Monday, January 31, 2011

News On The Horizon 1/31/2011

College Basketball: Valparaiso Battles For At Large NCAA bid--SB Nation Indiana
Tempo-free Horizon League--ChicagoNow.com

Little’s double daggers drop Bulldogs 85-79--Victory Firelight
Live Chat: Death Storm Distraction--Victory Firelight

Cleveland State, Kent State, Akron get Bracketbuster dates--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Vikings Stuck in Shadow of Cleveland's Pro Sports--The Cauldron
Cleveland State Men's Highlights Vs. Loyola--Let's Go Vikes!
ESPNU to televise a BracketBusters Selection Show on Monday--Let's Go Vikes!
Cleveland State is back on top of the Mid-Major Top 25 poll--Let's Go Vikes!
PRESS RELEASE: Vikings Draw Old Dominion in BracketBuster--Let's Go Vikes!
Five Score In Double Digits, As CSU Rolls 81-70 In Chicago--csuvikings.com

Winton's Career High 31 Leads CSU Past Youngstown State, 86-65--csuvikings.com

Green Bay 85, Detroit Mercy 74: Late run brings down Titans--The Detroit Free Press
Ray McCallum Jr. scores 15 in Titans' loss to Green Bay--The Detroit News
Green Bay Salvages Series Split with 85-74 Win--detroittitans.com

UIC's big men, their roles and their numbers--ChicagoNow.com
UIC ends nine-game losing streak with win over Youngstown State--The Chicago Tribune
UIC ends 9-game losing streak--Daily Herald

UIC Student-Athletes Record 2.97 GPA During Fall Semester--uicflames.com

Women bounced by Butler Bulldogs--UIC Chicago Flame

February important month for Loyola--The Chicago Tribune
17 turnovers cost Loyola in loss to Cleveland State--The Chicago Sun-Times

Men's basketball: Phoenix is impressive in victory over Detroit--Green Bay Press Gazette
Fletcher Leads Phoenix to Bounce Back Win Over Detroit--uwgbathletics.com
Brown's Block Records Inevitable but Impressive--uwgbathletics.com

Hoewisch Earns Player of the Week Honors--uwgbathletics.com

Hill comes to the rescue--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Hitting their stride--UWM Post
Deonte Roberts is back…sort of--PantherU
Post-Game Extra - Wright State @ Milwaukee--Panther Blog Zone
Panthers Escape With 54-53 Victory Over Wright State--uwmpanthers.com

Women beat Valpo, fall to Butler on road--UWM Post

VU takes bite out of Dawgs' bark--The Post-Tribune
Harris clutch at the line--The Post-Tribune
Valparaiso receiving votes in the coaches poll--Off The Mark

Career-high 26 for Duggins not enough for WSU--Dayton Daily News
Raiders end tough stretch on the road--Dayton Daily News
Duggins ties career high, but WSU loses 13th straight at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 54-53--Wright State University Sports
As usual, Donlon passionate about Duggins’ place in Horizon League--Wright State University Sports
Men Fall Short at Milwaukee 54-53--wsuraiders.com
Raiders Host Three Games in Five Days--wsuraiders.com
Duggins Honored by Horizon League--wsuraiders.com

Milwaukee, Green Bay Climb Horizon League Ladder--Horizon League Network

Sunday, January 30, 2011

News On The Horizon 1/30/2011

Balanced scoring, defense spark Green Bay--MICentralSports.com
Mid-Majority Chat Block, Episode 712--The Mid-Majority

[Comment From Tyler (Indianapolis) Tyler (Indianapolis) : ]
Any thoughts on where the Horizon League Tourney will be held this year? Normally they're selling tickets at Hinkle by now and calling it the Butler Invitational. (sarcasm) Butler can't seem to play 40 solid minutes... and it's really pissing me off. Well, on the bright side, everyone loves a wide open race, right?
Friday January 28, 2011 4:32 Tyler (Indianapolis)
4:35

Can I say the Wohlstein Center? It seems like a lot of folks have forgotten about Cleveland State. The Vikings had a bad weekend (okay, a realllly bad weekend), but they haven't lost at home and have been on an anger-fueled romping spree since early January. Probably the most dangerous thing about them is that it's not all Norris lately. You have guys like Harmon and Montgomery who are coming in and scoring 20 points.
...
[Comment From Dan Dan : ]
Kyle, I just want to thank you for writing about Alumni Gym and taking in a volleyball game there. I never saw a basketball game there either, but when I was a student there, I used to love standing in that old gym and imagining the history that happened there. They say the 2nd deck and the rafters would shake during Rambler wins because of all the students jumping up and down. What's your opinion about maintaining historic old gyms vs tearing them down for newer arenas with no character?
Friday January 28, 2011 4:41 Dan
4:43

