On The Horizon

* 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.

Broekhoff performing well in U19 Worlds--Off The Mark
Valparaiso heading to Purdue/Michigan State?--Inside VU Sports

Miami or WSU? Wilmington star picks RedHawks--Dayton Daily News
UD and WSU meet on the basketball court, really--Dayton Daily News
Raiders add strength--Mark Katz's Blog
Raiders busy during summer--Mark Katz's Blog

Men's Basketball Boasts Successful Summer Youth Camps--ysusports.com

Jim Squire

USA schedule in New Zealand changes--Indy Star Butler Insider

YSU athletic center zips to fast lane--Youngstown Vindicator

Jim Squire

U.S. under-19 team rolls--The Indy Star
Hayward heats up a little--Indy Star Butler Insider
USA Remains Unbeaten At U19 World Championship--ButlerSports.com

Valpo grad Hummel scores 10 in dominant USA victory--The NWI Times

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.

Foul trouble plagues Hummel in Team USA's victory--The NWI Times

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.

Jim Squire

Red-hot rivalries burn down the house--espn.com

Honorable mention

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.

2010 MOCK DRAFT: HORIZON LEAGUE OFFSEASON RUNDOWN--FoxSports.com
The NCAA Selection Committee changes their last 12 games rule--Ballin' is a Habit
Matchups set for Jimmy V Classic--Rivals.com
Jimmy V Gets a Bit of an Underwhelming Showcase--College Hoops Journal