While BracketBuster pairings for TV games will not be known until 6:30 p.m. tonight on ESPNU, early word on non-TV pairings began leaking out this afternoon. And it’s not real pretty for Cleveland State.

Cleveland State (10-12) drew Toledo (3-18) from the Mid-American Conference, one of the worst teams in the nation. Toledo is on a 11-game losing streak.

Other BracketBuster games of note include:
Valparaiso at Bowling Green
Southeast Missouri State at Miami
Wright State at Ohio University
Western Michigan at Southern Illinois
Eastern Michigan at Detroit

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The Cleveland State Vikings and Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix tipoff in a Horizon League matchup Friday night in Cleveland. (Glenn Moore / The Dugout Sports Show)

Norris Cole and Trevor Harmon hit two 3-pointers apiece as the Cleveland State Vikings got a big conference win over Wisconsin-Green Bay Friday night, 64-50. Cole scored 22 points and handed out eight assists while Harmon and D’Aundray Brown hit key 3-pointers in the game’s final three minutes to keep the pesky Phoenix at bay.

With soon-to-be Cleveland Cavalier and former Viking Cedric Jackson in attendance, CSU always had a answer for a Phoenix run, even though they were struggling offensively to start the second half.

The Vikings (8-12, 4-4) running their four guard offense were clicking on all cylinders to start the game, as they jumped out to a 13-2 lead and never looked back.

Aaron Pogue added 11 points and Jeremy Montgomery chipped in with 10 for the Vikings, who snapped a two-game skid and have won four of their last six.

“That’s the kind of defense we’re capable of playing,” CSU coach Gary Waters said after the game. “Their big three all average in double figures, and we held them all to single digits.”

Defensively, the Vikings were holding the Phoenix to 1-of-8 on 3-pointers and 42.2 percent overall.
“We got three, four, five stops in a row,” Cole said of CSU’s defense.

A potential Phoenix layup to cut the lead to eight midway through the second half was blocked and then at the other end of the court, Cole drove down the lane for a left-handed spark that not only sparked the crowd, but seemed to give the Vikings a second wind.

Rian Pearson led the Phoenix (14-7, 6-3) with 14 points. Randy Berry tallied a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds for the Phoenix.

Cleveland State plays Milwaukee at home on Sunday with a 2:00pm tipoff.

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With Mo Williams and Delonte West banged up, the Cleveland Cavaliers had to add depth to their guard spot. And their answer, at least for the time being, is former Cleveland State Viking Cedric Jackson.

Newest Cleveland Cavalier point guard, Cedric Jackson, takes a Cleveland State Vikings mens basketball game in Cleveland on Friday. (Glenn Moore / The Dugout Sports Show)

The Cavaliers signed Jackson Friday to a 10-day contract. If need be, he could sign another 10-day contract when this one expires or possible be signed for the rest of the year. Jackson has spent this season averaging 14.7  points and 7.6 assists for the Eric Bayhawks of the NBA Development League.

Jackson was in attendance for the Vikings/Green Bay Phoenix basketball game in Cleveland and was swarmed by media and autograph seekers. Welcome to the NBA Mr. Jackson.

Will Jackson be able to contribute if he is needed in the next few games

Click the play button below to hear “The Dugout Sports Show” speak to Jackson during the game. We speak on how he first reacted when he heard the Cavaliers wanted him, playing with LeBron James and Shaq, and more importantly, did Delonte West ask him to bring the donuts to his practice?

Also, check out the pictures of Jackson at the Cleveland State Vikings game on Friday.

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