On The Horizon

Jim Squire

VIDEO and more: Norris Cole makes it rain--Through the Arch
Miami (Ohio) Transfer Jon Harris granted immediate eligibility at Cleveland State--Cleveland State Hoops

Dr. Betty J. Youngblood comments on news articles regarding Beckie Francis--WXOU

Jim Squire

Heat contracts: How the offseason math shook out--South Florida Sun Sentinel

Norris Cole

2013-14 contract status: Cole is under contract for $1.1 million next season, with the Heat controlling his rookie-scale draft rights for two additional seasons.

How the math works: Perhaps most cost-effective labor on the Heat roster.

Norris Cole's TV Commercial--Cleveland State Hoops
NCAA Approves Waiver for Jon Harris--csuvikings.com

The top 60 rookies of the 2013 NBA Summer League, led by Cody Zeller and Kelly Olynyk--SB Nation NBA

8. Ray McCallum, No. 36, Kings: Sacramento has a knack for finding undersized scoring guards. Two years after uncovering Isaiah Thomas with the final pick of the draft, the Kings found McCallum early in the second round. He showed an ability to get to the rim and finish throughout the Kings' schedule, a rare combination in Las Vegas. He's still learning how to be a point guard and was prone to some pick-and-roll coverages that forced him baseline and took his scoring out of the equation, though.

Count 'Em Down: Tumbling Teams--College Basketball Nation Blog

8. Detroit: Ray McCallum Jr. turned down offers from powerhouse programs to play for his father, Ray McCallum Sr. With McCallum at point guard, Detroit reached the NCAA tournament in 2012 after the Titans won the Horizon League tournament. But he’s gone now. And he’s not the only key player that Detroit will miss. The Titans have lost their top four scorers from last season. Somehow, Detroit must find respectable offensive contributors who can make up for the loss of McCallum (18.7 PPG), Nick Minnerath (14.6 PPG), Jason Calliste (14.4 PPG) and Doug Anderson (12.1 PPG). McCallum could face his toughest season as a head coach in 2013-14.

Oakland University’s Schedule Redefines Challenging--Big Apple Buckets
Top 50 Players in College Basketball For 2013-2014--The Big Lead

Travis Bader, SG, Oakland. Averaged 22.9 ppg and made more 3-point FGs (139) than anyone in the country.

Oakland basketball's Travis Bader fine-tunes jumper at high-profile Kevin Durant camp--The Detroit Free Press
Oakland basketball's Travis Bader fine-tunes jumper at high-profile Kevin Durant camp--The Oakland Press

OU's Women's Basketball Scandal: What Now? What's Next?--Rochester Hills Patch
Oakland University president addresses allegations about former coach Beckie Francis--The Oakland Press

Knowing the Newcomers: Jordan Harks--uicflames.com

Former UWGB Coach returns to counsel Wardle--Mid-Major Madness
Former Phoenix Coach Dick Bennett to Serve as Adviser--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Milwaukee Women Add Carey As Video Coordinator--uwmpanthers.com

Westendorp Promoted; Mesalam Joins Crusader Women's Program--valpoathletics.com

Brandi Brown Among Conference NCAA Woman-of-the-Year Honorees--ysusports.com

Jim Squire

Girls basketball: Oconto standout Laken James' stock on the rise--Green Bay Press Gazette

Junior Lomomba to transfer--Cleveland State Hoops

Kings' McCallum Makes His Point--Rookie Ladder
Five surprises from the Las Vegas Summer League--Sports Illustrated

Ray McCallum Jr., Sacramento Kings

Second-round picks have a lot at stake in summer league, but the 6-2 McCallum — selected by Sacramento with the 36th pick — played well enough in Vegas to secure a three-year deal on site. The primary selling point was McCallum’s driving ability. Few guards available at McCallum’s price bring the same level of athleticism and control. He seems to have the quickness necessary to break down the first line of defense at an NBA level. From there, he displayed an ability to change direction, finish with both hands and connect on floaters and acrobatic layups. He can convert on a variety of attempts around the basket, making him a somewhat reluctant passer, but that could soon change as he plays with more talented shooters and big men in the NBA.

