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Ray McCallum ShootAround Show

The Detroit Titans men's basketball team will open up its 16-game home slate on Sunday as Detroit welcomes in-state rival Western Michigan into Calihan Hall. The game is part of a Titan basketball doubleheader with the women hosting Michigan State at noon, with the men to follow at 3 p.m.

Along with the doubleheader, the University is offering a special “Kids 18 and Under” get in free promotion to both contests.

The game will be broadcast live on the Horizon League Network with Denny Kapp calling all of the action. Live stats of the event can be viewed through CSTV'S gametracker.

Detroit dropped its season opener on the road against No. 12 California on Wednesday. The Titans were led by sophomore newcomers Chase Simon (17 points and six boards) and Eli Holman (15 points, seven rebounds). Senior Thomas Kennedy added 14 and senior guard Woody Payne collected four steals and four assists.

The contest marks the season opener for Western Michigan who went 2-0 in pre-season with victories over Kalamazoo College (78-52) and Spring Arbor (81-51).


THE UDM-WMU SERIES
Overall, the Titans lead the series 24-23, and are 12-5 against the Broncos in the Motor City since 1938. WMU has won three in a row and four of the last five meetings, but the lone victory in that span came in Calihan Hall in 2005, a 77-74 triumph.

DETROIT VS. THE STATE OF MICHIGAN
The Titans own an all-time record of 256-136 (.652) against school's from the “Great Lakes State”, including a 3-1 mark last season. The only loss was to the Broncos on the road.

I KNOW YOU
The UDM -WMU match-up is currently the Titans longest consecutive series against a non-conference opponent. Sunday's game will be the 16th straight year the two teams have met. Next up on the Titans' consecutive opponents list is Chicago State at six-straight years, which will continue to seven when the Titans host the Cougars later in the season.

TITANS FLOURISH IN CALIHAN
Any team would love to open up at home, but for Titan opponents, Calihan Hall is not the building they want to visit. Since 1932, UDM has posted a 66-11 record in home openers, including two times over Western Michigan (1999, 2003).

UDM GREAT AGAINST NON-CONFERENCE FOES
The Titans have made life tough for non-conference opponents visiting Calihan Hall. Detroit is 47-11 in its last 58 home games against non-league schools. UDM was a perfect 3-0 last season with victories over Eastern Michigan, Saint Louis and Aquinas.

WHAT HE DOES BEST
Senior guard Woody Payne certainly knows about theft after starting the year with four steals against #12 California and All-Conference pre-season selection Jerome Randle. It was the 11th time in his career that he came away with at least four steals. 

Last season, Payne moved into sole possession of second place on the UDM single season steals list last season when he totaled 66 thefts. For his career, Payne has 118 steals and is just 20 away from moving into the top 10 in school history in that category.

SIMON SAYS “NOT WASTING ANY TIME”
Sophomore Chase Simon missed all of last season after transferring from Central Michigan, but the versatile guard didn't waste any time getting right back in the action with a team-high 17 points to go with six rebounds and an assist against No. 12 California.

HOLMAN GOES HOME
Eli Holman, playing just 20 minutes away from his hometown of Richmond, made his impact felt in his Titan debut against the nationally-ranked Golden Bears with 15 points, seven boards and two blocks.
Holman played in just six games for Indiana during the 2007-08 season and missed all of last season after transferring from IU.