On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Week 4 Horizon League power poll released--Horizon League Hoops
Previewing Wednesday’s Horizon League slate--Horizon League Hoops
Conference Players of the Month – December--CollegeHoopsDaily

POS  Horizon  TEAM
G  Ray McCallum  Detroit
G  Kendrick Perry  Youngstown St.
F  Ben Averkamp  Loyola (IL)
F  Ryan Broekhoff  Valparaiso
C  Brennan Cougill Wisc. Green Bay

Conference Rankings: Big Ten, Big East live up to early-season hype--Sports Illustrated

11. Horizon (OR: 15)

OCW: Butler's departure hurt, but the league will still be solid. Valpo is the favorite, then take your pick from a cluster of Detroit, UW-Green Bay, Cleveland State, UW-Milwaukee and maybe Youngstown State.

DCW: Still like Valpo as the league favorite, but can Illinois-Chicago provide a surprise challenge? The Flames have wins over Iona, Mercer and Northwestern already. Cleveland State should also be right there as Gary Waters has another good club. Detroit has disappointed thus far.

Wizards beat Heat 105-101 for 2nd win of season--Miami Herald

The Heat were without Shane Battier (right knee) and Norris Cole (strained groin).

Depth allows Miami Heat players time to heal--Miami Herald

On Tuesday, Shane Battier missed his third consecutive game with a slightly strained knee ligament, and Norris Cole sat out with a slightly strained groin muscle. Both players are expected to return to action Thursday against the Knicks.

“We feel that our depth is one of our best strengths and during the course of a long season you have to use that depth, and that will be the case tonight,” Spoelstra said before Tuesday’s tipoff.

Cole was a pregame scratch, and Battier is still feeling a slight pain in his right knee. Both players could have played if there were no other options, but, these days, the Heat has plenty of options. Plus, the Wizards have the worst record in the NBA.
...
Comfortable Cole

Cole’s injury comes at a disappointing time for the second-year point guard. He is averaging 10 points in his past two games and has showed signs of an improved court awareness.

“I’m just getting in rhythm and getting a feel for the learning curve,” Cole said. “I’m getting used to the rotation and just growing into the game and growing into my role on my team.”

Heat guard Dwyane Wade has become one of Cole’s most trusted mentors. Wade has helped Cole digest the speed of the game. This is Cole’s first full season in the league. Last year, he didn’t have much time to digest anything because of the lockout and the shortened season.

“The game has slowed down a lot for me,” Cole said. “I know what I’m looking for when I’m out there. I know my role and exactly what I’m supposed to do.”

Miami Heat falls to NBA’s worst team, the Washington Wizards--Miami Herald

The Heat (12-4) was without starting power forward Shane Battier (strained knee ligament) for the third consecutive game and point guard Mario Chalmers left the game with an injured hand in the first half. Reserve point guard Norris Cole missed the game due to injury, and Udonis Haslem, playing with a hip pointer, left the game in the second half after taking a knee to the inflamed area.

Heat loses to 2-13 Wizards, so go figure--Miami Herald

The Heat (12-4) was without starting power forward Shane Battier (strained knee ligament) for the third consecutive game and point guard Mario Chalmers left the game with an injured hand in the first half. Reserve point guard Norris Cole missed the game due to injury, and Udonis Haslem, playing with a hip pointer, left the game in the second half after taking a knee to the inflamed area.

Norris Cole sits vs. Wizards due to groin injury--South Florida Sun Sentinel
Lethargic Heat fall 105-101 to Wizards--South Florida Sun Sentinel

Norris Cole was ruled out before the game because of a groin injury and starter Mario Chalmers left with 6 minutes, 53 seconds remaining in the first half with a jammed finger. That left James and Dwyane Wade, who scored 24 points, as the primary ball-handlers.

Injuries crippling Cleveland State's roster: NE Ohio Basketball Insider--Cleveland Plain Dealer