On The Horizon

Jim Squire

2011 NBA Draft: Winners And Losers--Mid-Major Madness

Winners
...
Shelvin Mack: The Butler star definitely leapfrogged a few picks higher than many though, landing at No. 34 overall with Washington. The Wizards had a great draft overall landing Jan Vesley and Chris Singleton as well, and while Mack isn't garnering nearly as many headlines as his two new rookie teammates, he finds himself in a pretty solid scenario backing up John Wall. Mack has a winning mentality, is a smart player and has shown that he can be a true point guard in doses. He will get that opportunity with the Wizards where his big game experience will be a valuable addition to a young, developing team.
...
Losers
...
Norris Cole: OK, the pro is that Cole stands a good chance to win an NBA Championship in his rookie season assuming he sticks on the Miami Heat roster. The cons? For starters, being under the glaring spotlight that is South Beach these days is an enormous weight to bear for anyone on the roster, let alone a rookie from Cleveland State. Furthermore, I don't know if Cole is even necessarily the second best point guard on this team right now. He's smaller than Mario Chalmers and not anywhere close to him as a defender. Then there's Mike Bibby, an aging veteran to be sure, but still savvy enough to run the show when called to. There are likely better situations that Cole could have landed in to be sure and the D-League certainly seems like a very plausible scenario at this point.

Ball Don’t Lie’s 2011 NBA draft grades--Ball Don't Lie

Miami Heat

Additions: Norris Cole

Grade: B+

There were analysts that were high on Cole Thursday night, but my thinking is more Heat-based than anything.

This was a team that essentially bought back its initial first-round pick (sent to Toronto in the Chris Bosh(notes) deal, which sent it to Chicago who then sent it to Minnesota and back to Miami) in order to add talented depth at a position they need help in. Cole may not usurp Mario Chalmers(notes) at any point in the next three years, but he can play at the NBA level. And for a team entering the draft with the 31st pick to deal with, this was a sound hire.
...
Washington Wizards

Additions: Jan Vesely, Chris Singleton, Shelvin Mack.

Grade: A+

Vesely fawning aside, this was a terrific draft. Vesely will be must-watch TV for those of us who dread pulling up Wizards games on a Tuesday at 7 at night, Singleton is a needed lockdown defender who might allow Flip Saunders to bust out his zone defense once again, and I don't understand why other teams underrated Shelvin Mack. This isn't an area where I want to be proven wrong.

No boffo names, but Washington did well to surround John Wall(notes) with some eager types who couldn't be bothered with the team's recent history. Well done.

Mack's draft day begins with calm, ends with emotion--CBS Sports
Wizards get Butler's Mack in 2nd round--Fort Wayne News-Sentinel
2011 NBA Draft: List of Notable College Stars Who Went Undrafted--Yard Barker

Matt Howard: (Butler)

Wizards draft Jan Vesely, Chris Singleton, Shelvin Mack--Washington Post
Monson: Even without Jimmer, Jazz draft stars--Salt Lake Tribune

For the Jazz — who now, mixed among their veterans, feature a formidable young front line that includes promise all around: Kanter in the middle, Derrick Favors on the left, and Gordon Hayward on the right — Thursday night wasn’t perfect, but it had at least the look and feel of a success.

Burks eager to compete for Jazz minutes--Salt Lake Tribune

And Burks is someone whom the Jazz are relying on to play multiple positions. Already, there is talk of pairing Burks and Gordon Hayward together in the backcourt when matchups dictate. Burks will immediately be counted on to break down a defense off the dribble and to create mismatches when he has the ball in his hands.

Kragthorpe: They’re even younger now, so when will Jazz get better?--Salt Lake Tribune
Bigger, deeper Jazz enter summer of uncertainty--Salt Lake Tribune

Utah was known more during recent seasons for losing key players such as Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Wesley Matthews, Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer than it was for adding premier talent. Now, the Jazz have a foundation of diverse youth — Kanter, Favors, Gordon Hayward, Alec Burks — to build upon. And once the league has a new collective bargaining agreement in place and a restructured salary cap is established, a Utah franchise with a significantly declining payroll will have multiple pieces to trade, sell or keep.

