On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Wardle announces summer camp dates--UWGB Basketball

Commentary: Horizon League can’t win with NCAA--Dayton Daily News

Jim Squire

Conference Catchup: With Butler gone, no clear favorite in Horizon--Eye On College Basketball

Multiple looks key for Heat in slowing Rajon Rondo--South Florida Sun Sentinel

The Heat typically start with point guard Mario Chalmers defending Rondo. They then have the option of Norris Cole or Dwyane Wade in the second and third quarters. That leaves the fourth quarter to James.

Cleveland State ponders changes after Butler departure--Cleveland Plain Dealer

Loyola adds forward Williams to incoming class--The Chicago Tribune
Loyola Adds Tanner Williams To 2012-13 Men's Basketball Roster--LoyolaRamblers.com

Panthers grab league honor--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The collateral damage of Butler's departure--Off The Mark
Horizon League reacts to Butler--The NWI Times

Former Panthers Post Stellar Seasons Overseas in 2011-12--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Butler moves up planned A-10 jump--ESPN

Horizon League commissioner John LeCrone said Tuesday that the league doesn't have a bylaw preventing a departing member from competing in conference championships like the Colonial Athletic Association.
...
LeCrone said that the agreement with Butler was amicable and that the two sides agreed not to discuss the particulars of the deal, including the fee Butler will pay to leave early. LeCrone declined to answer whether the league took action about Butler not being able to participate in championships next season.
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Meanwhile, LeCrone said the Horizon League will play 16 basketball games next season with nine teams instead of 18 with 10. LeCrone said the league will have a true-round robin schedule and be fine next season. He said the league will look at expansion but made not overtures as to what direction the Horizon League would move in the near future.

Heat use different looks to stop Rondo, Celtics’ offense--Miami Herald
Butler Bulldogs leaving the Horizon League a year early; will begin playing in the Atlantic 10 this fall--Cleveland Plain Dealer

10 Mid-Major guards to watch in 2012-13--Run The Floor

6. Ray McCallum - Detroit

McCallum, a coaches son, might be the best defender on this list. He does everything that a slashing ballhandler is supposed to do - he's efficient, he involves his teammates, and he gets to the line. The limiting factor in McCallum's game is that he only made 24% of his 3s, which of course makes you wonder why he attempted 125 of them.

Miller granted immediate eligibility at UIC--The Chicago Tribune
Joey Miller Garners Immediate Eligibility for UIC Basketball--uicflames.com

Butler leaves early--PantherU

Butler leaves for A-10 effective immediately--The Post-Tribune
Butler bolting Horizon League immediately--The NWI Times

Jim Squire

Who has the edge? Miami Heat-Boston Celtics--South Florida Sun Sentinel

BENCH: Against just about any other playoff opponent, perhaps every other playoff opponent, the Heat would be at a clear disadvantage on this count. But while the Heat at times have had a thin bench, the Celtics, now playing without sidelined Avery Bradley and forced to start Ray Allen, have essentially no bench. With Udonis Haslem back from his one-game suspension, with Joel Anthony proving to be an energizer, with Mike Miller still ambulatory, and with Norris Cole learning when not to shoot, the Heat measure up quite nicely against the likes of Mickael Pietrus, Keyon Dooling and Greg Stiemsma. EDGE: HEAT

Jim Squire

Morning Five: 05.23.12 Edition--Rush The Court

We may not be fans of the decision to make the Crosstown Shootout a neutral site rivalry, but we are fans of the Crossroads Classic, which is held in the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Classic, which was started last year to pair the premier programs in the state of Indiana–Butler, Indiana, Notre Dame, and Purdue–against each other, has been extended for at least two more years. As we have stated before we are big fans of these type of match-ups and advocated for more in our Big Four State Tournament series last year. For some states like North Carolina where the premier programs are all located in the same conference it is not a major issues, but there are plenty of other states, which we identified where it would be a big boost to all the teams involved and more importantly would generate more interest in college basketball.

Montrezl Harrell, Devonta Pollard could cause late recruiting shakeup--Sports Illustrated

Tip-ins
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• One of the more skilled and physical prospects in the class of 2013 is Elkhart (Ind.) Memorial combo guard Markese McGuire. The 6-foot-3 junior has enjoyed a fine spring with Spiece Higher Level and currently holds offers from UIC, Northern Illinois, Evansville, Mercer, Gardner Webb and Valparaiso. Dayton and Davidson are among the programs that have also taken a look.

Mark Lyons, Alex Oriakhi among 10 biggest impact transfers--Sports Illustrated

Rotnei Clarke, Butler

Clarke made 42 percent of his 653 three-point attempts in three seasons at Arkansas and, with incoming freshman sniper Kellen Dunham, should provide Butler with an enormous dose of perimeter competence it completely lacked last season. Having legit shooters to spread the floor should also allow returning bigs Khyle Marshall and Andrew Smith to be much more productive inside. The Bulldogs should be back in the top 25 this season in their Horizon League swan song.

