The Game Has Changed: Mid-Majors and Online Streaming--
Big Apple Buckets
The Veteran Presence – The Horizon League Network:
Back before there was the Horizon League Network there was John Servizzi. The Butler graduate was experimenting with streaming the Bulldogs’ games on the Internet. At the same time, Horizon League commissioner Jon LeCrone was looking for a way to get more out of the conference’s Game of the Week broadcasts. Online streaming seemed like an option.
In 2006 WebStream Productions and Horizon League Network (HLN) were born. The online portal now provides a place for any Horizon League fan to catch conference and non-conference games. The site showed more than 450 events during the 2012-13 academic year and had more than 30,000 unique viewer streams.
“It’s become one of our chief marketing tools,” said Bill Potter, the Horizon League’s director of communications and new media. “From a marketing perspective we know that everyone around the country can find our games in one to two clicks. Coaches can tell parents, ‘You’ll be able to see your kids play.’ From a marketing, visibility, coaching and recruiting standpoint it’s been great for us over the past seven years.”
Servizzi is now the CEO of WebStream Productions, which is also working with the Missouri Valley Conference and Ohio Valley Conference. The Midwestern client base can be attributed to a corporate headquarters in Indianapolis. WebStream produces more than 1,000 streams annually.
“They’re great partners. There’s a trust that’s been built between their office and our office,” Potter said.
Throughout its entire history HLN has been a free service. It turns out that one of the hardest decisions a league has to make is whether its streaming will be free or have some sort of pay model attached. Potter said that internal discussions about making HLN paid come up, but that it would come at the cost of losing about half the league’s online audience.
“Initially we just wanted to expose it to as many people as possible,” Potter said. “From there once people caught on and they knew it was free and they liked that it was free, so we valued it more and more.”
HLN is still innovating. Their iPad application lets fans get to games almost instantly and has made the second screen an important viewing tool. The league has also embraced HD streaming. The rise in the numbers of online viewing options means every league must put out a top-notch product.
That includes the broadcasting teams as well. Most HLN basketball games rely on the home team’s radio broadcasters for audio. While it’s possible for away team fans tuning in to feel a little bias, Potter said that broadcasters have worked hard to be knowledgeable about both teams and that they use the technology to their advantage.
“What we’ve found is that our announcers, knowing that they are broadcasting both for a home and a road audience have really adjusted to being more neutral in their calls and they’re also using the HLN broadcast on their call as well,” Potter said. “It’s been another nice tool for our announcers and they continue to get better year in and year out.”
Put it all together and the Horizon League Network has become a model that other leagues are looking to follow as they move into online streaming.
Darryl Brown Joins Women's Basketball Coaching Staff--
csuvikings.com
Brian Wardle ‘better coach’ after investigation--
My Suburban Life
Piecing together non-conference schedules--
Horizon League Hoops
Ohio State, Cleveland State to enter into three game series says CSU insider--
Land-Grant Holy Land
Miami Heat’s Mario Chalmers heats up as Spurs’ Tony Parker goes cold--
Miami Herald
For Chalmers, the turnaround — however small — was welcome. Through the first six quarters in San Antonio, Chalmers was a nonfactor. He was hit with three quick fouls in Game 3 and was held scoreless, missing all five of his shots and turning it over four times. Making matters worse for the Heat, backup Norris Cole hasn’t been much better, hitting 3 of 12 shots in Games 3 and 4.
Miami Heat’s lineup tweak creates options--
Miami Herald
But by the time the Heat made its first substitution in Game 4 — Norris Cole replacing Chalmers — the Heat was already down 15-5.