Also impressive was the way McCallum navigated the casual style of summer league, which involves few set plays and even fewer well-executed ones. Without much structure, many primary ball handlers tend to simply call for the ball and wait on the perimeter when they aren’t in control. McCallum, on the other hand, made some nice cuts and set screens for his teammates — minor actions in the grand scheme of things, but decisions indicative of sound basketball logic. It’s early, but McCallum — who had a 23-point performance in Vegas as well as a 12-point, 11-assist outing — looks like a nice pick-up for the Kings on a cheap, three-year deal.

Closer Look: Ray McCallum--The Kings Blog
McCallum Continues to Shine in NBA Summer League--detroittitans.com
Titan Duo Shines in NBA Summer League Loss--detroittitans.com
Four Titans Named to NABC Honors Court--detroittitans.com
McCallum Signs Rookie Contract with Kings--detroittitans.com
McCallum, Minnerath Finish NBA Summer League in Style--detroittitans.com

Travis Bader at the Kevin Durant Nike Skills Academy--OUGrizzliesVideos
BASKETBALL: Oakland's first season schedule in Horizon League revealed--The Oakland Press
Travis Bader discusses hitting 3 over Kevin Durant, experience at Nike Skills Academy--Grizzlies Den
Oakland Releases Men's Basketball Schedule--ougrizzlies.com
Maui Invitational Games Announced--ougrizzlies.com

Oakland University personnel turnovers continue--The Oakland Press

Oakland U. announces Jeff Tungate as women's basketball coach at Fan Fest--The Detroit Free Press
Players say ex-Oakland women's basketball coach Beckie Francis fixated on weight, pushed Christianity, used intimidation--The Detroit Free Press
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Jeff Tungate named permanent head coach--The Oakland Press
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Oakland earns spot in academic top 25 team rankings--The Oakland Press
Not clear whether OU president, coach’s relationship violated university rules--The Oakland Press
Jeff Tungate Named Women's Basketball Head Coach--ougrizzlies.com
Oakland Women's Basketball Announces 2013-14 Schedule--ougrizzlies.com
Oakland Earns Spot in 2013 WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Rankings--ougrizzlies.com

Loyola coach joins UIC women’s basketball--UIC News
Hayden Humes Named to NABC's `Honors Court'--uicflames.com
Knowing the Newcomers: Markese McGuire--uicflames.com

Jasmine Bailey Signs Contract to Play in Italy--uicflames.com
UIC Women's Basketball Adds Tiffany Sardin to Coaching Staff--uicflames.com

#112 Green Bay Men's Basketball 2013-2014 Preview--College Sports Madness
Ex-UWGB coach Bennett to advise Wardle--Green Bay Press Gazette
2013-14 Men's Basketball Summer Prospectus--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Video: Braun Discusses Panthers' Move Back To U.S. Cellular Arena--uwmpanthers.com
Video: Jeter Looks Toward 2013-14 Season, Talks About Moving Back Downtown--uwmpanthers.com
Wolf, Richard Named To NABC Honors Court--uwmpanthers.com
Video: Johnson, O'Connor Take Early Look At 2013-14 Season--uwmpanthers.com

Wood lays solid foundation for career--Kokomo Tribune
Report: Canadian guard commits to Valparaiso--The Post-Tribune
E. Victor Nickerson transfers to Valpo; Alex Rossi won’t return--The Post-Tribune
Five Crusaders Named to NABC Honors Court--valpoathletics.com
Broekhoff Helps Australia Capture Silver at World University Games--valpoathletics.com
Nickerson Joins Crusader Men's Basketball Program--valpoathletics.com

Elizabeth Hamlet joins sister Annemarie on Valparaiso women's basketball team--The NWI Times
Women's Basketball Announces Addition of Four Newcomers--valpoathletics.com

YSU's Perry focused on health, winning--Youngstown Vindicator
YSU improves facilities, title hopes--Youngstown Vindicator
Three Youngstown State Men’s Basketball Players Named to NABC Honors Court--Youngstown Vindicator
Youngstown State Earns NABC Team Academic Excellence Award--ysusports.com

Youngstown State Ranks 17th on WBCA Academic Top 25--ysusports.com

Oakland to Appear in 30th EA Sports Maui Invitational--Horizon League Network
Broekhoff Helps Australia Capture Silver at World University Games--Horizon League Network
18 Horizon League Basketball Players Named to NABC Honors Court--Horizon League Network

