Primarily a collection of news links about all 11 Horizon League teams on a daily basis, culled from online newspapers, school athletic websites, the conference website, and school newspapers, plus some other content from time to time.
* VALPO VANISHING INSURANCE: Valparaiso's basketball team has seen an exodus of biblical proportions lately. In the past two years, eight players have left the program early -- including one, Beas Hamga, who left before he even got a chance to play.
A monthly payment of $20 (hey, things cost more at private schools) will give Crusaders fans a safety net. Every time a player pulls a Bouchie, a Haanpaa or a Hamga, the insured fan will receive free physical therapy for the physical whiplash caused by watching these players bolt campus, and free psychotherapy for the mental whiplash caused by the ever-changing expectations. "We're an NCAA Tournament team! We're toast! We're a Horizon contender! We should have stayed in the Mid-Con! We're great! We're terrible! We're... confused?"
Added bonus: If more than three players leave in one year, the insured fan receives a full scholarship to join the team.
In other action, Valparaiso University sophomore Cameron Witt scored three points and grabbed three rebounds in a losing effort as Greece knocked off Australia 89-72. At the Under-19 World Championships in New Zealand, incoming VU freshman Ryan Broekhoff led Australia to a 69-62 victory over Spain with a team-leading 16 points and seven rebounds.
In other action at the World University Games, Valparaiso University sophomore Cameron Witt scored two points and grabbed a rebound as Australia fell 84-66 to Serbia. At the U-19 championships in New Zealand, incoming VU freshman Ryan Broekhoff had six points and six rebounds to help lead Australia to a 96-54 win over Syria.
Butler-Cleveland State: The Vikings upset the Horizon League heavyweight Bulldogs on their home floor to earn the automatic NCAA tournament bid last season, then backed it up with a first-round upset romp over Wake Forest. Butler will start the season ranked (possibly highly ranked), providing an even bigger target for Cleveland State. With Gary Waters coaching the Vikings, this rivalry will be an underrated gem.
