On The Horizon

Jim Squire

2012-13 RTC Conference Primers: Horizon League--Rush The Court
Preseason Rankings 1 to 345--Basketball Prospectus

 Rk School           CW   CL  ORtg12  DRtg12  ORtg13  DRtg13   Pyth
-------------------------------------------------------------------
 87 Detroit          12    4   106.1   101.0   109.9   100.6   .712
106 Valparaiso       11    5   102.9   101.4   106.0    99.3   .660
115 Green Bay        10    6    99.0   101.4   105.0    99.2   .641
141 Cleveland St.     9    7   104.2    95.4    99.5    97.6   .550
166 Youngstown St.    8    8   104.3   104.7   102.9   103.6   .482
201 Milwaukee         6   10    98.5    97.4    96.0   100.1   .395
203 Loyola Chicago    6   10    93.4   105.7    99.3   103.7   .392
209 Wright St.        6   10    92.6    98.5    93.3    98.5   .365
272 Illinois Chicago  4   12    94.8   108.6    95.3   107.0   .235

Tempo-free countdown: No. 5 Cleveland State--Run The Floor
Expect Miami Heat’s LeBron James to give a helping hand--Miami Herald

As a team, the Heat shot 44.5 percent from the field but a few players’ three-point numbers were through the roof: Shane Battier was 15 of 30, Norris Cole was 9 of 11 and Mike Miller was 9 of 15.

Position Rankings: Who are nation’s 20 best point guards?--CollegeBasketballTalk

The Best of the Rest

11. Mark Lyons (Arizona)

12. Ray McCallum Jr. (Detroit)

No Halloween Surprises, Titans Cruise To 97-33 Victory Over Blue Devils--detroittitans.com

Flames Down Pumas in Exhibition Opener, 65-51--uicflames.com
Flames Join Forces with Brandon Marshall at Charity Event--uicflames.com

Brown Receiving Preseason Accolades, Media Coverage--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Green Bay Men's Basketball to Host St. Norbert on Wednesday--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Howloween Hoopla Draws Raider Fans of All Ages--wsuraiders.com

Jim Squire

Detroit, Valparaiso open exhibition season--Horizon League Hoops

2012-2013 Miami Heat roster--Miami Herald

PG NORRIS COLE

• Age: 24.

• Pro: Second season.

• Height, weight: 6-2, 175.

• Weight: 175

• Inside scoop: Cole got off to a great start last season before cooling off — yet the rookie from Cleveland State had his moments and ended up averaging seven points. Cole goes into the season as the backup point guard. although coach Erik Spoelstra really likes his makeup. He could earn more court time in his sophomore campaign.
 PPG RPG APG
’11-12 6.8 1.4 2.0
TOT 6.8 1.4 2.0

Cavs waive D'Aundray Brown--Cleveland State Hoops

Time For Some Action: Titans Tip-Off Exhibition Season Against Lawrence Tech On Monday--detroittitans.com

UW-Green Bay women roll in exhibition opener--Green Bay Press Gazette
Borseth Era Tips off with 103-31 Exhibition Win--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Basketball: Valpo men roll over St. Joe’s in exhibition opener--The Post-Tribune
Newcomers dazzle in VU men's basketball victory--The NWI Times
Live from the ARC: Valparaiso vs. St. Joseph's (Exhibition)--Inside VU Sports
Crusaders Cruise to Exhibition Win Over Saint Joseph’s--valpoathletics.com

Jim Squire

Indiana gets the top spot in the preseason AP poll--CollegeBasketballTalk

Receiving votes: Murray State 59, Virginia Commonwealth 58, Texas 46, Saint Louis 46, Minnesota 40, Butler 33, Pittsburgh 32, Saint Joseph’s 25, Marquette 23, Tennessee 15, Oklahoma State 14, Kansas State 12, Georgetown 9, New Mexico 9, Ohio 9, Miami (FL) 8, Saint Mary’s 6, West Virginia 6, Davidson 5, Drexel 5, Northern Iowa 5, Valparaiso 3, Stanford 2, Lehigh 2, Colorado State 1, Oral Roberts 1

Tempo-free countdown: No. 8 Loyola--Horizon League Hoops
Horizon League alums in the NBA: Allen out, Brown in, Cole still chugging for now--Horizon League Hoops
College Basketball Previews: Horizon loses Butler but still has sizzle--Eye On College Basketball
CBSSports Top 30 under-the-radar players--Eye On College Basketball

6. Ryan Broekhoff, F, Valparaiso
If not for Ray McCallum, Broekhoff would be the best player in the Horizon. The Australia native can score in a variety of ways, expanding his game to become a consistent 3-point shooter last season. He’s also good around the rim, and defends the rim. The Crusaders enter the season as the league favorite; can Broekhoff get to the tournament?
...
11. Alec Brown, C, Green Bay
A future NBA prospect, Brown need only put on some weight before becoming a truly dominant performer inside. He’s 7-foot-1 and has been more aggressive around the rim. He continues to improve his all-around game, and is also going to be one of the best shot-blockers in the country this season. Averaged 17 and 11 in the final three games.

