The Notre Dame College Falcons will head to the Wolstein Center to battle the Cleveland State Vikings in a exhibition game Wednesday evening. Tip time is set for 7 PM.
NDC head Coach Mark Richmond talked about the opportunity for his team ahead of the match up:
" It is a great opportunity for our guys to play on a big stage. To play someone different- to see what they can do- and- what we can do." Richmond said.
Assistant Coach Duncan Williams gave his thoughts on the opportunity ahead:
" We are glad that they gave us a game. We are very appreciative. They did not have to give us a game. They are looking out for a school in the Cleveland area. Our players look forward to the game and playing someone different. A lot of people from Notre Dame are looking forward to the game. Again, we are glad they gave us a game and are very appreciative that we are getting the opportunity to play them."
NDC returns a trio of seniors that were a part of last season's NCAA tournament team, and has a grand total of six seniors on the roster.
Williams talked about the senior class:
" We have some senior leadership on this team. We will be a couple guys short, but it should not change the fact that we will go all out every possession as a team. The good thing about this group of guys is they are willing to lead and teach the younger guys."
Larenz Thurman is the team's leading scorer returning as he was both a First Team All-MEC selection and was a member of the First Team All-Tournament Team in the team's run to the MEC title a season ago. Thurman averaged 16.9 points per game last season, while he shot a blistering 47 percent from the 3-point line on the season. Thurman also led the team in assists at nearly five a game.
Drew Scarberry averaged 10.2 points per game last season and shot 38 percent from the 3-point line. He knocked down 89 3-pointer's on the season.
Bruce Hodges was also a member of the All-Tournament team that won the MEC title and averaged 7.5 points per game- was second on the team averaging 5.1 rebounds- as well as dishing out 3.4 assists a contest.
Cleveland State is a member of the Horizon league and will be led by first year head coach Dennis Gates. The Vikings have a slew of JUCO transfers and freshman they will be working into the system. Jaalam Hill is the top returner for CSU. He averaged 11.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Franklyn Penn Jr. is a JUCO transfer from Penola College and New Mexico Junior College. Penn averaged 8.4 points a game and grabbed 5.1 rebounds a game. He scored 12.4 points a game and grabbed 5.4 rebounds a night at New Mexico Junior College. Tre Gomillon averaged 13.7 points- grabbed 6.5 rebounds- and- dished out 3.4 assists a game for Gordon State College. Torrey Patton averaged 15 points and 8.3 rebounds per game at Indian Hills Community College.
Williams talked about the challenges ahead:
" When we introduce new techniques is the biggest challenge thus far. Whether it be a down screen- using a ball screen- how to defend a screen, finding ways to adapt has been tough thus far. We need to be able to play thru our mistakes but not have to do the same thing 26 times. Not necessarily the fact of just doing something different but having five different ways to do it depending on the opponent and finding the best way to do it. That is where we are lacking."
Williams continued:
" They have an advantage on us because they are ,such bigger. They have a bunch of guys who are in the 6'7 and 6'8 range.We do not have much size. They have had 14 more practices than we have as well. So that is another big advantage they have, having started much sooner than we did."
Richmond talked about his thoughts:
" We need consistent effort and discipline. We need to play thru the mistakes and correct those mistakes the best we can. The guys have seen plenty of films so they know what needs to be corrected."
Guard Jordan Burton talked about what he wants to see from his new teammates:
"Play hard and play smart." Burton mentioned.
You can catch all the action on NotreDameFalcons.com
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