Friday, April 29, 2011

News On The Horizon 4/29/2011

Evaluating early-entry decisions--Sports Illustrated

Could've Gone Either Way
...
Shelvin Mack, PG/SG, Junior, Butler*

A huge part of Butler's two straight runs to the national title game, Shelvin Mack has quite a few fans among NBA teams, but he may have difficulty being guaranteed a spot in the first round by May 8th.
...
Testing for the Sake of Testing

Every year of group of juniors enter the draft solely because they have nothing to lose. Under NCAA rules, student-athletes are allowed to "test the waters" once without jeopardizing their eligibility. While it's debatable how much these players will actually accomplish due to the shortened window legislated by the NCAA -- they must withdraw by May 8th at the latest -- the following players will almost certainly return to school when the smoke ultimately clears.
...
Brandon Wood, SG, Junior, Valparaiso*

Reaction to new names on NBA draft list--ESPN

• Valparaiso leading scorer Brandon Wood declared for the draft. But according to Valpo assistant coach Bryce Drew, Wood wanted to see the process and get a sense of where he stood. If he doesn't hear anything positive, then he will withdraw from the draft. But there is another curveball. Wood is a fourth-year junior at Valpo and is graduating. He started his career at Southern Illinois and went to a junior college for a year. The Crusaders aren't expecting Wood to return, even if he were to withdraw with the option that Wood would transfer to a Big Ten school for graduate school and a fifth year. One option for him might be Michigan State, according to a source. If Wood were to join the Spartans, it would be a huge pickup because of his ability to score from the perimeter.
...
• A number of NBA personnel said they wouldn't be surprised if Maryland's Jordan Williams, Butler's Shelvin Mack, Washington's Isaiah Thomas, Boston College's Reggie Jackson or Fresno State's Greg Smith all stayed in the draft. But there is a consensus already that Michigan's Darius Morris, Xavier's Tu Holloway, Georgetown's Hollis Thompson, Miami's Reggie Johnson, Pitt's Ashton Gibbs and Northwestern's John Shurna should go back to school before they make a mistake of leaving too soon, and in the case of those who can't make an NBA roster, a major error in giving up their eligibility.


Chris Harrison-Docks--ESPN: College Basketball Recruiting
More on Mason's Drake decision ..... "The Bus" talks his high school days--Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Happy Campers--Muncie Star Press
NCAA sets earlier date to withdraw from NBA draft--The Indy Star

Transfers clear way for Vikings recruits: Local College Notebook--Cleveland Plain Dealer

Holman Named to National All-Jesuit Honorable Mention Team--detroittitans.com

UIC Men's Basketball Camps Now Open for Registration--uicflames.com

Boggs eager to return to court--Roanoke Times

Another WSU product finds success in Holland as first-year pro--Wright State University Sports
Help support Cooper Land’s basketball journey--RaiderRoundball.com

Thursday, April 28, 2011

News On The Horizon 4/28/2011

Chicago attendance figures--ChicagoNow.com

NCAA Attendance Figures: A Closer Examination--Rush The Court

Moving on to some other thoughts, who are the schools that generally surprised us with a lack of support (or expected support)? Removing any of the above from our list, here’s our top eight.


We hate to bust on Pitt at 86.7%, but come on Panther fans… you’re the only hoops game in town and your arena isn’t all that big at 12,508. Considering your team ended up as a #1 seed last season, how do you not fill that place? BYU — you had the most must-see player in the country on your team and a rabid fan base — no excuse to not be above 90% last season. Ohio State… sigh. Football school, we get it. But you were #1 most of the season — nothing more needs to be said. Look at some of the others… Butler is completely shocking to us, coming off a national runner-up season;

Saying Goodbye: Matt Howard--Ballin' is a Habit
College hoops teams that could slip in 2011-12--Rivals.com
Utah Jazz: Jeff Hornacek enjoys coaching despite missing family--Deseret News

"It's really valuable because a lot of times you're not going to have very many people to talk to who played in the same exact system, that played the same position and had a successful career in the NBA," Jazz rookie Gordon Hayward said. "There's not very many guys like that around. Just the knowledge that he has is really valuable."