Oakland Names Jeff Tungate Women's Basketball Head Coach--Horizon League Network
Youngstown State WBB Team Earns Spot on 2013 Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Detroit's Eli Holman signs with Turkish Basketball League team--The Detroit News
Holman Signs overseas with Usak Sportif--detroittitans.com

Hauser receives GB scholarship offer--Phear The Phoenix

Bulls waive guards Jaric, Allen--Chicago Bulls Report
UWM Panthers returning to U.S. Cellular Arena--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panthers Will Play Men's Basketball Games At U.S. Cellular Arena--uwmpanthers.com

Valparaiso Basketball What If... (2007-08 Edition)--Inside VU Sports

Jim Squire

Las Vegas Summer League: West Preview--True Hoop

Sacramento Kings
...
Nick Minnerath: A recovering drug addict laces up his $15 dollar basketball shoes and drives 800 miles to attend a junior college open gym in the hopes that he’ll impress the coaches and get his basketball career and life back on track. You won’t hear many redemption stories like Nick Minnerath’s.

Ray McCallum: Minnerath’s college teammate at the University of Detroit always displayed great athleticism and the ability to finish at the rim, but his shooting stroke was a little spotty. If McCallum can consistently knock down jumpers, he’ll be trouble at the next level.

Pair of Titans Start for Kings in NBA Summer League Debut--detroittitans.com

Jim Squire

On the hunt for post-realignment rivalries--College Basketball Nation Blog

Oakland vs. Detroit

Oakland's move from the Summit League to the Horizon is a step up in general, but it also lays the groundwork for a sneaky-fun city-suburbs dispute in the greater Detroit area.

Prospect Clark opens Heat eyes but will he be back?--South Florida Sun Sentinel

Perhaps the greatest gain by Clark during his five appearances in Orlando was showing an ability to play at point guard, a position where the Heat have only Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole under contract.

Jackson Shines in Summer League debut--Cleveland State Hoops
Jackson Continues to Shine in Orlando--Cleveland State Hoops

Ray McCallum - Kings Summer League Mini-Camp Day 1--kings.nba.com
1-on-1: Ray McCallum--kings.nba.com
Kings notes: Minnerath has had a 'crazy' journey to summer league--The Sacramento Bee

Grand Blanc's Shareta Brown and Destiny La Vita-Stephens sign with Wayne State University after leaving Detroit-Mercy--MLive.com
Metro & state: UDM women's hoops signs Ohio guard Reyna Montgomery--The Detroit Free Press
Detroit Signs Another Highly Touted Prospect In Reyna Montgomery--detroittitans.com

New Oakland University president: 'No crisis here'--The Oakland Press
Golden Grizzlies Fan Fest--ougrizzlies.com

UWGB transfer dunks on Shawn Marion in Chicago Pro-Am (VIDEO)--CollegeBasketballTalk
UWGB names McIver as interim athletic director--Green Bay Press Gazette
Watch: UWGB's Sykes wows Chicago crowd with dunk--UWGB Hoops Blog
Watch: UWGB's McKinnie dunks on former NBA all-star--UWGB Hoops Blog
Sykes, McKinnie Keeping Attention on Green Bay--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Green Bay Men's Basketball Outing Set for August 5--GreenBayPhoenix.com

MBB Notebook: Alex Prahl Added; Allen On Bulls' Roster--uwmpanthers.com

USA falls to Australia at World University Games, 93-84--CollegeBasketballTalk
Mid-Major Basketball's Top Venues--Mid-Major Madness

Athletics-Recreation Center
Tenant: Valparaiso
Opened: 1984
Capacity: 5,000

Valpo's home is another case where it's not the building, it's the fans. The Brown and Gold continue to show up to make the ARC one of the nation's most loud and hostile venues. Horizon League teams cringe every year when they see a road trip to face the Crusaders pop up on their schedule.