Midwest Mid-Majors like Thompson--The Recruit Scoop (Pay)
Gridiron or Hardcourt for Nigel Hayes?--The Recruit Scoop (Pay)
Conference realignment and how it affects college hoops--CollegeBasketballTalk

The Horizon League lost Butler to the Atlantic 10, send yet another Final Four program from the mid-major ranks to a powerful hoops league.

Crossroads Classic to be extended for two seasons--CollegeBasketballTalk
Finally, Shelvin Mack and Robert Pack have a dance dedicated to them (VIDEO)--Ball Don't Lie
Utah Jazz's Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward officially named to USA Men's Select Team--Deseret News
Jazz's Hayward, Favors won't play in summer league--Utah Jazz Notes
Crossroads Classic college basketball event extended for two more seasons--The Indy Star
Realignment winner: Atlantic 10--Indy Star Butler Insider
Crossroads: Dawgs solidify position--Indy Star Butler Insider
Crossroads Classic Agreement Extended--ButlerSports.com

Flint native J'Nathan Bullock too much for Iceland competition, he dominates pro hoops league--Flint Journal Sports
Cleveland State has interest in Dayton transfer Ralph Hill--Cleveland State Hoops

Rothstein Files: Ten Mid-Major Guards To Watch Next Season--CBS New York

3. RAY MCCALLUM, DETROIT

THE SKINNY: The epitome of a stat sheet stuffer, McCallum nearly single handedly willed the Titans to the NCAA Tournament. With good size at 6-foot-2, the son of Detroit head coach Ray McCallum Sr. is a reliable jump shot from having a chance to play in the NBA. His stats will tell you he’s got everything else covered — averaging 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and four assists per contest last season.

Metro & state: Detroit Mercy extends women's basketball coach Autumn Rademacher's contract--The Detroit Free Press
UDM women's hoops coach Autumn Rademacher gets three-year extension--The Detroit News
Former Titan Great Jermaine Jackson Opens Community Center In Mount Clemens--detroittitans.com
Early Publicity For UDM's Ray McCallum--detroittitans.com
Mark Your Calendars - Legends and Traditions Men's Basketball Weekend--detroittitans.com

Titans Announce Three Year Extension For Coach Rademacher--detroittitans.com

--College Sports Madness

Lynx owner believed in team, his faith was rewarded last season--StarTribune

THORN GOT LAST ROSTER SPOT

Reeve liked both 5-11 forward Queralt Casas of Spain and 6-0 guard/forward Julie Wojta of Wisconsin-Green Bay. But both were cut on Wednesday. They were the last two cuts.

Wojta, who has signed to play with a pro team in Belgium, came closest to making the team.

They both spent good time here, Reeve said.

"From a basketball standpoint , they really did some good things as they got more and more comfortable," Reeve said. "Their games are very different.

“For Julie, that was the one that was on a lot of people’s radar screen. We have talked to her about what needs to happen now for her to try to get a spot in this league," Reeve said. "We gave her a good, hard look and in the end we just said, we felt like having a third ball-handler [Erin Thorn] was really important to this squad. So that was what the separator was.”

Women's basketball: Phoenix takes 'a chance' on Golden--Green Bay Press Gazette
Borseth Completes Coaching Staff--UWGB Basketball

New UWM athletic director Geiger will make $215,000--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee still looking for dates--PantherU

UWM Set To Honor Botham With 'Celebrating Sandy' June 27--uwmpanthers.com

Wood's agent talks about legal troubles--The State News

Top 10: The nation's top shot-blockers--ESPN

Damian Eargle (Youngstown State): First, he has the best name on this board. But he’s an equally talented defender who squeezed 3.7 blocks out of his 6-foot-7 frame. Youngstown State struggled in most Horizon League stat categories but the squad led the conference in blocked shots thanks to Eargle, who was a junior last season.

Spots Remain in Women’s Basketball Summer Camp Series--ysusports.com

Hayward Named to USA Basketball Select Squad--Horizon League Network

Detroit Announces Three Year Extension For WBB Head Coach Autumn Rademacher--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Hall: Could Robert Morris be on the move?--Beaver County Times

The conference realignment issue has also trickled down to Robert Morris, a charter member of the Northeast Conference -- before it was the Northeast Conference (nee ECAC Metro). RMU has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Butler in the Horizon League.

That scenario seems unlikely, according to sources within the athletic department, mostly because without Butler, the Horizon League isn't a much better basketball league than the NEC. Also, the Horizon League doesn't support football, which is important to Robert Morris.

