GAME NOTES: The Cleveland State Vikings put their impressive road record on the line this afternoon as they challenge the Valparaiso Crusaders in Horizon League action at the Athletics-Recreation Center.
CSU is one of the most surprising teams in college basketball so far this season with 15 wins in 18 opportunities. Even more impressive is the fact that Cleveland State has eight wins in nine road games already this season, the most recent of those coming on Friday night in a 76-69 decision versus Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The victory was the third in a row and the fifth in the last six outings for a program that is now 5-1 in conference.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders were also in action two nights ago and they too were victorious as they posted a 76-62 win over visiting Youngstown State. The triumph was the third in the last four games for a Valpo group that has a four-game road trip on the horizon following this home date.
Cleveland State leads the all-time series by a mark of 28-9, taking the most recent meeting last February by a 76-65 score at home.
Jeremy Montgomery scored a game-high 18 points as the Cleveland State Vikings took down their Horizon League rivals the Butler Bulldogs by seven points at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Friday night. Tim Kamczyc added 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the floor for Cleveland State, while Trevon Harmon tallied 12 points and Anton Grady contributed 11 and eight rebounds for the visitors as they continued to prove themselves on the road. The perimeter defense for the Vikings was a bit lax as it allowed Butler to knock down 10-of-21 shots from three-point range. The effort by the Bulldogs on the outside was unusual given that CSU has held opponents to only 29.8 percent success behind the three- point line through 18 games and that has played a huge part in those teams being limited to only 58.6 ppg. The offense for the Vikings is far from dominating, generating just 65.6 ppg, but still D'Aundray Brown (12.0 ppg), Harmon (11.5 ppg) and Montgomery (10.6 ppg) are crucial pieces to the attack.
Kevin Van Wijk scored a game-high 23 points, leading four players in double figures, as the Crusaders recorded the double-digit win over the Youngstown State Penguins in Horizon League action at the Athletics-Recreation Center two nights ago. Ryan Broekhoff accounted for 14 points and eight rebounds for the Crusaders while Richie Edwards responded with 12 points off the bench and Will Bogan 11 points for the hosts. Playing just under 25 minutes per game, Van Wijk is atop the scoring list for the Crusaders with his 15.5 ppg, thanks largely to his 60.8 percent accuracy from the floor. Unfortunately, as well as Van Wijk shoots the ball, at times he has to accept criticism for having seven times as many turnovers (49) as he does assists (seven). Broekhoff not only handles pressure in the paint with 15.2 ppg and 9.3 rpg, he is also one of the more reliable three-point shooters for the Crusaders with his 33 conversions on the outside.
Cleveland State is simply on a roll right now that is tough enough to combat. Even playing on the road doesn't seem to be an issue for the conquering Vikings, who should once again take home a victory on an opponent's home floor.
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