Waters does not want folks to forget that the difference between the Vikings and their Horizon League rival is not that great.
Senior point guard Norris Cole will be counted upon to be a floor leader for Cleveland State as the Vikings hope to rebound from a disappointing 2009-10 season.• Cleveland State's 2010-11 schedule
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- While college basketball's national focus is bright on the Butler Bulldogs, Cleveland State coach Gary Waters does not want folks to forget that the difference between the Vikings and their Horizon League rival is not that great.
"Two years ago, we were the best team in the league, from the beginning," Waters said this week as he prepared for Friday's first day of practice. "But Butler didn't take a step back."
The Vikings did last season, finishing 16-17 overall, 10-8 in the HL and tied for fourth. Butler went to the national title game against Duke and came within a half-court heave of winning.
In 2008-09, CSU won the Horizon League Tournament and defeated Wake Forest in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Now, CSU wants to get back in step with the Bulldogs, and Waters should have a team capable of doing it.
With two seniors and five starters returning -- including a headliner in point guard Norris Cole (16.3 ppg) -- Waters said this team will look to be in near-midseason form from the opening tip. The Vikings open Nov. 12 against Bryant in the World Vision Classic in the Wolstein Center. CSU fans can get their first look at the team Saturday from 4-7 p.m. during Viking Madness at Woodling Gym.
"Normally what happens is the first day of practice you start on the basics and get ready to compete," Waters said. "They're ready to compete already. ... Offensively, we will be into things that would probably take halfway through the season to get to. We're going to have those things ready to go the early part of this season."
CSU can do this with a slew of veterans starting with Cole, a returning first-team all-league pick; plus junior guard Jeremy Montgomery (12.8 ppg), junior guard Tre Harmon (10.5) and senior guard D'Aundray Brown (8.6). Proven swingman Tim Kamczyz (3.7) and post player Aaron Pogue (6.3) also return.
It will take everything the Vikings have to level the playing field with Butler again.
"I don't expect them to take a step back," Waters said. "They have their program at a level we're trying to reach, and teams in the league are trying to reach."