Gameday Central – Cleveland State DETROIT (2/3/2016) -- The calendar has turned to February and the Horizon League Championship is just a month away as the University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team heads out on the road for a pair of games in the Buckeye State this week.
The Titans will play at Cleveland State on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., and at Youngstown State on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Both games will feature a full Detroit doubleheader with the women's team also in action against the Vikings and Penguins right before the men's game.
The game at Cleveland State will be televised on ESPN3 and the Watch ESPN App. The Voice of the Titans
Dan Leach will also have all the action on the radio on CBS Sports Radio 1270 AM. Live stats will also be available.
The Titans are 10-11 on the season and 4-6 in the Horizon League and with eight games left – six away from Calihan Hall – Detroit will have to pick up some road wins to move up in the standings.
UDM is coming off a great come-from-behind victory against Wright State as the red, white and blue erased an 11-point deficit to defeat the Raiders, 75-68. The 68 points allowed was the second fewest on the season, while the Titans also surged ahead for the triumph by shooting 60.0 percent in the second half.
DETROIT VS. CLEVELAND STATEThe Titans won the first eight career meetings and lead the all-time series, 39-22, but the Vikings have won seven of the last 11.
UDM is 11-16 all-time on the road in the series and has not won in Cleveland since 2010, dropping its last five at the Wolstein Center.
ABOUT THE VIKINGSCleveland State has lost three in a row and comes into the game at 7-16 overall and 2-8 in the Horizon League. CSU just dropped a 72-70 overtime game at UIC last Saturday.
Rob Edwards - who had 26 points in the first meeting - leads the team in scoring at 12.4 points per game.
Andre Yates - who has missed the last two games with an ankle injury - is tallying 10.5 points and a team-high 2.2 assists and Vinny Zollo is averaging 6.2 points and a team-best 5.6 rebounds.
The Vikings are last in the Horizon League in scoring at 62.5 points, while standing third in scoring defense giving up 67.9 points.
LOOKING AHEADThe Titans wrap up their road trip in Ohio with a game at Youngstown State on Saturday. That game will also be a doubleheader with the women's team playing the Penguins at 4:30 p.m., before the men square off with YSU at 7:00 p.m.
#MOTORCITYMADNESSThe Horizon League Men's Basketball Tournament called the #MotorCityMadness will make its debut this season, just 9.2 miles away from campus
The first two years of the five-year agreement with Olympia Entertainment will be played at Joe Louis Arena, home to the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings, before moving to the state-of-the-art Detroit Events Center, currently under construction in downtown Detroit.
For tickets, visit motorcitymadness.horizonleague.org, Ticketmaster or call 313-471-7575.
Remember to mention Detroit to sit in the Titan fan section.
QUITE A COMEBACKThe Titans were down by 11 to Wright State its last time out, 24-13, but were able to mount a comeback for the victory.
The 11-point comeback was the largest by the Titans since they were down 13 at UIC last year (48-35) and came back to win 68-68
SO CLOSEDetroit has suffered seven of its 11 losses by single digits, including five by five points or less and two games by one possession.
In Horizon League play, UDM has dropped a one-point game at Wright State (77-76), a three-point setback at Milwaukee (83-80), a home contest against Oakland (86-82) and an overtime decision at Green Bay (115-108).
STRONG AT HOMEDetroit is 10-3 on Dick Vitale Court this year and winners of 13 of its last 16 home games.
On the year, Detroit is averaging 87.4 points at home and allowing 78.6, all while shooting 48.4 percent from the field.
On the road, Detroit is 0-8 this season and 1-14 in its last 15 away from Calihan Hall.
The lone victory was at Youngstown State last season, and the nine losses include a neutral site setback to Cleveland State in last year's Horizon League tournament.
On the road this season, Detroit is averaging 79.6 points (allowing 92.4).
HL SCHEDULE PUZZLEThe Horizon League schedule has been interesting for the Titans this season.
Detroit played its first five league games at home and seven of its 10 contests in January on Dick Vitale Court.