High-Major Men's Basketball 2012-2013 Preseason All-American Teams--College Sports Madness
ESPN.com's Horizon League preview--ESPN
Horizon League 2012-13 College Basketball Preview--Athlon Sports

Practice makes perfect for Miami Heat’s Norris Cole--Miami Herald
Miami Heat falls to New Orleans Hornets in final preseason game, looks to season opener--Miami Herald

Highlights from the Heat’s preseason included but were not limited to:
...
• Norris Cole’s absurd numbers from three-point range. He was 9 of 11 from distance in the preseason.
...
A few of the troublesome trends that need addressing entering the season:

• The Heat averaged 22 turnovers in the three contests entering Friday’s exhibition. The Heat had 17 giveaways against the Hornets, including four from Wade in the first quarter.

Of course, Wade wasn’t the sloppiest with the ball this preseason. That dubious distinction went to Cole. The second-year point guard finished the preseason with more turnovers (22) than assists (16).

Heat trim roster, fall in preseason finale--South Florida Sun Sentinel

Along the way, Spoelstra offered further hints of his rotation, with Lewis the first forward off the bench, followed by Ray Allen, Norris Cole and Udonis Haslem in the first nine. Eventually Mike Miller was added to the second unit in the second half, briefly sparking the Heat with 11 quick points off the bench.

Cleveland Cavaliers sign guard D'Aundray Brown of Cleveland State; contract terms not announced--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cavs sign former Cleveland State standout D'Aundray Brown--Cleveland State Hoops
D'Aundray Brown Signs With Cleveland Cavaliers--csuvikings.com

Chemistry is key for women's basketball--The Cauldron

CBSSports.com Top 50 point guards--Eye On College Basketball

12. Ray McCallum Jr. , Detroit
Little Ray chose to play for his dad at Detroit over the big boys (i.e. Arizona and UCLA) and while he hasn't received the national attention, he's thriving in the Horizon. Terrific command of the game and blends the ability to score, distribute and lead. -- J.G.

Time Change For Men's Basketball Game Against Ryerson--detroittitans.com
Men's Basketball Exhibition Season Starts on Saturday--detroittitans.com
Titans Cruise Past Ryerson 87-55 in Exhibition Game--detroittitans.com

Brown Nets Another Preseason Honor--detroittitans.com

Tempo-free countdown: No. 6 UIC--Horizon League Hoops
Men's Basketball Featured on ABC's `7 On Your Sidelines'--uicflames.com

Women's Basketball Hosts Halloween Hoops Game on Sunday--uicflames.com

Tempo-free countdown: No. 9 Wright State--Horizon League Hoops
Men's Basketball Blog #1: Joe Crisman--LoyolaRamblers.com
Loyola Announces 2012-13 Men's Basketball TV Schedule--LoyolaRamblers.com

Getting To Know The Newcomers: Erin Thomas--LoyolaRamblers.com

Groth leads Phoenix through season--UWGB Fourth Estate
Ritchie, Bauer earn preseason honors--UWGB Fourth Estate
Phoenix Tips (sic) off Exhibition Play Hosting Judson Saturday at 2 p.m.--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Open Practice Provided Game Atmosphere, Excitement--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Bulls waive guards Ryan Allen and Marko Jaric--Bulls.com
Tempo-free countdown: No. 7 Milwaukee--Horizon League Hoops
Spying the Enemy - Rider Broncs--PantherU
Spying the Enemies - UNI, Buffalo, NIU--PantherU
Introducing The Beastside--PantherU
Basketball Notebook: Panthers Counting On Senior Leadership--uwmpanthers.com
Gold Shoots Past Black In Fast-Paced Intrasquad Affair--uwmpanthers.com
Gold 88, Black 77--uwmpanthers.com
Congratulations To The Fourth Basketball Season Ticket Prize Winner--uwmpanthers.com
VIDEO: A Look Back At Friday's Tip-Off Luncheon--uwmpanthers.com

VIDEO: A Look Back At Friday's Tip-Off Luncheon--uwmpanthers.com

#72 Valparaiso: College Basketball Countdown--RoundballChat.com
Inside the Program: Valpo--Scouting The Mid-Majors
Projecting the 2012-13 NCAA Tournament Field--Midwest Sports Fans

Horizon: Valparaiso – The Crusaders return all five starters from last year’s regular season champs, including conference Player of the Year candidate Ryan Broekhoff.

Capobianco eager to make Valparaiso debut--The NWI Times
Men's Basketball Season Preview with Bryce Drew!--valpoathletics.com

Former Manual/Butler guard Hopkins to Wright State--Recruiting Central
Hopkins stays in Horizon League--Indy Star Butler Insider
Source: Butler's Hopkins headed to Wright State--Eye On College Basketball
Wright State gets transfer from Butler--Wright State University Sports
Great moments in Raider History--The Guardian
NCAA President speaks at Wright State--The Guardian
Butler transfer to join Wright State--The Guardian
NCAA's Dr. Emmert Highlights Tip-Off Luncheon--wsuraiders.com
Former Raider Great Duggins Honored in Germany--wsuraiders.com

Participating in Penguin Points--The Jambar

Brown Earns Two Honors from College Sports Madness--ysusports.com

D'Aundray Brown Stays in Cleveland, Signs with Cavaliers--Horizon League Network
Blue Ribbon Previews the Horizon League--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

High-Major Women's Basketball 2012-2013 Preseason All-American Teams--College Sports Madness

Miami Heat’s Mike Miller flying through rehab--Miami Herald

Already unconventional by design, the Heat experimented even further with its resources on Saturday, resting LeBron James and starting a lineup that included three guards, Norris Cole, Dwyane Wade and Ray Allen. The Heat was 13 of 27 from three-point range. It was the deciding statistic in the game and was enough to overcome 26 turnovers, a staggering number for a game that resulted in a victory.

