On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Stardate 57-20110103: Become What You Are--The Mid-Majority

Conference Shootarounds

Horizon League: The showdown-throwdown between the most recent two champions, Butler and Cleveland State, is still five days away. The Bulldogs (10-4, 2-0) have been getting things together in late non-conference play, but the Vikings (15-1, 4-0) are straight throwing bombs all over the ex-MCC. Gary Waters' team already ran through the Wisconsin road weekend (at Milwaukee and Green Bay) in mid-December, but here they go destroying the two Chicago teams at home by an average of 21 points. Even though UIC beat Illinois earlier, the Flames are still expected to take their hits in conference (like this 83-59 one on Saturday), but Cleveland State's 73-55 Thursday result against a Loyola team that came a possession of beating Butler is a real statement-lover's statement. On the Basketball State tempo-free aerial, the Vikings don't even fit in the grid. Probably because they've scored 1.23 points per possession and given up just point-nine.

January Viewing Guide--Ballin' is a Habit

Top-15 Games of January

- #15 - Friday 1/7 - 7:00PM - Cleveland State at Butler
Butler has been the cream of the Horizon League crop for too long. Cleveland State, led by Norris Cole has a legitimate shot at dethroning the reigning National Championship runners-up. If you like mid-major basketball, you do not want to miss this one.

Tuesday's Shootaround: Georgetown, Florida State, and Butler all go down--Ballin' is a Habit

Milwaukee 76, Butler 52: So much for Butler being back. Kaylon Williams had 10 points, 10 boards, and 10 assists as the Panthers lit up the Bulldogs. Shelvin Mack had three points and shot just 1-7 from the floor as the Bulldogs allowed Milwaukee to hit 11 threes and shoot 55.3% from the floor.

Big East displaying enviable depth--Sports Illustrated

The Others

Locks: None

There still isn't anyone in this category who's assured of getting in, or really even close at this point, which should make for an even-more intriguing championship week.
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Butler (9-4, 2-0; RPI: 19, SOS: 12)
The Bulldogs put away Valpo at home to stay perfect in the Horizon. This should be a fun week, with a trip to UW-Wisconsin before a home date with Cleveland State, with first place at stake.
GW: Florida State (N), Washington State (N)
BL: Evansville (without Nored)
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Cleveland State (13-1, 4-0; RPI: 26, SOS: 157)
The Vikings rolled to two home league wins ahead of a monster week in the Horizon: at Butler on Friday and at Valpo on Sunday. Next week's Bubble Watch will know a lot more about CSU's at-large hopes.
GW: Kent State?
BL: None

Bubble Games of the Week: Conference Kick-Off--The Bracket Man

Friday, January 7th:
Cleveland State @ Butler – 7PM ESPNU – Huge game in the Horizon League. These are the only two teams with shots at an at-large. Their opponent is also the only chance of a “good win” in the Horizon League. A must win for both; the loser faces a lot more pressure to win the Horizon League tournament (pending the second game later in the season).

ATB: St. John’s Announces Relevancy to Astonished Nation--Rush The Court

… and Misses.
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Butler & Shelvin Mack. Wow, the Bulldogs got smoked by Milwaukee tonight, 76-52, ending Butler’s 22-game Horizon League winning streak in the process. We’re sure there was a lot of pent-up aggression on the part of the Panthers for this game, but the size of this margin is disturbing along with the puny numbers that presumptive star Shelvin Mack put up — just three points on 1-7 shooting, four rebounds and zero assists. This is the latest in a number of poor shooting performances from Mack (39.7% on the season) that makes it clear that he’s struggling with the role of primary scorer this year. It’s particularly surprising given the unbelievable reviews that he got coming out of the summer camps from scouts and industry insiders — perhaps he will loosen up in the second half of the season and show us what those exceptionally kind words were all about?

A look at the college hoops calendar: A quick review of the early season with a lighthearted look ahead to 2011--espn.com

March 2011
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8 -- Butler wins Horizon League. Frustrated other coaches convince league to institute rule that forbids coaches who cannot grow facial hair. Brad Stevens is fired.

Utah Jazz notebook: Gordon Hayward starstruck over T-Mac, Rip--Deseret News
College Basketball: Butler Falls 76-52 To Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 22-Game Conference Win Streak Snapped--SB Nation Indiana
College Basketball Rankings: Purdue Returns To Top 10--SB Nation Indiana

Butler is also included in this field, notably as an at large selection. Lunardi projects Cleveland State to take the Horizon League's automatic bid, but he has the Bulldogs as good enough to earn a 7 seed against Tennessee in Cleveland.