Cleveland State's Norris Cole finding his place in the NBA Finals spotlight: Terry Pluto--
Cleveland Plain Dealer
NBA Mock Draft, Version 3.0--
Fox Sports Ohio
43. Milwaukee: Ray McCallum, 6-2, PG, Detroit
NBA Draft Capsule: Detroit PG Ray McCallum--
CSN Chicago
Beckie Francis out as Oakland women's basketball coach--
The Detroit Free Press
Gary Russi steps down as Oakland University president; wife fired as basketball coach--
The Detroit Free Press
Oakland fires women's basketball coach Beckie Francis--
The Detroit News
Beckie Francis relieved as women’s basketball head coach--
Oakland Post
Beckie Francis Relieved as Women's Basketball Coach--
ougrizzlies.com
Coach Wardle's Camps - Sign Up Today--
GreenBayPhoenix.com
Eichler Headed to China with NetScouts USA All-Stars--
GreenBayPhoenix.com
Gulley Part Of Thursday's Pre-Draft Workout With Bucks--
uwmpanthers.com
Raiders sign two players from Texas--
Dayton Daily News
Raiders Sign Pair of Texas Guards--
wsuraiders.com
YSU's Brandi Brown Earns Horizon League's NCAA Woman of the Year Nominations--
ysusports.com
Brown, Schmit Earn Horizon League's NCAA Woman of the Year Nominations--
Horizon League Network
Top Ten Mid-Major Point Guards to Watch in 2013-14--
Mid-Major Madness
Kendrick Perry, Youngstown State: Perry will enter his senior year with the Penguins next season and you may start to hear his name more and more outside of the Horizon League. He has become one the nation's most efficient guard over the past couple of years averaging over 17 points, 4 assists, and 5 rebounds per game this past season. He helped lead the Penguins to the CIT this past year, which was the first postseason basketball appearance in school history.
Keifer Sykes, Green Bay: Speaking of the Horizon League, how about Keifer Sykes from Green Bay. In his sophomore campaign for the Phoenix he put up 16 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds per game in route to being named to the All-Conference First Team. Sykes will add some stability to a program that has seen its fair share of instability this offseason.
Spurs’ Tony Parker burns the Miami Heat at pivotal moments--
Miami Herald
Before Thursday’s game, Spoelstra said the Heat had to be aggressive when it came to defending the quick and shifty Parker. When Miami was able to have Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole stay close, Parker was more apt to dish the ball off.
When they sat back a touch, as Cole did in the fourth, Parker attacked the basket and made Miami pay for it.
...
Said Cole: “A couple of them were just tough shots. That last one on LeBron was a busted play, a tough shot.”
Prior to that dagger shot, Parker’s biggest make of the night came at the midway point of the fourth when he turned the motor on and roared to the basket.
Parker left Cole frozen as he spun around and hit the layup to give the Spurs their first lead since the first quarter.
Focus of Heat's defense turns to Spurs guard Tony Parker--
South Florida Sun Sentinel
The most disappointing aspect of Parker's strong finish is that the Heat defended well for three quarters. Problems arose when he beat Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole for a couple of baskets. That prompted Spoelstra to turn to LeBron James.
Detroit's Ray McCallum could have Detroit Pistons on his calendar soon--
The Detroit Free Press
Loyola 1963 Men's Basketball Team To Enter Chicagoland Sports Hall Of Fame--
LoyolaRamblers.com
Former Loyola Guard DaJuan Gouard Named Head Coach At Danville Area College--
LoyolaRamblers.com
Green Bay announces addition Rutgers transfer Vincent Garrett--
CollegeBasketballTalk
Panthers pick up Akeem Springs--
PantherU
Ryan Broekhoff - 2013 NBA Pre-Draft Workout & Interview--
DraftExpress
What If? -- Valparaiso Basketball Edition--
The NWI Times
NBA Draft Blog Interview with Julius Mays--
NBA Draft Blog
Raider Roundup for Season Ticket Holders--
wsuraiders.com
Kendrick Perry Named Top Ten Mid-Major Point Guards to Watch in 2013-14--
ysusports.com
Bounced Around--
Chronicle For Higher Education
Norris Cole videos: A night of perfection and ejection--
Through the Arch
Miami Heat’s Mario Chalmers, Udonis Haslem will have their hands full--
Miami Herald
Chalmers will draw the initial assignment on Tony Parker, though Norris Cole and perhaps LeBron James also will chase the Spurs’ point guard at times. The key?