Heat top Spurs 104-101 with LeBron given day off--South Florida Sun Sentinel

It was second-year Norris Cole playing efficiently enough to let the Heat know they have another option if starting point guard Mario Chalmers isn't all the way back from his quad strain by opening night.

VASJ's Flannigan commits to Cleveland State--Cleveland State Hoops

Men's Basketball Holds Annual Red vs. Blue Scrimmage--uicflames.com

#20 Green Bay Women's Basketball 2012-13 Preview--College Sports Madness

Men's basketball: Scrimmage set for today--Green Bay Press Gazette

Spying the Enemy - Davidson Wildcats--PantherU
Spying the Enemy - UALR Trojans--PantherU
Twin towers commit to Milwaukee--PantherU

Jim Squire

The Horizon League’s most efficient scorers--Horizon League Hoops
Horizon Men's Basketball 2012-2013 Preseason All-Conference Teams--College Sports Madness

College Hoops Preview: 15 Players with Breakout Potential--CollegeBasketballTalk

Anton Grady, Cleveland State: Cleveland State head coach Gary Waters has called Anton Grady his future, and he’s right. He was incredibly productive — 8.5 points, 6.4 boards, 1.4 blocks, the team lead in offensive and defensive rebounding percentages — in limited minutes as a freshman, and with so much of Cleveland State’s production from last season graduating, Grady will have plenty of opportunities. Even without Butler in the league, the Horizon has quite a bit of talent. Grady might be the best player in the league.

Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade doesn't expect Bulls' wins record to be broken--Miami Herald

GETTING A LOOK

Point guard Garrett Temple, one of the Heat’s preseason invitees, has impressed coach Erick Spoelstra during training camp. The Heat already carries two point guards in Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole, and James handles the ball on offense much of the time, but Temple has proved himself enough to receive a serious look over the final days of training camp.

Dwyane Wade back to form in Miami Heat’s victory over Detroit Pistons--Miami Herald

Ray Allen made his preseason home debut with 5:38 left in the first quarter. He entered the game for Shane Battier, giving the Heat three guards on the court in its first rotation. Wade and point guard Norris Cole started the game along with Battier, James and Bosh. Allen finished with seven points, going 3 of 11 from the field and 1 of 5 from three-point range.

Wolstein becomes Viking madhouse--The Cauldron
Junior Lomomba out until November--Cleveland State Hoops

Tip-Off sets bball season in motion--Varsity Press
Get On The Bus With The Titans In 2012-13--detroittitans.com

Brown, Shearer Earn Preseason Accolade--detroittitans.com
Practice Rolls On For The Titans--detroittitans.com

Men's Basketball Newcomers Named `Head of the Class' by USA Today--uicflames.com
Red-Blue Scrimmage, Festivities Set for Saturday Night--uicflames.com

Loyola Men's Basketball Single-Game Tickets On Sale Now--LoyolaRamblers.com
Former Ramblers Off To Strong Starts Overseas--LoyolaRamblers.com

UWGB basketball: With newly extended contract, Wardle eyes Horizon crown--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay Hosts Annual Basketball Media Day--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Chalk Talk with the Wardles Set for Nov. 1--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Men's Basketball to Hold Green & White Scrimmage on Saturday--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Spying the Enemy - Mary Marauders--PantherU
Spying the Enemy - South Carolina Gamecocks--PantherU
Congratulations To The Third Basketball Season Ticket Prize Winner--uwmpanthers.com
Congratulations To The Third Basketball Season Ticket Prize Winner--uwmpanthers.com

John Mutka: Drews remain basketball’s first family--The Post-Tribune

Wright State to honor 1st AD Mohr--Dayton Daily News
Donlon: injured freshman Roddy progressing well--Wright State University Sports
Wright State’s Pacher, Darling discuss their roles in 2012-13--Wright State University Sports
Freshman Bramanti has impressed Donlon--Wright State University Sports
Great moments in Raider history: The Shot--The Guardian
Howloween Hoopla Set for October 29--wsuraiders.com
Don Mohr Presentation Scheduled--wsuraiders.com
2012 Coaches vs. Cancer Tip-Off Breakfast October 30--wsuraiders.com

YSU women hope to play better ‘D’--Youngstown Vindicator
YSU women’s team make preparations for 2012-13 season--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Great potential, long way to go--The Jambar
YSU Women's Basketball Holds Media Day--ysusports.com

Men's Basketball to Host Preseason Preview Dinner Oct. 28--ysusports.com

Jim Squire

Detroit looks to lead Horizon with Butler gone--CollegeBasketballTalk

Heat ragged in China departure, fall to Clippers--South Florida Sun Sentinel

For the third time in as many exhibitions, Battier started at power forward. Spoelstra rounded out Sunday's starting lineup with Bosh at center, James at small forward, Wade at shooting guard and Norris Cole again at point guard in place of Chalmers, who remains sidelined with what the team has termed a minor hamstring issue.
...
Sunday's start for Cole came a day after his 24th birthday. He struggled throughout the game with turnovers.

