On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Mid-Majority Chat Block, Episode 608--The Mid-Majority

[Comment From AlexAlex: ]
Taking a break from shoveling to chat it up! What should I be on the lookout for in the Butler-Wright State game tonight?
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We actually have very little snow on the ground here in Philadelphia, which is a relief after slogging through two feet of it last weekend in Vermont. But the key for Butler tonight is a 40-minute effort, which I haven't seen yet. Wright State forces a lot of turnovers, and any Bulldog lapses are guaranteed to be paid for in easy transition buckets the other way.
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[Comment From Bob FBob F: ]
Is the Horizon potentially multibid this year? I've seen Loyola, UIC (twice) & Wright State (twice) and have to say I've not been that impressed. Wright St. seemed to be the best of the bunch but not a great team. Will Butler have to win the conf tourney to get in?

It's a tough sell. The league only won about ahlf its nonconference games, and there are only three standout teams: Butler, Wright and Green Bay. Of course, Loyola could get back the momentum they showed and start winning league games, but there's your race. My feeling is that it would take the Butler-losing-in-the-final scenario, which of course has been one of the main reasons why the HL has earned its recent reputation as a perennial two-bidder.
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[Comment From RoryRory: ]
Watched "Big Lumber" play a week ago. More of an inside game this year. Thought he was much improved. Who bestowed that gem of a nickname on him?
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A TV announcer. It's one of the best nicknames out there, because the best greatest ones say everything and nothing at the same time.
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[Comment From Matt (Myrtle Beach)Matt (Myrtle Beach): ]
Any reason you leave Detroit out of the possible contenders in the Horizon? I see a possible trap game for Butler after the Wright St game.... Also who'd make a better PG Jack or Sawyer?

I think they turn it over too much, but we'll see. Jack's too much of an egoist to play the point, he's a two-guard. But did you know this? Tony Ingle, whom I helped with his book last summer, coached Josh Holloway in high school down in Georgia. Said that "Sawyer" was a great shooter.
[Comment From AaronAaron: ]
Kyle, last year I believe you said MIlwaukee was a year away from contending in the Horizon, do you think their mediocrity thus far can be contributed to Tone Boyle being out?

Yeah, that's the thing about predictions that far out... people get injured and stuff. A Franklin-Boyle tandem would have been pretty effective this year.