You're welcome and thank you. I think Loyola has done this right, even if they didn't specifically plan it that way: they moved in to the new place and kept the old one for other sports for 15 years. It would still be standing next year if there wasn't a space issue (it's the North Side of Chicago and there isn't unlimited room). There have been other schools that did it that way, Temple comes to mind. My opinion is that it's inevitable and that we should enjoy the old ones while we can.
...
[Comment From John L (Rochester, MI) John L (Rochester, MI) : ]
My girlfriend lives in Baltimore and I live in Michigan. She wants me to move out there. I'm unsure so I'm weighing the pros and cons. In Michigan I have my two alma maters: Oakland and Western Michigan. I also have the future: Central Michigan with Trey Zeigler and Detroit Mercy with Ray McCallum. In Baltimore I have an unknown. What should I do?
Friday January 28, 2011 4:49 John L (Rochester, MI)
4:50

If you're considering moving because of a girl, basketball should not be part of the equation. If you love her, do it. If you have doubts, don't. Either way, Detroit and CMU are usually available on #pixelvision (which is in fact an aphrodisiac).

The Other 26: Week 11--Rush The Court
Set Your Tivo: 01.28-01.30--Rush The Court

Butler @ Valparaiso – 2 pm Saturday on ESPN FullCourt/ESPN3.com (**)

It’s a surprise but Valpo is actually ahead of Butler in the Horizon League standings by a game. The Crusaders are led by the tandem of Brandon Wood and Cory Johnson who combine for 44% of the team’s total offensive output. You should know, though, that Wood is questionable for this game with a hamstring injury and Valparaiso is banged up in a few places. While a few of the other injured players should play, Homer Drew really needs Wood in this game if he’s able to go. The amazing thing about Butler is their offense has actually improved over last year (#50 to #28) but their defensive efficiency has fallen off a cliff. It’s been one of the biggest mysteries in all of college basketball, but the Bulldogs are rated #124 in defensive efficiency after ranking #5 last year. That’s what propelled them to the championship game. Butler is highly porous inside and that’s where Valpo does most of its damage (53% FG). If Matt Howard and company can’t stop the Crusaders inside, the home folks will win.

Friday's Pregame Beat: Previewing your college hoops weekend--Ballin' is a Habit

BEST STORYLINES

Saturday
...
* 2:00 pm: Butler @ Valpo: This is a huge game in the Horizon League standings. Believe it or not, Butler is third in the Horizon right now. Valpo is tied for first in the loss column.

Slaughterhouse Saturday--College Basketball Blog

It's too much carnage to count.

Four teams ranked in top 10 in the polls lost Saturday, but the damage done extends so far beyond that, I don't have time to get into it in one post. For space's sake, I'll neglect to mention any result that's already been discussed on the blog earlier today. And most of the teams, like Ohio State, who were ranked and somehow managed to escape with a win, here's your kudos. Can't waste letters on you for doing what you're supposed to. Let's get to all those bad losses!

Most of the noteworthy and newsworthy trangressions can be found below:
...
— Oh, I’m still going. Butler — Butler! Newman! — is now out of the at-large conversation in light of losing 85-79 on the road to Valpo, falling to 14-8. Valparaiso and Cleveland State have the Horizon fates in their hands.

College Basketball On TV For January 29, 2011--Blogging the Bracket

Mid-Afternoon (ET)
...
Laptop: Butler Bulldogs at Valparaiso Crusaders, Horizon League Network/WNDY/WWRD/CSN Chicago/STO/ESPN3/Full Court (2 p.m. ET)
The Crusaders are still looking for their first ever win over the Bulldogs in Horizon League play, and this is their best chance since they joined the conference in the 2007-08 season. Valpo is tied with Cleveland State in the loss column for the league lead (the Vikings are at 4-6 Loyola-Chicago this afternoon), and Butler is tied for third along with Wright State.
KenPom.com prediction: Crusaders 69-68, 65 poss.

College Basketball On TV For January 30, 2011--Blogging the Bracket

Wright St. Raiders at Milwaukee Panthers, TWC 32/Horizon League Network (2 p.m. ET)
The Raiders look to stay a game behind Horizon co-leaders Cleveland State and Valparaiso.
KenPom.com prediction: Raiders 63-62, 62 poss.


Monson: Quit freaking out — the Jazz are good--Salt Lake Tribune

Were there prognosticators, even among the most optimistic, coming into this season who believed the Jazz would roll through the elite teams in the league?