CSU Kicks of 2012-13 Season With Viking Madness--csuvikings.com

Titans Picked Second, McCallum Named HL Preseason POY--detroittitans.com
Basketball Publicity Day Welcomes Local Media to Calihan Hall--detroittitans.com

Doyle, Booker Highlight Fun At Midnight Madness--LoyolaRamblers.com
Watch Midnight Madness Live on HLN Tonight--LoyolaRamblers.com

VU guard Tommy Kurth deemed medically unable to compete after multiple surgeries--The NWI Times

Jim Squire

2012-13 College Basketball Preview: Mid-Major All-Americans--CollegeBasketballTalk

Third Team
G Will Cherry (Montana) 2011-12: 15.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.3 spg
Cherry was Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year last season, and even with a knee injury sidelining him until December the senior will be one of the leaders for the reigning Big Sky champs.

G Shane Gibson (Sacred Heart) 2011-12: 22.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Gibson’s shooting percentages from last season: 51.0% from the field, 43.3% from three and 86.2% from the foul line despite being the focal point of the opposition’s scouting report. Is the 50/40/90 club possible for Gibson this season? It most certainly is.

F Ryan Broekhoff (Valparaiso) 2011-12: 14.9 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.3 apg
The reigning Horizon League Player of the Year, who led the conference in rebounding, returns in hopes of leading the Crusaders to the NCAA tournament. Broekhoff’s versatility allows head coach Bryce Drew to do a number of things with him, making for a tough assignment for the opposition.

F Julian Boyd (LIU Brooklyn) 2011-12: 17.4 ppg, 9.3 rpg
Boyd landed in some hot water during the offseason but luckily for he and the Blackbirds the end result is a two-game suspension. Boyd helped lead LIU to its second consecutive NEC title and was named league Player of the Year for his efforts.

F Jackie Carmichael (Illinois State) 2011-12: 13.9 ppg, 9.7 rpg
Carmichael’s a physically imposing figure and helped lead the Redbirds to the MVC tournament title game last season. Even with the loss of point guard Nic Moore and head coach Tim Jankovich, Illinois State is likely the biggest threat to Creighton and Carmichael is a big reason why.

Honorable mention: F De’Mon Brooks (Davidson), F Jake Cohen (Davidson), F Torrey Craig (USC Upstate), G James Ennis (Long Beach State), C Vander Joaquim (Hawaii), G Kerron Johnson (Belmont), G Lamont “Momo” Jones (Iona), G Ray McCallum Jr. (Detroit), G Preston Medlin (Utah State) and F Keith Rendleman (UNCW).

The 10 best nonconference schedules--College Basketball Nation Blog

7. TEMPLE

Toughest: vs. Duke (Dec. 8 in East Rutherford, N.J.), vs. Syracuse (Dec. 22 in NYC), at Kansas (Jan. 6)
Next toughest: at Kent State (Nov. 13), at Villanova (Dec. 5), Detroit (Dec. 28)

Nonconference schedule analysis: Others--College Basketball Nation Blog

AKRON

Toughest: Puerto Rico Tip-Off (Nov. 15-18), at Creighton (Dec. 9)
Next-toughest: Middle Tennessee (Dec. 2), at Detroit (Dec. 15), Princeton (Dec. 30)
The rest: at Coastal Carolina (Nov. 9), John Carroll (Nov. 12), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Dec. 18), Cleveland State (Dec. 23), Texas Southern (Dec. 27), Coppin State (Jan. 2)
Toughness scale (1-10): 8 -- The Zips could theoretically face Oklahoma State, Tennessee and NC State in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. But Zeke Marshall and company have a guaranteed matchup at Creighton in early December. That road trip to Detroit a week later will pit the favorites in the MAC against the favorites in the Horizon League. MTSU and Princeton are also strong mid-majors. It’s a strong start for an Akron team that upset Mississippi State in its season opener a year ago.
...
DAVIDSON

Toughest: at New Mexico (Nov. 12), vs. Duke (Jan. 2 in Charlotte)
Next-toughest: Old Spice Classic (Nov. 22-25), at Drexel (Dec. 22)
The rest: Emory (Nov. 9), at Milwaukee (Nov. 17), at Chattanooga (Dec. 1), Charlotte (Dec. 5), Wofford (Dec. 8), UNC Wilmington (Dec. 15), at Richmond (Dec. 29), UNC Greensboro (Jan. 5)
...
DETROIT

Toughest: at Syracuse (Dec. 17)
Next-toughest: at St. John's (Nov. 13), at Miami (Nov. 24), at Pittsburgh (Dec. 1), Akron (Dec. 15), at Temple (Dec. 28)
The rest: Northern Michigan (Nov. 9), Drake (Nov. 17), at Bowling Green (Nov. 27), Toledo (Dec. 5), Rochester (Dec. 8), Alabama State (Dec. 10), at Alcorn State (Dec. 19), Canisius (Dec. 30)
Toughness scale (1-10): 9 -- Detroit’s mid-December meeting with Syracuse is the toughest game on its nonconference slate. But the Horizon League favorites earn a 9 based on their “next-toughest” matchups. The Titans will play three teams (Pitt, Temple and Miami, all on the road) that could finish top-5 in their respective leagues and earn NCAA tourney bids. Legitimate shots at top-50 RPI wins for Ray McCallum Sr.’s squad.
...
MURRAY STATE

