CHICAGO -
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OPENING TIP: Chicago State men's basketball concludes its season-opening weekend on this afternoon when it takes on host Purdue in a live Big Ten Network broadcast at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 3 p.m., central time and will have a live radio broadcast on the Chicago State Radio Network.
SCOUTING CSU: The Green and White head into today's game looking to rebound from their season opener Friday night at Iowa as they were defeated by a score of 95-62. Junior guard Fred Sims, Jr. led CSU with 15 points, while junior guard Rob Shaw recorded 10 points, six assists and a career-high four steals. Sophomore forward/center Patrick Szpir scored six points and grabbed six rebounds against the Hawkeyes.
SCOUTING PUR: Purdue, the silver medalists representing Team USA at last summer's World University Games, comes into today's battle with CSU fresh off a 105-74 home win over SIU Edwardsville on Friday thanks to having five players score in double figures. Dakota Mathias led the Boilermakers with 18 points followed by freshman forward Nojel Eastern posting eight assists and Issac Haas grabbing seven rebounds.
SERIES HISTORY: Today's contest marks the first meeting between the two schools in 12 years and the third lifetime battle on the hardwood. Purdue posted a 69-56 win over CSU at Mackey in their last contest at Mackey Arena on Dec. 6, 2006.
WHAT A START!!!: After playing in 48 career games as a reserve in a two-year collegiate career, Shaw made a big impression on CSU Nation in his first collegiate start as he posted a balanced stat sheet with 10 points, six assists and four steals. The four steals represent new career high for the Louisville, Ky., native.
UP NEXT: CSU makes its regular season debut at the Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center on Tuesday night as part of Homecoming week against NAIA member Silver Lake College with a start time of 7:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast live online via the WAC Digital Network.
