Monday, November 14, 2011

News On The Horizon 11/14/2011

After the Buzzer: Opening Weekend Edition--Rush The Court

It’s Upsetting… Hey SEC and Pac-12, consider yourself both on notice. A big part of the reason that you have been the worst two power conferences the past couple of seasons has to do with bad early home losses against mid-major schools. With Vandy’s loss Sunday to Cleveland State, the SEC already has two of these on its conference resume (Akron beating Mississippi State, the other), and we haven’t even played a full week of games yet!

Do You Trust Vandy? If anyone would have chosen a game this weekend for Vanderbilt to drop at home, it probably would have been the Friday night opener against an Oregon team that some think will make a little noise in the Pac-12 this season. The ‘Dores handled the game against the Ducks without too much trouble, winning 78-64 behind Jeffery Taylor’s 21/11/4 assts/5 stls, but their next game against Cleveland State on Sunday was a different story altogether. Some of the same March bugaboos that have haunted VU in recent years made a reappearance on Sunday against CSU — unforced turnovers, poor shooting, and overall sloppy play. Cleveland State took advantage when it needed to, keeping a reasonable buffer throughout the second half and refusing to let Taylor (9/4 with six turnovers) or John Jenkins (5-14 FGs) beat them. It’s very early, and Vandy is playing without its big man, Festus Ezeli, but in your gut, do you really trust the Commodores to make a run to the Elite Eight or beyond?
...
You’ll Find This Interesting.
...
Butler In Another Weird Ending. Had Butler ended up winning its season opener at the brand-new Ford Center in Evansville on Saturday, we were going to begin wondering if Brad Stevens was actually the hotshot Keanu Reeves character in The Devil’s Advocate. With 0.9 seconds remaining, Butler went for the Laettner pass and it originally appeared to work when Andrew Smith laid the ball in with 0.2 seconds left on the clock. The referees waived the basket, claiming that Smith had been fouled prior to his catch-and-shoot. He then bricked both free throws, sending the game to overtime where Evansville was able to christen its new arena with a win over the two-time defending national runner-ups. (ed. note: this is the best video we could find)
UE vs. Butler Season Opener at the New Ford Center
...
RTC Live. We had a number of games going on around the country this weekend. If you’re interested in reviewing the live-blogs after the fact, click on the little tab in the RTC Live widget to the right that says “Recent Coverage.” We have four more games coming up Monday night.
...
Duquesne 84, Green Bay 66. Today’s game was about two teams that knew what they wanted to do coming into the contest. Duquesne wanted to put on a lot of pressure, take care of the ball, and capitalize on the increased pace. Green Bay wanted to use their superior size, slow down the pace, and take care of the ball. As it turned out, Duquesne did exactly what they wanted to do and Green Bay didn’t. Duquesne scored 21 points off turnovers, went to the free throw line often and shot well, and only turned the ball over nine times on the afternoon. Green Bay didn’t go inside much, turned the ball over 19 times, and let Duquesne control the pace.

11/14 College Hoops Week in Review: And we're off!--Ballin' is a Habit

Evansville 80, Butler 77 OT: Butler somehow always seems to be involved in games with weird endings. Everyone will remember the strange finish to Butler's upset of Pitt in last year's NCAA Tournament, but do you remember when Butler beat Xavier when the clock stopped for 1.2 seconds? Believe it or not, Butler may have topped that with the way they lost to Evansville on Saturday evening. After blowing a 12 point second half lead, Butler fouled Colt Ryan with 0.9 seconds left and a one point lead. But Ryan missed the first before making the second shot, tying the game.

On the ensuing inbounds, Butler threw the ball the length of the court to Andrew Smith who made the catch and laid the ball in at the buzzer. The only problem? The refs said the lay-in came after the buzzer, but that he was fouled with 0.2 seconds left on the clock. Smith would proceed to miss both free throws and Evansville won the game in overtime when Chrishawn Hopkins failed to get a shot off to try and tie the game. For a more in-depth look at the controversy involved in the finish, we wrote about it here.
UE takes on Butler Highlights
...
Team of the Week: Cleveland State

The Vikings were a bit of an afterthought heading into this season. That's generally what happens when you are a mid-major program and you lose a player as talented and important to your team as Norris Cole. But Gary Waters' team did a fine job introducing themselves to the country on Sunday afternoon, as they went into Memorial Coliseum and bullied Vanderbilt into a 71-58 victory. D'Aundray Brown led the way for the Vikings, finishing with 18 points and 8 boards, but he got plenty of help, as five of his teammates scored between seven and 11 points.

But the offensive end of the floor isn't what won this game for Cleveland State. It was their defensive pressure. Vanderbilt, a top 10 team known for having a powerful offensive attack, had more possessions end in a turnover (20) than in a made field goal (18). John Jenkins, the Commodores all-american, was hounded the entire game, shooting 5-14 from the floor (2-8 from three). Jeff Taylor had just nine points, shooting 3-8 from the field and turning the ball over six times. All in all, it was an impressive performance from the Vikings, one that will likely get them into the conversation -- along with Butler and Detroit -- for the favorite in the Horizon.
Quick Opening Weekend Recap--BT Powerhouse

Illinois 67, Loyola Chicago 49: Loyola hung tough with the Illini until midway through the second half, when Bruce Weber's team took over.

