POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
D'Moi Hodge
Cleveland State will be visiting college basketball superpowers Duke and Kentucky next season.
The Vikings also have a game at Nebraska.
While the complete 2020-21 CSU basketball schedule has not been announced, college sources indicated the Vikings are playing the three road games to bring in revenue.
In fact, the games against Duke, Nebraska and Kentucky will be worth $285,000 to the school's athletic budget.
Here is a breakdown:
1. At Nebraska, Nov. 10, payment of $100,000.
2. At Kentucky, Nov. 30, payment of $95,000.
3. At Duke, Dec. 18, payment of $90,000.
4. Cleveland State has a home game against Kent State (Dec. 4) and plays at Toledo (Dec. 29).
5. The team will take a trip to the Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam Tournament, which also features Bradley, Buffalo, Colorado State, Florida International, Long Beach State, St. Bonaventure, and Weber State.
CSU guards Franklyn Penn Jr. (190-G-97) Jr. and D'Moi Hodge (193-G)< are from the Virgin Islands. Hodge averaged 25 points and 7.5 rebounds at Florida Manatee Junior College and was the No. 11-ranked JUCO recruit in the country. He committed to CSU in November.
CSU is still putting together the rest of its schedule. The Vikings play in the Horizon League, and that schedule has not been announced.
FACING THE BEST
In the final Associated Press basketball rankings, Kentucky was ranked No. 8 and Duke was No. 11. Nebraska had a 7-25 record. So maybe that trip to Lincoln could be a spot for CSU to pull an upset.
The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the NCAA tournament this year.
Dennis Gates has high expectations for his Vikings. The second-year coach knows his team isn't ready for this version of prime time basketball.
The Vikings were 11-21 last season, 7-11 in the Horizon League. They were picked to finish last before the season and the surprising performance earned Gates co-coach of the year honors.
Their incoming recruiting class is ranked No. 1 in the Horizon League. CSU is able to use those games at Duke and Kentucky to expose players to college basketball's elite programs and places to play.
CSU has played at Kentucky three times before, losing 101-70 (2016), 68-61 (2013) and 73-49 (2009). The Vikings have never played at Duke.
Some coaches believe playing tough independent opponents helps their teams prepare for a conference schedule that is not as demanding,
Tags : D'MOI HODGE, STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA, BRITISH V.ISLANDS BASKETBALL
