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Misc Vikings Vikings Archive CSU BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: Vikings Control Own Destiny For No. 2 Seed
Written by Tom Mieskoski

Tom Mieskoski

Norris_Cole_Black_UniformWith only two weeks left in the Horizon League season, Cleveland State still controls its own destiny for the No. 2 seed.

CSU (22-5, 11-4 Horizon League) are in second-place, a 1/2 game back of first-place Valparaiso (19-7, 11-3 Horizon League). They still have a slight chance of getting the No. 1 seed and homefield advantage if the Crusaders stumble.

Valpo has a big game tonight at Wisconsin-Milwaukee (15-11, 10-5).

In the Horizon League the top two seeds get a bye into the semifinals.

The Vikings need to win all three of its final league games to secure at least the No. 2 seed. One loss takes the Vikings out of contention for the No. 2 seed as Butler (19-9, 11-5) defeated Wisconsin-Green Bay, 64-62, Wednesday. The Bulldogs own the tie-breaker against CSU after sweeping them in the regular season.

Tonight's matchup at Wright State (17-11, 10-6) could be the most difficult league game remaining on CSU's schedule. The Vikings haven't fared well in Fairborn with an all-time record of 8-17. They have lost three of it past four games there.

The Raiders have been tough to beat at home this season going 12-1 at the Nutter Center. Their only lose at home came to Valpo (71-60) on Jan. 14.

"We got to bring it (Wednesday against Wright State)," said CSU coach Gary Waters. "If we don't bring it we're out of the race and could drop all the way down to No. 5."

CSU won the first meeting against WSU, a 65-46 decision in Cleveland on Jan. 22. Waters says don't look too much into that score because WSU played without Cooper Land and they are a much better team at home.

Waters was asked what makes WSU such a difficult place to play there.

"That's such a tough place to play because they have a great atmosphere, the fans support them and their kids are more confident at home," said Waters. "We have to play a great game to beat them in their house."

Final thoughts: After watching the video tape of Norris Cole's incredible performance against Youngstown State last Saturday in which he posted 41 points, 20 rebounds and nine assists, here is Waters final thoughts.

"Offensively, I thought he had a fabulous game because I didn't think he hogged the ball for 41 points," he said. "I thought he could of had 50 or 60 if he did that. He was trying to get the team involved so we could win the game."

Woods update: Sophomore forward Charlie Woods, who missed the YSU game with a hand injury, had a MRI on Monday, according to Waters.

As of Monday's media gathering, Waters didn't have the results of the MRI.

Here is what Waters said about Woods after the YSU game.

"We're hoping it's just a very bad sprain to the big finger," he said. "We're just hoping he heals from that. He pulled it back pretty hard. So there could be torn ligaments, but we don't know."

ESPN BracketBusters: On Sunday, CSU will take a break from league play and will travel to Norfolk, Va. to face Old Dominion (21-6) of the Colonial Athletic Association in their annual ESPN BracketBusters game.

The Monarchs are 12-2 at home this season.

ESPN2 will televise the game, which starts at 1 p.m.

"They have good size all around. Their guards are 6-5. Their posts are 6-9 and 6-8," said Waters. "And they have a good defensive percentage by playing zone."

CSU women update: The CSU women (14-10, 7-6) are in fourth place in the Horizon League after sweeping Valparaiso (57-51) and Butler (69-64) at home last week.

They are on their final round trip of the season this week at Wright State (15-8, 8-4) Thursday and Detroit (10-13, 4-8) Saturday.

News and Notes: According to Waters, Cole has been invited to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, an all-star tournament that showcases the best college senior basketball players in the country in front of NBA scouts. The P.I.T., which is located in Portsmouth, Va., is from April 6-9.... CSU swept the Horizon League's Player of the Week awards this week with Cole receiving the men's and Shalonda Winton receiving the woman's honors.... CSU received two points in the ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll this week..... In the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll, CSU dropped down three spots to No. 9.... CSU women's coach Kate Peterson Abiad is one win away from reaching her 100th career win. She is also five wins away from passing Duffy Burns (103 wins, 1995-03) for second place on the all-time wins list at CSU.

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