Monson: Jazz are a classic unfinished poem--Salt Lake Tribune

As constituted, the Jazz look as though they’ve accelerated their rebuilding project. Check out the breakdown of the options on their roster:
...
Small forwards: Gordon Hayward, Millsap, Jeremy Evans
...
The Jazz have to fire enough bombs to make space for that inside game, where the big men can more freely do their business. Okur, if he gets back to form, can shoot it. Hayward transformed his game during his rookie year with newfound efficiency from deep. Beyond that, who’s going to nail jumpers, particularly out of the pick and roll?

Hoosier Digest: Butler's Marshall on U-19 national team--The Indy Star
Butler's Shelvin Mack goes to Washington--The Indy Star
Butler's Howard may play in Europe; Mack headed to Wizards--The Indy Star
Wizards get Mack in 2nd round--Butler Collegian

2011 NBA Draft Results, Grades: Miami Heat--Opposing Views
Norris Cole Drafted By Chicago Bulls, Heading to Miami Heat in Trade--The Cleveland Leader
2 trades later, Cole lands with the Heat--Dayton Daily News
Norris Cole feels the Heat--Fox Sports Ohio
Miami Heat Trade Up to Select Cleveland State's Norris Cole--Bleacher Report
Instant Analysis: Norris Cole--NBA.com
Miami Heat top pick Norris Cole impressed team during workouts--Miami Herald
With Norris Cole, Heat get up to speed--Sun-Sentinel
First round picks of the 2011 NBA Draft--Deseret News

28. Norris Cole, G, 6-1, Clev. St.

CHICAGO BULLS (traded to Miami via Minnesota)

Lesser known but certainly no less productive than the big-name point guards int he draft, Cole put up impressive numbers (21.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg and 5.3 apg) as a senior at Cleveland State.

Heat complete trade for point guard Norris Cole--Deseret News
The Tribune’s 2011 NBA Draft analysis--Salt Lake Tribune

No. 28 » Norris Cole, Miami Heat; 6-foot-2, 170 pounds; Guard, Cleveland State

Instant analysis • Cole played four season at Cleveland State, which plays in the same conference at Butler, so the competition might be better than it looks at first. He averaged 21.7 points and 5.8 assists per game as a senior, but he shot only 32 percent on three-pointers during his career. His perimeter game must improve in the NBA.

Verdict • Taken by Chicago and traded to Miami, Cole could be a perfect fit for the point guard-challenged Heat. His ballhandling and presence on defense should take considerable pressure off Dwyane Wade, which can only help the All-Star’s effectiveness.

Viking Notes: Norris Cole Joins the Miami Heat--Cleveland State Hoops

2012 NBA Draft: Top 50 Prospects--Yard Barker

39. Ray McCallum 6'1'' Guard-Detroit Titans

Despite struggling most of the season, Ray McCallum almost averaged 10-5-5 during his freshman season at Detroit. McCallum has elite handle, good passing skills and is flying under the radar. He should be much better than his stats show if he declares for the 2012 draft.

UIC Student-Athletes Recognized On 2011 Spring Academic Honor Roll--uicflames.com

Loyola Places 80 on Spring Academic Honor Roll--LoyolaRamblers.com

Chrissy Dizon Named Coordinator of Basketball Operations--LoyolaRamblers.com

Catching Up With...Daniel Turner--uwgbathletics.com

Five WSU opponents from 2010-11 selected in NBA Draft--Wright State University Sports

Fifty-Seven Penguins Named to Spring Horizon League Academic Honor Roll--ysusports.com

731 Student-Athletes Compose 2011 Spring Horizon League Academic Honor Roll--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

A collective scouting report on 40 prospects in upcoming NBA draft--Sports Illustrated