2012 College Sports Media Awards: Nominees Announced--Sports Video Group

Division: Regional Sports Networks and Local Cable Providers or TV Stations

Live Game and Event Production

FOX Sports               College Football – East
South/Sport South        Carolina University vs.
                         University of South Carolina 

FOX Sports               Men’s College Basketball – 
West/Prime Ticket        Long Beach State vs Fullerton
                         St

Longhorn Network         Texas Gameday

The Mtn. Sports          Men’s College Basketball – 
Network                  San Diego State vs. Boise 
                         State – Mountain West 
                         Conference Tourney 
                         (Quarterfinals)

WebStream                Men’s College Basketball – 
Productions/Horizon      Game of the Week – 
League Network           Valparaiso vs. Milwaukee

A-10 is realignment winner thus far with addition of Butler, VCU--Eye On College Basketball
VCU joining Atlantic 10 in 2013--Eye On College Basketball

VCU is the second new addition to the Atlantic 10, joining Butler, which is leaving the Horizon League for the A-10.
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CBSSports.com reported two months ago that Virginia Commonwealth, George Mason and Butler were in discussions with the Atlantic 10.

On Friday, George Mason, which along with VCU and Butler had discussions with the Atlantic 10, announced it was staying in the CAA. However, sources told CBSSports.com at the present time the Atlantic 10 was looking to add only one more school and VCU got the nod over Mason.

The addition of VCU and Butler offset the losses of Temple to the Big East and Charlotte to Conference USA.

The addition of VCU and Butler is huge for the A-10. VCU went to the 2011 Final Four and Butler went to consecutive Final Fours in 2010 and 2011.

Gordon Hayward Starcraft--YouTube
Miller next addition to Groce's staff--IlliniHQ.com
How do Butler, VCU stack up against rest of A-10?--CollegeBasketballTalk
Utah Jazz: Fledgling foursome could be future franchise staples--Deseret News

Not that lottery picks are guaranteed to be great players, but the future looks awfully bright with the foursome of 19-year-old Kanter, Favors and Burks, both 20, and Gordon Hayward, the old man of the bunch at age 22. All are young enough they could still have been in college this past season with Hayward a senior, Favors and Burks juniors and Kanter a sophomore.

Each of the four valued their experience this year and say they plan to work hard in the offseason.

Hayward played the most of the four, earning a starting spot in his second year and averaging 11.8 points and 3.5 rebounds, while starting 58 of 66 games.

He plans to spend most of his summer in his hometown of Indianapolis working out.

Perhaps it's the bad memory of the last two playoff games when he made only 1 of 18 field goal attempts, but Hayward said his main goal in the offseason is "to become an elite-level shooter."

He also said he wants to "develop strength and use my athleticism to take it to the rim and get to the free-throw line some more."
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It's not hard to project a future Jazz starting lineup that includes all four of Utah's young lottery picks, with Kanter at center, Favors at power forward, Hayward at small forward and Burks as the shooting guard. Now all they need is a young point guard and the Jazz starting lineup could be set for a decade.

Utah Jazz: Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward join Select team--Deseret News
Hayward, Favors picked for U.S. Select Team--Utah Jazz Notes
Butler, VCU to Atlantic 10 sets up potential for excellent rivalry--Searching for Billy Edelin
Former Butler star Gordon Hayward chosen to USA Basketball's select team--The Indy Star
Pickett (2013) drawing interest from Butler, others with play this spring--The Indy Star
Butler announces 2012 athletics Hall of Fame class--The Indy Star
Seven Selected For Butler Athletics Hall of Fame--ButlerSports.com

Couture Tabbed For NAIA District VI All-Time Team--ButlerSports.com

NBA Draft Blog Interview with D'Aundray Brown--Ed Isaacson's NBA Draft Blog
Flint’s J’Nathan Bullock wins championship, Player of the Year in Iceland--Ballin' Michigan
Mario Chalmers steps up for struggling Miami Heat--Miami Herald

With Chalmers playing the way he was, Norris Cole didn’t get the looks he did in Game 2. With Chalmers in foul trouble and struggling from the field, Cole was brought in for his most substantive play since Game 1 of the opening-round series against the Knicks. On Tuesday, picked up five fouls and ended with five points on 2-of-10 shooting.

“I have to stay out of foul trouble,” he said. “That’s the bottom line.”

Cole grew up in nearby Dayton, Ohio — about a one-hour drive east of Indianapolis on I-70 — and figured he had at least 30 cheering him on Thursday.

“My family is real close to here so they’re coming to show support for myself and the team,” said Cole, a Cleveland State product.

“Being in the playoffs, being on the road and having the ability to have family come and watch is great. I’m enjoying this ride.”

After playing 11:37 in the opener against the Knicks, Cole rarely left the bench in the following two games and didn’t see any action in the final two of that series.

