On The Horizon

Jim Squire

ATB--Rush The Court

Are These Really Upsets?

* UAB 67, #18 Butler 57. The surprising UAB Blazers knocked off their second ranked foe in six days by defeating Butler at Bartow Arena behind Jamarr Sanders’ 18 points and 11/7 from Elijah Millsap. UAB did succumb to a ferocious Butler rally midway through the second half, allowing the Bulldogs to cut a 16-point deficit down to two in an eight-minute span before picking up the defense and preventing Butler from scoring on their next six possessions. Under Mike Davis, the Blazers are now 23-0 against non-conference opponents in their home gym and can boast two victories against likely NCAA teams when March rolls around. As for Butler, the only outstanding thing in their resume is a Turner-less win over Ohio State at home and a controversial victory over Xavier. With nothing to gain in Horizon play, their seed could take a hit with the lack of quality wins in November and December. Horizon League POY Matt Howard managed just six points and zero free throw attempts while fouling out yet again in a game where Butler was out-shot, out-rebounded and simply outworked by a fiery UAB squad to be reckoned with in Conference USA.
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Other Games of National Interest.
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* #17 Ohio State 72, Cleveland State 59. No Evan Turner? No problem. At least against Cleveland State that is. Led by David Lighty’s career-high 30 points, the Buckeyes never trailed against the Vikings who were unable to keep it as close as they had in their previous game–an 80-78 loss to West Virginia. The Buckeyes will likely find life a bit more challenging without Turner with their next two games in Madison and Ann Arbor.

Around the Top 25--College Hoops Journal

—UPSET—UAB 67, No. 20 Butler 57. A hornet’s nest was what the Bulldogs walked into when they entered Bartow Arena last night. Gotta call it like it is: Butler isn’t that good and is proving to be weak in a lot of areas it normally hasn’t been in the past few years.
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No. 17 Ohio State 72, Cleveland State 59. David Lighty with 30 points. And we can officially nudge him into talk of Big Ten player of the year. Just slightly, OK?

Sanders leads UAB over No. 20 Butler, 67-57--MICentralSports.com
Random Tuesday: It’s Like Christmas in, um, December…--Rush The Court

8 pm – #16 Butler @ UAB. UAB has won nine in a row including a convincing victory a week ago against visiting Cincinnati at home. Butler will need every nudge it can get from the scoreboard and clock operator tonight to ensure a win in Birmingham.

Ten Tuesday Scribbles…--Rush The Court

8. Last year’s version of the UAB Blazers were supposed to contend for the top 25 and challenge Memphis in Conference USA. They flopped early in the campaign and stood at 10-7 (1-2) after a 13-point loss to Memphis on January 17 before making a late run and reaching the NIT. This year’s Blazers are off to a much better start sitting at 10-1 after a midweek trouncing of Cincinnati and a convincing road win at South Alabama. Coach Mike Davis has found a star in 6’6 swingman Elijah Millsap (related to Utah’s Paul Millsap). The junior put up 22/15 against Yancy Gates and is averaging a double-double on the young season. The Blazers welcome Butler to their house Tuesday in an interesting matchup.

Tuesday's Pregame Beat--Ballin' is a Habit

8:00 pm: Butler @ UAB: Butler looks like they have started to figure things out as Gordon Hayward is beginning to play like the all-american everyone thought he would be, but Matt Howard is still struggling. UAB just beat Cincinnati at home, can they pick up another win?