Can Cleveland State secure a March Madness Berth Against a resurgent Robert Morris?
The Cleveland State Vikings (19-9), seeded No. 1 in the Horizon League tournament, face a tough challenge against the No. 10 seed Robert Morris Colonials (8-23) on Thursday, March 3rd. A victory is crucial for Cleveland State, who are hoping to punch their ticket to the NCAA tournament.
While Cleveland State enters the matchup as the favourite, Robert Morris has shown signs of life recently. The Colonials, riding an eight-game winning streak, upset the No. 7 seed Youngstown State 77-73 in the tournament opener on March 1st. Kahliel Spear lead the charge with a dominant double-double performance, scoring 19 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.
This matchup is far from a guaranteed win for Cleveland State. The Vikings narrowly escaped two close encounters with Robert Morris during the regular season. Their January 7th victory, a nail-biting 78-77 win, required perfect free throw shooting in the final minute to secure the win.
Robert Morris’s recent resurgence is a testament to their resilience.Despite a challenging season marked by inconsistency, the Colonials have shown flashes of brilliance. Their back-to-back wins against Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Green bay in January demonstrated their potential.
Cleveland State, however, has also faced its share of challenges lately. Losses to Detroit and Oakland in the final two games of the regular season, coupled with a lack of consecutive wins as late January, highlight their vulnerability.Both teams boast talented players capable of making a difference. Cleveland State’s D’Moi Hodge leads the team in scoring with 15.4 points per game, showcasing his offensive prowess from both the field and the free throw line. Torrey Patton provides a valuable inside-outside threat, averaging 13.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. tre Gomlin contributes with 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and solid playmaking abilities. Deante Johnson anchors the Vikings’ rebounding efforts, averaging 6.8 rebounds per game.
For Robert Morris, Kahliel Spear has been a consistent force throughout the season, leading the team with 14.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Michael Green has stepped up in the absence of Rasheem Dunn, who left the team in January, averaging 10.6 points and 3.4 assists per game.
The stage is set for a thrilling matchup between two teams with contrasting narratives. Can Cleveland State overcome their recent struggles and secure a coveted NCAA tournament berth? Or will Robert Morris’s Cinderella run continue, sending shockwaves through the Horizon League?
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Welcome, sports fans, to what promises to be a thrilling Horizon League tournament matchup! Tonight, we’ll be analyzing teh critical game between the top-seeded Cleveland State Vikings and the Cinderella story, the tenth-seeded Robert Morris Colonials.
The Vikings come into this game with a stellar 19-9 record and are the favorites to clinch the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. However, they can’t afford to underestimate their opponent. Robert Morris, despite a less impressive 8-23 record, is riding a remarkable eight-game winning streak, showcasing a level of grit and execution that has turned heads across the league.[[
This upset potential was on full display in their recent tournament opener against Youngstown State. Kahliel Spear delivered a dominant double-double, leading the colonials to a hard-fought 77-73 victory. This performance, combined with their recent surge, proves Robert Morris isn’t simply content to make an appearance in this tournament; they are here to compete.
History also suggests this won’t be a walk in the park for Cleveland State. Remember those two regular season matchups? Both were nail-biters decided by a single point,with Cleveland State barely escaping with a win in a 78-77 thriller back on January 7th.That indicates the Vikings may have a psychological edge, but they know they’re in for a tough battle.
This game is truly a clash of styles.Cleveland State, the established powerhouse, will need to rely on their experience and composure against the underdog colonials who are playing with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
The question before us tonight is not just who will win, but how will they win? Will Cleveland State’s experience and talent prevail, or will Robert Morris’s Cinderella story continue? Join me as we break down this intriguing matchup and witness what promises to be a captivating showdown in the Horizon League tournament.
