CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State men's basketball team will host its final exhibition game of the 2021-22 preseason Friday, November 5, welcoming Otterbein to the Wolstein Center. Friday's exhibition game is slated for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff.
NCAA First Round Banner Unveiling
Prior to tipoff against Otterbein, the Vikings will hold a pre-game NCAA First Round banner unveiling and ring ceremony, honoring the 2020-21 team for their NCAA Tournament appearance. The ceremony is slated to begin around 6:40 p.m.
Replica NCAA First Round Banner Magnet Giveaway
In honor of Friday's banner unveiling and ring ceremony, the first 1,000 fans at the Wolstein Center will receive a replica NCAA First Round banner magnet.
Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, and great seats are still available by visiting csuvikings.com/buytickets or by calling the CSU Ticket Office at (216) 687-4848.
Reigning #HLMBB Champions
The Vikings will start the 2021-22 campaign as the reigning Horizon League Regular Season and Tournament Champions, after capturing both titles last season. Cleveland State finished regular season play with a 16-4 league record, marking the most wins in league play in program history (previously 15, 1992-93 season). This also marked the fifth time that CSU finished at the top of the league standings, including the second time during the Horizon League era.
Cleveland State's #HLMBB Tournament championship came after a trio of wins against Purdue Fort Wayne, Milwaukee and Oakland, earning the team's third trip to the NCAA Tournament and first since the 2008-09 season.
#HLMBB Preseason Poll | Complete Preseason Poll
Last month Cleveland State was selected as the favorite in the Horizon League Preseason Poll, earning 30 first place votes – 21 more than second place Wright State (9). Rounding out the top-five teams in the preseason poll were Northern Kentucky, Milwaukee and Detroit Mercy.
Patton Named To #HLMBB Preseason First Team
In addition to the preseason poll, the Horizon League also announced its preseason teams, with senior Torrey Patton earning a spot on the Preseason All-League First Team. Patton returns after a 2020-21 season in which he averaged 14.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game and earning All-League First Team accolades.
Head Coach Dennis Gates
The Vikings will be under the direction of third-year head coach and reigning back-to-back #HLMBB Coach of the Year Dennis Gates. Through his first two seasons, Gates has led the Vikings to a 30-29 overall record, including a 19-8 mark last season when the Vikings captured the Horizon League Tournament title and earned the program's third trip to the NCAA Tournament.
The 2021-22 Vikings | Complete Roster
Cleveland State returns 14 letterwinners from last season's championship squad, while four transfers and one freshman will join the Vikings for the upcoming season. Included in the returning core are #HLMBB honorees Tre Gomillion (Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defensive Team), Torrey Patton (First Team) and Deante Johnson (All-Defensive Team).
2021-22 Schedule | Complete Schedule
Friday marks the second of two exhibitions for the Vikings during the 2021-22 campaign, as they also hosted Case Western last weekend. Cleveland State will officially kickoff the 2021-22 season on Tuesday, November 9 when they travel to BYU. The Vikings will open their home slate on Saturday, November 13, hosting Ohio at the Wolstein Center. Throughout the season, Cleveland State is slated for 16 games at home, while they will hit the road for 15 games.
