Next they moved the Oakland game originally scheduled for December 16, 2008, to November 15, 2008, where it will be the season opener.

[4] On October 27, 2008, Cleveland State announced that head coach Gary Waters was given a contract extension through the 2012–13 season.

[5] Also on October 27, 2008, Cleveland State received its first votes of the year, with two points in the AP Top 25 poll, with a ranking of T-50.

[6] Cleveland State participated in the O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic November 24–26.

On March 15, 2009, it was announced Cleveland State would face Wake Forest in the NCAA Tournament.

On March 20, 2009, Cleveland State defeated Wake Forest 84–69 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.