Ohio State 73, Wright State 42: The #3 Buckeyes dominated the Raiders as was expected.



Ten Games to Watch: Week of Nov. 14--YardBarker

Louisville at Butler, Saturday (11/19): 2:00pm EST

Butler (0-1) lost in overtime to Evansville on Saturday afternoon. The two-time defending National Runner-ups need to make sure they take care of Chattanooga on Tuesday, before a Saturday trip to Louisville takes center stage. Louisville (2-0) freshman Chane Behanan has been a nice addition, beginning the season with back-to-back double-doubles.


Bulldogs Edge Harvard 69-68--ButlerSports.com

A Quick, Fake Summary: Don’t Worry, Vanderbilt…We All Have Our Little Faults--Rush The Court
Cleveland States frustrates John Jenkins in a convincing early season win--The Mikan Drill
Vandy's loss won't help Vandy's reputation--Eye On College Basketball
No. 7 Vanderbilt loses 71-58 to Cleveland State--The Tennessean
Cleveland State Dominates a Sloppy Vanderbilt Team in 71-58 Upset--Anchor Of Gold
Cleveland State shocks No. 7 Vanderbilt, 71-58, in men's basketball--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State vs Vanderbilt: Recap Notes--Vikings Ball
Vanderbilt Moves Down 11 Spots to #18 in AP Poll: Nov 14th, 2011--Vikings Ball
Cleveland State Pulls Off 71-58 Upset of Vanderbilt--Vikings Ball
Strong Defensive Effort Helps CSU Win at No. 7 Vanderbilt, 71-58--csuvikings.com
Brown Named Horizon League Player of the Week--csuvikings.com

Vikings Fall To Illinois, 72-42--csuvikings.com

What to watch today: Detroit Mercy vs. Notre Dame--The Detroit Free Press
On this day 5 years ago - Nov 13, 2006--Titans Update
Detroit (1-0) and Notre Dame (1-0) Face Off--Titans Update
Detroit Battles Notre Dame in Progressive CBE Classic Monday--detroittitans.com

Titans Sign Four Talented Hoopsters--detroittitans.com

High-Major Men's Basketball Game Breakdowns 11/14-11/17--College Sports Madness

LOYOLA CHICAGO AT EASTERN ILLINOIS (8 p.m. Wednesday at Lantz Arena in Charleston, Illinois)

The second game in this roundup that involves Interstate 57, the schools are separated by approximately 180 miles but the basketball is just as passionate. Loyola Chicago, a member of the Horizon League, lost 67-49 to Illinois to start its season even though Walt Gibler had 19 points and six rebounds. Loyola Chicago plays at Kansas State on Monday prior to this contest. Eastern Illinois lost 79-72 to Indiana State to begin the season, even though Jeremy Granger poured in 26 points.


Loyola Sprints Past Northern Illinois, 73-42, For First 2-0 Start in 10 Years--LoyolaRamblers.com
Postgame Notes: Northern Illinois at Loyola--LoyolaRamblers.com

Green Bay at Duquesne 11/13/2011--The Mid-Majority
Men's basketball: Defense is Phoenix's downfall in loss to Duquesne--Green Bay Press Gazette
Game #2: UWGB at Duquesne--UWGB Basketball
Green Bay vs Duquesne: Recap Notes--Phoenix Fever
Green Bay Drops One To Duquesne, 84-66--Phoenix Fever

Haarsma, Allen will Panthers to win--UWM Post
Roelke: From team manager to team player--UWM Post
2011-2012 Men’s Season Preview--UWM Post
Horizon League preview--UWM Post
Expectations for Monday night--PantherU
#BasketballNeverStops--PantherU
Milwaukee (1-0) Faces Northern Illinois (0-1)--UWM Update
Panthers Continue Early Season With Monday Game At NIU--uwmpanthers.com
Panthers Offer Thank You To Season-Ticket Holders--uwmpanthers.com

Panthers struggle against tenacious Badgers--UWM Post

Men’s basketball: Holy Cross (1-2) at Valparaiso (1-1)--The Post-Tribune
Around the Horizon League--Off The Mark
Valpo hosts Holy Cross in tonight's home opener--The NWI Times
On this day 2 years ago - Nov 13, 2009--Valpo Daily
Valpo Ready For Home Opener Monday--valpoathletics.com
Check Out Valpo Gameday This Evening!--valpoathletics.com

Junior finds range in home opener--Dayton Daily News
Raiders spread playing time in beating D-III Kenyon--Dayton Daily News
Wright State earns first win with 80-56 victory against D-III Kenyon--Wright State University Sports
Week 1 Horizon League Power Rankings: Cleveland State jumps to the top--Wright State University Sports
Raiders Defeat the Lords on Sunday 80-56--RaiderRoundball.com
Kenyon vs Wright State: Recap Notes--Rowdy Review
Wright State Dismantles Kenyon, 80-56--Rowdy Review
Men Roll to 80-56 Win Over Kenyon--wsuraiders.com

Freshman scores 25 in debut, WSU women win season opener--Dayton Daily News
Women Defeat Ball State in Season Opener--wsuraiders.com

Cleveland State's Brown Picks Up First Men's Basketball Player of the Week Accolade--Horizon League Network

No comments: