Written by Tom Mieskoski

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Since Aaron Pogue enrolled at Cleveland State in the fall of the 2008-09 season, CSU men's basketball coach Gary Waters has referred to him as his Top 50 recruit.

So far Pogue hasn't lived up to those high expectations, but he's starting to come along as a force to be reckoned with in the Horizon League.

"(Before the Loyola-Chicago game) I told him we are going into the league and now it's time for them to know who you are and make your presence (felt) out there," said Waters. "And he did."

The Dayton Dunbar High product made his presence felt scoring a career-high 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in Thursday's win over the Ramblers. It was his second career double-double. He was 8-of-11 from the field.

"I work hard everyday in practice to try to reach my full potential. I don't think I have reached it yet, but I'll get there one day." Pogue said after Thursday's game. "I feel there are not many players that can guard me one-on-one. I feel I can destroy any man one-on-one."

The 6-9, 265-pound junior is averaging 8.1 points and a team-leading 6.7 rebounds (5th in the Horizon League) this season. He's shooting 50 percent (47-94) from the field.

Those numbers are up from a year ago when Pogue averaged 6.3 points and 5.4 rebounds in 22.2 minutes per game.

"Aaron is in the best shape he's been (at CSU). When you get in shape you move a step quicker and anticipate better," said Waters. "Aaron is now realizing how strong he is. He can bench press 400 pounds not many people in (college) basketball can do that. He's starting to realize that I have strength here and when I hit somebody they fly out of the way."

Brown update: Senior guard D'Aundray Brown, who has missed the entire season so far because of preseason surgery on his right index finger, had his annual doctor's report recently.

"They say he has a minimum of two weeks (before he can start practicing again)," said Waters. "In two weeks, I have to make a decision (should he play or should he red-shirt) - he'll have 13 games left and does he want to play for 13 games and give up 18 games - where does he want to be at that time."

Wells update: Waters said sophomore point guard Anthony Wells, who has only played in one game after having his knee scoped in the preseason, had another set back.

"His knee swelled up again," said Waters. "So we got to take it slowly again. His knee is not responding as well as we thought it would."

Marc's ticket promotion: CSU fans can stop by any Northeast Ohio Marc's store and pick up a buy one ticket get one free voucher for Saturday's 2 p.m. home game against Illinois-Chicago.