Though he worked hard to hone his outside shot, Hayward credited Hornacek's assistance and advice for helping him shoot a respectable 48.5 percent overall and a sizzling, team-high 47.3 percent from 3-point range in his first NBA season.

Hayward also said Hornacek's tips and pointers proved invaluable. The 47-year-old coach helped him be more confident and showed him the importance of using spacing and timing in the NBA game.

Corbin also lauded Hornacek for helping Jeremy Evans improve his shot, something that happened over time as the Western Kentucky product and Hayward worked with the coach on a consistent basis.

NCAA sets earlier date to withdraw from NBA draft--The Oakland Press
Michigan standout point guard Chris Harrison-Docks commits to Butler--The Indy Star
Kentucky guard Remy Abell to join IU this fall--The Indy Star
Dawgs land another point guard--Indy Star Butler Insider
Butler to induct new Hall of Fame class--Butler Collegian
Top mascots a memorable group--Butler Collegian

2. Blue II: Some might argue that our lovable live mascot should be No. 1, but keep reading to see why he is my runner-up. Blue II is easily the cutest mascot in all of sports, and he represents Butler’s sports teams well. He is tough, has endurance and enjoys a good nap—just like most college students do.


Marc Brown Competes for USA Elite Team in France--uicflames.com

Loyola signs St. Louis forward Thomas--The Chicago Tribune
2010-11 Solomon Awards--Loyola Phoenix

Honorable Mention

Monica Albano Basketball - PG

The sophomore guard paced the Ramblers this year with 16.7 points per game, good for fifth in the Horizon League. Besides leading the team in scoring 17 times on the season, Albano led the Ramblers in minutes per game, logging an average of 33.8 minutes while playing in all 31 games.

Selling LUC: wooing potential players--Loyola Phoenix

Spots still open in UWGB coach Wardle's summer camps--UWGB Basketball
Spots Still Remain for Coach Wardle's Summer Camps--uwgbathletics.com

'11-'12 is Looking Classy--Milwaukee Panther Tracks
Celebrate A Championship At The Fourth-Annual Senior Salute--uwmpanthers.com

Two high school seniors visiting WSU this week--Dayton Daily News
WSU balances need to win, need for tough competition with schedule decisions--Wright State University Sports
6-10 Michigan senior to visit WSU on Sunday--Wright State University Sports
Former WSU star leading Germany’s top league (full of locals) in scoring--Wright State University Sports
Wright State to play in Global Shootout--Fairborn Daily Herald
It’s no joke: Raiders set to meet Ohio State and Florida--The Guardian

Sandifer to be Featured on Changing Lives Billboards--wsuraiders.com

YSU signs Kansas all-stater--Youngstown Vindicator
Slocum signs 'tough, strong' point guard--The Jambar
Men's Basketball Adds Guard DJ Cole During Late Signing Period--ysusports.com

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

News On The Horizon 4/26/2011

Updated Transfer List: Now at 220-Plus--Yard Barker

2011 TRANSFER LIST

Shaun Adams, 6-5, F, Soph., Loyola (Ill.)
...
Tre Brewer, 6-5, F, Jr., Youngstown State
...
Darian Cartharn, 6-0, G, Soph., Wright State
...
Kegan Clark, 6-4, G, Fr, Wright State
...
Josh McCoy, 6-4, G, RS Soph., Cleveland State
...
Cully Payne, 6-1, G, Soph., Iowa - LOYOLA
...
Garrick Sherman, 6-10, C, Soph., Michigan State – Notre Dame, Texas, Butler
...
Patrick Souter, 6-4, G, Soph., Miwaukee
...
Charlie Woods, 6-7, F, RS Soph., Cleveland State

Chicago 5 - Day 3--ChicagoNow.com
Chicago 5 - Day 4--ChicagoNow.com
Chicago 5 - Day 5--ChicagoNow.com
Chicago 5 - Leaders and Wrap Up--ChicagoNow.com

Testing the waters: What teams have the most on the line?--Ballin' is a Habit

No. 3 Butler: Shelvin Mack

When Butler made their first national title game back in 2010, the Bulldogs were led by a three-man attack of Gordon Hayward, Matt Howard, and Mack. Hayward went pro after the 2010 season, and Matt Howard will graduate this spring. That leaves Mack, who is currently a borderline first-round pick, as the only one with a chance to be a Bulldog next season.

