Tuesday, February 24, 2009

News On The Horizon 2/24/2009

Bracket Buster: Northeastern Shuts Down Wright State--Hoopville


Good Morning Hoops Nation: February 23--The Mid-Majority

BracketBusted: As a pall descended over Belk Arena at the final media timeout on Saturday on the way to a 12-point Butler road win, there came the sad realization in the stands that Davidson 2009 isn't exactly Davidson 2008. Stephen Curry's jello-wristed 6-for-23 shooting performance notwithstanding (the result of not practicing for a week, and his status as a game-time decision in the wake of his week-old ankle injury), the Wildcats were just plain manhandled by Butler. When the Bulldogs wanted better floor positioning on offense, they took it. When the white-clads stood in their way, the black and blue crew pushed them out. They didn't even ask nicely.

A lot's been made of how much the Wildcats miss playmaking point guard Jason Richards. And that's true, they do. But I'd have to say that the team probably misses Boris Meno and Thomas Sander more, two post players who steadfastly disallowed NCAA Tournament opponents to use them as doormats. A year from now, Frank Ben-Eze will have the control to match his power, and Ben Allison will better know what to do with his physical tools. For now, they're freshman bit players, full of promise, and Davidson has lost three straight home games.

BracketButler: No team got more out of the weekend showcase than the Bulldogs from Indianapolis. After a pair of drops to Loyola and Wisconsin-Milwaukee, there were questions as to whether the young team had hit the wall. After more than rising to the challenge on national TV in a hostile environment, it's logical to chalk up recent sloppy and uninspired play to focus issues -- it's easier to know what's on the line when the cameras are on. Butler has proved it will get up for big games, of which there are many coming. While we urge all strong mid-majors to win their conference tournaments and get in the old-fashioned way, the Bulldogs are the only BB participant that can feel any sort of safe... but that's just inviting more complacency issues and compounding an earlier problem.

MMBOW #15: Gordon Hayward, Butler--The Mid-Majority
ALL-FROSH TEAM--College Hoop Blog: Good 'N Plenty
Of video chat, rankings, tiebreakers and 6-10 recruit--Indy Star Butler Insider

Bulldogs Try To Stay Perfect At Home Thursday Against Milwaukee--ButlerSports.com

Cleveland State Insider: Vikings confident Wichita loss won't slow final Horizon push--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Vikings Face Valpo As Season Winds Down--csuvikings.com

Trip to Chicago Next for Vikings--csuvikings.com

It's A Great Week For Titans Fans--detroittitans.com

Team effort pulls out win over Raiders--Whoosh!Net

Women's Basketball Takes On Cleveland State At The Flames Athletic Center Thursday Night--uicflames.com

Ramblers Wrap Up Regular Season With Crucial Game Versus UIC Friday Night--LoyolaRamblers.com

Panthers Start Final Week Of Regular Season At Wright State--uwmpanthers.com

Panthers Close Out Regular Season On The Road--uwmpanthers.com

Horizon League Player of the Year -- who gets your vote?--Off The Mark
Four Seniors to Be Honored Saturday--valpoathletics.com

Valpo Hosts Green Bay Thursday Evening--valpoathletics.com

Basketball concentration--Mark Katz's Blog

Nothing to do--GuinZone.com
Encouraged Penguins Get Second Shot at Chicago Teams This Week--ysusports.com

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