"Fans crazy for aggressive, fearless Cage"

It might not be obvious by the way he plays, but Calvin Cage is actually quite small. In fact he only stands 5 feet 11 inches, and weighs 160 pounds.

But looks can be deceiving.

Cage is a sparkplug off the bench for the University at Buffalo men's basketball team, and what he lacks in height, he accounts for in talent and determination.

When asked to describe his game in one word, Cage chooses the word "fearless."

Fearless is a very appropriate term, judging by the way Cage is willing to take the clutch 3-pointer, to the way he drives into the paint, risking a hit from a powerful center, to the way he aggressively goes after the steal on defense.

While attending Bladensburg High School in Maryland, Cage got a chance to befriend Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony, who was attending high school in Maryland at the same time.

"I actually know Carmelo pretty well. Going into my 11th grade year, Carmelo was my roommate at a five-star basketball camp. We had a relationship before he became famous," Cage said.

In Cage's senior year at Bladensburg High School, he averaged 24 points and eight assists per game. These stats led to Cage getting looks from Buffalo, Rhode Island and George Washington.

After beginning this season in the starting lineup, Cage has recently been relegated to bench duty, which is something that he has had to learn to deal with.

"I've been a starter my whole life, never came off the bench before. For this team, I guess that's the role I need to play for the team to be successful. I started in the beginning, and now Coach Witherspoon has put me on the bench, I guess where he feels I'm best. Whatever he needs me to do, that's what I'm going to do," Cage said.

Though Cage is still coming off the bench, this season has seen a big jump in his minutes per game and points per game. Cage is averaging 25 minutes and 11 points per game this year, compared to last season where his averages were 17 minutes and eight points per game.

Cage attributes the jump in scoring to the jump in playing time.

"The more you play, the more you're out there to do something good," he said.

Cage's playing time should be seeing an even bigger boost next year. As Turner Battle ends his great career at UB, it is expected that Cage will become the starting point guard next season, a position Cage said he would welcome.

"I'm definitely ready (to start at point guard next season)," said Cage. I've been playing point guard my whole life, so it won't be that big of a transition. I think one of my best assets is getting players involved in the game, so I think I'll be fine in that position."

As Cage's play has improved this season, he has seen an increase in his role as a leader.

"My leadership role is as a vocal leader, and as a leader by example," said Cage. "My teammates rely on me a lot to give them encouraging words, get them pumped up, and ready to go for the game. And I lead by example by going out in the game and doing what I talk about."

Cage happens to be a big fan of the Cage Crazies, a group of Bulls fans in an end section who wear special T-shirts and cheer loudly when Cage makes a big play.

"My face lit up when I saw those dudes for the first time. I couldn't believe it at first. I was like, are they serious?" Cage said. "They've definitely been a big help to me. It really helps you when you know that people admire what you do. Big shout out to the Cage Crazies!"

This season has been Cage's best so far in college. His play has finally started to match the potential he showed coming out of high school, his minutes per game have increased substantially, and he even has his own fan base. All that is left on his list of goals are the MAC title, and the NCAA Tournament berth that comes with it.

Cage will be in action with the rest of the men's basketball team on Saturday at Miami of Ohio.

Five random questions

1. Who has better hair, Mario Jordan, or Roderick Middleton?

"Oh man, you're going to get me killed, those are my roomies. Say that my hair is better then both of theirs."

2. On thefacebook.com, there is a group called the "Idbihi Crazies." Most of the basketball team has joined. Are you a proud member of the "Idbihi Crazies?"

"Yeah, I just joined the other day."

3. What's your favorite food?

"Chicken."

4. What's the one movie that you're embarrassed to admit that you like?

"The Lion King."

5. Who's going to win on Sunday, the Patriots or the Eagles?

"The Eagles."