Norris Cole, 6-2 senior guard, Cleveland State. I love him. He's a poor man's Maurice Cheeks. He has defensive abilities, good size, great hands, can run a team. One of our scouts is absolutely in love with this kid. I'm telling you, his wheels are ridiculous. He's like Ty Lawson, except he's more of a scorer.
...
Shelvin Mack, 6-3 junior guard, Butler. I'm a big fan. I just think he's steady. He's a point guard who can get you into the offense and can play off superstars. The team went to back-to-back championship games and he had a lot to do with it. Defensively, he knows how to play right now. He worked out very well for us. He's a career No. 2 point guard, but those guys have value. You have to have a really good backup point guard in this league. He has no B.S. in his game, and if you have B.S. in your game, he's going to take it away and make you wish you didn't see him today.

Butler commit up to the competition--Jody Demling - Recruiting
Kings Pre-Draft Workout Interview: Matt Howard--FanFeedr
Waiting Game--Connersville News-Examiner
Howard parents wait as son’s future unfolds--Connersville News-Examiner
Utah Jazz fill needs with Enes Kanter, Alec Burks--Deseret News

Fans, unlike a year ago when they booed the choice of Butler star Gordon Hayward at No. 9, cheered when Kanter's name was announced.

Utah Jazz select Alec Burks with 12th pick--Deseret News

Enes Kanter, Utah's pick at No. 3, and Burks represent a continuation of the youth movement for the Jazz. Kanter turned 19 in May, while Burks won't turn 20 for another month. The two will join Derrick Favors (19) and Gordon Hayward (21) as significant members of Utah's youthful rotation moving forward.

Alec Burks, left, of Colorado, was picked at No. 12 by the Utah Jazz; Enes Kanter, right, of Turkey, was picked No. 3.--Salt Lake Tribune

But in all, Jazz GM Kevin O’Connor was happy with the draft, as were about 7,500 fans who came to the team’s draft party at EnergySolutions Arena. The crowd response was generally positive — a turn from last year’s choir of boos when Utah drafted Gordon Hayward of Butler University ninth overall.

2011 NBA Draft: Shelvin Mack Drafted 33rd by Wizards--SB Nation Indiana
Graves misses on Boston job--The Indy Star
Area players hope to join recent NBA draft tradition--The Indy Star
Marshall on US team--Butler Collegian
Shelvin Mack Drafted By The Washington Wizards--ButlerSports.com
Khyle Marshall Named To USA U19 Team--ButlerSports.com

Five draft prospects to bank on--Fox Sports Ohio

Norris Cole, PG, Cleveland State. Don't blink, or you risk missing Cole. He's that fast with the ball, has true point guard attributes and is still on the uptick as a player. This is a guy who, just four years ago, was signed and ready to go to NAIA Walsh University before Cleveland State said, "Whoa, this guy is available?" He's probably going to be a second-round pick because he does not have a strong skill to compliment his speed, and he might never knock down a bunch of NBA 3-pointers. But he'll come in and affect the game immediately with his athleticism and knack for finding ways to make positive plays. I wouldn't be shocked if he has a long and productive NBA career.

NBA Draft: Risers And Sliders--Huffington Post

On their way up:
...
Norris Cole, 22 - Cleveland State: Cole is another guy I've been high on for quite some time. A tremendous slasher who can break just about anyone down off the bounce, he's a scoring point guard who also loves to create for others. Like Jimmer Fredette, he HAD to put up huge offensive numbers in college for his team to win, but I also draw parallels between the two in that they both can effectively blend facilitation duties with scoring. Cole is likely to come off the board early in the second, but could even sneak into the first. That's how impressive he has been.