Cole was benched for the third consecutive game in Sunday’s series opener, but with Chalmers struggling, Cole played 17:08 in Game 2. Cole was 2 for 2 from the field and dished out an assist.

Spoelstra said Cole’s preparation and mental state will serve him well when called upon. Cole was scoreless on one shot in 9:34 on Thursday.

“He kept himself ready and is tough as nails,” Spoelstra said before Thursday’s game. “You get into a competitive and physical series here, and well, that fits his nature. Because of the circumstances with Chris Bosh being out, it affects every part of our rotation. Everyone has to be ready.”

Should Wade play in another Olympics?--South Florida Sun Sentinel

A VOTE FOR RILEY: An interesting twist in the voting for the NBA Executive of the Year award that this past week went to Indiana Pacers President Larry Bird is that Heat President Pat Riley was one of six executives to receive a first-place vote in the poll of lead personnel executives from the 30 teams. Chalk that one up to possible early voting. There was, of course, a time when Riley appeared to pull off a coup with the free-agency addition of Shane Battier and the drafting of Norris Cole. Then Cole hit a rookie wall and Battier's limitations were exposed. Fact is, with the majority of the Heat's draft picks dealt in the sign-and-trade agreements for LeBron James and Chris Bosh, and with the Heat's salary structure leaving them with, at most, the tax-payer $3 million mid-level exception to spend in free agency in upcoming offseasons, Riley essentially has to be flawless going forward to offer any support to Dwyane Wade, James and Bosh. He might not have deserved this season's first-place vote, but he's going to need to earn a few in coming seasons.

Cleveland State's D'Aundray Brown Will Participate In Brooklyn Nets Draft Combine--Cleveland State Hoops

Sharpshooting Head Coach Ray McCallum To Take On Arizona Coach In The Finals For "Shots from the Heart"--detroittitans.com

Titans Mourn The Loss Of Former Women's Basketball Standout Lisa Blackburn--detroittitans.com

Wojta, one of Lynx's last cuts, signs with pro team in Belgium--Star Tribune
Wojta, Casas cut as Lynx trim roster to final 11 players--Star Tribune
WNBA: Julie Wojta has 4 in Minnesota Lynx victory--Green Bay Press Gazette
Women's basketball: Wojta released by Lynx--Green Bay Press Gazette
Women's basketball: Former UWGB standout Julie Wojta signs with Belgian team--Green Bay Press Gazette
Fans Head to Minnesota in Support of Wojta--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Video: Wojta's WNBA Experience Memorable--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Wojta Inks Contract with Eurocup Team--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Men's basketball: Junior college guard joins UWGB; Armstead leaves--Green Bay Press Gazette
Wardle Adds Three to 2012-13 Phoenix Roster--GreenBayPhoenix.com

UW-Milwaukee names new Athletic Director--Fox 6 Now
2011-12 Milwaukee Men's Basketball--YouTube
UWM signs 3 to men's basketball team--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A beacon of hope--UWM Post
Tony and Jimmy PantherU Podcast 5.10.12 part 1--PantherU
Tony and Jimmy PantherU Podcast 5.10.12 part 2--PantherU
Jeter Earns Another Honor From UW-Platteville--uwmpanthers.com
Panthers Add Three Standouts To Incoming Recruiting Class--uwmpanthers.com
Former Panthers Post Stellar Seasons Overseas In 2011-12--uwmpanthers.com

Jay Harris a great fit for Wagner--Big Apple Buckets
Softball part of big year for Valparaiso sports--The Post-Tribune
Andrean star reaffirms commitment to the Crusaders--The NWI Times
Valparaiso starting to excel in the Horizon League--The NWI Times

Kentucky lands Wright State guard Julius Mays via transfer--CollegeBasketballTalk
Wright State Transfer Julius Mays Chooses Kentucky Over Purdue--Rant Sports
Kentucky Basketball Recruiting: Jeff Goodman reports Julius Mays commits to Kentucky--A Sea Of Blue
Morning Five: 05.14.12 Edition--Rush The Court

Just when you thought that John Calipari and Kentucky might be one piece short they pull out a surprise on Sunday afternoon in the form of Julian Mays, who will transfer from Wright State to Kentucky and will be able to play next season after graduating from Wright State this spring. We will skip over our thoughts on the transfer rule that has led to an explosion in individuals who plan “to attend graduate school in an area not offered” at their previous school (later clarified after a discussion with John Infante) and instead focus on the impact that bringing in a senior combo guard who averaged 14.1 points per game last season while leading his team in scoring, assists, and steals. It obviously is a big move that helps shore up some of the team’s deficiencies and provides them with an outside threat who shot 42.4% from three-point range this season. Given the depth the Wildcats have Mays will probably come off the bench, but if the fans are worried about Mays adjusting to the level of play in the SEC they can be comforted by the fact that like fellow transfer Ryan Harrow Mays spent time in the ACC at North Carolina State although his route to Kentucky included a detour before winding up in Lexington.

