For Bethune-Cookman Head Coach Gravelle Craig, it's full circle.
 
For several Wildcat players, coaches, and staff, it's a homecoming of sort.
 
For the entire team, it's a chance to hold court on the home court of the NBA champions.

Once a point guard for Cleveland State, Gravelle Craig returns to his alma mater Saturday when the Wildcats meet the Vikings. Craig still holds the CSU assist per game career record (5.5) and played a key role in the Vikings' 1993 Mid-Continent championship team.  

Since stepping up to B-CU's head coaching position in 2011, Craig's wanted this game, but it simply hasn't worked out. The Wildcats, who recruit Ohio heavily, have still ventured to the Buckeye state, facing Akron, Kent State, Toledo and Youngstown State until the teams agreed on a date and place
 
That place? Not Cleveland State's Wolfstein Center. The noon tipoff is at Quicken Loans Arena, where the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James call home.
 
"The best player in the world (James) plays there," Craig said. "It'll be a great experience."
 
Knowing that Cavs just achieved the impossible by coming back from a 3-1 deficit and winning the 2016 NBA championship, playing there will make this trip even more special. Almost every college basketball player in the world dreams of playing in the NBA.

"I'm excited and ready to get to it," said sophomore Quinton Forrest. "Being a basketball player, everyone wants to be a pro and get on the NBA floor, so why not. It's also a bonus that our coach played there."

Yes, Craig does feel sentimental when it comes to playing in "The Land".

"The fact it's at the "Q" where I've worked out and played against former Cavs players when I was a student-athlete makes it even more gratifying," said Craig. "I feel like it's full circle for me."

While Craig never had an opportunity to play an official game in the "Q", he did; however, open the Wolfstein Center when the Vikings hosted the famous "Fab Five" of Michigan. Craig's memories are glorious.

"Sold out place, 13,000 people, new arena, it was great," said Craig. "It was something. We cut down the nets later in 1993 when we won the Mid-Continent championship, so I had some good times there."

The trip to Cleveland will be special for others as well.
 
Jordan Potts is a Columbus Northland graduate. Potts led B-CU in scoring last year, but has yet to play this year after suffering a broken foot. Freshmen Ulmer Manzie and Houston Smith are both graduates of Columbus' Africentric High.

Associate Head Coach Rodney Martin played college basketball at Tiffin University, and is a Toledo native.

Dan Ryan, the basketball media contact, served his Mormon Church mission in the Akron-Cleveland area. His "Cleveland Sports Tragedy" was "The Shot" – the Michael Jordan's buzzer beater that ended the Cavs' playoffs back in 1989. To prove the world's a small place, Ryan and Craig were at the same basketball game in Youngstown in 1989 and Ryan was assigned to Tiffin the follow year when Martin finishing his senior year.

With Moore Gymnasium under reconstruction, the Wildcats have played home games in alternate locations, and the team just got back from an eight day road trip, playing in all four continental U.S. time zones – with a roster including seven newcomers.   

While the trip is special to many, coming out with a win is still the most important goal.


"At this time of year, any win is special," said Craig. "It's about persevering and making the effort. Our slogan has been "find a way, make a way" and that's what we'll do. For now, it's about getting healthy and getting the newcomers acclimated to Division I ball."

B-CU enters Saturday with a 2-5 record while Cleveland State is 1-5.