Meet the Bulls: Calvin Cage

With the Mid-American Conference Tournament getting underway tonight, Bulls guard Calvin Cage couldn't have picked a better time to raise his game to new levels.

Cage detonated against the first and second place MAC East teams over a two-game stretch not long ago, averaging 20 points a game in those contests, while shooting above 50 percent. He also dropped in eight 3-pointers during the stretch, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and two steals a game.

But it's not like Cage woke up one morning and smelled the Folgers's crystals. He has always believed in his play and was rewarded last week by being named MAC player of the week.

"The confidence has been there, you can talk to the staff and my teammates," said Cage. "I've been getting good looks and knocking them down. My teammates have been really looking for me, they really keep telling me to keep shooting."

For some people, scoring more points than shoes you own is an easy mission, and then there's people like Cage who would need to put up about 200 shots a night to equal the amount of footwear he owns.

"I love shoes," said Cage. "Right now up here I probably say like 50, but I got about 200 all together. Sneakers, boots, casual shoes; every Jordan is my favorite."

While watching MTV's Cribs, you may realize a lot of NBA players have their jerseys framed on the wall in their houses. Cage unfortunately does not have that same liberty in decorating his dorm room.

"They won't let us touch them (the jerseys), the equipment people keep those and give them to us before every game," said Cage.

As a youngster, Cage played with neighborhood kids and admires his father for putting the ball in his hands as a child. While he grew up with four sisters, he never accepted the challenge of taking on all of them at once.

"My sisters, they're not really the athletic type. I had one little sister, she ran track but...it's basically playing with older guys where I grew up at," said Cage.

Off the court you may see Cage tearing up the streets in his silver 2000 Cadillac Deville with matching interior. Cage also has a vision of someday owning his own business.

"I want to open up a clothing store and have my own clothing line, I don't really have a name for it right now," said Cage of his ambitions after basketball.