Wake Up on the Strong Side: Nov. 26

Courtesy: Simon Habtemariam, TowsonTigers.com
Release: 11/26/2011

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Happy Weekend, Tiger Nation. I am Simon The Heavyweight and it's time to Wake Up on the Strong Side.

-- A couple of weeks ago ... The idea had been thrown around on message boards that a certain President of the United States would be visiting the Towson Center for the Tigers' home opener against the Oregon State Beavers.

It was confirmed Friday night that President Barack Obama will be attending Saturday's game between the Tigers and Oregon State. Beavers' Coach Craig Robinson is First Lady Michelle Obama's brother; the couple has attended previous OSU games when the Beavers have traveled to the East Coast. Having just left a tournament in East Rutherford, N.J., Towson is the only East Coast stop left on the Beavers' schedule.

My thoughts? Without getting political here, I'd absolutely love it if the 2012 general election were decided by a game of one-on-one: heck, at this rate a game of horse could probably substitute for the 2012 primaries. Also, Mr. President, get your hands up on defense, just cause you're the President doesn't mean guys can't beat you on the press.

-- Missing Towson Football already? The 2011 CAA Football Champs will be honored at halftime of today's Men's Hoops Opener. I hear there's a slate of exciting guests for this game.

-- Be sure to check out ... My fellow blogger Mat Schlissel breaks down Towson's Men's Basketball Home Opener. The Tigers' schedule has been one of the tougest in the country, and hosting the top offensive team in the Pac-12 won't make it any easier.

-- Previewing Towson vs Oregon State

- Tigers Open Home Slate Against Oregon State (TowsonTigers.com)

- Beavers Conclude East Coast Swing at Towson (OSUBeavers.com)

It's still difficult to gauge the level of competition and potential Towson has to offer. The Tigers have faced one of the hardest schedules in the country and this is still a very young, very unknown team. Being the first year of Pat Skerry's rebuilding project, who knows if Wins and Losses will be the litmus test of this team; in the end, it may come down to what kind of young talent emerges in the fierce competition they face in the CAA.

- Towson vs. Oregon State by the Numbers

84.6 - points per game. The Beavers lead the Pac-12 (granted, before conference play) in scoring average. The Tigers have allowed an average of 80.8 points per game and have scored 50.5.

17 points - Seperates the Beavers' top scorer Jared Cunningham (113) and the combination of the Tigers top two scorers, Robert Nwankwo and Marcus Damas (96 points combined).

37 boards. Coming into Saturday's game, Nwankwo will lead all players on the floor in total rebounds this season.

5 straight home openers have fallen in favor of the Tigers.