High school coach of Wright State transfer Julius Mays thinks Kentucky is a ‘bad fit’--CollegeBasketballTalk
Kentucky Lands Wright State Transfer Julius Mays--SB Nation
Kentucky picks up Wright State one-year transfer Julius Mays--Eye On College Basketball
WSU players call, thank fans on phone--Dayton Daily News
Indiana point guard commits to WSU--Dayton Daily News
Two talented guards sign with Raiders--Dayton Daily News
Former Raider Mays picks Kentucky--Wright State University Sports
WSU men’s basketball team to help rehab home--Wright State University Sports
Wright State players reaching out to fans by phone--Wright State University Sports
Report: Drummond picks Wright State--Wright State University Sports
New recruit Drummond described as “tough kid, good shooter”--Wright State University Sports
Newest Raider Drummond on Wright State--Wright State University Sports
Drummond, Bramanti sign letters of intent with Wright State--Wright State University Sports
Wright State recruit Roddy waiting to hear if he qualifies academically--Wright State University Sports
Star basketball player leaving after two years at Wright State--The Guardian
Raiders Help Beavercreek Stars--wsuraiders.com
Raiders Sign Two--wsuraiders.com

Raiders Help Beavercreek Stars--wsuraiders.com

Spots Still Available For Boys' Basketball Camps--ysusports.com

Perspectives: The New World--Horizon League Network
McCallum Into Championship of 'Shots from the Heart' Tournament--Horizon League Network
Jeter Inducted Into UW-Platteville Hall of Fame--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

HD Video: 2016 guard Eron Gordon at 2012 Run-N-Slam--Inside The Hall

The Hoosiers and Purdue both offered Gordon, the younger brother of former IU star Eric Gordon, last month and figure to follow him closely in July. Gordon, who will attend North Central High School next fall, is also receiving early interest from Butler, Michigan, Ohio State and Xavier and that list only figures to grow as his development continues.

Looking forward: Utah Jazz hopeful their core of big men rise again--Deseret News

That group includes Jefferson ($15 million), Devin Harris ($8.5M), Millsap ($7.2M), Favors ($4.8M), Kanter ($4.4M), Raja Bell ($3.5M), Gordon Hayward ($2.7M), Alec Burks ($2.2M) and Earl Watson ($2.1M).
...
But the Jazz believe they have players who will improve the team as they improve themselves — from Harris running the offense more smoothly and being more consistent; to Hayward building his confidence, especially on outside shooting; to Favors, Kanter and Burks continuing to grow up; to Millsap fine-tuning his effectiveness from both forward positions; to Jefferson becoming more of a defensive presence in pick-and-roll situations.
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In July, Utah expects to have a stacked summer league team, which will likely include Hayward, Favors, Kanter, Burks and possibly Carroll and Evans. Watson plans to begin his surgery rehab workouts with the Jazz in Orlando as well.

Utah Jazz ask for patience as they build NBA title contender--Salt Lake Tribune

And Utah’s best days should be ahead as the Jazz wait for a young core of Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter and Alec Burks — lottery selections in 2010 and 2011; talented, coachable and 22 or younger — to take the next stage in their development.
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The only Utah players expected to be under contract are the young core of Hayward, Favors, Kanter and Burks. As a result, the small-market Jazz could be one of the premier free spenders in the league during a summer that might see franchise-altering stars such as Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum and James Harden appear on the market.

IUPUI, Butler to play Dec. 5--The Indy Star
No Morehead State job for Butler's Graves--The Indy Star
Fans favor move to A-10 (Part II)--Indy Star Butler Insider

Breaking down the series: Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers--Miami Herald

Bench

Heat: A series as fit for work boots as sneakers could be physical enough to force the Heat to go 10-deep. The Pacers’ size means Ronny Turiaf and Joel Anthony can’t be complete non-factors. This series plays to the cerebral game at which Shane Battier excels. If he and Mike Miller find their shooting range, the Heat define “offensive juggernaut.” The amount of trust the Heat have in shooting guard James Jones and point guard Norris Cole can be seen in their minutes from Game 5 against the Knicks: 0.0, Mr. Blutarsky.

Pacers: When Indiana crushed the Heat in March, it wasn’t the ABA throwbacks that doomed the Heat by summoning the spirit of Pacers-Floridians games past, but 6-3 Leandro Barbosa with his 14 points in 14:35 and 6-9 inside man Tyler Hansborough going six of eight from the line. During the first round against Orlando, Indiana brought point guard Darren Collison off the bench, augmenting their advantage in this area.