Former Cleveland State baller J'Nathan Bullock still has pro hoops aspirations but is using the Flint Fury football team to stay in shape--MLive.com
Top 50 Craziest Buzzer Beaters of All Time--Bleacher Report
CSU grad Norris Cole is eager to get drafted, and he isn't picky--The News-Herald
Viking Notes: Cole withdraws from Sacramento work out due to injury--Cleveland State Hoops
Cole Selected by Chicago Bulls With 28th Pick in First Round of NBA Draft--csuvikings.com

Moore to Take Part in Illinois Day at Arlington Park Racetrack Saturday--uicflames.com

2010-2011's Most Effiecent Player--Section EE

Questions and Answers with Chris Collins--RaiderRoundball.com

Cole Goes to Miami in 1st Round, Mack to Washington 34th Overall in NBA Draft--Horizon League Network
Khyle Marshall Named to USA Basketball U19 Squad--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Grant Evans Interview--Indiana Basketball Source
NBA Draft: Bulls may wait to address shooting needs--The Chicago Sun-Times

Possible options for the Bulls could be Butler guard Shelvin Mack, Purdue power forward JaJuan Johnson, Duke guard Nolan Smith, Duke forward Kyle Singler, Cleveland State point guard Norris Cole, Hofstra guard Charles Jenkins, Georgia’s Travis Leslie, Michigan’s Darius Morris, Richmond forward Justin Harper, Marquette forward Jimmy Butler and Oakland center Keith Benson.

Draft Prospect Matt Howard--ESPN
Taking Initiative For The Benefit of Others, Butler Style--Strategic Dads
Opponents Turn Teammates--A Contender's Render
Butler, Stevens Ready for Next Chapter--Jon Rothstein
All-Star eager for Butler challenge--Fort Wayne News-Sentinel
Indiana All-Star boys seal win on last shot--Fort Wayne News-Sentinel
Kragthorpe: Jazz wanted draft dilemma, and they got it--Salt Lake Tribune

The irony is the Jazz can afford to play around with their own pick, No. 12. If that’s Jimmer Fredette, fine. The reality is, they’re not even going to get a Gordon Hayward-level player in that slot. They took Hayward at No. 9 last June, and this is a weaker draft, by all accounts.

Lots of interest for pair of in-state wings--The Indy Star
Camaraderie adds to Smeathers' All-Star experience--The Indy Star
Smeathers scores 21 to lead Indiana boys past Kentucky--The Indy Star
Picking a Butler all-opponent team--Indy Star Butler Insider
Graves interviews for Boston U. job--Indy Star Butler Insider

Green Bay Announces Release of A Season to Remember--Green Bay Press Gazette

Women’s Hoops Heading to China in August--valpoathletics.com

Jim Squire

Kragthorpe: Target of Jazz fans’ boos willing to pick again at draft--Salt Lake Tribune
Butler’s Khyle Marshall Among USA U19 Finalists--ButlerSports.com

Titan Club to Host Basketball Camp for Special Needs Players--detroittitans.com
Titans Draw Indiana State In First Round Of 2011 Preseason WNIT--detroittitans.com

Men's Basketball Advanced Skills Camp Open for Registration--uicflames.com

Loyola adds forward Hill to roster--Daily Herald
Devin Hill goes from DePaul to Loyola--Daily Herald
Loyola Adds Forward Devin Hill To Roster--LoyolaRamblers.com

Men's basketball: Turnover changes Horizon League outlook--Green Bay Press Gazette

SummerTimeOut with Sarah Eichler--uwgbathletics.com

Komara set to join Valparaiso women's basketball coaching staff--The NWI Times
Kelly Komara Joins Valpo Women’s Basketball Staff--valpoathletics.com

Jim Squire

Top college hoops mid-majors for 2011-12--Rivals.com
Ranking the top 40 players for the NBA draft--Deseret News

24. Shelvin Mack, Butler guard: He'll be a scoring point guard if he succeeds at the NBA level. He has a gift for creating shots off the dribble. As with Jason Terry and Ben Gordon, the NBA seems more open-minded to guys with point-guard size and a scorer's mentality.
...
36. Norris Cole, Cleveland State point guard: In these days, when the no-hand check rule is so strictly enforced, point guards with Cole's lateral quickness, both on offense and defense, become more valuable. He's strong in the pick-and-roll.

