Wednesday, January 11, 2012

News On The Horizon 1/11/2012

Power Rankings: Week 9--Horizon League Hoops

Hot-shooting Jazz beat Cleveland Cavaliers, 113-105--Deseret News

"We were moving the ball better," Jazz small forward Gordon Hayward said. "Paul and Big Al were definitely carrying us. They were scoring almost with ease, so when they're able to do that it makes everyone else's job pretty easy."

It helps when guys like Hayward chip in with eight assists, when the looking-better-by-the-game Josh Howard explodes for 17 points off the bench on 6-for-9 shooting and when a third big beast, Derrick Favors, throws in 14 points and five rebounds to boot.

Hayward's career-high assist night reminded the former point guard of the NBA guy he tried to pattern his game after back in the day — Phoenix's former MVP.

"Creating for my teammates and getting the other people open shots is what I love more than anything," said Hayward, who followed up his season-best 18-point outing with five points but had a bunch of savvy passes. "When I got drafted, I remember saying Steve Nash was the dude I modeled my game after. I love just getting other people the ball. They were knocking down shots so it made it easy."

Utah Jazz-Cleveland Cavaliers: Instant analysis--Deseret News

Getting offensive: While their defense was mediocre at best, the Utah Jazz offense was exceptional. From the onset, Utah took advantage of the Cleveland frontline and did most of its damage from the inside with 50 points in the paint.

The team that struggled mightily the first two games seems to get more acclimated to each other each game, as evidenced by Utah's scorching 59.2 percent shooting mark from the field. While the turnovers were an issue in the first half with 11, Utah settled down the second half — just three miscues. Gordon Hayward led a balanced assist effort with a career-high eight dimes.

After scoring just four points in the season opener, Jefferson has torn off an impressive string of efforts where he’s averaged 21.9 points the past seven games.

Utah Jazz-Cleveland Cavaliers: Report card--Deseret News

FORWARDS: The Cavs are lucky Paul Millsap got in foul trouble and fouled out because he was killing them. Millsap made his first nine shots and scored a season-high 19 points. Gordon Hayward struggled with his shot (1-for-5), but dished a career-high eight assists. Antawn Jamison scored 22 points for Cleveland, but took 18 shots to get there.

Grade: B

Utah Jazz notebook: Stork delivers new Jazz fan to Bell household--Deseret News

"I think they're important to every offense. They allow you to spread the court," Jazz small forward Gordon Hayward said. "When you start knocking down some outside shots, they can't double-team our post guys, so it lets them have some more room to operate. It opens everything up and makes the defense stay honest."

STARTERS STAYING: The birth of a child didn't affect the Jazz's starting lineup Tuesday, and Corbin has no intention of changing his opening group anytime soon. Utah improved to 5-1 with the first five of PG Devin Harris, SG Raja Bell, SF Gordon Hayward, PF Paul Millsap and C Al Jefferson.

"We're moving well. We're growing. We're getting better every night we step on the floor," Corbin said. "We're getting used to each other. It's working right now, so we'll continue to work and continue to explore things, but we're doing OK right now."

Wizards vs. Raptors: Washington stops winless slide to open season with 93-78 victory over Toronto--Washington Post

The new starting lineup didn’t yield immediate results, as the Wizards were outscored, 20-17, in the first period, but it did allow Saunders more flexibility with his rotation. That included heavier doses of rookie Shelvin Mack at point guard and rookie Jan Vesely. Ten different players scored, with Nick Young and Lewis leading them all with 15 apiece.
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Vesely provided another crowd-pleasing dunk in the second half, when he soared high above the rim to catch an impossible alley-oop pass from Mack. Despite being well outside the paint, Vesely was still able to throw down the ball, and he shivered as a form of celebration.

With Mack on the floor, Crawford was able to focus on scoring, and he added 11 points off the bench. Lewis was also more effective in a reserve role, as he took advantage of a day of rest to make 6 of 10 shots.


Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade returns to the lineup--Miami Herald

“I had enough time during the lockout and the summer to weigh a lot of different things and put together a very specific plan of how we want to play,” Spoelstra said. “There have been some things with this team that we’ve adjusted that have been different than what we’ve done with the Miami Heat for many years.

“But the personality of this team is a lot different than a lot of those teams of the past.”

In other words, this team is one of the fastest and most athletic in the league, and Spoelstra plans to maximize those strengths. Chalmers, a ball hawk since his rookie season, leads the team with 17 steals. James is second with 16. Newcomer Norris Cole has 14 steals in limited minutes. Wade, who missed three games last week, has nine steals. As a team, the Heat is ranked fourth in the NBA with 91 steals.

Vikings looking for road momentum with trip to Butler, Valparaiso: Cleveland State Insider--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Vikings Head to Butler on Friday--csuvikings.com

"Coneys with the Coach" Tuesday, Jan. 17--detroittitans.com

Another low in Ohio--Whoosh!Net

Loyola Opens Road Swing At Youngstown State--LoyolaRamblers.com

UWGB unveils special alternate jersey for "Black Out" game--UWGB Basketball
Green Bay Athletics Announces Black Out Cancer Initiative--uwgbathletics.com

Watch: Inside Phoenix Basketball: Jan. 9--uwgbathletics.com

Top 10 Moments of Nonconference Play--uwgbathletics.com

On this day 8 years ago - Jan 10, 2004--UWM Update
Panthers Continue Three-Game Homestand With Thursday Tilt Vs. Wright State--uwmpanthers.com

Milwaukee Tips Off Challenging Weekend At Detroit--uwmpanthers.com

Where Are They Now? Casey Schmidt--The NWI Times
On this day 8 years ago - Jan 10, 2004--Valpo Daily

Sandifer turning up volume for Raiders--Dayton Daily News
Women to Host #14/12 Green Bay Thursday--wsuraiders.com

On this day 5 years ago - Jan 10, 2007--Rowdy Review

Women's Basketball Goes for First 3-1 Start Thursday vs. Loyola--ysusports.com

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