CSU beats NAIA Brescia (plus a look at the roster overall so far)

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Cleveland State beat NAIA Brescia University by a lot of points. 66-points. That’s the second-highest margin of victory in school history. 

There’s not very much to talk about game-wise. They scored 103 points. They hit 15 threes (a program record a few weeks after winning a game when they missed all their threes). They gave up 37 points and only 11 in the second half. They finished the game going on a 30-0 run as Brescia didn’t score the last 9:57 of the game. 

Instead of rehashing key points from a game that truly was not competitive, let’s take a look at the roster and how they’ve performed so far this season. 

Tevin Smith

What to even say about Smith? With so many points leaving the team in departures from last season, he has been the best scoring option for the Vikings. He’s started all 12 games for CSU and is averaging 12.5 points with a ridiculous 1.5 steals a game. He’s also close to four rebounds a game. AND 1.3 blocks a game?! His incredible leaping ability has contributed to most of these. Overall, he’s taken a huge step forward as a leader on the team this season. He is averaging almost three fouls a game, so something to look out for maybe. Overall, great start to the season.

Dylan Arnett

Also starting all 12 games and averaging 1.3 blocks a game, Arnett has become a force for the Vikings. To go with the blocks, Arnett is contributing 9.2 points and 7.8 rebounds a game. Only adding in 1.6 fouls has been an incredible leap forward for this Vike in his third year. 3.4 offensive rebounds is insane. Both on offense and defense, Arnett is the centerpiece. He always communicates well (considering you can hear it throughout the gym) and has transformed into a leader with Smith. (Also opposing commentators his name isn’t Will Arnett.)

Tahj Staveskie

The Canisius transfer has definitely had his good and bad shooting nights, but overall he’s been a boost to the offense. After a fairly slow start to the season (but remember he only played a few games last year due to injury), lately he’s become the player the Vikings knew him as. Overall, he’s averaging 9.3 points and 1.8 assists a game while starting all 12 games. One can see that he’s gotten more comfortable lately with the Vikings offense.

Ebrima Dibba

Although he didn’t play in the game against Brescia, Dibba has started eight of the Vikings games this season. He’s only averaging 3.3 points a game but he’s averaging 3.0 assists. His amazing passing ability is something that the Vikings need on a team without a clear number one scoring threat. He’s been super fun to watch even though he doesn’t take very many shots simply because he gets his teammates involved.

Isaac Abidde

Abidde might be the unsung hero of the last few games. He’s only averaging 4.1 points on the season but he’s starting to pick up his entire game lately. He’s started six games for the Vikings and in two of the last three, he’s been in double figures. He’s 4-8 on threes and has grabbed a lot of tough rebounds the past few weeks. He did foul out of consecutive contests in Wisconsin while only playing 20 total minutes, but overall he’s been a plus for the Vikings. As he continues to get more minutes with injuries, hopefully his scoring ability helps CSU.

Cole Franklin

Although Franklin is currently injured, his nine games played and six starts were super impactful for the Vikings. He’s averaging 7.8 points a game along with 1.4 assists and 1.4 steals. Hopefully he can get healthy soon as he always finds a way to get to the basket and get a shot off. For a player that seems to have joined the Vikings last week, he’s made a huge difference. 

Chase Robinson

Robinson has started four games and played in all 12. He’s been the model of consistency for the Vikings the last two seasons. He’s averaging 7.2 points, 2.0 assist, and 1.8 steals. He’s also shooting 84% from the free throw line. Though he has started, he does seem to thrive off the bench. He settles down the offense and defense and adds a scoring threat whenever the Vikings need it.

Je’Shawn Stevenson

This is not a normal freshman. Stevenson is averaging 9.7 points and 1.4 steals a game while playing in all 12. On a weird three-point shooting team, he’s shooting 33.3% from long range. He’s also shooting 84% from the line. His intensity is amazing to watch. Either he’s driving to the basket and putting up a nice layup or he’s throwing up a jumper with perfect form. One of his best abilities is to make sure his upper body is facing the basket no matter where he is on the court.

KJ Debrick

Probably the most anticipated player of the season for the Vikings after his injury last year, Debrick has not disappointed. He’s played in ten of the Vikings games and only is averaging 2.9 points and 2.3 rebounds, but that doesn’t show his full impact. He’s been able to come in while Arnett takes a rest, and he can change the game. He disrupts everything in the key on defense and his ability to shoot a jumper as a big man is great.

Reece Robinson

Coach Daniyal Robinson could have brought his son to CSU for fun. He could’ve been a marginal D-1 athlete and just had a good time playing for his father. Instead, on top of coming to play for his father, Reece has been so fun to watch and a super impressive freshman. He’s dealt with some injuries, so he’s only played in eight games, but he’s averaging 5.1 points and 5.1 rebounds. He fights for every loose ball and has a nice jumper (three made threes on the season). Hopefully he can continue to stay on the court as he’s a huge part to the Vikings competing in the Horizon League this year.

Chaz Watson

Watson has only played in five games this season, but in his limited minutes he also doesn’t look like a freshman. He’s 4-9 from deep and also has 1.2 steals a game. Going forward, with injuries and the long season, Watson will probably get more minutes. No fan is going to complain if that’s the case.

Danny Young

Brescia was the game where Young finally took a step forward. Having only scored one point on the season (in five games), he broke out and scored 11 against Brescia, including three three-points. During his first action against Kent State he played very good defense (he did pick up some touch fouls) and overall he’s looked good on that end. Seeing his offense finally come around is encouraging for CSU. It’s good to see him grab that opportunity. Hopefully more will come soon. 

Jalin Rice

Rice only played against Michigan so far. He’s injured now, which is definitely a blow to the Vikings. Last season, he played 33 games and scored 2.9 points a game. His defense and speed will be missed. 

There you have it.

The 2024-25 Vikings after a bunch of random non-conference games and two conference games.

The team has begun to take shape and scoring is being found in every corner of the roster. It’s going to take the entire team to win the conference, but with freshman like Stevenson and Reece Robinson playing so well, it might just be possible.

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