Negatory on that one, too.

The Jazz offloaded Carlos Boozer, they lost Wesley Matthews, a bigger deal than it seemed, and Kyle Korver, and Mehmet Okur was gone to injury. They got Al Jefferson, Raja Bell, and Gordon Hayward. Chances were decent they were going to be better at some point — just being free from the baggage that came alongside Boozer’s scoring.

Preview: Howard, Smith crucial to Butler offense--The Indy Star
Butler falls to Valparaiso in OT--The Indy Star
No secret to Bulldogs: It's the 'D'--The Indy Star
Bulldogs' NCAA hopes lie in Horizon tourney--The Indy Star
Season starts over now--Indy Star Butler Insider
Game Preview: Butler vs. Valparaiso--Victory Firelight
VALPARAISO 85, BUTLER 79 (OT)--THE unOFFICIAL BUTLER BULLDOGS MEN'S BASKETBALL PAGE
Butler Falls In Overtime At Valparaiso, 85-79--ButlerSports.com

Green Bay Lady Pheonix narrowly defeat women’s basketball--Butler Collegian
Bulldogs Host Milwaukee Saturday Afternoon--ButlerSports.com
Bulldogs Defeat Milwaukee, 72-64--ButlerSports.com

Cleveland State men's basketball team tries to resist looking ahead--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Good day for offense; defense, not so good: Cleveland State Insider--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State rolls past Loyola, sets up big showdowns with Valpo and Butler next week--Cleveland Plain Dealer
CSU's Cole is making a strong case for Horizon League's Player of the Year--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State Press Conference Vs. UIC--Let's Go Vikes!
The Horizon League Network Interviews Norris Cole--Let's Go Vikes!
Cleveland State 81, Loyola-Chicago 70: Five Score In Double Digits, As CSU Rolls In Chicago--Let's Go Vikes!
Cleveland State Men's Postgame Press Conference Vs. Loyola--Let's Go Vikes!
Vikings Play At Loyola On Saturday--csuvikings.com
Five Score In Double Digits, As CSU Rolls 81-70 In Chicago--csuvikings.com

CSU Women Defeat Youngstown State, 86-65--Let's Go Vikes!
CSU Women Highlights Vs. Youngstown State--Let's Go Vikes!
Kate Peterson Abiad's Postgame Press Conference Vs. YSU--Let's Go Vikes!
Vikings Travel to Youngstown State on Saturday--csuvikings.com
Winton's Career High 31 Leads CSU Past Youngstown State, 86-65--csuvikings.com

Wisconsin-Milwaukee 71, Detroit Mercy 67: Titans unable to keep up late--The Detroit Free Press
Titans Aim for Season Sweep over Phoenix Sunday--detroittitans.com

Murphy Nets Career High As Titans Downed By UIC--detroittitans.com

Guard-heavy UIC piles on stats en route to first Horizon League win--ChicagoNow.com
UIC falters after strong 1st half--The Chicago Tribune
Despite UIC's poor season, Kreps quietly moves toward milestones--The Chicago Tribune
Flames look to put an end to 9-game losing streak--The Chicago Sun-Times
UIC ends nine-game losing streak with win over Youngstown State--The Chicago Sun-Times
Flames run out of gas--Whoosh!Net
Follow the Flames and Vikings Live from the Pavilion!--uicflames.com
First-Place Cleveland State Defeats Men's Hoops, 63-49--uicflames.com
Men's Basketball Hosts Youngstown State Saturday Afternoon--uicflames.com
Follow the Flames LIVE versus Youngstown State!--uicflames.com
Men's Basketball Pulls Away from Youngstown State, 83-61--uicflames.com

New Women's Basketball Podcast Now Available--uicflames.com
Women's Basketball Posts Big Road Win At Wright State--uicflames.com
Women's Hoops Looks To Finish Road Trip With Second Win--uicflames.com
Women's Basketball Completes Perfect Road Trip At Detroit--uicflames.com

Loyola improving as back end of conference play starts--ChicagoNow.com
Horizon leader too tough for Loyola to handle--The Chicago Tribune
17 turnovers cost Loyola in loss to Cleveland State--The Chicago Sun-Times
Scouting: Cleveland St. @ Loyola--Daily Herald
Balanced Attack and Bench Production Sends Loyola Past Youngstown State, 84-71--LoyolaRamblers.com
Ramblers Close Out Three-Game Homestand, Host Horizon League Leader Cleveland State Saturday Afternoon--LoyolaRamblers.com
Gibler's 25 Points Not Enough In Loyola's 81-70 Loss To Cleveland State--LoyolaRamblers.com