Toughest: Charleston Classic (Nov. 15-18)
Next-toughest: at Dayton (Dec. 22), Valparaiso (Dec. 29), BracketBusters (TBA)
The rest: Brescia (Nov. 9), Old Dominion (Nov. 24), at Lipscomb (Nov. 26), Bethel (Dec. 4), at Evansville (Dec. 8), Western Kentucky (Dec. 16), at Arkansas State (Dec. 19)
Toughness scale (1-10): 7 -- The Racers should enter the season as a top-25 team after winning their first 23 games last year and achieving a national ranking throughout the season. After opening with Auburn and then getting St. John's or Charleston, Isaiah Canaan could lead Murray State to a Charleston Classic title game matchup against Baylor or Colorado. Those are the only two nonconference foes who pose an obvious threat for the Racers. Always-tough ODU and Horizon co-favorite Valpo travel to Murray and the Racers are sure to be given a tough BracketBusters opponent. Still, given the accomplishments last year and the return of Canaan, the Racers can’t get too much credit for this schedule. Then again, high-major programs probably dodged this mid-major powerhouse.

Horizon League Preview: Valparaiso won’t sneak up on anyone this year--The Dagger

Horizon Women's Basketball 2012-13 Preseason All-Conference Teams--College Sports Madness

Miami Heat experiences different world on China trip--Miami Herald

Miller, Allen, James Jones and Battier represented the Heat’s veteran players who visited the Wall. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem skipped the adventure and instead chose to stay in downtown Beijing. Of the Heat’s players who made the trip, guards Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole and Terrel Harris logged the most steps. The trio hiked for miles and then ended the day in style by riding sleds down the mountain. The Heat chartered three buses for the trip to the Wall, and Chalmers, Cole and Harris were among the last of the party to report back in.

“I walked as much as I could before I got tired,” Chalmers said. “I had a great time. Me and Cole were talking about how hard it would be to defend the Wall, but at the same time how you could see everything and you could have seen the attackers coming.”

The Heat’s players were allowed to bring two guests to China all expenses paid. Chalmers brought his mother and sister, and Cole brought his parents. Cole’s father, Norris Sr., had a slightly different perspective of the Wall than his son, the budding military strategist.

“Nine-year-old boys probably came to this place and worked for their entire lives,” he said. “There are bones buried in this wall.”

The tour guides on the charter buses confirmed Mr. Cole’s grim but wise thoughts. For one of the buses, the tour guide was a source of pure unintended comedy, a abundant thing for this group of Americans in China.

Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade returns, shows rust in win vs. Clippers in China--Miami Herald

Rookie guard Norris Cole started in place of Mario Chalmers, who has a sore leg. Cole had 11 points. Chris Bosh added 10 points from the center position and provided stout interior defense, especially for a preseason game. The Clippers shot 33 percent (12 of 36) from the field in the first half.

Miami Heat set for final exhibition game in China vs. Clippers--Miami Herald

Mario Chalmers missed the game in Beijing with a sore leg. Norris Cole started for Chalmers and scored 11 points. LeBron James continues to pace the Heat, which is 2-1 in exhibitions. James scored 20 points in Beijing on 6-of-11 shooting, including 8 of 9 from the free-throw line.

Dwyane Wade returns as Heat pound Clippers 94-80--South Florida Sun Sentinel

Wade was in Thursday's starting lineup along with James, Chris Bosh, Shane Battier and Norris Cole, who again started in place of Chalmers. Mike Miller, who had started Sunday in place of Wade, did not play. Bosh was limited by foul trouble, called for his fifth in the third quarter, closing with 10 points.

Youthful team isn't a worry for Cleveland State's Gary Waters--Cleveland Plain Dealer
October madness arrives at CSU, Kent State--Cleveland Plain Dealer

Ray McCallum Jr. Is 1 Of College Basketball’s Best-Kept Secrets--DIME Magazine
Rasheed Wallace Calls Into Question Old College vs. NBA Debate Over Passion and Heart--Rush The Court
Best out-of-conference games: the ACC--Run The Floor

5. Miami vs Detroit - Nov. 24. The Hurricanes might be the best team no one is talking about, but they won't earn anyone's respect if they can't handle mid-major foes at home. Detroit loves to run the floor, and they have one of the most exciting guards in the nation in Ray McCallum. If Miami's roster played for a team in North Carolina, this game would certainly get better than ESPN3 billing.

