HUNTINGTON, W.V. – Coppin State's men's basketball season opens on Wednesday, November 25 when it travels to Huntington, W.V. for the Marshall Memorial MTE. The Eagles will first take on the host Thundering Herd at 6 pm Wednesday night, followed by a 12 pm class with Arkansas State the following day. The Red Wolves replace Tennessee State who pulled out of the MTE earlier this week. Both games can we viewed on CUSA TV.
The Basics
Teams: Coppin State Eagles (0-0) at Marshall Thundering Herd (0-0)
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 25, 2020 | 6:00 pm
Where: Huntington, W.V. (Cam Henderson Center)
Teams: Coppin State Eagles (0-0) at Arkansas State Red Wolves (0-0)
Date & Time: Thursday, November 26, 2020 | 12:00 pm
Where: Huntington, W.V. (Cam Henderson Center)
2019-20 Records: Coppin State (11-20, 7-9 MEAC); Marshall (17-15, 10-8 CUSA); Arkansas State (16-16, 8-12 Sun Belt)
Series History: Marshall Leads, 1-0; First-Ever Meeting with Arkansas State
Game Notes: Coppin State
TV: CUSA TV
Live Stats: Click Here
News & Notes
Roster Turnover
Coppin returns just three active players from last season's squad in seniors
DeJuan Clayton and
Koby Thomas, as well as sophomore
Reggie James. Redshirt freshman
Isaiah Gross and
Kenan Sarvan did not play last season. With just three returning players, Coppin loses 59% of its points from last season and 69% of its rebounds.
Inside CSU's Victory at Loyola Chicago
Coppin State's victory at Loyola Chicago on November 12, 2019 was the Eagles' first victory over a non-MEAC Division I team since they defeated UMBC on December 11, 2013. This broke a streak 74 straight losses against Division I non-MEAC teams.
It was CSU's first road victory against a non-MEAC Division I team since beating Towson on December 19, 2012.
Wins Against Division I Teams Prior to MEAC Play
Coppin won four games against Division I Non-MEAC teams (Loyola Chicago, Cornell, James Madison, East Carolina) which is a first for the Eagles since the 1993-94 season. This was tied for the second-most non-conference Division I victories for the Eagles in their history.
Season Wins Teams
91-92 5 Winthrop, American, UMBC, Youngstown State (2)
89-90 $! 5 Creighton, Morehead State, Toledo, Maryland, Cornell
88-89 5 Samford, Robert Morris, UMBC, Prairie View A&M, Winthrop
19-20 4 Loyola Chicago, Cornell, James Madison, East Carolina
93-94 ! 4 Pacific, Wichita State, Towson, Loyola Chicago
90-91 ^! 4 UMBC, College of Charleston, Florida International, Toledo
96-97 $! 3 Colgate, Duquesne, Kent State
92-93 $! 3 Towson, College of Charleston, Buffalo
$ - won MEAC Tournament ^ - Invited to NIT ! - MEAC Reg. Season Title
Living & Dying By The Three
878 of Coppin's 1,872 field goal attempts (46.9%) last season were from behind-the-arc. In Coppin's 20 losses last season, the Eagles shot 25.4% from long distance. In CSU's 11 victories last season, the Eagles shot 33.9% from deep.
Road Warriors (15,898 Miles)
Last season, Coppin embarked on two long road trips during the non-conference portion of its schedule with a five-game road trip over 11 days in November. After hosting Cornell on November 23, the Eagles went on an eight-game road trip that spanned from November 26 to December 30.
With trips ranging from Virginia Tech to the Chicago area (Loyola Chicago/Northern Illinois) to Cincinnati (Northern Kentucky) and Sacramento (Pacific) in early-mid November, the Eagles traveled approximately 6,742 miles including the return trip back to Baltimore. CSU also made trips totaling 9,156 miles over their eight-game road trip before MEAC play, accumulating nearly 16,000 miles (15,898) during their two extended road trips.
Not Just the Other Juan Anymore
When talking about Coppin State basketball today, most immediately of its head coach
Juan Dixon. Redshirt junior
DeJuan Clayton is making people rethink that as he was a Third Team All-MEAC selection last season and was named a Preseason First Team All-MEAC honoree in October.
Clayton is rapidly climbing the CSU record books and became the 23rd Eagles player to score 1,000 career points with a 21 point effort at Pacific. Clayton came into the season with 908 points and now has 1,280 in his career. He also ranks 7th in school-history in both assists and free throws.
CSU Career Scoring List
1. Tywain McKee (06-09) 2,158
10. Keith Carmichael (92-95) 1,312
11. Fred Warrick (97-99) 1,293
12. DeJuan Clayton (16-pres.) 1,280
CSU Career Free Throws Made List
1. Tywain McKee (06-09) 515
5. Larry Tucker (00-03) 391
6. Reggie Isaac (89-91) 367
7. DeJuan Clayton (16-pres.) 343
CSU Career Assists List
1. Larry Yarbray (89-92) 622
6. Allen Watson (94-96) 358
7. DeJuan Clayton (16-pres.) 337
Honoring #24 Kobe Bryant
On January 27, 2020, the day after the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Bryant, and seven others, Coppin held a 24-second moment of silence prior to its game against Howard. That same night,
Koby Thomas (also of Philadelphia) scored a then career-high 24 points. His 24th point of the game was the team's 81st point (Bryant's career-high) of the game.
