After a two week break, the Horizon League is back on national TV on a Friday night, and as a result we’re back with the #HLMBB Weekend Tip(sy)-off. Last time we were in action, Robert Morris held its own in a nine point loss to Wright State despite star A.J. Bramah being out of the action.
This week, the national audience gets its first look at Antoine Davis and Detroit Mercy in Horizon League play, both of whom have been surging since the end of a COVID-19 related pause.
For the last time this regular season, let’s jump into the game!
The Rules:
Take one drink if Jordan Bernfield or David Padgett mentions John Calipari
- Calipari’s son Brad is a reserve guard for Detroit Mercy. A season ago he averaged over six points and 20 minutes per game, though this year he hasn’t had the same type of role.
Take one drink if Bernfield or Padgett mentions Derrick Rose.
- Rose’s nephew Dwayne Rose Jr. plays for the Titans as well. Rose missed last Saturday’s game, and it’s currently unknown if he’ll be in action. So we’re going to try and make it really easy for Bernfield and Padgett to get the game going today…
(Double) Bonus: take two drinks if Bernfield or Padgett mentions Dick Vitale.
- Vitale — the former Detroit Mercy coach — gave Titans’ guard Antoine Davis a shoutout on Twitter following a 30-point performance during the first of Davis’ back-to-back Horizon League Player of the Week award winning weekends.
Finish your drink if the announcers mention HoriZone Roundtable.
- This is likely the last time we get Bernfield and Padgett this year, so screw it! I’m pretty sure it’s not allowed, but why not shoot for the stars?
Take one drink for every shot Al Eichelberger makes.
- The 2020 All-League forward has been slowed by injuries this season. He’s averaging 5.2 points per game after averaging 14.5 per game as a junior. He did make six baskets against Green Bay less than two weeks ago.
Take one drink for every Bul Kuol assist.
Kuol averages a little under two assists per game, but this one could be a gamble like the Eichelberger rule. He’s been held without an assist three times this season, while he’s had four or more on four occasions.
Take one drink every time Cleveland State subs in a bench player for the first time.
- It’s STILL a good rule. We’re riding with it for one more game.
Take three drinks if Cleveland State’s lead decreases by 10 points.
- The Vikings have had a knack for taking large leads and coughing up most if not all of the point differential thanks to long cold streaks from the field.
Open a new drink and finish it if Detroit Mercy wins.
- One day, the upset rule will pay off half as well as it did during CSU-WSU.