Ohio State men's basketball: Assistant coach resigns--The Columbus Dispatch
Kampen brothers reunited at Butler--Muncie Star Press
U-19 World Championship team makes cuts--Eye On College Basketball

First, we’ll start with those that made the team:

* players who are incoming college freshmen.
...
Khyle Marshall, F, Butler

Busy day on phones for top college prospects--Fort Wayne News-Sentinel
Resigning Ohio State assistant says next job will be outside of basketball--Resigning Ohio State assistant says next job will be outside of basketball--The Columbus Dispatch
2011 NBA Mock Draft 3.0--Sports Illustrated
Q&A: 2014 wing Sean Sellers--Indy HS Hoops
Indy HS Hoops
NBA draft: Non-BCS players getting new look--Deseret News

But this year's list of draft hopefuls goes far deeper than just a couple of stars.

Butler's tandem of Howard and Shelvin Mack have been busy attending workouts all over the country. Four mid-major players were among the six players working out in front of Bird on Thursday. Thompson, the son of former No. 1 pick and two-time NBA champ Mychal Thompson and brother of Washington State early entry draft prospect Klay Thompson, was another one in Indy.

Leonard has not been in town yet, but two other San Diego State players, Malcolm Thomas and Billy White have.

The potential lockout could speed up the process, too, because some of this year's top underclassmen decided to stay in school. That could open up some spots in a two-round draft for players such as Howard or Mychel Thompson to get selected.

NBA: High-character players available for Jazz--Salt Lake Tribune

Williams moved on and cleaned up his life, though. And embarrassing incidents for recent Jazz draft picks have mostly been anomaly for an organization that takes pride in selecting players who represent the best assets small-market teams have to offer.

Nowhere is that better seen than in 2010 selections Gordon Hayward and Jeremy Evans. The ever-smiling duo are as friendly, easygoing and accommodating as anyone in the league, and they were inseparable last season.

NBA: Six players work out for Utah Jazz--Salt Lake Tribune

Notes

The Jazz are expected to hold their final draft workout Monday. Alec Burks (Colorado), Klay Thompson (Washington State), Zach Graham (Mississippi), John Holland (Boston), Delvon Johnson (Arkansas) and Willie Reed (Saint Louis) are scheduled to attend. … Since the 2010-11 season ended, Utah’s Al Jefferson, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Jeremy Evans have put in extra work at a high-performance training facility in Santa Barbara, Calif. Evans has added muscle weight and definition, while Jefferson and Favors drew extended praise from Corbin.

Ex-Butler coach Lickliter to Miami of Ohio--The Indy Star
Butler season ticket prices going up 20 percent--The Indy Star
Ex-Bulldog Miller leaves Ohio State coaching staff--The Indy Star
June a big month for Butler hoops--Indy Star Butler Insider
Butler’s season ticket increase--Indy Star Butler Insider
Busy day on phones for top college prospects--Butler Collegian
Listen To Brad Stevens Co-Host With Dan Dakich--ButlerSports.com

Detroit Mercy Names Court In Honor Of Vitale--Rush The Court
Detroit names their court after Dickie V, an honor well-earned--Ballin' is a Habit
Detroit naming its floor in Dick Vitale's honor--Eye On College Basketball
Last week in the Rumble: Panik, Detroit game, recruiting, the future--Rumble In The Garden

The St. John's basketball schedule for next season comes together with another date, a nationally-televised game against the University of Detroit that will also serve as a dedication for a court named in Dick Vitale's honor. The former Detroit Titans coach Vitale had a sterling record in the motor city before going to the professional ranks and later, broadcasting. As for the game itself, Detroit could be a real challenger to the young Red Storm, with talent at the guard and wing and Big East-style height. The Titans are another good high-profile practice before conference play.