Butler has some talent coming back next season, as well. Khyle Marshall looks primed to be the next Butler star and is the kind of athlete you rarely see in the Horizon League. Andrew Smith is a solid interior presence. Floor leader Ronald Nored returns, as do Chase Stigall, Chrishawn Hopkins, and Garrett Butcher. Without Mack, this team will once again be at the top of the Horizon. But with Mack's scoring, leadership, and ability to knock dow

Draft Decisions: Which teams have the most hanging in the balance?--Sports Illustrated
Mason chooses Drake--The Indy Star
Mason picking Drake no big surprise--Indy Star Butler Insider
Award scholarship now, or wait for 2012?--Indy Star Butler Insider
Butler Continues Basketball Success Run--ButlerSports.com

2011 NBA Draft: Scouting Cleveland State's Norris Cole--Mid-Major Madness

Shayok Ends Season As HL Leader & 27th In Nation In Rebounds--detroittitans.com
"Detroit Titan Court Report" Nominated for Emmy--detroittitans.com

VanderMeer Stars for Iowa Energy in NBDL Finals--uicflames.com

Report card: Grading the coaching hires--Sports Illustrated

MID-MAJORS
...
LOYOLA-CHICAGO

In: Porter Moser
Out: Jim Whitesell

Moser had a successful three-year run at Arkansas Little-Rock before struggling for three of his four years at Illinois State. He gets a third chance, after spending the past four years as an assistant at Saint Louis.

GRADE: C

Loyola Men's Basketball Signs Christian Thomas To National Letter Of Intent--LoyolaRamblers.com

The Year in Photos: Best of 2010-11 Men's Basketball--uwgbathletics.com

Two new UWM recruits showed versatile skills at junior colleges--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panthers Add Two Junior College Standouts In Spring Signing Period--uwmpanthers.com

Seniors hoop stars say farewell to Valparaiso--The NWI Times
Brandon Wood Update--Section EE

Shootout tournament will help Raiders’--Dayton Daily News
Charlotte point guard, candidate for final ‘11 scholarship, to visit WSU on Thursday--Wright State University Sports
WSU will play Ohio State, Florida as part of five-team event--Wright State University Sports
Addition of Ohio State, Florida boosts already strong WSU schedule--Wright State University Sports
Raider Basketball to Play in Global Sports Shootout – Will Meet Ohio State and Florida--RaiderRoundball.com
Raider Basketball to Play in Global Sports Shootout--wsuraiders.com

Saturday, April 23, 2011

News On The Horizon 4/23/2011

Next college hoops season will make up for last one--CBS Sports
State of hoops: Rivalries among neighbors--Rivals.com

INDIANA
1. Butler: Two consecutive appearances in the NCAA title game and a committed coach in Brad Stevens … enough said.
2. Purdue: The Boilermakers will be glad they ponied up extra dough for Matt Painter.
3. Notre Dame: Mike Brey was a national coach of the year candidate this past season.
4. Valparaiso: The Crusaders have been a model of consistency under Homer Drew, who has had just three losing season in his past 16.
5. Indiana: Tom Crean is in the midst of a major rebuilding project in Bloomington.
...
OHIO
1. Ohio State: The Buckeyes will join North Carolina, Kentucky and a few others as NCAA title favorites next season.
2. Xavier: The Musketeers haven’t missed a beat under Chris Mack.
3. Cincinnati: Mick Cronin’s squad won 26 games this past season, and the Bearcats will be even better in 2011-12.
4. Cleveland State: The Vikings tied Butler and Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the Horizon League title.
5. Dayton: Archie Miller was the perfect hire for the Flyers, who benefit from strong fan support.

Updated Transfer List: Now at 175-Plus--YardBarker

2011 TRANSFER LIST
...
Tre Brewer, 6-5, F, Jr., Youngstown State
...
Darian Cartharn, 6-0, G, Soph., Wright State
...
Kegan Clark, 6-4, G, Fr, Wright State
...
Nolan Dennis, 6-6, G, Soph., Baylor – DETROIT
...
Josh McCoy, 6-4, G, RS Soph., Cleveland State
Cully Payne, 6-1, G, Soph., Iowa - LOYOLA
...
...
Garrick Sherman, 6-10, C, Soph., Michigan State – Notre Dame, Texas, Butler
...
Patrick Souter, 6-4, G, Soph., Miwaukee
...
Charlie Woods, 6-7, F, RS Soph., Cleveland State

Reserve Bizoukas transferring from DePaul--The Chicago Tribune

2011-2012 non-conference schedule: What we know--Inside The Hall

Here’s what we know thus far about next year’s non-conference schedule:
...
- Butler at Assembly Hall. This will be the fourth game of an exempt tournament in which both IU and Butler will host three games at home and then meet in Bloomington.