Skube, Ramblers Grind Past Titans In Overtime, 88-77
--LoyolaRamblers.com
Loyola Looks For Weekend Sweep With Saturday Tilt at Wright State--LoyolaRamblers.com
Wright State Buzzer-Beater Sinks Loyola, 77-76--LoyolaRamblers.com

Women's basketball: Today's UWGB vs. Valparaiso preview--Green Bay Press Gazette
Women's basketball: UWGB solves Valparaiso's zone defense--Green Bay Press Gazette
No. 22/16 Green Bay Stands Alone in First Place after Holding off Second-half Charge by Butler--uwgbathletics.com
Phoenix Faces Valpo with Longest Winning Streak of the Season--uwgbathletics.com
Four Players Score in Double Figures in 69-50 Win--uwgbathletics.com

Men's basketball: Phoenix wastes late lead, falls to Wright State--Green Bay Press Gazette
UWGB men's basketball preview--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay Falls Victim to Wright State Rally, 63-61--uwgbathletics.com
Green Bay Hosts Detroit Sunday Afternoon at the Resch--uwgbathletics.com

Point guard Williams plays key role in revving Panthers--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Boyle helps Panthers rally past Titans--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Set the tone: Game 22 vs. Detroit--PantherU
Growing up: Game 23 vs. Wright State--PantherU
Live Blog - Detroit @ Milwaukee--Panther Blog Zone
Postgame Extra – Detroit at Milwaukee--Panther Blog Zone
Live Blog: Men's Basketball vs. Wright State--Panther Blog Zone
Panthers Use Late Surge To Claim Comeback Win Over Detroit--uwmpanthers.com
Panthers Look To Extend Winning Streak To Three Sunday--uwmpanthers.com

Panthers pull away with hot second half--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Deficit too big for Panthers--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Post-Game Wrap-Up: Milwaukee @ Valparaiso--Panther Blog Zone
Post-Game Wrap-Up: Milwaukee @ Butler--Panther Blog Zone
Panthers Pull Away For 73-61 Win At Valparaiso--uwmpanthers.com
Panthers Reaches League Midway Point At Butler--uwmpanthers.com
Panther Comeback Falls Short In Loss At Butler--uwmpanthers.com

Fighting for first place--The Post-Tribune
Little comes up huge--The Post-Tribune
Late decision to play pays off for Wood, Valpo--The Post-Tribune
Injury update for Valparaiso--Off The Mark
Butler at Valparaiso, Jan. 29, Live Blog--Off The Mark
Today's sellout vs. Butler doesn't happen without VU's move to the Horizon League--The NWI Times
A 'Little' thrilling victory--The NWI Times
Loud and wild VU fan support keeps the ARC afloat--The NWI Times
MBB: Looking forward (and past) to Butler--Region Sports Extra
Live from the ARC: Valparaiso vs. Butler (MBB)--Region Sports Extra
MBB: Wrapping up Butler--Region Sports Extra
Crusaders Down Butler In Overtime Thriller--valpoathletics.com

Women's basketball: Green Bay (19-1, 8-0 Horizon) at Valparaiso (4-16, 1-7)--The Post-Tribune
Phoenix show balance, talent in win over VU--The Post-Tribune
Scouting Valparaiso University women's basketball--The NWI Times
VU women fall at home to No. 22 Green Bay--The NWI Times
Live from the ARC: Valparaiso vs. No. 16 Green Bay--Region Sports Extra
Crusader Women Host #22/16 Green Bay Saturday Night--valpoathletics.com
#22/16 Green Bay Downs Valpo 69-50 Saturday--valpoathletics.com

Tabler seventh Raider to miss time--Dayton Daily News
Short-handed WSU stuns Phoenix--Dayton Daily News
WSU’s Darling makes impact--Dayton Daily News
Preview: WSU at Wisconsin-Milwaukee--Dayton Daily News
Final-seconds basket gives WSU comeback road win against Wisconsin-Green Bay, 63-61--Wright State University Sports
Down two starters, WSU coach motivates then sketches winning play--Wright State University Sports
Live at Wright State vs. UW-Milwaukee--Wright State University Sports
Thomas Hits Game-Winning Three to Lift Women Past Loyola 77-76--wsuraiders.com

Thomas' 3-pointer lifts Wright State over Loyola--Dayton Daily News
Raider women fall to UIC--Fairborn Daily Herald
Men Rally for 63-61 Win at Green Bay--wsuraiders.com

