CSU-Iowa Game Notes
Tip-Off: Chicago State University men's basketball opens the 2011-12 season Friday night with a Dale Howard Classic preliminary game versus Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. The Iowa game marks the first time CSU has opened the season on the road since the 2007-08 when it traveled west to Cal State Fullerton.
Scouting CSU: Chicago State heads into the season on a good note after winning a pair of exhibition games at home over Roosevelt (79-59) on Nov. 5 and St. Ambrose (76-65) on Monday night. Graduate student forward Lee Fisher (Dolton, IL/Northern Illinois) paced the Green and White in both exhibitions with averages of 19.5 points and 12 rebounds per game. Fisher is one of nine newcomers that will suit up for the Cougars in addition to three letterwinners from last season's team.
Scouting Iowa: Iowa, who opens the season with three home games for the Dale Howard Classic, welcomes back 10 letterwinners, including four starters, from head coach Fran McCaffery's inaugural season. The Hawkeyes recorded a 79-59 victory over Northwest Missouri State in their lone exhibition contest on Nov. 6 in Iowa City behind senior guard Matt Gatens' 17 points. Gatens is the top returning player for Iowa after averaging 12.6 points per game and connected on 87 percent of his attempts from the free throw line in 2010-11. Also returning for Iowa are sophomore forward Melsahn Basabe (11 points and 6.8 rebounds last season) and senior guard Bryce Cartwright (10.9 points and 5.9 assists last season).
Series History: Iowa holds a 3-0 lifetime advantage over Chicago State and Friday's contest marks the first meeting between the two schools in nearly 14 years. The Hawkeyes recorded a 105-60 win at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Nov. 14, 1997.
Cougars Add Nine Newcomers for 2011-12: The nine newcomers that have joined CSU's roster for the 2011-12 season will be looked heavily upon to contribute right away for the Green and White. Joining the Cougars this year are: two graduate students in Lee Fisher (Dolton, IL/Northern Illinois) (Dolton, Ill.) and D'Jari Nelson (Chicago, IL/Miles College) (Chicago, Ill.); five junior college transfers in Francisco Concepcion (Dominican Republic/Malcolm X College) (Dominican Republic), Nate Henry (Chicago, Ill./Farragut) (Chicago, Ill.), Jeremy Robinson (Decatur, Ill./Eisenhower) (Decatur, Ill.), Matt Samuels (Washington, DC/South Suburban College) (Washington, D.C.), and Aaron Williams (Chicago, Ill./Chicago Vocational) (Chicago, Ill.); and two freshmen in Jacobby Anderson (Springfield, IL/Southeast) (Springfield, Ill.) and Clarke Rosenberg (Skokie, Ill./Evanston Township) (Skokie, Ill.).
CSU's Public Presence: CSU currently has three players on this year's roster that played high school ball in the rugged Chicago Public League. Representing the Public League on the 2011-12 roster are: Harris (Foreman), Henry (Farragut), Simmons (Marshall) and Williams (Chicago Vocational).
Up Next: CSU heads to Omaha, Neb., on Sunday afternoon for another Dale Howard Classic preliminary game. The Cougars will battle 2011 College Basketball Invitational runner-up Creighton beginning at 2:05 p.m.
