North Carolina (10-1) vs. Cleveland State (3-4)
Chapel Hill, N.C. - Dean E. Smith Center
8 p.m., No TV
PREGAME NOTES
Last Year Vs. UNC: Despite trailing by double-digits in the first half, the Vikings found
themselves up 76-72 with three minutes left, before the Tar Heels scored the final 10 points of the
game for an 82-76 final score. "I've never won the lottery, but when you win the lottery you must feel as
lucky as I do now," Roy Williams said afterwards. Omari Westley had 20 points and 10 rebounds for CSU
and Cleveland native Jawad Williams led all scorers with 24 points and 11 boards. After this narrow
defeat, the Vikings went 2-24 the rest of the way, losing their last 23 games amid player injuries and
suspensions.
Opposite Directions: While North Carolina has won 10 in a row since losing its opener, CSU has
done the opposite -- winning its first three games, and losing four-straight since then. The Vikings' wins
have been against unnknowns Hillsdale, Clarion and Norfolk State, and the losses have been to solid
mid-major programs Akron, Kent State (CSU surrendered a 19-point lead), Eastern Michigan and also to
Utah Valley State.
Board King: Omari Westley was a highly touted high school prospect out of Cleveland and has
lived up to expectations. He's the team's leading returning scorer, led the conference in rebounding
last season and is well on the way to doing so again with 9.6 boards/game (4.1 off.).
Three-Point Threats: Modibo Niakate, Raheem Moss and Steve Gansey have been the team's best outside shooters this season, combining for 41.1% on three-pointers. Niakate, CSU’s career record holder for three-point percentage, is shooting
them at a 44% clip this season, while Gansey (42%) and Moss (38%) are close behind.
Shortened Season: Niakate is actually six games away from the end of his college career. The
NCAA ruled that he only had 13 games of eligibility remaining at the start of 2004-05, after an incomplete junior college
season four years ago and a redshirt last season, so he'll leave the team on Jan. 17.
Comeback Kid: Forward Patrick Tatham was severely limited last season because of knee problems
which ultimately led to season-ending surgery. Now healthy, the sophomore's numbers are way up (9.9
pts, 5.1 reb, 2.4 stl) and he's one of the team's key contributors.
Improving Control: Turnovers were a major reason for last season's poor record, as evidenced by
the 20 TOs they committed against UNC. This year, they've seen great improvement in assists (+3.8),
steals (+3.7) and turnover margin (+6.6).
Background
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Enrollment: 16,326
Conference: Horizon League
Nickname: Vikings
Colors: Teal, Forest Green & White
Head Coach: Mike Garland
Record at CSU: 7-29
Projected Starters:
2 Walt Chavis (5-11, G, Sr.) – 4.4 ppg, 5.3 apg
3 Victor Morris (6-0, G, So.) – 6.1 ppg, 2.7 apg
5 Omari Westley (6-7, F, Sr.) - 13.0 ppg, 9.6 rpg
21 Patrick Tatham (6-6, F, So.) – 9.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg
30 Justin Henderson (6-8, C, Jr.) - 6.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg
Key Reserves:
2 Modibo Niakate (6-1, G, Sr.) – 13.3 ppg
00 Raheem Moss (6-4, F, So.) – 10.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg
42 Steve Gansey (6-3, G, Fr.) – 5.6 ppg
31 Mike Redell (6-1, G, Fr.) – 3.4 ppg
CSU Info
Schedule
Stats
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Westley ... Tatham
Morris ... Chavis
Henderson ... Garland
(CSU Sports Info contributed to this report.)