Bad second half dooms YSU women--Youngstown Vindicator
Brandi Brown Scores 24 As Penguins Fall to Hot-Shooting CSU--ysusports.com

UIC runs away from YSU--Youngstown Vindicator
Men’s Basketball Closes Out Chicago Road Trip at UIC--ysusports.com
Men's Basketball Falls to UIC, 83-61--ysusports.com

First place showdown on tap as first half of women's basketball conference season comes to an end--Horizon League Network

Wright State, Milwaukee Rally for Key Wins--Horizon League Network
Butler, Valparaiso Square Off in Horizon League Game of the Week--Horizon League Network
Valpo Takes OT Thriller, Cleveland State Keeps Pace and UIC Snaps Skid on Saturday--Horizon League Network

Friday, January 28, 2011

News On The Horizon 1/28/2011

No. 22 Wisconsin-Green Bay holds off Butler, 66-62--MICentralSports.com
Mid-Major Madness--Busting the Bracket

One-Bid Conferences Unless Favorite Loses
...
Horizon: Although Butler is not in first-place right now, the Bulldogs are the Horizon’s only shot at an at-large bid this season. They have wins over Florida State and Washington State, and have also defeated Cleveland State and Valparaiso within the conference. However, their resume is also littered with a quartet of sub-100 losses. They will need to win the regular-season title if they want a shot at an at-large. Cleveland State has the league’s best RPI, but the Vikings don’t own any impressive wins and have a mostly empty resume.


Green Bay women = Butler men--Indy Star Butler Insider
#22/16 Green Bay Escapes Butler Comeback--ButlerSports.com

Game Preview: Butler vs. Valparaiso--Victory Firelight
Bulldogs Visit League-Leader Valparaiso--ButlerSports.com

Cleveland State can't afford a letdown during Illinois road trip: Horizon League Insider--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State gets rare production from subs in road game: Vikings Insider--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State men's basketball team rolls past Illinois-Chicago--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State 63, UIC 49: Cole's 22 Points Leads CSU Past UIC--Let's Go Vikes!
Cole's 22 Points Leads CSU Past UIC, 63-49--csuvikings.com

Detroit Titans Battle Wisconsin Foes This Week--detroittitans.com

Dixon Sends The Game Into Overtime, But Titans Unable To Complete Comeback--detroittitans.com

UIC falters after strong 1st half--The Chicago Tribune
UIC runs out of gas against first-place Cleveland State--The Chicago Sun-Times
Cleveland State sinks UIC 63-49--Daily Herald
First-Place Cleveland State Defeats Men's Hoops, 63-49--uicflames.com

Women's Basketball Posts Big Road Win At Wright State--uicflames.com

Loyola beats Youngstown State 84-71--The Chicago Tribune
Balance, McCammon’s 27 key in Loyola win--The Chicago Sun-Times
Loyola wins 3rd straight--Daily Herald
Balanced Attack and Bench Production Sends Loyola Past Youngstown State, 84-71--LoyolaRamblers.com
Ramblers Close Out Three-Game Homestand, Host Horizon League Leader Cleveland State Saturday Afternoon--LoyolaRamblers.com

Skube, Ramblers Grind Past Titans In Overtime, 88-77--LoyolaRamblers.com

Women's basketball: No. 23.UW-Green Bay defeats Butler 66-62--Green Bay Press Gazette
No. 22/16 Green Bay Stands Alone in First Place after Holding off Second-half Charge by Butler--uwgbathletics.com

Men's basketball: UW-Green Bay's Eric Valentin hits 8 half-court shots in 1 minute--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay to Host Wright State for Throwback Night--uwgbathletics.com

Point guard Williams plays key role in revving Panthers--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Set the tone: Game 22 vs. Detroit--PantherU

Panthers Pull Away For 73-61 Win At Valparaiso--uwmpanthers.com

Hot-shooting Laur, Rodriguez lift Panthers--The Post-Tribune
Hot-shooting Milwaukee pulls away from VU women--The NWI Times
Valpo Downed by Milwaukee to Open Homestand--valpoathletics.com

Valpo Starts Second Half of HL Play Saturday--valpoathletics.com
Butler Game Sold Out; Additional Parking Lot Available Saturday--valpoathletics.com

WSU women host another game in McLin--Dayton Daily News
Women Fall to UIC--wsuraiders.com

Preview: Wright State vs. Green Bay--Dayton Daily News
For WSU, Wisconsin normally tough trip--Dayton Daily News
Showing lack of beef, WSU second-to-last nationally in blocks--Wright State University Sports
WSU starter breaks finger on shooting hand--Wright State University Sports