Edge: Pacers

Oakland and Detroit bring bad blood to realignment talks--CollegeBasketballTalk
Metro & state: Detroit Mercy AD Keri Gaither denies feud with Oakland U.--The Detroit Free Press
It's now official — Detroit once blocked Oakland from Horizon League--Grizzlies Den
Current Detroit athletic director denies feud with Oakland--Grizzlies Den

Lynx opens preseason by beating Connecticut--Star Tribune

Lynx second-round pick Julie Wojta had five points and seven rebounds, including six in the fourth quarter. But the 79.8 percent free-throw shooter in college at Wisconsin-Green Bay missed all four of her foul shots in the final 20 seconds, giving Connecticut a chance. However, the Sun missed its final three shot attempts.

Wojta makes WNBA preseason debut--Green Bay Press Gazette

UWM taps Geiger for AD post--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Hiring Geiger a bold play by UWM--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Jim Squire

Morning Five: 05.10.12 Edition--Rush The Court

Open and notorious solicitation of a school wanting to join a new conference isn’t confined only to the power leagues, of course. Oakland University (located in metro Detroit, not northern California) is hoping for consideration to replace Butler in the Horizon League when the Fighting Brad Stevenses move on to the Atlantic 10 after next season. A decade ago local rival Detroit, not wanting to share geographic space within the same league, managed to keep Oakland out — whether they’ll be able to turn down a program out of the Summit League that has made the NCAA Tournament three times in the last eight years remains to be seen. But it appears to be a natural fit if Detroit can find a way to play nice.

Conference realignment for Oakland could be on the ‘Horizon’--CollegeBasketballTalk
By the numbers: Is Oakland perfect for the Horizon League?--Run The Floor
Oakland and the Horizon League: By the numbers--Grizzlies Den
Conference moves could affect IPFW--Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Recruits and the Horizon League--The Greg Kampe Show

Top Ten Thursday: Assistants 40 and under--ESPN

Matthew Graves (Butler): Last year, Brad Stevens promoted Graves, who’s in his late 30s, to an associate head coaching position, a credit to his role in the program’s success. You don’t reach back-to-back national title games as a mid-major program by accident. Stevens and his staff put the program on the national map. With a move to the Atlantic 10, the Bulldogs will attain even more national exposure. And Graves, who’s been vital to the program’s efforts in recent years, will end up on a multitude of lists once jobs open up again after next season.

INSIDER – Gordon Hayward compared to draft class--Locked On Jazz
Utah Jazz-San Antonio Spurs: Game 4 report card--Deseret News

However, Gordon Hayward played quite poorly for the third straight contest, shooting 0 of 7 from the field while laying a goose egg in the point category. Hayward finished Games 2 through 4 shooting an atrocious 4 of 27, making him 6 of 33 for the series.

Utah Jazz notebook: 'Honest Al' Jefferson hammered by media for his comments--Deseret News

WAYWARD SHOOTING: Second-year shooting guard Gordon Hayward was frustrated about his offensive performance during his first NBA playoff action.

Hayward went 0-for-7 and didn't score in Monday's 87-81 loss to the Spurs.

In the four-game series, the 22-year-old shot 6-for-33 (18.2 percent) from the field and only hit 1 of 12 3-pointers.

"It's just frustrating, especially with the work that I put in, to come out and shoot like that. That's unacceptable," Hayward said. "You've got to be able to just knock down shots. This series has just been a rough one for me personally, but something that I'll learn from and be ready on the next one."

Utah Jazz can't sit on perimeter woes--Deseret News

But in the big picture, the season was as orderly as the Jazz could have hoped. Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Alec Burks and Enes Kanter made good progress toward becoming important players. The team made the playoffs, sooner than many expected. And the bitterness that threatened to tear apart the team in early 2011 was gone.
...
Yet it wasn't the Jazz youngsters who sabotaged them in the playoffs as much as the veterans. Although Hayward shot terribly (6-of-33) in the postseason, the older players could have played through that.

Utah Jazz move forward, but still search for identity--Salt Lake Tribune

Jazz guard Gordon Hayward saw light, but couldn’t shake the feeling he’d let his team and himself down during a time when Utah needed him most.

"I won’t feel good until [the playoffs] are over," said Hayward, who took a strong stride forward during his second season, but shot just 18.2 percent from the floor and 8.3 percent behind the 3-point line during his first postseason. "It’s always difficult after a loss, especially after the last game not even scoring. To drop a goose egg — that’s tough."
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End result

San Antonio’s merciless 4-0 sweep highlighted the questions everyone from Corbin and O’Connor to Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Hayward face as Utah attempts to turn the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs into something more fulfilling.