Detroit Mercy basketball seeks to follow up on Horizon League success--The Detroit Free Press
Detroit Mercy hit by graduation but is picked 2nd in league--The Detroit News
Tip-Off Event Creates Memorable Atmosphere for Titan Fans--detroittitans.com
Basketball Publicity Day Welcomes Local Media to Calihan Hall--detroittitans.com

From Wall Climbing To Pictures & Interviews, Titans In The Midst Of A Busy Week--detroittitans.com

UIC counting on practice player for hard-nosed attitude--The Chicago Tribune
Sights and Sounds of Horizon League Basketball Media Day--uicflames.com

Newcomer Milton Doyle Leads Midnight Madness at Loyola--Mid-Major Madness
Loyola counting on Averkamp--The Chicago Tribune
Loyola Men's Basketball Announces Schedule Change--LoyolaRamblers.com
Watch Midnight Madness Live on HLN Tonight--LoyolaRamblers.com

Horizon League Media Day Interviews--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Eichler Looks to Lead Phoenix with Toughness--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Horizon League Media Day Interviews--GreenBayPhoenix.com
2012-13 Green Bay Men's Basketball Season Preview--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Full-Court Club Sneak Peek Scrimmage Set For October 23--uwmpanthers.com
Congratulations To The Second Basketball Season Ticket Prize Winner--uwmpanthers.com
Panthers Open Practice For 2012-13 Campaign--uwmpanthers.com

In Case You Missed It ...--Panther Blog Zone

Kurth Deemed Medically Unable to Compete--valpoathletics.com

Arceneaux a key player for Wright State men--Wright State University Sports
WSU to host annual “Howloween Hoops” event--The Guardian
First Basketball Practice Friday--wsuraiders.com

New identity for YSU--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Men’s basketball endures ‘boot camp’--The Jambar
Men's Basketball Holds Annual Media Day at the Beeghly Center--ysusports.com
Inaugural Downtown Round Ball Classic at Covelli Centre to Feature YSU Men's Basketball--ysusports.com

Jim Squire

Mid-Major Power Rankings: The Top 15--CollegeBasketballTalk

7. Valparaiso: The Crusaders will have one of the best frontlines at the mid-major level with Ryan Broekhoff and Kevin Van Wijk returning and Indiana transfer Bobby Capobianco becoming eligible. Valpo could have won the Horizon last season if it wasn’t for some bad luck with injuries and the flu.

Player to know: Broekhoff and Van Wijk combined for 29.0 points and 13.7 boards last year.
Can’t-miss game: The Crusaders travel to New Mexico (Dec. 2nd) and St. Louis (Dec. 8th) within the span of a week, but their most interesting game might be dates with Cleveland State and Detroit in league play.
...
14. Detroit: Detroit will be one of the favorites to win the Horizon as Ray McCallum, one of the most talented players at the mid-major level, is back for another season. He’ll likely be the the league’s Preseason Player of the Year.

Player to know: McCallum is an easy pick, but keep an eye on uber-athletic wing Doug Anderson, who does things like this.
Can’t-miss game: Detroit plays a loaded schedule, but the highlight will probably be at trip to the Carrier Dome to take on Syracuse on Dec. 17th.

No surprises in preseason Horizon League picks--Run The Floor
3-point shot: More time for BC rebuild--College Basketball Nation Blog

3. The Horizon League will lose national recognition with the departure of Butler to the Atlantic 10. But if this is a one-bid league in March, then the top schools vying for the bid can’t complain. Valparaiso and Detroit would have had a legitimate shot to knock off Butler in the regular-season chase and in the conference tournament. Now, neither has to sweat it one bit. Valpo was picked to win the league, with Detroit on its tail. The Titans have the player of the year in Ray McCallum Jr. And the good news for the Horizon League is that the entire all-league first team returns from last season (which says a bit about Butler’s problems in 2011-12). McCallum is joined by Valpo’s Ryan Broekhoff and Kevin Van Wijk, Youngstown State’s Kendrick Perry and Green Bay’s Alec Brown.

Nonconference schedule analysis: MWC--College Basketball Nation Blog

COLORADO STATE

Toughest: at Washington (Nov. 24), at Colorado (Dec. 5)
Next-toughest: Montana (Nov. 9), at Denver (Nov. 21), Las Vegas Classic (Dec. 22-23), St. Bonaventure (Jan. 5)
The rest: Chadron State (Nov. 15), Northern Colorado (Nov. 26), Evansville (Dec. 1), at UIC (Dec. 8), North Florida (Dec. 17), CSU-Bakersfield (Dec. 19), Adams State (Dec. 29), UTEP (Jan. 2)
...
NEVADA

Toughest: at Marshall (Nov. 24), at Washington (Dec. 8), at Oregon (Dec. 31)
Next-toughest: at Pacific (Dec. 4)
The rest: at UC Irvine (Nov. 10), Cal State-Fullerton (Nov. 16), Green Bay (Nov. 17), Southern Utah (Nov. 18), UC Davis (Nov. 28), Drake (Nov. 30), Cal Poly (Dec. 11), San Francisco (Dec. 15), Cal State-San Marcos (Dec. 21), Yale (Dec. 28)
...
NEW MEXICO

Toughest: Paradise Jam (Nov. 16-19 in Virgin Islands), at New Mexico State (Dec. 19), at Cincinnati (Dec. 27), at Saint Louis (Dec. 31)
Next-toughest: Davidson (Nov. 12), at Indiana State (Dec. 1), USC (Dec. 5), Valparaiso (Dec. 8), New Mexico State (Dec. 15), South Dakota State (Dec. 22)
The rest: Idaho (Nov. 23), Portland (Nov. 25), Mercer (Nov. 28)
Toughness scale (1-10): 8 -- This is one of New Mexico's best schedules ever. The Lobos usually don’t test themselves to this level because of the need to play so many home games at the Pit. The road swing to Cincinnati and Saint Louis will be as tough a trip as the Lobos have had under coach Steve Alford in the nonconference. The NMSU series is always brutal. The home games against Davidson, USC, Valpo, Mercer and South Dakota State are all smartly scheduled against teams that should be vying for bids. Indiana State will be a gritty affair. The Paradise Jam is open for the Lobos to win as UNM is clearly the best team in the field. Facing off with George Mason in the second game and UConn in the final would help the computer numbers.