Valparaiso Basketball What If... (2008-09 Edition)--Inside VU Sports

Raiders embrace expectations in summer practices--Dayton Daily News

WBB Recruit Competing in U20 European Championships--wsuraiders.com

Oakland Sharpshooter Bader Ready to Lead Grizzlies into Horizon League--Horizon League Network
Current, Former Horizon League Players Starring in Summer Leagues--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Valparaiso freshmen learning quick during summer workouts--The NWI Times

Jim Squire

Holman to Join Celtics in NBA Summer League--detroittitans.com

Eric Simpson Named Assistant Women's Basketball Coach--uicflames.com

Penguin Club Renewal for 2013-14 Season Available--ysusports.com

Jim Squire

Cleveland State's Jackson to play for Heat's summer league team--Cleveland State Hoops

Third Annual Titan Club Basketball Camp is a Success!--detroittitans.com
Titans Finish Competition Season in Elite Company--detroittitans.com

It's official: Oakland University is a member of Horizon League--The Detroit Free Press

Little Chute Stars Learn Intensity of College Basketball--WBAY
"Chute-ing" Stars Botz and Lowe Stick with Wardle/UWGB--We Are Green Bay
Men's basketball: UW System spent $25K on Wardle probe--Green Bay Press Gazette
Men's basketball: Little Chute's Botz, Lowe look to prove themselves at UWGB--Green Bay Press Gazette
Men's basketball: Alec Brown looks to increase NBA draft stock in final year at UWGB--Green Bay Press Gazette

Women's basketball: UWGB beats out UW, MU for Superior star Lindstrom--Green Bay Press Gazette

College Basketball's Best Coaches under 40--Athlon Sports

4. Bryce Drew, Valparaiso
Record: 48-20, 0-1 NCAA Tournament
Age: 39
The most famous basketball player in Valpo history has turned out to be a pretty good coach. The son of longtime Crusaders coach Homer Drew took over his father’s program two seasons ago and brought Valpo back to the postseason contention with back-to-back Horizon League regular-season titles. The NCAA bid in 2013 was Valpo’s first since 2004, and the 26 wins were a school record.

Valpo MBB: Who replaces Jake Diebler?--Inside VU Sports

Arch: Former Raider finds niche overseas--Through the Arch

#1: Brandi Brown Highlights 2012-13 in YSU Athletics--ysusports.com

Jim Squire

A complete breakdown of conference realignment for 2013-2014--CollegeBasketballTalk

HORIZON: The Horizon League loses Loyola-Chicago to the MVC, but replaces them with Oakland from the Summit League.

SUMMIT: The Summit League loses Oakland and UMKC (who is headed to the WAC), but they did bring in a good Denver program from the WAC.

MISSOURI VALLEY: The MVC takes a hit with Creighton leaving for the Big East, but they get replaced by Loyola-Chicago, bringing in the league’s first major metropolitan area.

July 1 Signals Conference Changes Across the College Basketball Landscape--Mid-Major Madness

Horizon League
Departures: Loyola-Chicago
Additions: Oakland

Top Ten Mid-Major Big Men to Watch in 2013-14--Mid-Major Madness

Alec Brown, Wisconsin-Green Bay: It was a tumultuous offseason in Green Bay as the Phoenix narrowly avoided another Rutgers/Mike Rice situation. Senior big man Alec Brown should be able to give the Horizon League school some stability. The 7'1 Minnesota native is coming off a season in which he averaged 14 points and 6 rebounds per game. Brown's scoring numbers have gone up each year but his rebounding numbers dropped a bit this past season. If Brown wants to take his talents to the next level he'll need to hit the boards hard once again in his senior year.
...
Corey Petros, Oakland: The junior big man should make the Golden Grizzlies maiden voyage into the Horizon Leauge a little easier. Petros lead the team in field goal percentage last year at 56.5% and added nearly 13 points and 8 rebounds per game. If Greg Kampe squad has immediate success in their new conference then a large part of it will be because of Petros.

Terrell Hales Commits to Cleveland State--Cleveland State Hoops

NBA draft 2013 team grades--Sports Illustrated

A Sacramento Kings
Round 1:
Ben McLemore, G, Kansas

Round 2:
Ray McCallum, G, Detroit

It was Christmas in Sacramento when Ben McLemore fell to the Kings at No. 7. I'll say it again: McLemore is as close to a surefire All-Star as I have seen. He coasts sometimes, but Joe Johnson had a similar reputation when he came out of Arkansas in 2001. That seemed to work out OK, didn't it? Ray McCallum at No. 36 was a nice pick, too. He was one of the most talked-about players at the combine last month.