It's time to play the "What if?" game--ESPN
Utah Jazz players say future looks bright with Corbin--Deseret News

Ask him for an individual head-coaching highlight, and Corbin might point to the Jazz's thrilling Gordon Hayward-led road win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Or the win at New Orleans. Maybe the season-finale victory against Denver.

Butler's Howard finalist for toughness award--The Indy Star
Butler keeps an eye on Pennsylvania shooting sensation Mason--The Indy Star
Analysis of UConn defense--Indy Star Butler Insider

Cleveland State's McCoy, Woods are transferring--Let's Go Vikes!

FLAMES TAB VETERAN REGINA MILLER AS NEW COACH--uicflames.com

Bizoukas transferring from DePaul--ChicagoNow.com
Matt Gordon Named Director Of Men's Basketball Operations At Loyola--LoyolaRamblers.com
Shaun Adams To Transfer From Loyola--LoyolaRamblers.com

MSU possible destination for Valparaiso guard--State News
Valpo Junior Brandon Wood Considers MSU, Other Options--The Only Colors

Newest Raider brings needed scoring mentality--Dayton Daily News
WSU checking out Indiana guard called ‘absolute bully with the ball’--Wright State University Sports

WSU women’s basketball reshaping roster even more--Wright State University Sports

Eight winter Penguins honored in Horizon League--The Jambar
Men's Basketball Coaches to Hold Four Summer Camps--ysusports.com

Women's Basketball Staff to Offer Three Camps This Summer--ysusports.com

Thursday, April 21, 2011

News On The Horizon 4/21/2011

Chicago 5 - Day 1--ChicagoNow.com
Chicago 5 - Day 2--ChicagoNow.com

The 2011 National Championships: A Tempo-Free Evaluation--Hoopville
Matty's New Hire: Micah Shrewsberry--Boiled Sports
Butler in search of a new lead recruiter--Rivals.com
Purdue hires Butler assistant coach Micah Shrewsberry--The Indy Star
Lickliter candidate at E. Michigan--Indy Star Butler Insider
Butler needs new recruiter--Indy Star Butler Insider
Honors for Howard(s), plus Butler bits--Indy Star Butler Insider
Shrewsberry accepts position at Purdue--Butler Collegian
Micah Shrewsberry Named Assistant Coach At Purdue--ButlerSports.com
Butler Places Eight On Academic All-League Squads--ButlerSports.com
Matt Howard Named Scholar-Athlete of the Month--ButlerSports.com

John Parry Named CSU Athletic Director--The Cauldron

2010-11 Season Highlights--csuvikings.com

Zavion Neely done at UIC--ChicagoNow.com

Loyola Names Armon Gates Assistant Men's Basketball Coach--LoyolaRamblers.com
Loyola Releases Colin Beatty From National Letter Of Intent--LoyolaRamblers.com

Loyola Places Nine On Academic All-Horizon League Teams--LoyolaRamblers.com

Men's basketball: UWGB adds 2, loses Evans--Green Bay Press Gazette
Men's basketball: Phoenix's Wardle can call roster his own--Green Bay Press Gazette
UWGB signs Cougill, completes recruiting class--UWGB Basketball
Cougill, Humphrey Added to Green Bay's Recruiting Class--uwgbathletics.com

The Year in Photos: Best of 2010-11 Women's Basketball--uwgbathletics.com

Neely gone from UIC--PantherU

2011 NBA Draft: Valparaiso's Wood To Purdue?--SB Nation Indiana
Brandon Wood: Will the Boilers Get a One and Done?--Hammer and Rails
Lazerus: Wood leaves VU in limbo--The Post-Tribune
LaLumiere's Jakolis officially signs with Valparaiso--Off The Mark
Potential Brandon Wood aftermath at Valparaiso--Off The Mark
Valparaiso junior has declared for NBA Draft, but could transfer to another school--The NWI Times
New Crusaders 2011-2012--Section EE
Dino Jakolis Signs NLI to Join Valpo Men’s Basketball Program--valpoathletics.com