All that time at home means February will be a heavy travel month with six of eight on the road, including the Titans last four games and the final two at Valparaiso and Oakland, the top two teams in the HL preseason poll.
WE LOVE THE 80'SDid you know that Detroit is a remarkable 54-9 overall when scoring 80 or more points under head coach
Ray McCallum, including 27-7 against Horizon League foes.
POINTS, POINTS, POINTSThe Titans are 11th in the nation - and third in the HL - in scoring averaging 84.4 points per game. UDM trails only Green Bay (86.5) and Oakland (86.2) in the HL.
The 84.4 points is the best offensive numbers since Detroit averaged 92.6 points during the 1977-78 season under head coach Dick Vitale.
The Titans have also scored 90 or more points six times, the most since scoring 90 or more seven times in the 1987-88 campaign.
OFFENSIVE ATTACKDetroit has scored at least 75 points in 17 of its 21 games, including 88 or more eight times and 90 or more on six occasions.
UDM has also made at least 30 field goals eight times and has posted 39 twice.
The Titans are second in the HL in shooting at 46.1 percent, just a hair behind Milwaukee's 46.2. They have also posted 50% or higher five times, and 47% or higher 11 times.
Detroit is coming off a game in which it shot 47.3 percent, but 60.0 percent in the second half (12-of-20).
Against Oakland, UDM was at 52.4 percent (33-of-63) - including 58.1 percent (18-of-31) in the second half - while at Wright State, Detroit shot 50.0 % (25-of-50). At Milwaukee, UDM tallied 47.2 % (25-of-53), but 54.2 percent in the second half and at Green Bay, the Titans were 48.7% (38-of-78), including 50% (25-of-50) in the second half and overtime.
WHO WILL SCORE?Detroit has had six different Titans lead the team in scoring this season.
UDM has also had seven different players net 20 or more in a contest and four or more players in double figures 14 times.
GETTING TO THE LINEThe Titans are attacking the rim and getting a chance to score some easy points.
Detroit has visited the free throw line 325 times in HL play, connecting on 233 (71.7%).
In its win over Wright State, Detroit was 28-of-37 at the line (75.7%), while WSU was just 7-of-10.
Detroit was also 31-of-39 (79.5%) at the line in the win over UIC, setting a season high in made free throws.
That was after going 25-of-29 (86.2%) in the win over Youngstown State and 28-of-42 (66.7%) in the triumph over Cleveland State.
The 42 free throws were the most since attempting 43 against Stony Brook in 2013.
CLEANING THE GLASSDetroit totaled a season-high 53 rebounds in the win over Youngstown State, outrebounding the Penguins by 33 (53-20).
The 53 boards were the most since grabbing 55 against Niagara in a 96-77 win in 2010.
It was the third time this season Detroit has recorded 45 or more boards as it had 52 against Central State and 45 at Oral Roberts.
UDM is also coming off a game where it outrebounded Wright State by 10, 31-21.
The Titans are 8-2 on the season when outrebounding their counterpart.
DEFENSIVE NUMBERSDetroit defeated Wright State, 75-68, its last time out turning in one of its best defensive efforts of the season.
The 68 points was the second fewest allowed on the season next to the 65 given up in the season-opening victory over Central State, and the fewest in conference play since beating Youngstown State, 77-67 in the HL Quarterfinals last year
Detroit also has 11 games on the year with seven or more assists, 10 with five or more blocks and seven games in which the opponent has turned it over 15 or more times.
UDM is second in the Horizon League with 13.95 forced turnovers per game.
JAROD'S OFFENSE Junior
Jarod Williams has found his offense as of late, scoring in double figures in four-straight games and tying his season high with 12 points in back-to-back games at Milwaukee and Green Bay. He also had 12 at Vanderbilt back in December.
He had 12 points at Milwaukee (4-8 FG, 3-4 FT) and Green Bay (4-6 FG, 4-8 FT), 10 against NKU (3-4 FG, 2-3 3FG) and 11 versus Wright State (2-4 FG, 7-8 FT).
