Central State's Grant Reaches 100 Win Plateau

When Michael Grant took over the Central State University Men's Basketball program in the summer of 1996, he promised to turn the program that had been so dominant in the 60's (when they won two National Championships), the 70's and early 80's back to a winning program with national recognition.

When a coach reaches 100 wins that's a sure sign that a program is back on the winning track. On Saturday February 9, 2002 Coach Grant reached the 100-win mark during his sixth season at the helm of the Marauders.

Grant came to CSU after serving as an assistant coach at Cleveland State University under Mike Boyd. In his first year, he posted a record of 8-21 with mostly walk-ons and players left over from the previous coach. The following season the Marauders improved to 16-14.

In the 98-99 season the Marauders had their first 20-win season in almost 20 years. In 99-00 the Marauders qualified for the NAIA National Tournament for the first time since 1979. They finished that season with a 24-9 record. The 2000-01 season saw Coach Grant's team post an 18-13 record and just miss a return trip to the NAIA National Tournament.

This year after a mid-season sputter, the Marauders are back on track having won six games in a row and improving their record to 15-12. They are currently the second ranked team in the NAIA Independent region. This ranking would give them a first round bye in the Independent Region playoffs scheduled for March 2,3,5, 2002.

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