Detroit Mercy naming basketball court after Dick Vitale--The Detroit Free Press
UDM to name Calihan Hall court after Dick Vitale--The Detroit News
Detroit Mercy to rename court in honor of Dick Vitale--The Oakland Press
Press Conference Set to Announce Court Dedication--detroittitans.com
Lainie Bisbee Tabbed New Assistant Director of Sports Medicine--detroittitans.com
Titans Kickoff Camp Season with Elite Camp--detroittitans.com
Detroit Titan Athletics to Rename Court in Honor of Dick Vitale--detroittitans.com

Utah Jazz: Intriguing group of players working out for Jazz on Sunday--Deseret News

The six-man session will include Kansas power forward Marcus Morris and Florida State small forward Chris Singleton, both of whom are lottery projections. Seeming first-round small forwards Jordan Hamilton (Texas), Tobias Harris (Tennessee) and Tyler Honeycutt (UCLA) will also workout, along with Illinois-Chicago's Paul Carter.

Devin Hill transferring to Loyola--ESPN Chicago
Ex-DePaul forward Devin Hill transferring to Loyola--ChicagoNow.com
Forward Hill to transfer from DePaul to Loyola--The Chicago Tribune
Loyola Legend LaRue Martin To Be Featured On HBO Show "Real Sports" On June 21--LoyolaRamblers.com

Summer TimeOut Featuring Julie Wojta--uwgbathletics.com
Green Bay Recognized at College Sports Video Summit--uwgbathletics.com
Summer TimeOut Featuring Hannah Quilling--uwgbathletics.com
Future Members of Women's Basketball Team Compete in All-Star Game--uwgbathletics.com

Catching Up With...Jarvis Williams--uwgbathletics.com
Catching Up With...Steve Baker--uwgbathletics.com

Panoske To Play In WBCA All-Star Game Saturday--uwmpanthers.com

Christy Smith Leaves Valpo’s Women’s Hoops Staff--valpoathletics.com

Former WSU assistant hired at Xavier--Dayton Daily News
Ex-WSU star Duggins is ready for pro shot--Dayton Daily News
Commentary: Coach choices underline time commitment--Dayton Daily News
WSU basketball newcomers arrive on campus--Wright State University Sports
Former WSU star to join team in top German basketball league--Wright State University Sports
McCaffrey, Cooper and Hibberd Round Out Team and Departmental Awards--RaiderRoundball.com

Horizon League Moments: Seven Straight and Counting...--Horizon League Network
Horizon League Moments: Back-to-Back Final Fours--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

The new class of point guards in Chicago--ChicagoNow.com

Dunham ready for All-Star stage--Herald Bulletin
Butler’s Matt Howard – All Grown Up and Ready for the Pros--Kent Sterling
College Basketball Recruiting: The Most Important Incoming Player for the Top 25--Bleacher Report
College basketball recruiting: 2012 talent flowing to Villanova, Indiana--MaxPreps

9. Butler
Committed: No. 93 Chris Harrison-Docks (6-0, 160, PG), Kellen Dunham (6-4, 160, SG), Devontae Morgan (6-3, 175, SG)
Under the radar no more? Harrison-Docks was an All-State selection in Michigan highly recruited by major conference schools. Dunham would have received the same attention had he not committed to the Bulldogs so early.

Morning Five: 06.08.11 Edition--Rush The Court

Khyle Marshall impressed a lot of people with his play last season in helping Butler get back to the national championship game, and that evidently includes the decision-makers at USA Basketball. Marshall, a rising sophomore who was the Bulldogs’ leading bench scorer and rebounder despite adding only 5.8 PPG and 3.8 RPG last year, has been invited to try out for the American team that will defend its 2009 title at the FIBA U19 World Championship in Latvia, which starts at the end of this month. He can ask a couple of his fellow Brad Stevens disciples for advice on this, if he likes; both Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack were on that 2009 team that took gold in New Zealand.

