Detroit at Wichita State (4 pm, ESPN2) — Wichita State has bounced back from a recent three-game swoon with a four-game win streak that includes two close victories over Illinois State and Indiana State this past week. They’ll be the favorites against Detroit, but his game has definite upset potential. Detroit is on the upswing, winning six of their last seven, and developing a potent offensive attack with a multitude of options, from Ray McCallum’s attacking ability to Jason Calliste’s three-point shot to Nick Minnerath’s versatile inside-out game to Doug Anderson’s physical interior play. The Titans will try to push the tempo, while the Shockers will try to slow things down and pound the ball inside to their big men Cleanthony Early and Carl Hall, who may find success against Detroit’s mediocre interior defense.Creighton-Saint Mary's, Iona-ISU among final BracketBusters matchups--Sports Illustrated
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Honor Roll
The Honor Roll is our weekly fixture highlighting the teams, players, and performances that impressed us in the past week.
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Detroit Returns The Favor — On January 17th, Detroit was cruising along at home against Valparaiso, leading by double digits with less than three minutes to play. But the Crusaders staged a furious comeback, scoring 12 unanswered points to emerge with the win. Fast forward a month to the rematch at Valpo, and this time it’s the Crusaders who are up by double-digits in the second half, up by 15 with under nine minutes to play. The Titans went on a 19-0 tear to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Detroit is now a game back of Valpo in the Horizon League standings, and the two teams seem headed for a showdown in the conference tournament that will not only break the season series tie but dispense an NCAA Tournament bid.
Saturday's Games
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Eastern Kentucky at Valparaiso (1 p.m. ET)
Definitely not the name-recognition matchup of the day, but these are two pretty good teams that have a solid chance of playing for their conference's auto bids in a few weeks.
The Colonels were a story earlier this season as one of the nation's final unbeaten teams. Once they lost in a decent effort at Illinois, they fell out of the nation's spotlight, but they have quietly put together an 11-3 campaign in a much improved Ohio Valley conference, with two of those losses coming to league-leader Belmont.
Both teams are pretty good offensively. Only Valpo is even decent defensively, though, and that might put the Colonels in a bad spot on the road. Not that the Crusaders are great on the offensive glass, but EKU is the second-worst defensive rebounding team in Division I, per Pomeroy's stats. Kevin Van Wijk and Bobby Capobianco are ready to feast on any shots missed by star forward Ryan Broekhoff.
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Detroit at Wichita State (4 p.m. ET)
A classic BracketEliminators matchup where the Shockers can only be hurt by a home loss to a very capable Detroit team out of the Horizon League. The Titans have had a week to prepare after a furious late rally helped them down league leader Valparaiso on the road.
Detroit plays a very uptempo style which is also extremely low in turnovers. The Titans are fourth-best in the nation in offensive turnover rate despite playing at over 70 possessions a game. They might not always get good shots, but Ray McCallum (who's easily having his best season as a collegian) and Co. get a lot of them. That should set an interesting contrast against the stingy Shockers, who are built more to grind away at you in the halfcourt.
The Shockers get a good amount of work done on the offensive glass, but the Titans are one of the nation's stingiest teams in that category. Whoever wins that battle, along with the tempo war, likely will grab the win. Wichita State looks in good shape for an at large, but they want to take care of this one.
Heat making gains on rebounding concerns--South Florida Sun Sentinel
Lately, Allen, Shane Battier and Norris Cole have provided reliable options for Spoelstra to find rest for Wade and James.
"It's not going to be the Big Three every night," Battier said. "It's good to know you've got some pretty good auxiliary players, too."
Creighton/Saint Mary’s headlines Ramada Bracketbusters event--CollegeBasketballTalk
3) Detroit at Wichita State (Saturday, 4:00 p.m. on ESPN2)On this day 16 years ago - Feb 22, 1997--Titans Update
Currently leading the Missouri Valley race Wichita State is in good position to grab an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament should they need one. Detroit on the other hand will need to win the Horizon League’s automatic bid, as they did last season, if they’re to reach the Big Dance. Ray McCallum Jr. leads the way for a Detroit attack that’s both experienced and explosive, with multiple players capable of going off for 30+ points on any given night. Gregg Marshall’s Shockers will need to defend at the level that they have for much of the season, and they don’t lack for experience either. It will be interesting to see how Detroit deals with one of the loudest environments in college basketball.
Game #24: Detroit Looks For Chicago Split On Saturday At UIC--detroittitans.com
Saturday's matchup: Bradley at UIC--The Chicago Tribune
Game #28: Flames Host Bradley for BracketBusters Saturday--uicflames.com
Women's Basketball Welcomes Detroit on Satruday at 7 p.m. CT--uicflames.com
Saturday's matchup: Kent State at Loyola--The Chicago Tribune
Men's Basketball Steps Out of League Play, Hosts Kent State Saturday--LoyolaRamblers.com
Streaking Loyola Preps For Surprising Penguins--LoyolaRamblers.com
Tonight's UWGB men's basketball preview--Green Bay Press Gazette
VIDEO: Green Bay Basketball Pays Tribute to Division II Era--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Green Bay Takes Break From League Play for BracketBusters--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Today's UWGB women's basketball preview--Green Bay Press Gazette
Think Pink: Green Bay Hosts Valparaiso in PinkZone Game--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Panthers Head To IUPUI Seeking Second-Straight Win--uwmpanthers.com
Postgame Report: Milwaukee vs. Valparaiso--Panther Blog Zone
Milwaukee In Search Of Third Straight Win At Wright State--uwmpanthers.com
VU excited to play on national TV, but ‘conference is more important’--The Post-Tribune
BracketBuster has meant good memories for Valpo men--The NWI Times
A look at crusaders team chemistry--The Torch
Crusaders looking to seal deal--The Torch
OP/ED: Letter to VU student section--The Torch
Buggs valuable aid to Crusaders--The Torch
Current team compared to 2003-2004--The Torch
Hoping to host--The Torch
Valparaiso (21-7) Goes Up against Eastern Kentucky (22-6)--Valpo Daily
Women’s basketball: Valpo faces tough matchup against Green Bay--The Post-Tribune
Newer players contribute to improvement--The Torch
Women's basketball focus evolves with coach--The Torch
Late Crusader Rally Falls Just Short Thursday Night--valpoathletics.com
Valpo women pay a visit to #25/RV Green Bay--valpoathletics.com
Women's hoops inks Isaac to National Letter of Intent--valpoathletics.com
Preview: Evansville at Wright State--Dayton Daily News
Randall, CMU visit YSU tonight--Youngstown Vindicator
Eargle, Allen ready for senior night--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Youngstown State Announces Horizon League Men’s Basketball Tournament Ticket Prices--ysusports.com
YSU Tries to Slow Down Loyola Saturday on Short Rest--ysusports.com
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