Raiders could play OSU, Florida--Dayton Daily News
Italy trip a needed start to the 2011-12 WSU basketball season--Wright State University Sports
Junior college guard signs letter of intent with WSU, called scoring threat--Wright State University Sports
WSU coach in Indiana tonight watching potential recruit--Wright State University Sports
New Nutter Center scoreboard coming this summer, and the mockups look good--Wright State University Sports
Balwigaire Makes It Official--RaiderRoundball.com
Gazdik Named Assistant AD for Marketing & Promotions--RaiderRoundball.com
Balwigaire Signs With Raiders--wsuraiders.com

Wanted: Fan Blog Writers--Let's Go Guins!

Brandi Brown Named Academic All-Horizon League--ysusports.com

Horizon League Announces Academic All-League Teams for Winter Sports--Horizon League Network
Howard and Schmit Earn Scholar-Athlete of the Month Honors--Horizon League Network

Monday, April 18, 2011

News On The Horizon 4/18/2011

The Chicago Five--ChicagoNow.com

Final Four recruiting ripple effect for Butler, VCU?--Yard Barker
Evaluating early-entry decisions--ESPN

To be determined
...
Butler

The Bulldogs will wait for Shelvin Mack to make a decision in the next two weeks. It's quite simple: If Mack returns, no one should doubt Butler's ability to make another Horizon title/NCAA run, even without Matt Howard inside. If Mack stays in the draft, the Horizon League will be wide open.

Your 2011 college basketball bowl game lineup--Card Chronicle

I used the 2010 bowl tie-ins, but switched the BCS conferences up to better represent the college basketball landscape. The swaps were made based on conference size, strength and relevant tie-ins. Keep in mind this isn't based just on the past season (the tie-ins are always set before a football season begins).

For this exercise...

SEC (Football) = Big East
Big 12 (Football) = ACC
Big Ten (Football) = Big Ten
ACC (Football) = Big 12
Pac-10 (Football) = SEC
Big East (Football) = Pac-10

Additionally, I took all of the other conference tie-ins and made them available to all mid-major teams, which I ranked based on the RPI (aka, BCS Formula). Two mid-major teams - BYU and San Diego State - were automatic qualifiers for BCS bowl games based on their top five RPI rankings. This left 20 bowl spots for mid-majors.

If a team from a major conference had a losing record, they were not bowl eligible (Virginia was the only team close at 16-15).

Purdue took the third at-large BCS bid since Ohio State qualified for the national title game and the Rose Bowl needed a Big Ten representative. This left Duke (BCS #4) to claim the fourth at-large bid.

Conference champions were based on final regular season standings, not conference tournament results.

Here's what the 2011 college basketball bowl schedule would have looked like:
...
March 31

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl: BUTLER (Mid-Major #11) vs. HARVARD (Mid-Major #12)
...
April 11

BCS National Championship Game: KANSAS (BCS #1) vs. OHIO STATE (BCS #2)



NOTES:

--Of the 70 bowl participants, 18 - California, Cleveland State, Miami, Northwestern, Boston College, Colorado, Virginia, Harvard, Alabama, Virginia Tech, Nebraska, Minnesota, Missouri State, Saint Mary's, Washington State, Princeton, Baylor, and UTEP - did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

--National champion Connecticut is facing Old Dominion in the Liberty Bowl.

--National runner-up Butler is facing Harvard in the Armed Forces Bowl.

--This would have sucked

One spot filled--Gold & Black Illustrated
Six from Louisville named to Kentucky All-Star boys' basketball team--Courier-Journal

Eastern's Remy Abell, Lyonell Gaines, Kameron Woods and Arman Marks were selected to the Kentucky squad that will face Indiana on June 10 in Louisville and June 11 in Indianapolis.


Two new faces for Moser’s reign--Loyola Phoenix

WSU lands junior college guard--Dayton Daily News
WSU lands commitment from junior college guard--Wright State University Sports