Central State University hosts Christian Brothers University to open the 2018-2019 season

WILBERFORCE, Ohio – The Marauders of Central State University open the 2018-2019 basketball season this Friday when they host Christian Brothers University at 6 pm. Friday's home opener is part of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – Gulf South Conference Challenge.


DEFENDING THE SIAC WEST
Head coach Joseph Price and the Marauders enter the season as the defending SIAC West Division champions. Coach Price has put his Marauders to the test throughout the preseason with games against NCAA Div. I opponents IUPUI and Notre Dame University.

CSU's success will rely heavily on the play of junior point guard Tom Johnson and senior forward Dwight Richards, Jr. Johnson, who will begin the season as the starting floor general, averaged 5.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, and 1.4 spg last season. Richards, Jr. returns to the team after sitting out the majority of last season as a medical redshirt. Richards, Jr. averaged 17.9 ppg and 4.9 rpg during an All-American season in the 2016-2017 season.
 

NEW SEASON…NEW PLAYERS
Coach Price has revamped his roster which encompasses ten new players.

Throughout CSU's two preseason games, the coaching staff has been impressed by the play of freshman Dorian Crutcher and sophomore Quinton Glaspie.

Crutcher, a 6'4 guard from Elyria, Ohio, averaged 15 points and 3 rebounds in CSU's two preseason games, including a 22 point performance against Notre Dame. Glaspie, a 6'4 swing man from Detroit, Michigan, averaged 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds throughout the preseason, highlighted by a 17-point, 5 rebound performance against IUPUI.

Other newcomers include Randall Clarkson, Jr. (Columbus, Ohio), Malik Fisher (Indianapolis, Indiana), Keandre Graves (Cleveland, Ohio), Dreon Lewis (Indianapolis, Indiana), Michael Reeves (Gahanna, Ohio), Blake Spaulding (Fairfield, Ohio), Stacey Whitt (Gary, Indiana), and Dishone Williams-Daniels (Columbus, Ohio).
 


THE SERIES
Central State will face Christian Brothers in its home opener for the third consecutive year. CBU holds a 3-2 edge in the all-time series which dates back to 2001. The teams will face each other again in Memphis, Tennessee this Sunday.
 

SCOUTING CHRISTIAN BROTHERS
After going 21-9 last season, the Bucs return senior forward Adam Dieball, who was named Preseason All-GSC to the Street & Smith's Preseason All-America Honorable Mention list. As a junior, Dieball led the Bucs with 17.8 ppg, 6.2 apg and 1.3 bpg, adding 4.9 rpg. A two-time All-GSC selection, Dieball also ranked 17th in the nation in assists and was one of 18 players in D-II to log a triple-double when he had 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a win over Harding.


MEDIA COVERAGE
Fans can follow the game on the following outlets:
 
Radio -  Gem City Sports Network (http://www.gemcitysports.com/radio-1/)
Video -  CSU Sports Streaming Channel (http://maraudersports.com/watch/)
Live Stats -  Marauder Live Stats site (http://www.sidearmstats.com/centralstate/mbball/)
 

TICKETS
For tickets to Friday's game, go to - http://centralstate.universitytickets.com/user_pages/event.asp?id=351&cid=31

Tickets may also be purchased by cash at the ticket window.

Doors open 30 minutes prior to that start of the game.