RTC NBA Draft Profiles: Shelvin Mack--Rush The Court
Butler's Khyle Marshall invited to national camp--Yard Barker
NBA Draft Profiles: Shelvin Mack, Butler--Ballin' is a Habit
2011 NBA Draft: Shelvin Mack Continues To Look Good At Workouts--Mid-Major Madness
Butler’s Khyle Marshall invited to national camp--The Indy Star
USA invite for Butler's Marshall--The Indy Star
Butler's Howard, Purdue's Moore work out for Pacers--The Indy Star
Marshall invited to USA tryouts--Indy Star Butler Insider
Khyle Marshall Invited To USA Basketball Trials--ButlerSports.com
Click Here For Men's Basketball Season Ticket Brochure--ButlerSports.com

Ashley Hayes Hired As Assistant Coach At Butler--ButlerSports.com
Fore Hoops N Hope: Sign Up For Women's Basketball Golf Outing--ButlerSports.com

2011 NBA Mock Draft: Will Norris Cole Be Surprise 1st-Rounder?--Bleacher Report
2011 NBA Mock Draft: Norris Cole and the Most Underrated Back Court Prospects--Bleacher Report
Detroit Pistons fans clamoring for a pure point guard would be pleased with Cleveland State's Norris Cole--MLive.com
NBA Draft: On Norris Cole, and where he ends up--Waiting For Next Year
Norris Cole Interview - 6/5/11--Charlotte Bobcats on Facebook
Cleveland State's Norris Cole Prepares for the NBA Draft--Bleacher Report
Draft notebook: Cole impresses Silas, Bobcats--Fox Sports Ohio

York guard David Cohn could play for Biancalana again--ChicagoNow.com
UIC Student-Athletes Post Record-Setting Semester in Classroom--uicflames.com

Head Coach Regina Miller Announces Three Women's Basketball Assistants--uicflames.com

Loyola still searching for assistant--ChicagoNow.com
Loyola Recruit Joe Crisman To Play On Indiana All-Star Team--LoyolaRamblers.com
Porter Moser To Appear On Chicago Tribune Live Tuesday--LoyolaRamblers.com

Morning Five: 06.10.11 Edition--Rush The Court

When Bryce Drew was chosen to succeed his father Homer at Valparaiso a little less than a month ago, he became the fifth head coach in the Horizon League currently in his 30s. We’re always intrigued to hear how coaches who are barely ten years older than many of their players are able to come across more as authority figures and less as contemporaries, and it brings up another question: with the current generation of players, is it better to be an old seasoned coach chock-full of wisdom that comes from time and experience who’s better at recruiting the parents as well as the players, or is it more advantageous to be perceived as a young ”up-and-comer” who knows how to use Twitter, Facebook, and get up for a chest-bump? The two things aren’t mutually exclusive, and it will be interesting to see if the most successful coaches over the next 5-10 years are guys who are hybrids of those two options.

Valparaiso Historical Bracket (Game 7)--Region Sports Extra
Valparaiso Historical Bracket (Game 8)--Region Sports Extra
Valparaiso Historical Bracket (Championship Game)--Region Sports Extra
Looking back with Cory Johnson--Section EE

Valparaiso women nab pair of guards for 2012--The NWI Times
Accepting the Challenge: Boone Visits Haiti a Year After Devastating Earthquake--valpoathletics.com

Former WSU assistant hired at Xavier--Dayton Daily News
WSU basketball newcomers arrive on campus--Wright State University Sports
Raiders Sign Point Guard--wsuraiders.com

Women's Basketball Adds Three to Roster--wsuraiders.com

2011 Bill Dailey Scholarship Golf Outing A Major Success--ysusports.com

Spots Remain for Women’s Basketball Individual Camp--ysusports.com

Horizon League Moments: League Expansion--Horizon League Network
Horizon League Moments: Green Bay Goes to the Sweet 16--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Mid-Major Morning Mashups: Bobcats Working Out Kawhi Leonard, Norris Cole--Mid-Major Madness

Jim Squire

NBA Draft Combine: Athleticism Testing Analysis--NBADraft.net

Guards:

If prospects were to be given movie names for this weekend after their combine performance, than Iman Shumpert would be “The Hangover II”. Shumpert not only appeared much taller than other point guards, and with his build and athleticism, should truly become a combo. At 6’5.5 and 222 lbs of solid frame, he jumped out the building with verticals of 36.5 standing and 42 max. He had great running numbers and lifted 185 a monstrous 18 times. While his shooting and decision making still have a lot to be desired, Shumpert’s freakish athleticism could easily give teams in the first round some intrigue.

