Under the Radar Game of the Day – Monday, February 8: Morgan State at South Carolina State

Under the Radar Game of the Day: Morgan State at South Carolina State, 7:30 PM Eastern

For Jon Teitel’s latest Bracketology, CLICK HERE.

The Under the Radar Game of the Day turns to the MEAC tonight for a battle between the Morgan State Bears and the South Carolina State Bulldogs.  Last year at this time, South Carolina State was facing the possible closure of the university.  Not simply a folding of athletic teams (like UAB tried to do), but the entire school shutting down amid financial troubles.  Thankfully, the problems were solved and the doors stayed open.  The men’s basketball team has been one of the biggest surprises in the MEAC this season as they enter play tonight tied with Hampton for first place in the conference at 8-2 in league play and half a game ahead of 7-2 Norfolk State.  Overall, the Bulldogs are 13-11 including non-conference wins over Miami-Ohio and Jacksonville.  Other than a loss January 23 at Norfolk State, South Carolina State has won every game they have played since the calendar turned to 2016.  The Bulldogs are led by junior Eric Eaves.  Eaves has scored 20 or more points ten times already this season and has helped lead his team to eight wins in their last nine games.

Tonight, the Bulldogs host Morgan State.  Todd Bozeman’s Bears currently sit at 3-5 in conference and 5-16 overall.  They have yet to win a conference road game this season and will be hard-pressed to break through tonight.  The Bears are led by senior Cedric Blossom.  Blossom has been a double digit scorer in five of his last six games, including just missing his second double-double of the season last time out at Savannah State (13 points, 9 rebounds).  If he and teammates such as Rasean Simpson (18 points and 13 rebounds in a win last week over Coppin State) can step up tonight, the Bears could at least make an impact on the battle for the MEAC title tonight.