“Keep a body on him,” Chalmers said. “Try to match his speed and not let him get any open looks. He never gets rattled. It’s going to be my job to make it a tough series for him.” Chalmers has always been disruptive in passing lanes, but he said his individual defense “is a lot better. I keep getting wiser and wiser.”
Linda Robertson: Spurs’ Tony Parker a headache for foes in any language--
Miami Herald
Parker was fast then, and he’s even faster now. He consistently beat the Grizzlies’ Mike Conley and Tony Allen on the dribble, which means Miami’s Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole will need to have their spikes on. He will force James and Dwyane Wade into lots of chases.
Parker is most dangerous when threading through a thicket of screens. The Spurs are a precision team that has this down to a science. Should Heat defenders go over or under those screens? And when Heat players shift and swipe, rotate and help, shooters Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard and Matt Bonner will be ready to catch and shoot.
Parker is a master of misdirection. He cuts the corner and penetrates the lane as well as anyone. His quickness and agility make him underrated on defense, where he will frequently match up against Chalmers’ pugnaciousness and Cole’s speed.
Cornelius Jackson Named Assistant Men's Basketball Coach--
csuvikings.com
Five CSU Teams Receive National APR Recognition--
csuvikings.com
Men's Basketball Elite Camp Sold Out--
detroittitans.com
Graduate Assistant Coach Brittany Burkhardt Accepts Assistant Position At East Tennessee State--
detroittitans.com
All hail the ‘extremists’: College hoops’ returning statistical elite--
Sports Illustrated
Division I transfer joins Flames basketball--
UIC News
Men's basketball: UWGB adds Rutgers transfer--
Green Bay Press Gazette
Rutgers' Vincent Garrett Transfers to Green Bay--
GreenBayPhoenix.com
Ex-hoops player Harris turning heads with Chiefs--
Sports Illustrated
Six Valparaiso Athletic Programs Earn NCAA Recognition--
valpoathletics.com
Men's Basketball Hosting First Camp June 10-13--
ysusports.com
Miami Heat needs to hit the boards harder--
Miami Herald
This and that
• Spoelstra said he did not use Norris Cole or any point guard for 6:39 of the second half Tuesday because he wanted to give more minutes to Ray Allen, who played less in the first half than Spoelstra generally prefers. Allen shot 4 for 13 and is now 9 for 29 in the series.
Hyde5: LeBron can't be knocked off game, other Game 5 keys--
South Florida Sun Sentinel
5. Make their depth count. Indiana has a very limited bench. The Heat, meanwhile, have received great contributions from Ray Allen, Shane Battier, Chris "Birdman" Andersen or Norris Cole. This has to have an impact on the game. It's surprising it hasn't had more an impact on the series thus far.
Ex-CMU basketball coach Ernie Zeigler joins UDM as assistant--
The Detroit News
UDM Men's Basketball Adds Detroit Native Ernie Zeigler to Coaching Staff--
detroittitans.com
U of I trustees approve extension, raise for basketball coach Groce--
State Journal-Register
Trustees also voted Wednesday to give Illinois-Chicago men's head coach Howard Moore a three-year contract extension.
...
Moore's contract was extended through March 2018. His $333,900 salary will increase by $15,000 in 2014.
Under Moore the Flames finished 18-16 last season.
Jordan Harks Transfers to UIC, Will Be Immediately Eligible--
uicflames.com
Men's basketball: UWGB loses 5th player; Stefan won't return--
Green Bay Press Gazette
Hoops blog: UWGB loses 5th player; Stefan won't return--
UWGB Hoops Blog
Texas point guard commits to Wright State--
Dayton Daily News
Texas point guard calls Wright State a ‘perfect fit’--
Wright State University Sports
Women's Basketball Golf Outing Set for Aug. 24--
ysusports.com