YSU men remain winless on the road--Youngstown Vindicator
Career Highs For Brewer, Perry Not Enough in 84-71 Loss at Loyola--ysusports.com

Penguins Host Cleveland State on Saturday at Beeghly--ysusports.com

Thursday, January 27, 2011

News On The Horizon 1/27/2011


Utah Jazz: Andrei Kirilenko back in starting lineup; Paul Millsap OK--Deseret News

Kirilenko had come off the bench the past two games as Jazz coach Jerry Sloan tinkered with the lineup hoping to spark the team. Both Gordon Hayward and C.J. Miles took one-game turns as starters, but those changes did not affect the outcome on the scoreboard as Utah continued to lose.

Utah Jazz notebook: Jerry Sloan gives Andrei Kirilenko another crack in starting 5--Deseret News

AK-47's return to the first five comes a night after C.J. Miles started against the Lakers, and that came a game after rookie Gordon Hayward got the tipoff call at the 3 spot on Saturday. The Jazz lost both games.
...
Hayward has a 3-4 mark as a starter, while Miles' only experience came in Tuesday's lopsided loss to the Lakers.

Utah Jazz: Team shows better energy in loss--Deseret News

Sloan changed his starting lineup for the fourth straight game, going back to his most-used lineup of Williams, Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson, Raja Bell and Andrei Kirilenko. Kirilenko replaced Miles, who started against the Lakers. Miles was in for Hayward, who started against the 76ers. Hayward had replaced Kirilenko.

Jazz notes--Salt Lake Tribune

Rookies’ colleges struggling this season

It’s been a doubly difficult stretch for Utah rookies Gordon Hayward and Jeremy Evans.

Not only have the Jazz struggled recently, but so have their colleges. Butler is 14-7 overall and 6-3 in the Horizon League after an overtime loss at home to Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Last season, Hayward led the Bulldogs to a record of 33-5, including 18-0 in the conference.

Butler reached the NCAA championship game, where it lost to Duke, 61-59.

"They’re frustrated," Hayward said. "I talked those guys a lot and they are frustrated just like [the Jazz] are frustrated. ...

"But they’ll be fine. They still have the tournament. Hopefully, they can pick it up when the tournament season comes around."

Purdue's Moore, Butler's Howard finalists for CLASS award--The Indy Star
Quick look at Butler’s 2011 recruits--Victory Firelight

Bulldogs go for league lead against Wisconsin-Green Bay--The Indy Star

Women's basketball: UWGB holds 28-game winning streak over Butler--Green Bay Press Gazette

A Clunker and a Stunner--Milwaukee Panther Tracks

Rush hour--The Post-Tribune

Milwaukee (6-12, 3-4) at Valparaiso (4-15, 1-6)--The Post-Tribune
Scouting Valparaiso University women's basketball--The NWI Times

Wright State games broadcasted on league TV network--Dayton Daily News
Network grows, Horizon League lands more fans--Dayton Daily News


Second Half of League Season Begins With Title Up for Grabs--Horizon League Network

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

News On The Horizon 1/26/2011

BracketBusters games that should happen--ESPN

4. Missouri State at Valparaiso: The Crusaders and Bears are the surprise teams in the Horizon and Missouri Valley, respectively. Each team has a chance to unseat the prohibitive favorite in its conference in Butler and Wichita State. This would be a grinding matchup between two teams few would want to play in March.

5. Cleveland State at Indiana State: The Sycamores handed Missouri State its first conference loss, and Greg Lansing is conducting a revival in Terre Haute. Indiana State lost in three overtimes at Wichita State. Had they pulled out the victory, the Sycamores would be the favorites in the Valley. Meanwhile, Cleveland State, which won its first 12 games, is tied with Valparaiso atop the Horizon (7-2) heading into its two-game road trip to Illinois, in which it plays Illinois-Chicago and Loyola.

Predicting the 2011 NCAA tournament field--The Mid-Majority

Utah Jazz lose in La-La Land--Deseret News

Williams topped Utah with 17 points and eight assists, while C.J. Miles had 14 points in his first start of the season after replacing Gordon Hayward at the small forward spot.

But that lineup change — the third in as many games after Andrei Kirilenko was replaced by Hayward on Saturday — failed to do the trick on this night.

Utah Jazz notebook: Team tries new lineup for 3rd straight game--Deseret News

Small forward C.J. Miles replaced Gordon Hayward in the opening lineup after the rookie replaced usual starter Andrei Kirilenko at the 3 spot for one game (a 96-85 loss at Philadelphia).

