|
Post by motorcitysam on Dec 22, 2023 14:54:07 GMT -5
I have been meaning to post about the Chicago State Cougars for a couple of weeks, since they won their third game. Never got around to posting, and now they are on a 4 game winning streak. The highlight of their season is a road win over #25 Northwestern. They've won some close games, and their losses include a one point setbacks to Northern Colorado and a five point loss to Mercer. Except for Northwestern, none of their wins really stand out, but they are all D1 teams. They have three non-D1 schools on the schedule, but they don't arrive until after the first of the year. They've got seven wins on the season. And remember, thanks to the arbitrary ways of the NCAA's enforcement process, they are playing without the Bewley Twins, two 6-9/240 players who were supposed to make their college basketball debut with the Cougars this fall. Every basketball season I get a new team "t-shirt" for a program I don't usually follow to add to shirt collection, and this year I picked Chicago State. I was rocking that shirt after the Northwestern win. Current NET Ranking: 296, better than Detroit 355, Milwaukee 315, and IUPUI 358. Current RPI Ranking: 298, better than Detroit 332, IUPUI 354, Robert Morris 313, Current Ken Pom Ranking: 312, better than Detroit 340 and IUPUI 359. I had hopes that CSU would join the HL, but it looks like they are going to the NEC. Probably not ideal for them geographically (they'll pass through several HL markets on their way to away NEC games) but at least they've got a place to call home. www.gocsucougars.com/news/2023/12/5/general-chicago-state-university-to-join-northeast-conference.aspx
|
|
|
Post by motorcitysam on Jan 22, 2024 0:18:32 GMT -5
The Cougars currently sit at 11-15 after a win over St. Xavier (IL) today. They are at 289 in the NET Rankings. It's actually been a pretty good season for them, particularly when their schedule is buy game/road game heavy, with only ten home games and only two non-D1 opponents played so far. Their independent status has led to scheduling quirks like playing Kansas State and Oklahoma State on back to back nights. (They hung tough with Kansas State, losing by 7, but were drained against OK State and got smoked.)
I knew this was probably going to be a rough season for the Titans, but I didn't expect to be looking enviously at Chicago State on January 21.
|
|
|
Post by motorcitysam on Feb 9, 2024 15:52:11 GMT -5
Chicago State landed what looks like a pretty good verbal commitment when Jalen "Roc" Lee, a 6-6, 185 pound guard out of Georgia, committed to the Cougars. Lee is ranked a three star prospect by Rivals and 24/7. Rivals ranks him as the #150 recruit in the nation in the class of 2024. His profiles show some older offers from schools like Auburn and LSU, along with offers this season from UCF, Mercer, Tulane, and UAB. On paper, he looks like a good pickup for Chicago State. In his commitment announcement, he explained his decision by saying, "I've always done things my own way, so why stop now?"
That's a good pick up for Chicago State, a program that has shown improved recruiting over the past couple of years.
Rankings update: The Cougars are 282 in the NET rankings. For comparison's sake, they are higher than DePaul, Western Michigan, Valpo, Eastern Michigan, Buffalo, and, of course, UDM and IUPUI.
|
|
|
Post by dennycrane on Feb 10, 2024 0:08:54 GMT -5
Hello Sam. I'm writing as much to say hi as anything else and I agree that I too never expected to look enviously at Chicago State but here we are. That's life, isn't it! The Texas Rangers (nee second version of the Washington Senators) are the champions of baseball. The LA Clippers (nee Buffalo Braves) are tied or slightly ahead in the NBA Western Conference. The Vegas Golden Knights hold the Stanley Cup after just their 6th year of existence. All these improbabilities have become reality.
I've never shared the desire for Chicago State to join the Horizon, to be honest, Sam. Would you want it any other way? Now, if Valpo were to migrate back (not the wildest notion), I'd be ok with that. It's a manageable trip to their games, gives UD another private to keep us company and let's face it, even in a diluted Missouri Valley, they're going nowhere fast.
You're doing a good job with the previews, my man, even in some of the least favorable circumstances we've ever seen.
G'day!
|
|
|
Post by motorcitysam on Feb 14, 2024 12:36:08 GMT -5
Hello Sam. I'm writing as much to say hi as anything else and I agree that I too never expected to look enviously at Chicago State but here we are. That's life, isn't it! The Texas Rangers (nee second version of the Washington Senators) are the champions of baseball. The LA Clippers (nee Buffalo Braves) are tied or slightly ahead in the NBA Western Conference. The Vegas Golden Knights hold the Stanley Cup after just their 6th year of existence. All these improbabilities have become reality. I've never shared the desire for Chicago State to join the Horizon, to be honest, Sam. Would you want it any other way? Now, if Valpo were to migrate back (not the wildest notion), I'd be ok with that. It's a manageable trip to their games, gives UD another private to keep us company and let's face it, even in a diluted Missouri Valley, they're going nowhere fast. You're doing a good job with the previews, my man, even in some of the least favorable circumstances we've ever seen. G'day! Yes, Denny, the current sports environment is upside down. The Detroit Lions were a game away from the Super Bowl!! Wild days. I saw recently that Creighton blew out Georgetown. That would have been inconceivable not that long ago. I understand your feelings on Chicago State. They're not a marquee name that raises the league profile. When I suggested them as a potential league member, I was thinking pragmatically. I'd like to get the HL to 12 teams and Chicago State fits in when you think of geography and Midwest urban city setting. I root for Chicago State because they are an underdog that really appears to try hard, but I'm aware of the warts. And you make a good point about Valpo. They are having a tough time in the Valley. I sometimes wonder how their fans feel about that move. Thanks, my friend. Have a great day. Go Titans.
|
|
|
Post by Commissioner on Feb 14, 2024 13:16:38 GMT -5
A half away from the Super Bowl.
|
|
|
Post by motorcitysam on Feb 14, 2024 13:20:21 GMT -5
A half away from the Super Bowl. So true. ๐
|
|
|
Post by happy on Feb 14, 2024 14:48:39 GMT -5
A half away from the Super Bowl. So true. ๐ Play it Again, Sam
|
|
|
Post by motorcitysam on Feb 22, 2024 17:45:37 GMT -5
Chicago State wrapped up their season with a 93-70 win over NAIA program Indiana University Northwest 93-70, this past Monday. With the win, the Cougars end the season with a 12-18 record, their most wins in ten years. The big win of the season was the upset over #25 Northwestern, right after Northwestern had upset #1 ranked Purdue and pounded Detroit. Still, even with that, I imagine the coaching staff considers this a "what could have been" year. The NCAA decision against the Bewly twins took away two 6-9 players who were double figure scorers for Overtime Elite. The Cougars probably would have a few more wins if those two had been eligible. This was also Chicago State's last year as an independent; they join the Northeast Conference next season. Their prospects and roster for next season are up in the air (like with most mid major teams). They don't have a single senior on their roster, so on paper the potential for improvement is there. However, you never know who the transfer portal will whisk away. The Bewly twins sued the NCAA after their eligibility was denied; perhaps a settlement that allows them to play in 2024-25 might be in the future. Look for Chicago State to be active in the transfer portal themselves. Go Cougars. www.gocsucougars.com/news/2024/2/19/general-cougars-mens-basketball-post-93-70-victory-over-iu-northwest-in-season-finale.aspx
|
|
|
Post by motorcitysam on Mar 17, 2024 23:41:55 GMT -5
In their last season as an independent, Chicago State accepts an invite to the College Basketball Invitational. They will meet UC San Diego in Florida on March 23. Go Cougars! collegebasketballinvitational.com/9293-2/
|
|