Last night, CSU beat Wisconsin-Green Bay to set up a return match against Butler in the Horizon League Championship Game on Tuesday night. You wanna look smart watching that game and impress your friends and neighbors. The game will be played at Hinkle Fieldhouse, you know, where they filmed "Hoosiers". Since, the bandwagon will be filling up with a win, here's your handy-dandy guide to CSU basketball.

Coach Gary Waters: Waters was the guy who put Kent State basketball on the map starting in 1996. Kent had two NCAA appearances and an NIT visit to the quarters before he left in 2001. Then he went to Rutgers where he had three NIT bids, one where they got to the title game. This is his third year at CSU winning 10, then 22 (with an NIT bid) and now 25 games this season.

CSU plays a fairly deliberate style of basketball, where mental fitness coupled with superior physical conditioning helps win ballgames. At times, it can be pretty ugly to watch. I've seen them described as the "Julio Cesar Chavez of college basketball" and I think that's an apt term for the grinding style they play. This is a far cry from Kevin Mackey's Run-n-Stun teams of the late '80s.

They usually go only 8 or 9 deep, so I'll describe the guys who will see playing time Tuesday.

J'Nathan Bullock, Senior Forward: Bullock is the "guy with the dreads" and an all-league selection. He has started virtually every game since he arrived at CSU four years ago. A hard worker, who can score from most places on the floor. A very good rebounder and is the team's heart and soul. Although he has had some trouble lately from the foul line, he is vastly improved from his freshman year where he shot 58% from the line. A for-certain CSU Hall of Famer down the road and I would not be opposed to seeing his number retired, especially if future CSU success is plotted back to his tenure here. Not sure about his hoops future, but may become the next Antonio Gates of the NFL.

Cedric Jackson, Senior Guard: A transfer from St. John's, Jackson has played only two seasons at CSU. He is the Defensive Player of the Year in the Horizon League. He has an uncanny ability to steal the basketball and is known as a "stat sheet stuffer". But it's been a frustrating year to watch him this season, although he has been turning it on down the stretch. His assists and rebounding were up this year and his turnovers down. But all of his shooting stats (threes, foul shooting and overall shooting percentage) were down significantly. Although during the Horizon League Tournament, his foul shooting has been money. Be aware that he can make some really poor decisions while running the team. Mainly bad passes or giving a teammate the ball where he can do absolutely nothing with it.

Norris Cole, Sophomore Guard: I absolutely love this guy. Has the right temperament, never seems to get down and is probably the most consistent player on the team. From venerable Dayton Dunbar. This year has developed into a solid scoring option with a nice floater. Can play inside or out and handles the ball nicely. CSU was the only Division I school to offer him a scholarship and he was getting significant minutes early on as a freshman. A real find for the team.

D'Aundray Brown, Sophomore Guard: Not the Defensive Player of the Year, but is easily the team's best defender. The guy who can score the best on the other team is his defensive assignment and he usually shuts him down. Currently out with a hyperextended knee, he's a very important piece to the puzzle. He was out for several games midseason and CSU stunk while he was gone. Has also developed into a decent scoring option. Most definitely my favorite player on the team.

Chris Moore, Senior Center: Moore is a St. Ed's player who transferred from UC-Santa Barbara and has played two seasons. He was always a step slow last year and was threatening to leave the program after last season. But he shed some pounds this year and seems to be enjoying himself this year. Commits some fairly obvious fouls at times, has a nice shot, but doesn't shoot all that much.

George Tandy, Senior Forward: George was my favorite whipping boy last year. He had some athletic ability, but just didn't seem to care all that much, and he's a pretty quiet guy. He has developed into a player, when right, can make some very good contributions to the cause. Not a great rebounder, but the ball seems to end up in his hands quite a bit. Had an awesome dunk on a putback in Saturday's game. Both his father, who attends all the games, and his mother have cancer.

Renard Fields, Senior Center: Doesn't get much playing time, but another favorite of mine. Injured quite often, but I believe he is the hardest worker on the team. Always plays tough, draws fouls, shoots foul shots horribly but never fails to go all out. If he had been healthy all these years, it may have been different for him.

Tre Harmon, Freshman Guard: Harmon is from California and has benefited from playing some decent minutes this year. As soon as he was eligible in December, he got minutes right away. Mainly known as a scorer coming in, his defense has picked up over the last six weeks. You can tell he is a gymrat from the way he handles the ball and carries himself on the court. It's obvious he has logged many hours with a basketball.

Jeremy Montgomery, Freshman Guard: Another freshman, he is from Chicago. Early on, he got some significant minutes and had a great game against Syracuse. Since then, he has had inconsistent minutes. Can shoot and handles the ball reasonably well. Probably the only guy on the team who smiles a lot while he is playing. Future looks good for him and his brother is transferring in next year, as well.

What CSU Does Well:

Excellent floor game.
Superior defense.
Physical conditioning.
Mental toughness.
Won't quit.

Fatal Flaws:

Outside shooting.
Foul shooting.

The Butler Matchup:

I give the Vikings a fairly good shot at winning on Tuesday. Butler is in March Madness, regardless of the outcome, and CSU has lost twice to them this season. The first was on a three-pointer at the buzzer way back in December at the Bart. The second, just 8 days ago, at Butler by 2 points. It is very difficult to beat a team three times in one season at any sport, but that's what Butler faces this week.

There should be no surprises as these two teams have played very tight games the last two seasons, with CSU winning only one of five. But this is the 4th game CSU will have played at Butler in the last 11 days, even more than Butler in the same time period. So, I believe the familiar surroundings (hotel, floor, locker room, Hinkle Fieldhouse environment) will help immensely with game preparation.

I think CSU will prevail in a tight one. And then I get to go dancin'.

Meal of Links

The publicist for the OctoMom has had an epiphany. "This woman is nuts."

"You've got to want the president to succeed. You're irrational if you don't want the president to succeed. Because if he doesn't succeed the country doesn't succeed...". The person who said that? Newt Gingrich.

Big Music will finally give up the ghost. But not for a few years.

Exercise Yard

I still love Manny Ramirez.

Upon seeing outfielder Matt Kemp appear in the clubhouse at 8:30 a.m., according to MLB.com, Ramirez called out, "You're late. I was here at 6:30."

"I was here three weeks ago," Kemp retorted.

Now, that's funny!

In case you missed the ESPN article on Shin-Soo Choo.

Visitor

None, on a rainy Sunday.