Jazz down and out in L.A., lose 120-91--Salt Lake Tribune

Sloan tweaked his starting lineup again Tuesday, inserting forward C.J. Miles into the first rotation and moving rookie Gordon Hayward back to the bench. Miles responded by pouring in Utah’s first seven points and finishing with 14.

Sloan makes Miles a starter--Salt Lake Tribune

He replaced rookie forward Gordon Hayward, who replaced Andrei Kirilenko last Saturday during a road loss to Philadelphia.

Take Two: Butler vs. Milwaukee (with pictures!)--Victory Firelight
Fan Speak: Hayward a misunderstood Mo Rivera--Victory Firelight
Butler swept away by Milwaukee--Butler Collegian

Women’s basketball hosts Green Bay Thursday to decide conference control--Butler Collegian
Clash Of Unbeatens: Bulldogs Host #22/16 Green Bay--ButlerSports.com

From Long Distance with Jevohn Sheperd--Raptors HQ

Nothing to exciting has happened out here since I've been back. We’ve had two away games out of the three so I haven't been out much. I'm sure I’ll have a story of a night out shortly, PG of course. That’s the rating not ball talk. I want to say congratulations to my sister for giving birth to a healthy baby boy Jaidan, that leaves me with two nephews (Jaylan, Jaidan) and two nieces( Aliyah, Yanniah) I guess I’m next (to babysit). Also want to send a shout out to my Big Bro Patrick Tatham who celebrated his 94th Birthday this month, some of you may be familiar with him; he played at Cleveland State before playing professionally overseas and is now coaching at Stoneridge Prep (sorry folks, couldn't find a link to the ball team) in California.

College hoops gives Northeast Ohio a reason to smile--Cleveland Plain Dealer
CSU BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: A team meeting helps CSU get back on track--Let's Go Vikes!

Titans Renew Rivalry With Jesuit Foe Loyola--detroittitans.com

Cleveland State at Illinois-Chicago--The Chicago Tribune
The Howard Moore Podcast: Episode #10--uicflames.com
Men's Hoops Hosts Cleveland State on Comcast SportsNet Chicago Thursday--uicflames.com
The Carter's Featured by NCAA On-Campus--uicflames.com

Women's Basketball Hits Road Once Again--uicflames.com

Youngstown State at Loyola--The Chicago Tribune
Loyola wins in Moore’s return--Loyola Phoenix

Lurz Blurbz--Loyola Phoenix
And the search continues--Loyola Phoenix

Thumbs Up Thumbs Down--Loyola Phoenix

Down to women's basketball

Two weeks ago, the ladies were above .500 with a 8-6 record. Things took an unfortunate turn for the Ramblers, though, as they have dropped their last four games. Now stuck at 8-10, the Ramblers are in a sticky situation that they may not be able to get out of, considering their next three games are on the road — where they have only won two games all season.

Losing streak extends to four--Loyola Phoenix
Loyola Hits Road For Thursday Night Battle At Detroit--LoyolaRamblers.com

Phoenix women soaring through 2010 season--UWGB Fourth Estate
Battle of the Unbeaten at Butler--uwgbathletics.com
Watch Inside Phoenix Basketball: Jan. 25--uwgbathletics.com

Phoenix men start off 2011 5-2--UWGB Fourth Estate

Land likely out; redemption weekend?--PantherU
Panthers Start Three-Game Homestand With Friday ESPNU Date Vs. Detroit--uwmpanthers.com

Live Blog: Milwaukee @ Valparaiso--Panther Blog Zone
Panthers Look To Restart Winning Ways At Valpo--uwmpanthers.com

Wood remains questionable for Butler game--The Post-Tribune

Frustrated by close losses, Penguins hope for more wins--Youngstown Vindicator

Basketball teams use bye week to reflect--The Jambar

Howard Chosen as Finalist for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award--Horizon League Network

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

News On The Horizon 1/25/2011

Stardate 78-20110124: A Brief History of Mid-Major Smac Rap--The Mid-Majority
Conference Shootaround

Horizon League: Wisconsin has always been above Illinois and Indiana from a geographical standpoint, but the state chose Sunday to exert a kind of weird sports power over its immediate southern neighbors. Front-running Valparaiso was taken down at home by Green Bay Valpo was suffering some injury problems, most specifically to star shooter Brandon Wood. Meanwhile, down south, gutsy Milwaukee -- a .500 team's .500 team this year -- completed a home-and-home sweep over national runners-up Butler with an 86-80 overtime win. Matt Howard was relied on heavily this weekend (29 points and 16 rebounds in Friday's 81-75 win over Green Bay); against the Panthers, he had 18 and 10, but he wasn't around for the end, having fouled out. That ended Butler's 15-game Horizon League home win streak, marked the first time the Bulldogs have been swept by a conference opponent since 2005, and left the Bulldogs looking for answers.