The Jazz’s young core of Derrick Favors, Alec Burks, Enes Kanter and Hayward is more exciting than ever. Corbin found his touch after the All-Star break, saving Utah from a second consecutive second-half fallout and turning an uneven 15-18 record on Feb. 28 into a promising 36-30. The Jazz’s Big Two of Jefferson and Millsap formed one of the premier interior combinations in the NBA, with both putting up All-Star caliber numbers and each playing the best overall basketball of their careers.
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The Jazz don’t have a point guard for the future, while Hayward has yet to be cemented at either shooting guard or small forward. Millsap and Jefferson are bigger than ever, but there’s no guarantee either will wear a Utah uniform after the 2012-13 season ends. The Jazz’s defense is still filled with painful holes, while the team’s inside-out offense became so predictable during the playoffs Spurs coach Gregg Popovich filled the paint and dared Utah to shoot from outside. It couldn’t, firing blanks to the numbers of 38.2 percent from the field and an embarrassing 20 percent beyond the arc, which produced an average of 86.3 points — 13.4 off the Jazz’s regular-season mark.

Kragthorpe: Jazz’s ‘perfect’ roster needs adjustment--Salt Lake Tribune

In the second half, Tyrone Corbin moved closer to becoming a proven coach, second-players Gordon Hayward and Favors improved, center Al Jefferson became a dependable scorer and point guard Devin Harris played much better.

Monson: Lessons learned about the Jazz--Salt Lake Tribune

The youngsters — Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward, Enes Kanter and Alec Burks — work hard to grow their games. Those four must continue to improve.
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Hayward and Burks are both young shooting guards, although neither looked like much of shooter during a playoff series that saw them combine to go 0-for-15 in Game 4. Hayward can be much better, particularly if Corbin emphasizes his role. He is a rare commodity - a long, athletic guard who can score, pass and defend. Burks, coming off his rookie season, has still to show the breadth and depth of his skills. He has shown one thing: offensive aggression. He must add nuances to his game or he’ll end up a career bench guy.
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They need a steady point guard.

It’s fantasy, but think about how great Favors and Hayward would be if they had a set-up guy like Tony Parker or Steve Nash. Wow. What if they had half that guy? Devin Harris is not that half-guy.

Butler sports: Atlantic 10 primer--The Indy Star
Butler coaches start adjustment to new conference--The Indy Star
Butler makes offer to tiny Georgia guard--Indy Star Butler Insider

Oakland U. wants in Horizon League, but will UDM allow it?--The Detroit Free Press
Women's Basketball Participates In McAuley Heath Center's "Are You Kid Enough" Event--detroittitans.com

Porter Moser To Appear At White Sox Game May 12--LoyolaRamblers.com

Women's basketball: UWGB recruit follows Bollant to Illinois--Green Bay Press Gazette
Phoenix Basketball Top-25: The Best Photos of 2011-12--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Panthers add pair to recruiting class--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

UW women's assistant Rechlicz is new UWM head coach--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
UWM Names Kyle Rechlicz New Women's Basketball Coach--uwmpanthers.com

Chicago’s Williams latest VU recruit--The Post-Tribune
Drew lands third commit for Class of 2013--The NWI Times
Valparaiso Basketball: Next Season and Beyond--Inside VU Sports
Early College Basketball 2012-13 Preview: The Nation's 10 Best Small Forwards--Bleacher Report

Ex-WSU star Mays has offer from UK--Dayton Daily News

YSU basketball adds Beamon as 2013 recruit--Youngstown Vindicator
Men's Basketball Adds Ronnye Beamon During Late Signing Period--ysusports.com

Milwaukee names Kyle Rechlicz new women's basketball coach--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

The Utah Jazz? Gone till November--Ball Don't Lie

Though Gordon Hayward is a good all-around athlete who brings plenty to the table in different areas, he was a below-average 3-point shooter in his second season (at 34 percent), and despite the Jazz' sixth-ranked offense, the group badly needs someone to space the floor. We know that Gordon Hayward's 6-for-33 mark from the floor (1 for 12 from long range) during this year's postseason was obviously an aberration, but Gordon is still going to have to make a major improvement in that area if he's to play alongside those bigs up front.
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The Jazz have one year left to figure this all out, decide to keep all their of semi-stars, none of them or some of them. And despite the 5 1/2=month run -- full of reps, learning experiences and a surprising playoff trip — the Jazz really aren't much closer to figuring out the answers yet. Not with Favors and Hayward still developing. Not with all that potential cap space in 2013. Not with so much left to determine.

Utah Jazz will not give up, will continue to compete--Deseret News

"Experiences are invaluable. Just playing in the postseason is good for us as a team," said Jazz shooting guard Gordon Hayward, who's getting his first taste of NBA playoffs. "We just have gotten outplayed thus far, but I don't think you should ever play for picks."
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On Sunday, the Jazz pupils shared what they've learned from Professor Pop:
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Hayward rattled off a list he's learning (maybe re-learning) from the Spurs: "They do all the little things well. They share the ball and they play really well defensively. They're always there on their rotations. …You got to play the whole 48 minutes, especially against a team like this. Any mistakes, they'll make you pay. Turnovers, bad shots, missing an assignment, it can turn into a quick two, four, six points."