Viking Madness at Cleveland State on Oct. 13--csuvikings.com

VIDEO: Highlights From 2012-13 Horizon League Men's Basketball Media Day--LoyolaRamblers.com

Men's basketball: UWGB picked for third in Horizon--Green Bay Press Gazette

Nonconference schedule analysis: Pac-12--College Basketball Nation Blog

UTAH

Toughest: at BYU (Dec. 8)
Next-toughest: at SMU (Nov. 28), Boise State (Dec. 5)
The rest: Williamette (Nov. 9), Sacramento State (Nov. 16), Idaho State (Nov. 21), Central Michigan (Nov. 23), Wright State (Nov. 24), at Texas State (Nov. 30), SMU (Dec. 18), Cal State Northridge (Dec. 21), College of Idaho (Dec. 28)
Toughness scale (1-10): 1 -- Teams coming off of a 6-25 season shouldn’t be expected to schedule a tough nonconference slate, so we’ll cut Utes coach Larry Krystkowiak a break this season -- and probably next season, too. The Utah Thanksgiving Tournament features Central Michigan, Wright State and Idaho State, all of whom had losing records last season. And yes, Utah is playing SMU two times, once at home and once on the road.

Jim Squire

Ranking the Horizon League’s Top 5 Point Guards for 2012-2013--Horizon League Hoops
Horizon League Men’s Basketball Media Day--Horizon League Hoops
Nonconference schedule analysis: A-10--College Basketball Nation Blog

DUQUESNE

Toughest: at Georgetown (Nov. 11), vs. Pittsburgh (Dec. 5 at CONSOL Energy Center), vs. West Virginia (Dec. 11 at CONSOL Energy Center)
Next-toughest: at Robert Morris (Dec. 15), at Penn State (Dec. 29)
The rest: at Albany (Nov. 9), James Madison (Nov. 19), North Dakota State (Nov. 20), Youngstown State (Nov. 21), at Appalachian State (Nov. 28), Maine (Dec. 1), New Orleans (Dec. 8), Western Michigan (Dec. 19), at Louisiana-Lafayette (Dec. 22)
...

GEORGE WASHINGTON

Toughest: at Notre Dame (Nov. 21), Kansas State (Dec. 8 )
Next-toughest: at Rutgers (Dec. 11), at Georgia (Jan. 4)
The rest: Youngstown State (Nov. 10), at Boston U (Nov. 17), Hofstra (Nov. 24), Mount St. Mary’s (Nov. 26), at James Madison (Nov. 28), vs. Manhattan (Dec. 2 at the Verizon Center), at Bradley (Dec. 4), VMI (Dec. 22), Sacred Heart (Dec. 30)
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ST. BONAVENTURE

Toughest: at Ohio (Nov. 28), at NC State (Dec. 22), at Colorado State (Jan. 5)
Next-toughest: Cleveland State (Dec. 15), Iona (Dec. 31)
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SAINT LOUIS

Toughest: CBE Classic (Nov. 19-20 in Kansas City), at Washington (Nov. 28), New Mexico (Dec. 31)
Next-toughest: Valparaiso (Dec. 2), North Texas (Nov. 5)
The rest: USC Upstate (Nov. 9), Santa Clara (Nov. 14), Southern Illinois (Nov. 24), UT Martin (Dec. 15), Eastern Illinois (Nov. 19), Loyola Marymount (Dec. 22), SIUE (Dec. 28), Savannah State (Jan. 4)
Toughness scale (1-10): 6 -- This could rise up to a 7 if the Billikens beat Texas A&M and end up facing Kansas instead of Washington State in the second game of the CBE Classic. The road game at Washington will be tough for this team, especially in trying to control the tempo. The Billikens have some sneaky good games -- all at home -- with UNM and potential league champs of the Sun Belt (UNT) and Horizon (Valpo). Good for the computer ratings.
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TEMPLE

Toughest: vs. Duke (Dec. 8 in East Rutherford, N.J.), vs. Syracuse (Dec. 22 in NYC), at Kansas (Jan. 6)
Next toughest: at Kent State (Nov. 13), at Villanova (Dec. 5), Detroit (Dec. 28)

Nonconference schedule analysis: Big East--College Basketball Nation Blog

CINCINNATI

Toughest: Global Sports Invitational (Nov. 23-24 in Las Vegas)
Next-toughest: Alabama (Dec. 1), vs. Marshall (Dec. 15 in Charleston, W.Va.), vs. Xavier (Dec. 19 at US Bank Arena), New Mexico (Dec. 27)
The rest: UT-Martin (Nov. 11), Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 13), North Carolina A&T (Nov. 18), Campbell (Nov. 20), Arkansas-Little Rock (Dec. 6), Maryland-Eastern Shore (Dec. 8), Wright State (Dec. 22)
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DEPAUL