In a win at crosstown rival Morgan State on February 29, 2020, Thomas had the best game of his career with a career-high 28 points on 11-of16 shooting. He also had eight rebounds, two blocks and three steals and was named MEAC Player of the Week.
Impact Transfers
Coppin State added a pair of transfers who are expected to make significant contributions this season in redshirt senior
Anthony Tarke (NJIT/UTEP) and sophomore
Chereef Knox (Saint Joseph's).
Tarke was a First Team All-Atlantic Sun selection as a sophomore at NJIT in 2017-18 after putting up 15.7 points and 6.2 rebounds. He averaged nearly 10 points at NJIT as a freshman and was named to the Conference's All-Rookie Team. After sitting out a season, Tarke put up 2.6 points and 4.0 rebounds last season at UTEP.
Knox offers rare athleticism and 3-point shooting as he averaged 4.2 points with 17 blocks in his lone season at Saint Joseph's. Scoring a season-high 12 points, Knox hit four 3-pointers in a game against Towson and had a three-block performance against William & Mary.
From the City of Brotherly Love
In its heyday during the 1990s, Coppin's roster boasted a large amount of players from the City of Brotherly Love. During
Juan Dixon's first two years, he brought in
Karonn Davis and
Chad Andrews-Fulton from Philly, and last season he welcomed
Koby Thomas who transferred in from Robert Morris. After leading Imhotep Charter to a Public League Championship, Thomas was the 2017-18 NEC Rookie of the Year, averaging 12.0 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds. This season, Coppin adds transfer
Chereef Knox from Saint Joseph's University and welcomes back
Justin Steers.
More Brotherly Love
For the second-straight season, Coppin State will feature a set of brothers (
Aaron Robinson &
Andrew Robinson in 2019-20) in redshirt senior
Anthony Tarke and freshman
Nendah Tarke. Like the Robinson twins, the Tarke's grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland. The Robinson's both attended Springbrook HS before attending Putnam Science Academy.
Anthony Tarke played his entire high school career at Gaithersburg HS before attending Coastal Academy.
Nendah Tarke played a season at Gaithersburg HS before transferring to Bullis HS and did a prep season at Covenant College Prep.
Welcome Back Steers
Coppin is bringing back a familiar face this season in junior
Justin Steers. A 2018-19 MEAC All-Rookie Team selection, Steers averaged 6.0 points per game with 25 blocks as a freshman. Steers really broke out in the MEAC Tournament where he averaged 12 points, six rebounds and three blocks in two games.
After Missing Last Season...
Redshirt freshman
Isaiah Gross and
Kenan Sarvan missed all of last season but should contribute significantly this season.
Gross was named Maryland's Mr. Basketball as a senior after averaging 16.7 points and leading Eleanor Roosevelt to a State Championship. Gross was also named First Team All-State, Third Team All-Met and the Prince George's County Player of the Year.
Sarvan averaged 22 points, 12 rebounds and six assists as a senior and led Bishop Sullivan Catholic HS to its first TCIS Title in 25 years. Originally from the Netherlands, Sarvan scored over 850 points in two seasons and was named First Team All-Region and All-Tidewater Conference.
Fresh Faces
Dwaine Jones, Jr.: A 1,000 point scorer at Neptune HS, Jones averaged 17.9 points per game as a senior and was named Third Team All-Shore and First Team All-Division. Played with
Nendah Tarke at Covenant College Prep.
Nendah Tarke: Scoring over 1,000 points at Bullis School, Tarke was a two-time Washington Post All-Met selection. Tarke averaged 16.7 points as a senior and was a two-time All-County and All-IAC honoree.
Kyle Cardaci: Cardaci played in four games at Bryant University before transferring out to attend Seward County CC. Last season, Cardaci put up 10.5 points per game while shooting 41.3% of his shots from deep.
Domantas Sakickas: After a standout career at Broadfording Christian Academy where he scored over 1,60 points, Sakickas played two seasons at Frederick CC. Last season, Sakickas averaged 11.8 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting over 50% from the floor.
Bryce Hunt: This past season at Schoolcraft College, Hunt was named the MCCAA Defensive Player of the Year after ranking second in the Nation with 110 blocked shots and 3.4 blocks per game. He also put up 7.9 points and 6.1 rebounds while making 59% of his shots and helped the Ocelots to a 5th seed in the NJCAA Tournament.
Kaelon Harkema: A walk-on from Louisville, Ky., Harkema was a two-sport standout at Ballard HS and was a First Team All-State shortstop. Harkema played this past season at Aspire Academy and averaged 16.8 poiints, 4.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists and was got notice at Big Shots Prep Nationals where he was named the Most Outstanding Player.
