On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Detroit hands Green Bay women first loss of season--MICentralSports.com

Valparaiso Crusaders Dominate Cleveland State Vikings 59-41--Hoopville
Friday's Shootaround: Murray State and St. Mary's lose--Ballin' is a Habit

Valparaiso 59, Cleveland State 41: Valpo's win gave them a sweep of the Vikings, my pick to win the Horizon this season, and in the process took over sole possession of first place in the league, although they are only a half-game up on CSU and tied in the loss column. Of note: Kevin Van Wijk injured his knee in the game and didn't return.

Today's Specials: Bubblers try to make statements--Eye On College Basketball

Three things to keep an eye on:
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Valparaiso at Cleveland State (7 p.m.) will battle for first place in the Horizon League. Cleveland State is a half-game up, but lost the first meeting to Valpo.

Believe in Butler? Why not?--Fox Sports Ohio
Utah Jazz: Hayward earns spot in Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend--Deseret News
No Utah Jazz players make 2012 NBA All-Star team--Salt Lake Tribune

Second-year Jazz forward Gordon Hayward was chosen Wednesday to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge.

Monson: Ty Corbin steering Utah Jazz ship through tricky seas--Salt Lake Tribune

The end of last season was mostly clean up, as the Jazz skidded through the remainder of their schedule. But by the night of the draft, the club had new hope in a fresh young core of promising players that included present lottery picks Enes Kanter and Alec Burks, and past lottery selections Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward. Those pieces, mixed with veterans Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson, Devin Harris, C.J. Miles and Raja Bell, among others, gave Corbin a powerful-yet-delicate stock of ammo with which to go to battle this season, once the extended labor dispute got settled.
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Which is to say, getting them time is worth it, alongside Hayward, even if the Jazz don’t always win. Preparing for serious winning next season and the season after with the youngsters should be a priority over getting some scattered wins right now with veterans who likely won’t be around in coming years. Again, this season, the Jazz will be fortunate to even qualify for the playoffs. Remember also that the clock is ticking on players like Favors, who could bolt when their time is up. It’s a useful idea to make them comfortable, a part of the basic infrastructure, as soon as possible in hopes of keeping them.

Butler Vs. Youngstown State Final Score: Bulldogs Earn 68-59 Road Win Over Penguins--SB Nation Indiana
Butler beats Youngstown State on road 68-59--The Indy Star
Butler has selective memory in win over Youngstown State--The Indy Star
Whoa . . . league didn’t want to see that--Indy Star Butler Insider
Butler builds lead, survives drought for win--Victory Firelight
Butler Drops Youngstown State, 68-59--Butler Blue Fever
BUTLER 68, YOUNGSTOWN STATE 59--THE unOFFICIAL BUTLER BULLDOGS MEN'S BASKETBALL PAGE
Butler Stifles Penguins In 68-59 Road Win--ButlerSports.com

These 3 High Variance Teams Could Be March Madness Sleeper Picks--Team Rankings

Potential Sleepers (High Variance Teams)
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Cleveland State Vikings (TR Rank: 58, Off. SD: 12, Def. SD: 13.6): Cleveland State has quietly become the best team in the Horizon League, and they’ve done it with defense. The Vikings force a huge number of turnovers, and have held six opponents to 0.80 PPP or lower. The Vikings have the ability to be an extremely good defensive team, and that skill can win a game against a better opponent in the NCAA tournament.

Heat's Cole out, Brandon Knight in for Rising Stars--South Florida Sun Sentinel
Cleveland State men's basketball falls flat, loses an ugly one to Valparaiso--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Loss to Valparaiso changes the outlook on rest of schedule: Cleveland State Men's Basketball Insider--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State men's basketball team shoots itself in foot from point-blank range: Terry Pluto--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State Stumbles With Loss To Valparaiso, 59-41--Vikings Ball
StatSheet Projects Cleveland State as NIT Three Seed: 02/10/2012--Vikings Ball
Horizon League Basketball: Cleveland State Comes out Flat, Loses to Valparaiso--Bleacher Report
Vikings Fall to Valparaiso, 59-41--csuvikings.com

Illinois upsets Ohio State women's team with 2 seconds remaining: College Basketball Roundup--Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland State 67, Loyola 65 Shalonda Winton scored 29 points to lead the Vikings (9-14, 4-8 Horizon League) to a victory in Chicago over the Ramblers (10-13, 5-7). The Vikings scored 10 of the first 12 points in the second half.

Loyola shot just 39 percent from the field and was 0-for-8 from the three-point line.

Winton Scores 1,000th Point As CSU Earns 67-65 Victory At Loyola--csuvikings.com