Chicago State Preview

So, the Todd Simon era will open Monday night.

He has done as good a job as possible to get the Falcon Nation wound up.  We are doing a great job generating student support. I expect some good crowds, exciting play, and an improved team.  A commenter says we beat Wright State in a scrimmage and lost to Fairmont State.  It could still be that kind of year.

The first opponent is Chicago State.  This one has been a bit of a soap opera.

They are one of D1's struggling schools.  They went D1 in 1984 and have had two winning seasons...the most recent in 2009.  They have had 26 seasons with single-digit wins. 

Last year's 11-20 record broke their streak of 8 straight single-win seasons.  It did include 4 non-D1 wins. They finished 0-3 in the MAC, losing Kent by 29, Ball State by 7 and OU by 27, all on the road.

This is our 4th meeting in a series that began in 1970.  BG has won all 3, including the last meeting by 28 in the Stroh in November 2021.

So the soap opera came in when the Cougars announced the signing of the Bewley twins in August.  This is, or would be, a game changer.  These guys are legit talents...

The brothers, both former 5-star recruits, are 6-foot-9-forwards from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The two last played prep ball in 2020-21 at West Oaks Academy in Orlando before signing with Overtime Elite where they have competed over the last two seasons. 

The Bewley's were the first players to sign with Overtime Elite and, at that time, Matt was ranked as the No. 2 overall player in the 247Sports 2023 recruiting rankings and No. 3 by ESPN and Rivals. Additionally, he was named as the No. 1 power forward in his class by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals. Ryan was rated the country's No. 4 power forward (No. 20 overall) by 247Sports, the No. 6 power forward (No. 12 overall) by ESPN and the No. 4 power forward (No. 16 overall) by Rivals.

Overtime Elite is an alternative path to the NBA which allows players to play your one-and-done year without enrolling in a University. The players are paid.  There is an option for maintaining college eligibility. (I think this is a great idea.  There's nothing about pretending to be a college student for one year that prepares you for the NBA).

The NCAA has declared them ineligible. You can read a good explanation here.  It's confusing.  The Bewleys claim they were paid only for their NIL rights, just like an NCAA Athlete....and the NCAA claims...not...I guess.   They are suing the NCAA in Federal Court and have asked for a temporary restraining order...and the hearing will be on Tuesday.

I assume they will not be in uniform on Monday. But who knows.

They are independents again, after being in the WAC.  That means they have to front-load their schedule, because they generally have to schedule teams before conference play starts for them.  They will play 18 games before New Year's and 11 after...only 8 of them are D1 opponents.

They return 3 starters, including their top two scorers.  Those are 6'6" Wesley Cardet, who scored 16.6 PPG on 45% and 34% shooting and 5 RPG...and 6'6" Jahsean Corbett, who scored 14.2 PPG on 47% and 32% shooting. He also averaged 8.8 RPG.

Their PG graduated and it is not clear who is filling that role.

Under their current coach, they have typically played very slowly. Between 66 and 69 possessions a game. They were 231st in offensive efficiency and #351 in defensive efficiency.  Their only area that showed any strength was offensive rebounding, #32 in the nation.

So here we go.   BG is favored by 8.5.