Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2015 7:00 p.m.
Gentile Arena, Chicago

Since we last left Cleveland State, the Vikings were in the process of making a move to be a perennial front-runner in the Horizon League. Head Coach Gary Waters took over the CSU program in 2006, and he’s had only three losing seasons mixed between five seasons of 20 or more wins, an NIT, and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Last year’s 19-15 campaign ended in the second round of the CIT, but the Vikings lost five of their top six scorers from that team to graduation and/or transfer. In 43 previous meetings with Cleveland State dating back to the early 1970s and through 18 years as conference rivals, Loyola holds a 24-19 advantage.

The Vikings have been struggling out of the gate in 2015-16, having dropped all but one of their eight games against Division I foes. Their only two wins have come by five points against Rider at the Cancun Challenge and a blowout against Division II Malone. Putting the ball into the basket has been the biggest problem for the Vikings. They’ve only allowed their opponents an average of 67.9 points per game, which is very good. But they’ve allowed their opponents to shoot 48.6% from the field, and a staggering 58% on two point shots (348th worst among the 351 teams in Division I). Meanwhile, although the Vikings are getting more shots than their opponents by taking care of the ball fairly well, they’re shooting just under 40% from the field and barely 30% on threes. The result is an anemic average of 60.0 points per game, ranking in the bottom 10 of all D 1 teams in offensive output.

Three guards-- Andre Yates, Rob Edwards, and Terrell Hales—start alongside forwards Demonte Flannigan and Vinny Zollo for the young Vikings. Edwards, a 6’3” freshman from Detroit, is leading the team with 12.2 points, and 2.0 steals per game. Yates, a 6’2” junior and one of the few experienced holdovers from last year’s team, adds 9.9 points per game on only 36% shooting from the field. Hales, a 6’4” sophomore shoots only 35%, and averages 1.8 per contest. The lack of assists is a problem for the backcourt, as none of the starting guards averages more than 1.9 assists per game. Myles Hamilton, a 6’1” transfer guard from Kennesaw State became eligible Dec. 5, and has been averaging 3.5 assists in double digit minutes off the bench in the past two games.

CSU’s frontcourt is a little more imposing and experienced. Demonte Flannigan is a 6’7”, 240-pound junior averaging 10.2 ppg to go with 4.9 boards. Zollo, a 6’8” senior, leads the team with 5.1 rebounds and chips in 7.1 ppg. Both starting forwards are very good passers, ranking 2nd and 3rd on the team in assists, and both get a sizable chunk of their rebounds on the offensive glass.

Coming off the bench for double-digit minutes are Jibri Blount, a 6’7” freshman forward; Kenny Carpenter, a 6’4” sophomore guard; Daniel Levitt, a 6’1” freshman guard; and Jeron Rogers, a 6’7” freshman forward. Each of them averages between 5.2 and 3.0 points per game. Junior center Aaron Scales, stands 6’’9”, and appears for a few minutes per game.

The best game CSU has played against a quality opponent is probably their 66-62 loss at home to Kent State Dec. 5, the first one in which Myles Hamilton was available to help lead their offense at the point. The Vikes managed to beat Rider on a neutral court while scoring only 59 points. They played well against Toledo (a team that beat Loyola on a neutral court) in a 76-65 road loss just before Hamilton filled out the backcourt. And the CSU defense is adequate to good, having held many quality opponents (Maryland, Akron, Ohio, etc.) below their average output. But the offense is mighty shaky,

Loyola has won nine in a row at home dating back to last season, and showed in their 68-65 win over Creighton that they have a lot of poise on their home court. Loyola has been without frontcourt starter Montel James for the past two contests, and appeared to miss the 6’7” senior’s inside presence—especially late in the game-- in the loss at Notre Dame. The Ramblers should still be a clear favorite over CSU by five or six points. It will be interesting to see if the Ramblers want to try to push the tempo against the slow-paced Vikings, or if they will try to rely on superior shooting, defense and experience.


Loyola game notes: Pending

Cleveland State game notes: http://csuvikings.com/sports/m-baskbl/2 ... 1215dthv1v

TV/Streaming video: ESPN3 (http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id ... olachicago)

Vegas line: Loyola by 7.5

The usual neat report by "you know who". This bad boy appears to be an attempt to return to OXEN-BALL by the Vikes. Sure sign of a not too good team. Let us NOT fall into that trap. Best way to foil that type of game is to STEAL the ball, sink some threes and have full team on the court so we can play OUR game not theirs.

Prediction LUC 71- CSU 59

Brot - it's good to see you and this board are still going strong. I've missed you guys since you left the Horizon League. My son and I both wish you well and we're sorry you're not making your annual trip to the Wolstein Center anymore. In terms of the game, it's clear that we're (CSU) in a rebuilding year, as our three best players as of two years ago are now starting for Michigan State, Louisville, and Wichita State. One hardship transfer and two graduate students with eligibility left. I happened to be in Maryland when we played here and the team looked great for a half, but with a young team with limited scoring it will be an up and down year I expect. The game will be on ESPN3 so I'll be watching and hoping it's a good one!

Milt isn't starting tonight. No injuries right?

He hurt either his foot or his ankle at the beginning of the Notre Dame game. My guess is that's the reason

Weird that he didn't start but got in the game pretty early.

Ugly start for both sides. And, unsurprisingly, there is hardly anyone there.

Students are on break, correct? At least I hope that's the reason

Finals ended on Saturday. There are only a few of us students scattered around the arena.

Sloppy game, but both teams are playing hard.

I wonder what the total attendance is tonight? This gym is empty!

Thank goodness we finally made one. I was beginning to think they replaced the basket with one of those rims carnival games use