In the last four games, he is averaging 11.2 points and shooting 59.0 percent (13-of-22) with 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
BACK-TO-BACK 20'SJunior
Chris Jenkins tallied back-to-back 20-point games for the first time in his career as he registered a team-high 20 at Milwaukee and a team-best 25 at Green Bay.
He now has five career 20-point games - four this year - and the 25 points was one shy of his career-high 26 against UCF earlier this season.
In the last four games, he is tallying 14.3 points on 16-of-37 (43.2%) from the field, 9-of-22 (40.9%) from three and 16-of-21 (76.2%) at the line with 5.8 rebounds.
Against Green Bay, he knocked in a career-best five triples to help him each 25 points.
WHAT A SENIOR YEARSenior
Anton Wilson has 19 double-digit scoring games with three 20-point efforts.
He is second on the team in scoring at 15.2 ppg., - sixth in the HL. His 63 treys lead UDM and his 3.0 three-point field goals per game is second in the HL and 33rd in the nation.
LURKING IN THE WATERSophomore
Paris Bass returned to action in a big way against Bowling Green as the reigning HL Freshman of the Year posted a team-high 25 points, while tallying eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. In his second game, he tallied 23 points in a win over UCF.
Since he returned to the court, he has recorded double figures in 11 of his 14 contests, pulled down seven rebounds in nine games and has had three assists or more eight times, not to mention six 20-point outings and two double-doubles.
He is averaging 17.4 ppg., 6.6 rpg., and 2.6 apg., and would rank fifth in the HL in scoring, tied for seventh in rebounding and 12th in assists if he had enough games to qualify.
DOUBLE-UP CHRISJunior
Chris Jenkins has scored in double figures 12 times already, which includes four 20-point games, a career high in points and three double-doubles.
He netted his career-high 26 points with 10 rebounds and three steals in the win over UCF and had a great week in Wisconsin with 20 points at Milwaukee and 25 at Green Bay, team highs in both games.
He has also tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds against Toledo - where he also has a career-best four blocks.
He has twice tied his career high with four steals in a game and at Oral Roberts, Jenkins had 16 points and a career-tying 13 rebounds.
On the year, the do-it-all Titan has:
- 12 games in double figures
- 17 games with five or more rebounds
- 9 games with two or more assists
- 5 games with two or more steals.
He is currently third on the team and 13th in the HL in scoring (12.8), while standing second on the team and 14th in the league in field-goal percentage (48.0%).
He is also among the team leaders and the top 15 in the Horizon League in:
Free throw percentage (82.0%) - 6th
3-Point Field Goal Percentage (41.6%) - 10th
Rebounding (6.2) - 9th
Steals (1.1) - 12tth
#1 SHOOTING 3'SSharpshooting senior
Anton Wilson continues to make his name show up in the Titan record books.
He shot 41.8 percent from behind the arc last season, a number that ranks sixth in school history as he was 56-of-134 from long distance.
This season, he is hitting the three at 45.3 percent (63-of-139), which is currently second in school history behind the 48.1 percent by Archie Tullos in 1987 as well as 21st in the country.
His 63, 3-pointers on the season is a new career high surpassing the 56 he had last year, and is the third-straight season he has made 50 treys in a season.
With his four triples in the season opener, he passed Titan legend and 12-year NBA veteran Willie Green and is now fifth in school history with 182 career 3-pointers.
He is also currently second in UDM history with a 41.6 three-point field goal percentage.
Titan Career 3-Point Field Goal Leaders1. Rashad Phillips, 1998-01 - 348
2. Desmond Ferguson, 1998-00 - 235
3. Dwayne Kelley, 1990-93 - 224
4. Jon Goode, 2005-08 - 202
5.
Anton Wilson, 2012-pre. - 182
Titan Career 3-Point Field Goal Percentage Leaders1. Archie Tullos, 1985-88 - .433
2.
Anton Wilson, 2012-pre. - .416
3. Bill Wood, 1987-90 - .415
TRIPLE 3 SPECIALITYAnton Wilson started the season with back-to-back games hitting four 3-pointers, and he added another game with four treys at #16/13 Vanderbilt.