Josh Selby equaled Shumpert’s vert numbers, and is quickly growing in popularity. Selby may have had a mediocre freshman year at Kansas, but he seems to be showing why he was viewed as such a top-flight prospect. Isaiah Thomas also showed some big time hops and speed, not to mention 13 reps, strength in which Thomas uses to play much bigger than his size. Butler star Shelvin Mack really proved that he is not only strong, with his 17 reps, but posted some major league vertical numbers and solid speed. He definitely was known as being an incredibly strong guard, but his other athletic numbers were incredibly surprising in a very good way for this natural born leader.

A number of combo guards made some noise during the combine as well, trying to show which small school star is the next Kevin Martin or Rodney Stuckey. They do not have the size, but Norris Cole, Charles Jenkins and Andrew Goudelock are all making some noise as legit NBA prospects. Cole, well known for playing much bigger than his size, posted very impressive vert numbers and a combine high 10.07 lane agility. Word is that he is moving up draft boards after these results. Jenkins is the biggest of these prospects, and while he showed nice strength, his athleticism was fairly below average. Goudelock meanwhile has the best shooting stroke of these players, and showed very solidly in the testing. He posted the second fastest lane agility, a very fast ¾ court sprint and an above average vert. All of these players should be drafted and should all get some first round sniffs.

2011 NBA Mock Draft: Version 4.0--The Hoop Doctors

21.
Cha
Butler Shelvin Mack SG 6’2 215 lbs Junior
As the big shot taker on the nation’s runner up squad two years running, Mack has finally become a household name because of all the exposure that comes with deep Tourney runs. His shooting range and physical strength are two attributes that translate nicely for NBA play. Shelvin compares favorably to that of Ben Gordon as an instant offense type of shooter/scorer at the lead guard position. Has good handles and plays excellent defense and is one of those long range shooters that has range anywhere inside the gym.
...
24.
Bos
Cleveland St Norris Cole PG 6’3 180 lbs Senior
Norris is the perfect example of a player making the right decision to stay in school. By returning for his senior season, he has steadily increased his all-around numbers to being the lone Division I player to average 20+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists. He burst upon the national scene with his 41 point, 20 rebound, 9 assist effort against an opponent in February but his biggest improvement has been his PG skills, where he was a finalist or the Bob Cousy Award given to the nation’s best PG. He’s a solid PG prospect with above average offensive abilities and is at his best in pick and roll situations. His only concern is having only average athleticism and must improve his range on his jumper as he doesn’t connect on a ton of shots from three. Norris is a 4 star PG prospect, better served as a facillitator on a team with an already in place superstar.

Local celebrity: Matt Howard--Metromix.com
2011 NBA Draft: Spurs Working Out Andrew Goudelock, Bobcats Welcome Shelvin Mack--Mid-Major Madness
2011 NBA Draft: Jimmer Fredette Working Out For Pacers, Shelvin Mack For Spurs--Mid-Major Madness
Kragthorpe: NBA Finals a reminder that Jazz need a star--Salt Lake Tribune

The response to Gordon Hayward’s strong finish of his rookie season was equally refreshing and mind-boggling to me. Hayward’s 34-point night against Denver in the season finale created hope for his future, but that version of the Nuggets did not provide any reasonable gauge.

Butler wins Horizon all-sports trophy--The Indy Star
All-sports trophy and Aussie recruit--Indy Star Butler Insider

2011 NBA Mock Draft: With the 42nd Pick, the Indiana Pacers Select...--Bleacher Report
Vikings hire former player--Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland State announced that Brittany Korth, a former guard at CSU who helped the Vikings to their first NCAA Tournament in 2008, is returning to the school as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team.

Korth, a Clinton, Wis., native, earned four letters with CSU and graduated in 2008.

Brittany Korth Named Assistant Coach at CSU--csuvikings.com

Former Loyola assistant headed to MAC--ChicagoNow.com
Brian McIntyre To Receive Basketball Hall Of Fame Honor--LoyolaRamblers.com