Toughest: Cancun Challenge (Nov. 20-21)
Next-toughest: at Arizona State (Dec. 12)
The rest: UC Riverside (Nov. 9), Gardner-Webb (Nov. 15), Austin Peay (Nov. 17), Fairfield (Nov. 27), at Auburn (Nov. 30), at Chicago State (Dec. 5), Milwaukee (Dec. 9), Northern Illinois (Dec. 16), UMBC (Dec. 22), Loyola-Chicago (Dec. 29)
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MARQUETTE

Toughest: vs. Ohio State (Nov. 9 in Charleston, S.C.), Maui Invitational (Nov. 19-20), at Florida (Nov. 29), Wisconsin (Dec. 8)
Next-toughest: LSU (Dec. 22)
The rest: Colgate (Nov. 11), Southeastern Louisiana (Nov. 13), UMBC (Nov. 26), Savannah State (Dec. 15), at Green Bay (Dec. 19), North Carolina Central (Dec. 29)
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PITTSBURGH

Toughest: NIT Season Tip-Off (Nov. 12-23)
Next-toughest: Detroit (Dec. 1)
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ST. JOHN’S

Toughest: Charleston Classic (Nov. 15-18)
Next-toughest: Detroit (Nov. 13), South Carolina (Nov. 29)
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SOUTH FLORIDA

Toughest: at Oklahoma State (Dec. 5)
Next-toughest: UCF (Nov. 10), George Mason (Dec. 29), at UCF (Jan. 2)
The rest: Maryland-Eastern Shore (Nov. 16), Loyola-Chicago (Nov. 17), Western Michigan (Nov. 18), Bradley (Nov. 20), at Stetson (Nov. 26), Youngstown State (Dec. 18), Bowling Green (Dec. 21)
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SYRACUSE

Toughest: vs. San Diego State (Nov. 9 at Battle of the Midway), vs. Temple (Dec. 22 in NYC)
Next-toughest: Princeton (Nov. 21), at Arkansas (Nov. 30), Long Beach State (Dec. 6), Detroit (Dec. 17)

Nonconference schedule analysis: CAA--College Basketball Nation Blog

HOFSTRA

Toughest: at Purdue (Nov. 11)
Next-toughest: Marshall (Nov. 18), at LIU-Brooklyn (Dec. 8 )
The rest: at Monmouth (Nov. 9), District of Columbia (Nov. 17), at Manhattan (Nov. 21), at George Washington (Nov. 24), SMU (Dec. 1), Wagner (Dec. 4), Wright State (Dec. 15), vs. Tulane (Dec. 22 in Brooklyn, N.Y.), at Florida Atlantic (Jan. 1)
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JAMES MADISON

Toughest: at UCLA (Nov. 15)
Next-toughest: Richmond (Dec. 8), at Miami (Ohio) (Nov. 24)
The rest: at Duquesne (Nov. 19), vs. Youngstown State (Nov. 20 in Pittsburgh), vs. North Dakota State (Nov. 21 in Pittsburgh), George Washington (Nov. 28), Winthrop (Dec. 1), East Tennessee State (Dec. 5), UNC-Greensboro (Dec. 16), vs. San Jose State (Dec. 22 in Las Vegas), vs. San Diego (Dec. 23 in Las Vegas), at Hampton (Jan. 7)
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OLD DOMINION

Toughest: at Murray State (Nov. 24), VCU (Dec. 7), vs. Virginia (Dec. 22 in Richmond)
Next-toughest: at Cleveland State (Nov. 17), Richmond (Dec. 4), UCF (Dec. 14), at Charleston (Dec. 18)

Cleveland State men's basketball team picked to finish 5th in Horizon League--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Grady, Vikings ESPN bound in 2013--The Cauldron
Cleveland State picked fifth in Horizon League--Cleveland State Hoops
Grady Named Preseason Second Team All-League--csuvikings.com

CBSSports.com's Top 100 Players--Eye On College Basketball

49. Ray McCallum, 6-3, 190, PG, Jr., Detroit
Chose to play for his father and hasn’t gotten the pub that high-major floor leaders have received, but Little Ray is a stud. Kid can score, distribute and lead. Averaged 15.4 points, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals last season. -- J.G.

Where 2012-13 Happens: Reason #29 We Love College Basketball--Rush The Court
Detroit-Mercy's Ray McCallum wins Horizon League preseason honor--The Detroit Free Press Titans Picked Second, McCallum Named HL Preseason POY--detroittitans.com

Women's Basketball at Horizon League Media Day--uicflames.com

Averkamp Earns Preseason All-Horizon League Honors--LoyolaRamblers.com
Annual Loyola Basketball Tip-Off Luncheon To Be Held October 26--LoyolaRamblers.com

Expectations remain high for Phoenix--Green Bay Press Gazette

Men's basketball: UWGB picked for 3rd in Horizon League--Green Bay Press Gazette
Brown, Sykes Tabbed to Preseason All-Horizon League Teams--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Allen brothers thrilled to face each other--Chicago Bulls Report
UWM chosen for sixth place in Horizon league--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panthers Picked For Sixth In Horizon League--uwmpanthers.com