NEC Blitz IN YOUR HOUSE- Chicago State at Cleveland State, WBB, 11/3/25

I couldn’t be more excited to get on campus and to see the Wolstein Center on Monday.

The NEC is taking its show on the road, as the league does every November in the beginning of basketball season. I’m just always excited when I have a chance to be there for it. The Midwestern member of our league, Chicago State, is coming just easterly enough that I can manage the trip out, so the Cougars will be the first team we get to see in person this season. Let’s talk a little bit about them and what you can expect when you tune in via NECBlitz.com to check out our radio coverage for the evening. Especially if you’re from Cleveland. Here’s some storylines we’re looking forward to talking about.

AI Is Here

No, not artificial intelligence, although that is, too. Aiyanna “AI” Culver is the leading scorer from last season’s Cougars team and the point guard from last season. The sophomore from Queens, NY is a deep threat for the Cougars. She’s more of a scorer than a true point guard, but will be counted on to facilitate as we’d expect opposing teams to key in on her this season. Her statline could be interesting if the Vikings begin the game playing a little loose and giving up deep shots. Culver scored 14.6 last season with knee pain, so this might be a point total that actually increases in 25-26.

We’re All About the Bass

Paris Bass was one of the transfer additions the Cougars made through the portal. This is a player the we’re very excited about. She’s got the ability to score and it’ll be interesting to see how she does against a tough Vikings defense. The Detroit, MI forward came to Chicago State because of her relationship with the coaches. One of those nice reminders that recruiting isn’t a magic trick- you build through the people you’re able to build relationships with, and the Cougars have someone who excels at that in the first seat.

Great Expectations

The Cougars were picked third in the NEC Coaches Poll entering the season. I’ve long felt that Chicago is a place where you can build a winner in the NEC- in football as that sport approaches, but certainly in basketball. I’ve spoken a couple of times with Coach Irvin and each time something that comes up is the difference in recruiting to the Second City as opposed to her previous stop in Starkville, MS. We might be a year away with FDU returning some excellent young pieces, but the Cougars are a team to watch in the future.

For their part, the Vikings were picked 4th in the Horizon League. It’s no secret that when the Horizon and NEC meet up, the NEC team is usually the underdog. We’ll have to see how the Cougars stack up against the well-established Horizon at the start of the season.

The Sisco Kid

Just a note here. One of the intriguing additions Chicago State made in the offseason was Chloe Sisco, who will be transferring in from the College of Lake County. In two seasons, Sisco averaged 14 and 13.2 points per game. We’ve seen players transfer in and maintain production in the NEC in the past, so this is one to keep an eye on.