Buckeyes beaten but Bobcats still alive

Probably the first time most of us saw the Cleveland State University men’s basketball team this year was when they were routed 87-56 as a #15 seed by 2d ranked Houston on Friday night.

This year's tourney is already full of surprises: Ohio State’s #2 seed Buckeyes were bounced 75-72 in the first round by #15 Oral Roberts and one and done, and last night #14 Abilene Christian shocked their state’s flagship, #3 Texas, 53-52.

Unfortunately, CSU’s Vikings were unable to do what they have done in prior trips to the tournament: upset at least one opponent. The Vikes are now 3-3 after three tourney appearances despite always playing higher-seeded opponents.

The fact that the plucky Vikings were sorely outmatched by one of the nation’s top ten squads diminishes not one whit what the team has achieved since the arrival of head coach Dennis Gates just prior to the start of the 2019-20 season. He quickly changed the team’s culture, leading the team to excel both on the court and in the classroom, by a leadership style that brings out the best in his team. What we especially applaud is his clear expectation that his players succeed in the classroom before they are allowed on the court. He expects that result and he gets it.

The state’s one remaining tourney team is Ohio University, whose victory over defending champion #4 Virginia was perhaps as big a surprise as OSU’s loss. Next up for the #13 Bobcats will be #5 Creighton. Tipoff is set for 6:10pm tomorrow. The winner advances to the Sweet Sixteen.

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