GAME NOTES: In their first game without their head coach, the Titans of Detroit will get set to host the Cleveland State Vikings this evening in Horizon League action at Calihan Hall. The Vikings come into this game playing strong basketball, as the team has won six of its last eight games, including back-to-back victories over Loyola (63-55) and most recently Illiniois-Chicago (68-51). CSU is currently 3-0 in league action, and it is the first time since the 1999-2000 season that the Vikings have captured wins in their first three conference matchups. This is also the best start to a season for Cleveland State since opening the 1992-93 campaign with an 11-4 mark. As for the Titans, their season continues to head in a downward spiral. First, the team parted with its top scorer from a year ago, and now Detroit will be without head coach Perry Watson, who is taking an indefinite leave of absence because of medical issues. On top of all that, the team is only 4-10 on the season and is in the midst of an eight-game losing skid. The last time Detroit was on the floor the team was defeated by Milwaukee, 55-53. During the losing skid four of those losses have come against conference foes. In terms of the all-time series between the two schools on the hardwood, the Titans have a commanding, 32-9 edge.

The last two victories for Cleveland State were captured in large part because of the team's efforts defensively. The Vikings limited Loyola to just 55 points, and then followed that performance up by holding UIC to only 51 points. Cleveland State held the Flames to a pathetic 28.6 percent shooting effort from the field and also dominated the glass, outrebounding UIC by a 44-30 margin. At the other end of the floor, the team was led by J'Nathan Bullock, who is posting 14.4 ppg and a team-best 6.0 rpg on the year. Bullock scored 16 points in the win. As for the team's leading scorer, Cedric Jackson (15.1 ppg), he connected on just 1-of-7 attempts from the field, but still managed to finish the game with seven points, five assists and eight rebounds. Overall, CSU is averaging 72.0 ppg, while shooting 45.3 percent from the floor.

The Titans are in serious need of a boost offensively. Detroit is currently producing a meager 59.8 ppg, while shooting 42.8 percent from the field. Other than Jon Goode, the Titans do not possess a dangerous scoring option. Goode, who is shooting over 45 percent from behind the arc, is currently leading the squad with 18.0 ppg. However, the only other player posting double figures is Chris Hayes, but the forward is chipping in only 10.0 ppg. The last time Detroit was on the floor the team's offensive struggles continued, as the squad posted just 53 points in the loss to UW-Milwaukee. The Titans shot below 40.0 percent in the loss, and made a mere 3-of-16 attempts from long range. Once again the team was led by Goode, who poured in 25 points, while Hayes added 11 points and 12 rebounds.

The different off the court issues have been troublesome for Detroit, but do not expect Cleveland State to worry about anything other than pushing its league mark to 4-0.