On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Mid-Majority Chat Block, Episode 704--The Mid-Majority

4:13

[Comment From Ty Ty : ]
Are the two early losses for Butler the best thing that could happen to them? Instead of being watched closely by press and those who jumped on last March, they can figure out their rotations and develop their players in relative tranquility.
Friday December 3, 2010 4:13 Ty
4:17

Well, I don't think they're going to have any tranquility, even the relative kind. There will be the wave of "What's Wrong With Butler" articles and TV spots, which has already kind of started happening. Statistically, there's not much of a difference from where they were last year at this time. They control the ball, the defense is a tiny bit down, they don't shoot so good as always, but they're really rebounding well (thanks to Howard and an increased presence by #1BS favorite Andrew Smith). They'll be fine.
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4:28

[Comment From Mike Mike : ]
How good is Cleveland State and will they give Butler any problems this year in the Horizon?
Friday December 3, 2010 4:28 Mike
4:30

I can vouch for the reality of Cleveland State. Vikings may be a better team than Butler right now, especially on defense. Those two games are going to be great, seeing if Butler's size advantage can trump the Vikings' deep array of guards. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a shock Cleveland State sweep, though... but the only game that matters will be played in March.

Around the Top 25--College Hoops Journal

Notable:
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Cleveland State 83, Green Bay 75. Vikings are now 9-0. Telling you, the Horizon’s going to be fun to follow.

Set Your Tivo: 12.04-12.05--Rush The Court

#1 Duke vs. Butler (IZOD Center, East Rutherford, NJ) – 3:15 pm Saturday on ESPN (***)

The rematch of last year’s epic title game doesn’t have nearly the same feel. Duke is better than last year while Butler has had a rough start to the season with point guard Ronald Nored suffering a concussion against Siena. He’s day-to-day according to Brad Stevens and may miss this game. Butler’s do-everything star from last year’s team, Gordon Hayward, is gone too, averaging just two points a game in less than ten minutes for the Utah Jazz. The Bulldogs were shredded by Louisville and upset by Evansville at home last week, two disappointing losses for a team that came in with high expectations again this year. Look for Duke’s shooters to dominate this game as Butler really struggles on offense and is mediocre defensively inside the three-point line. Butler ranks #171 in two point defense and is one of the worst teams at blocking shots, #312. Duke’s opponents get most of their points inside the arc but Butler is just #246 in two point percentage. Leading scorer and rebounder Matt Howard is making 55% of his shots but as a whole the team is just at 43.5%. Shelvin Mack is back too and has done a nice job distributing the ball, especially with Nored out. Howard’s foul problems are still there but he has yet to foul out of a game this season. Going up against the athletic Mason Plumlee and company inside, it would be naïve to think Howard won’t have foul problems in this game given his history. Duke is the top ranked team in offensive efficiency and should be able to pile up the points against Butler. Kyrie Irving, coming off his spectacular 31-point performance against Michigan State, makes his return to his home state of New Jersey and will surely be ready to play well in front of the home folks. Duke simply has too much for Butler this time around. While it’s sure to be nostalgic for most college basketball fans, don’t expect this game to be close especially if Nored is still out.

Friday's Pregame Beat: Previewing your College Hoops Weekend--Ballin' is a Habit

BEST STORYLINES:
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Saturday
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* 3:15 pm: Butler vs. No. 1 Duke in New Jersey: The title game rematch got a bit less interesting with Butler's struggles and Ronald Nored's injury.

The return of the Weekend Weave--College Hoops Journal

What’s Kyrie Irving going to do?

Oh, boy. After how he’s played so far, expect a bit of a come-down in near future. Duke’s playing Butler, and the Bulldogs should have Ronald Nored back. Nored was out for two weeks, recovering from a concussion. He’s a great defender, but going against the blur that is Irving, I’m not so sure him playing Saturday is doctor-prescribed. I think Irving’s terrific play as of late is halted, somewhat, against a Butler team that’ll be desperate defensively. Doesn’t mean Duke can’t win easy, though.