GAME NOTES: The Western Michigan Broncos are set to host the Cleveland State Vikings at University Arena on Wednesday night in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

Cleveland State is in the postseason for the sixth time in eight years and ninth time in its history. The Vikings are making their second straight appearance in this event after suffering a 64-62 loss at Ohio University in the first round of last year's CIT. The Vikes finished tied for third place in the Horizon League this season with an 11-5 mark (24-8 overall), and they lost at top-seeded and eventual champion Valparaiso in the semifinals of the league tourney, 60-55.

Western Michigan won 20 games and went 10-8 in the Mid-American Conference before falling to Akron in the second round of the MAC Tournament. The Broncos are making their third straight postseason appearance and second in the CIT, although they went to the Big Dance just a year ago.

WMU leads the all-time series, 3-1, although this marks the first meeting between the two programs since 1974.

CSU did not finish its season particularly strong, as the team enters this tilt with losses in three of its last four contests. The Vikings were bounced from their league tournament last Saturday at Valparaiso, although they put up a good fight against the league champs. They committed only seven turnovers and also held Valpo to 38 percent shooting from the field. In the end, however, the Crusaders pulled away thanks to a 17-2 scoring advantage at the foul line during the second half.

Anton Grady notched his ninth double-double of the season in defeat, finishing with 20 points and 11 rebounds to go with six assists. He averages 13.7 points and a team-best 7.6 boards per game on the season, while Trey Lewis paces CSU with 16.7 ppg. Lewis and fellow guard Charlie Lee (12.3 ppg) joined Grady in double figures with 10 points apiece in the recent loss.

WMU head coach Steve Hawkins is the only coach in school history to lead the Broncos to three straight 20-win seasons. Four players average double figures, led by Second Team All-MAC guard David Brown (15.5 ppg), who has knocked down 84 3-pointers this season at a 36.4 percent clip. Connar Tava (12.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Tucker Haymond (11.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and sharpshooter Richie Austin (10.1 ppg, .408 3pt) have each made solid contributions, and Thomas Wilder (7.2 ppg) made the league's all-freshman team.

However, two days after putting up 82 points against Ohio to advance in the MAC Tournament, the Broncos shot a dismal 25.9 percent from the floor against Akron and were held to just 45 points. They struggled in particular from distance, converting only 2-of-14 (.143) 3-point attempts. Wilder finished with 12 points and seven boards off the bench but was the only player in double figures for WMU.

That sudden offensive drought has to be concerning for coach Hawkins and the Broncos. On the other side, the Vikings gave top-seeded Valpo all it could handle in their most recent bout. If they can turn in a similar effort here, the Vikes should be able to advance.