Utah Jazz-San Antonio: Game 4 instant analysis--Deseret News

Shutout: Gordon Hayward and Alec Burks are two obvious reasons why the future is incredibly bright for the Utah Jazz. But there will be growing pains along the way, with Monday being a prime example. The talented pair of guards went scoreless, going a combined 0-15 shooting from the floor.

Strike-shortened season ends too soon--Deseret News

In some ways, this was one of the more memorable Jazz teams, not unlike those of the early 1980s. It, too, is just starting to find itself. Whether Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, Jeremy Evans, Alec Burks and Gordon Hayward become stars is an open-ended question. But two things are clear. First, the Jazz have more athleticism and versatility than older Jazz teams ever had. Second, they aren't yet ready for prime time.

Monson: Jazz guard Raja Bell says he has no clue why he isn’t being used--Salt Lake Tribune

"It’s not really my call," he says. "I’m guessing he doesn’t think I’m the right fit for us. I’ve got to support that. I go out there and help any way I can. I’ve played the Spurs in a lot of playoff series, so there’s some stuff I see — and I try to talk to Gordon [Hayward] and Alec [Burks] and try to give them some pointers here or there. Any way I can help, I try to do that."

Kragthorpe: Jazz have one last chance to get it right at home--Salt Lake Tribune

If we all were curious about how the Jazz’s young players would perform, the answers have been discouraging. Everybody wanted to see more of Derrick Favors in Game 4, and they got five missed free throws from him. Gordon Hayward, one of the NBA’s most improved players since the All-Star break, went 1-for-10 from the field. Enes Kanter is overmatched against San Antonio, and Alec Burks is not much better.

Utah Jazz had a shot in Game 4, but they couldn’t shoot--Salt Lake Tribune

The Jazz shot 36.4 percent, including 4-for-17 by Paul Millsap, 0-for-8 by Alec Burks and 0-for-7 by Gordon Hayward.

Jazz notes: Gordon Hayward's first postseason marked by missed shots--Salt Lake Tribune
Spurs complete sweep of Jazz in Game 4--Salt Lake Tribune

Jefferson’s voice broke midsentence as he answered a question. Millsap acknowledged he was off all series. Gordon Hayward said he was severely disappointed in a playoff run that saw the second-year guard shoot just 18.1 percent (6 of 33) from the floor. But the Jazz’s postgame interviews also were filled with optimistic looks ahead at 2012-13.

Monson: Sun will also rise on Jazz--Salt Lake Tribune

"I wouldn’t consider it a success," Gordon Hayward said. "I consider it improvement. It’s not a success unless you win the whole thing."
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Maybe that fact brought new substance to a playoff experience that heretofore had been a beatdown. Favors put in a terrific effort, while Gordon Hayward and Alec Burks combined to go 0-for-15 and Enes Kanter was 1-for-1. None of those three youngsters having previously lived through the intensity of the playoffs, you had to wonder whether facing San Antonio was a little like a class of kids who had just mastered multiplication heading into a class in which differentiation was on the agenda.
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Beyond the players, it’s now up to Kevin O’Connor to get the rest of the walls up and the roof nailed on. It will be worth seeing from the ground level where the ceiling for the Jazz eventually will be. At this point, that’s something none of us knows. After watching the Spurs, though, it will have to be high for Utah to ever realize Hayward’s definition of success.

Kurt Kragthorpe: Utah Jazz benefit from exposure to Spurs’ greatness--Salt Lake Tribune

Corbin showed a willingness to adjust in Game 4, starting Derrick Favors (16 points, 10 rebounds) up front with Jefferson (26 points) and Paul Millsap, who struggled with 4-for-17 shooting. So that strategy partly worked, but the Jazz struggled elsewhere. Alec Burks and Gordon Hayward went a combined 0-for-15, further making the point that the Jazz’s outside shooting is the biggest issue to solve over the summer, among other shortcomings.

Butler agrees to resolve Title IX issue regarding too few men's scholarships--The Indy Star
Butler to resolve federal issue regarding scholarship distribution--The Indy Star
Fans favor A-10 move (Part I)--Indy Star Butler Insider

Men's Basketball: A Championship Season Remembered--detroittitans.com

Men's basketball: Ex-UWGB player Heuer will transfer to UW-Stevens Point--Green Bay Press Gazette

"Bobo" Niang commits to Milwaukee--PantherU

Panthers In The Pros: Catching Up With Chad Pierce, Lindsay Laur And Sarah Hagen--uwmpanthers.com

Panthers In The Pros: Catching Up With Chad Pierce, Lindsay Laur & Sarah Hagen--Horizon League Network