Game 7-039: Illinois-Chicago at Loyola (Ill.)--The Mid-Majority

Ten Tuesday Scribbles--Rush The Court

- Could we possibly have an NCAA Tournament without Cinderella darlings Gonzaga and Butler? Admittedly, that term doesn’t appropriately apply to these schools anymore, not with the Zags riding one of the longest NCAA Tournament appearance streaks in the nation and Butler reaching the title game last March. At this stage in the season it’s genuinely possible, although somewhat unlikely, that both programs will be making NIT reservations about seven weeks from today. Usually Gonzaga stumbles on the road once during their WCC trek where every visit to an opposing gym is the other team’s Super Bowl, but twice in one road swing to mediocre teams like Santa Clara and San Francisco? Although Butler went through the Horizon unscathed last season, normally the same applies for the Bulldogs in conference play once or twice, but swept by a .500 team like Milwaukee? Both Gonzaga and Butler lie dangerously close to the bubble right now with limited opportunities for tournament-boosting victories ahead and formidable contenders dotting both leagues. Luckily for Gonzaga, the emergence of St. Mary’s gives the Zags two games, along with a clash with Memphis in February as a third, to enhance their portfolio. Who knows: in a little over a month, Gonzaga and Butler may both have to win their respective conference tournaments to go dancing. Who foresaw that scenario?

Don't give up on tourney mainstays Butler and Gonzaga just yet--Sports Illustrated
Butler's down season is puzzling--College Basketball Blog
Suddenly, the Jazz Are Very Doom and Gloom--The Big Lead
Kragthorpe: Jazz’s downturn leads to depressing forecast--Salt Lake Tribune

For all of his leadership and dependability, Raja Bell appears every bit of 34 years old, shooting poorly and defending inadequately. Nobody’s sure what to think of rookie Gordon Hayward.

Utah Jazz: Deron Williams misses good-old days of … last season--Deseret News

Williams knew it would take a while for the 2010-11 team to jell, considering the addition of Al Jefferson, Raja Bell, Earl Watson, Gordon Hayward, etc., along with the 2010 losses of Jazz system connoisseurs Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Wesley Matthews and Ronnie Brewer.
...
Sloan, meanwhile, will continue to try to adjust the lineup in hopes of finding the blend and combinations that work best together. Replacing Andrei Kirilenko with rookie Gordon Hayward in the starting lineup didn't change the outcome Saturday at Philadelphia, and the Jazz coach wasn't quite Monday sure whom he'll start or sit tonight.

Utah Jazz: Gameday glance--Deseret News
Utah Jazz: C.J. Miles gets starting nod tonight--Deseret News

The sixth-year pro will replace Gordon Hayward in the opening lineup after the rookie replaced usual starter Andrei Kirilenko at the 3 spot for one game (a 96-85 loss at Philadelphia).

Butler still in at-large discussion--The Indy Star
Cutting down the ‘Net: Bracket headache--Indy Star Butler Insider

Chloe Hamilton Named Horizon League Player of the Week--ButlerSports.com

Vikes Rebound from Recent Horizon League Losses--The Cauldron
Cole Collects Third Horizon League Player Of The Week Award Of The Season--csuvikings.com
Vikings Start Chicago Swing At UIC On Thursday--csuvikings.com

Shayok Now 30th In Rebounding--detroittitans.com

Kreps can’t save Flames--Whoosh!Net

Surging Ramblers Look For Series Sweep When They Host Youngstown State Thursday Night--LoyolaRamblers.com

Horizon League Power Rankings (January 18-24)--PantherU
No more room for Hyde--PantherU

Valparaiso injury update--The Post-Tribune
Crusaders let one slip away--The NWI Times
Valpo Women Open Four-Game Homestand Thursday--valpoathletics.com

WSU's Land likely not playing this weekend--Dayton Daily News
Upsets tighten Horizon League race--Dayton Daily News
WSU, like all schools, paying more for basketball coaches--Dayton Daily News
WSU’s Donlon: Contract is fair--Dayton Daily News
Cartharn and Mays find friendship and competitive bond on bench--The Guardian

Fox and Davis too much to handle for Cleveland State--The Guardian

Progress doesn’t show in standings--Youngstown Vindicator
Men’s Basketball Visits Loyola For Program’s 2,000th Game--ysusports.com

Success Breeding Toughness--Horizon League Network