that have turned them into a tough out. The Vikings knew how pivotal this game was and turned up the heat defensively. [Read more...]

Filed Under: CSU Vikings Tagged With: , , , , ,

CSU Vikings Continue To Roll Opponents

January 3, 2011 by 3 Comments

While the Browns were being disgraced by the Steelers and the Cavs were being rolled by the Bulls and the Mavericks, the Cleveland State Vikings spent their days leading up to the New Year by pounding two different conference opponents into submission. Both Horizon League Chicago schools, Loyola and Illinois-Chicago left the Wolstein Center battered, bruised, and impressed by CSU’s overall game.

Last Thursday, Loyola was overwhelmed by a balanced Vikings attack. Four CSU starters were in double figures, led by Center Aaron Pogue, who is rising into one of the best big men in the Horizon League. Point Guard Norris Cole, who took a season low nine shots (hit four of them), kept feeding the beast in the post all game long and the Ramblers couldn’t stop him. Pogue finished with a double-double – 16 points and 12 rebounds. After the 73-55 win, he was brimming with confidence. [Read more...]

Filed Under: CSU Vikings Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Top 10 Moments/Stories in Cleveland Sports in 2009

December 16, 2009 by 6 Comments

This is part two in our ten-part series chronicling the top 10 moments/stories in Cleveland sports during the 2009 Calendar year. We started yesterday with The Indians 10 run comeback win over Tampa Bay, and we will continue with today’s selection.

clevelandstatebasketball2009Champs!#9 Cleveland State’s run to the NCAA Tournament and their upset over fourth seeded Wake Forest

1986 was a long, long time ago for followers of the Cleveland State basketball program. The success of Kevin Mackey’s “Run and Stun” teams produced a new building in the Convocation Center, now known as the Wolstein Center. The thought was that the program would take off after the run of great teams that always competed for the AMCU-8 title. However, that success never sustained.

Cleveland State had become an after-thought under Mike Boyd, Rollie Massimino, and Mike Garland. When former Kent State and Rutgers head coach Gary Waters took over, he vowed to have the Vikings back at the top of the Horizon League. He followed through on his promise in 2009. [Read more...]

Filed Under: CSU Vikings, Top 10 Moments/Stories of 2009 Tagged With: , , , ,

CSU’s Bullock Signs with New York Jets

May 1, 2009 by 2 Comments

jnathanbullockEarlier today, Rick outlined the players that the Browns have added to their rookie camp post-draft.  The names on the list are predominantly of the defensive variety, as the team looks to find a diamond in the rough.

With Eric Mangini’s former team a little light on tight ends, they added three of them as rookie free agents.  One that will get a crack at the next level: CSU’s J’Nathan Bullock.  Per the New Jersey Star Ledger:

Cleveland State basketball star J’Nathan Bullock, a 6-5, 240-pound power forward who averaged 15.2 points and 7.1 rebounds, both team-highs, last season while leading the Vikings to the NCAA Tournament. He was a football standout at Flint Northern High.

No less than 13 NFL teams attended his Pro Day workout at Cleveland State early this month, all with visions of the next Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez in their eyes.

I wish Bullock well, and you can bet that many around the Cleveland area will be tracking his progress.  But count me in on those that will be none to happy if we let yet another area kid go undrafted only to have him be a star for another team. 

–

New York Jets sign three tight ends… [NJ.com]

Filed Under: Browns, CSU Vikings Tagged With: , , ,

While We’re Waiting… NBA Record Books, Brady Quinn Speaks, and Laffey vs. Lewis

March 23, 2009 by 13 Comments

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.

zydrunas-ilgauskas-block-yi-jianlian

Okay, now he’s just showing off with all of these broken records: “With four blocked shots in the Cavaliers’ 96-88 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Sunday evening, Ilgauskas became the team’s all-time leading shot blocker with 1,202, surpassing John “Hot Rod” Williams’ 1,200.” [Brian Windhorst/Plain Dealer]

[Read more...]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

March Madness Open Thread – 03/20/2009

March 20, 2009 by 21 Comments

Have a great weekend everyone!  Congrats to Dayton for taking out West Virginia.

Xavier, Cleveland State and Ohio State are coming up tonight.  Enjoy, and come here to comment often.

Filed Under: College Basketball Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

March Madness for Ohio

March 19, 2009 by 7 Comments

march-madness-ohio

As we all know, the annual March Madness college basketball tourney starts today.  I thought I would take this opportunity to run down all the reasons that college football is broken with the BCS and how they could use a tournament like this to close out their season.

Just kidding.

I am going to run down all your Ohio teams and when you can catch their games.  Good luck with those brackets.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Buckeyes, College Basketball, CSU Vikings, General Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

2009 NCAA Tournament: Though Not Exactly the Big East, Ohio is Well-Represented

March 16, 2009 by 9 Comments

ohio-t-shirtThe  Ohio State Buckeyes.
The Vikings of Cleveland State.
Le Dayton Flyers.
The Xavier Musketeers.
And the Akron Zips.

Sure, the highest seed may be Xavier who surprised many by landing a four- spot, but is anyone else surprised by the representation that the state of Ohio received. The Musketeers were a lock. But until the Vikings upset Butler for the Horizon League championship, followed thereafter by Akron winning the MAC out of the fifth seed, the other teams were all considered to be on the bubble.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Buckeyes, CSU Vikings Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
«Older Posts