He also hit a season-high five treys vs. Bowling Green and his last time out against Wright State, one off his career best.
Wilson has now made a triple in all 21 games this season.
He also has 17 career game with four or more treys, 83 career games with at least two 3-pointers and 31 games knocking down at least three treys.
EASY POINTSSenior
Anton Wilson is a career 85.0 percent shooter at the free throw line connecting on 125-of-147 career attempts.
He does not have enough free throw attempts to qualify for the school record book, or his career percentage would rank fourth.
He is also 58-of-66 (87.9%) this season - second in the HL - at the free-throw line, the most makes and attempts he has ever had at the charity stripe in his career.
HIGH-SCORING ROOKIEFreshman
Josh McFolley has scored in double figures 10 times this year, including back-to-back contests the last two times out with 15 points against Northern Kentucky and 12 versus Wright State. He also pulled down a season-best four boards in the last two games.
The last two games came after he went eight-straight without reaching double figures and a span where he was averaging just 4.3 points and shooting 27.7 percent.
McFolley scored a season-high 20-points in a victory over Northeastern, 19 at Eastern Michigan and 16 in the win versus Toledo.
He handed out a season-high six assists in the win over Cleveland State.
He is currently fifth on the team with 9.8 ppg. - third among HL rookies.
He leads all HL freshmen in three-point field goals per game (1.8) - 11th in the HL - and is second among rookies in three-point field goal percentage (37.9%).
JA-LETHALSophomore
Jaleel Hogan has been in double figures 11 times on the year, including the last two games. He had 13 points in the win over Wright State and led the team with 17 and seven rebounds against Northern Kentucky.
Back on Jan. 16, he tallied a career-high 20 points with eight rebounds against Oakland.
Hogan had his first career double-double with 14 points and a career-high 10 rebounds against Bowling Green.
He is fourth on the team with 4.2 rebounds and fourth netting 10.0 points per game, all while shooting 56.7 percent, second in the HL.
PAINT MANWith his strength, sophomore
Jaleel Hogan is uncanny in the paint showcased by his career 58.8 (147-of-250) field-goal percentage.
He had 17 points against NKU on 7-of-8 shooting, the fifth time this season he has missed just one shot or has been perfect.
He was 7-of-7 against Youngstown State, 5-of-6 at Wright State, 5-of-6 versus Northeastern and 4-of-5 at Western Kentucky.
On the year, he is second in the HL in field-goal percentage at 56.7 percent.
Last season, he ended the year with a blistering 62.0 field goal percentage (62-of-100), which would rank third in school history for a single season, but was 25 shot attempts shy from qualifying for that mark.
CB'S FINAL STANDCarlton Brundidge has had a career year so far in his final season of eligibility.
He is currently third on the team with 2.1 assists and is sixth on the team in scoring (8.4) and sixth in rebounding (3.2).
He recorded 11 points against Northern Kentucky and that was after tallying 15 points, six rebounds and three assists at Green Bay.
He had 11 points, four boards, two assists and two steals against Cleveland State and 15 points, three caroms and three helpers vs. UIC.
Earlier in the year, he posted a career-best 23 points at Oral Roberts - 17 in the second half - where he was a career-high 10-of-19 from the field with five boards and two assists.
He also had 12 points at Pittsburgh, and against UM-Dearborn, he scored 10 points and handed out a career-high nine helpers.
GIVE ME A GRANTJunior
Matthew Grant came off the bench for some valuable minutes against Youngstown State as he finished with 12 points, two rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes.
It was one point off his season high of 13 against UM-Dearborn and the 16th time in his career he has been in double figures.
AFS SIGHTINGRedshirt freshman
Aaron Foster-Smith has seen limited playing time, but he was able to produce when called upon as he scored five points and tied his season high with six rebounds and two blocks at Eastern Michigan.
He started his career with nine points, two rebounds and two blocks against Central State and netted a season-best 22 points with six caroms versus UM-Dearborn.
