On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Your 2013-2014 NCAA Basketball Realignment Primer--Sportz Assassin

HORIZON LEAGUE: Loyola-Chicago, mentioned above, is gone to the MVC and was replaced by Oakland. Alrighty then. Oakland (which is in Michigan, by the way) is a pretty good hoops program.

Old and young proving Heat with bench boost--South Florida Sun Sentinel
Winderman's view: 76ers 114, Heat 110--South Florida Sun Sentinel

As for the Heat's point guards, Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole have a nice little thing going.

Off The Court with Jarod Williams--detroittitans.com

Off The Court With Tayelor McCalister--detroittitans.com
Titans Maul Mustangs, 96-33, in Exhibition Action--detroittitans.com

Metro+state: Oakland U. cruises to win over Tiffin in basketball exhibition opener--The Detroit Free Press
Replay: Chat with Oakland U. basketball coach Greg Kampe--The Detroit Free Press
PHOTO GALLERY: Oakland beats Tiffin--Grizzlies Den
Tommie McCune impresses in Oakland debut--Grizzlies Den
Oakland announces 2013-14 radio broadcasts, Mario Impemba's departure--Grizzlies Den
OAKLAND WILL BROADCAST 16 REGULAR SEASON BASKETBALL GAMES ON WDFN-AM--ougrizzlies.com
TRAVIS BADER NAMED CANDIDATE FOR SENIOR CLASS AWARD--ougrizzlies.com

Women's Basketball Hosts Elmhurst College for Exhibition Game Saturday--uicflames.com

2013 Basketball Blogger Q&A: Green Bay--Streaking The Lawn
Daniel Turner to Explore Other Opportunities After December Graduation--GreenBayPhoenix.com
2013 Media Day: Alfonzo McKinnie--GreenBayPhoenix.com

2013 Media Day: Tesha Buck--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Panthers Welcome Marian To Cell In Lone Exhibition Contest--uwmpanthers.com

Milwaukee Women Host Wisconsin Lutheran In Exhibition Sunday--uwmpanthers.com

Women’s Basketball: Raiders slam Wildcats 81-55--The Guardian

Women's Basketball Rolls Past Indiana Wesleyan--wsuraiders.com

Kendrick Perry Named Senior CLASS Award Candidate--ysusports.com

10 Questions with UIC's Howard Moore--Horizon League Network
10 Questions with UIC's Hayden Humes--Horizon League Network
Raines: Moore Building a Winner at UIC--Horizon League Network
UIC Media Day Press Conference--Horizon League Network
Moore, Humes on HLN Live--Horizon League Network
Bader, Perry Among Senior CLASS Award Nominees--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Norris Cole Welcomed Derrick Rose Back with This Shake--The Big Lead
Miami Heat opener against Chicago Bulls has a familiar ring--Miami Herald

Heat’s DEEP ROSTER

The two-time defending champion Heat enters with arguably its deepest team ever. The question is how much of that depth Spoelstra will use, beyond his starters and top four reserves: Ray Allen, Shane Battier, Chris Andersen and Norris Cole.

Heat get rings, then hold off Bulls 107-95--Miami Herald

Chris Bosh scored 16 points, Battier finished with 14 and Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers each had 13 for Miami, which had seven players score in double figures. Ray Allen and Norris Cole each scored 11 for Miami.
...
Rose's surgically repaired knee might be fine, but in the basketball vernacular, Cole broke the ankles of the 2011 NBA MVP — starting a run that turned what was a tight game into a romp. Cole faked out Rose on the dribble, causing the Bulls' star to tumble over, and the Heat reserve connected on an 18-foot jumper that sent the Miami bench leaping from its seats.

"There was a lot of emotions going on," Cole said.

In opener against Bulls, Heat finds energy from reserves--Miami Herald
Linda Robertson: Miami Heat looks sharp in start of bid for history--Miami Herald

Tuesday’s October preview, which featured a 25-point Heat lead on Norris Cole’s acrobatic breakaway jam, was probably more deceiving than revealing. That’s why Wade didn’t want his teammates to get too comfortable wearing their special gold-trimmed uniforms.

Miami Heat has ringing start to season with defeat of Chicago Bulls--Miami Herald

Led by reserve and three-point specialist Shane Battier, the Heat outscored the Bulls 37-18 in the second quarter. A free throw by Rose with 8:31 left in the period cut the Heat’s lead to four points before the Heat took control. An 18-foot jump shot by reserve point guard Norris Cole started a 21-4 run for the Heat, which ended on a three-pointer by Ray Allen.
...
The Heat went with the same nine-player rotation that linked together 27 consecutive victories last season. Battier, Cole, Allen and Chris Andersen were the only reserves to play and they outscored the Bulls’ bench 42-26.

Battier led the reserves with 14 points, going 5 of 6 from the field and 4 of 4 from three-point range. Allen and Cole each scored 11 points and Andersen finished with six points, including two dunks off beautiful passes from James. Cole had seven rebounds and three assists while going 5 of 7 from the field for 11 points. In the second quarter, Cole’s crossover against Rose sent the former MVP to the ground.

“I made a good move,” Cole said. “It happens to everyone in basketball. … When you’re playing hard defense against guards who are quick and shifty, things like that can happen. It happens to everyone.”

Winderman's view: Heat 107, Bulls 95--South Florida Sun Sentinel

Birdman with his rebounds, Battier with his 3-pointers, Cole with his quickness and Allen with his assists were the perfect sparks off the bench.

Picking up where they left off: Heat take down Bulls 107-95--South Florida Sun Sentinel

They celebrated 2012-13 before the opening tip.

Then they made new memories.

Norris Cole crossing over Derrick Rose. Ray Allen with dual pumps fakes and then assisting on a Chris Bosh 3-pointer. Allen then following up with a 3-pointer of his own, from THAT corner. LeBron James feeding Chris Andersen for an alley-oop dunk. Shane Battier scoring off the dribble. A 31-5 surge.
...
Mario Chalmers and Cole more than held their own against Rose, who finally returned from his devastating 2012 playoff injury. Chalmers' five steals in the first half were a Heat opening-night record.

"We have to lift each other up, and we did that tonight," Cole said.

Chalmers finished with 13 points and four assists, Cole with 11 points and seven rebounds.

"When we weren't throwing it to them, we were making the right plays," Spoelstra said, lamenting the Heat's 20 turnovers that led to 30 Bulls points.

Detroit Welcomes City-Rival Marygrove In Exhibition Action On Wednesday--detroittitans.com

The 68 reasons we’re looking forward to the 2013-2014 season--CollegeBasketballTalk

23. Travis Bader chasing J.J. Redick’s three-point record. (SP)

GRIZZLIES ROLL IN EXHIBITION OVER TIFFIN, 76-52--ougrizzlies.com

Flames basketball takes the court for new season--UIC News

HBCU Tip-Off Tournament Cancelled--Mid-Major Madness
Men's basketball: UWGB's season-opening tournament in Atlanta canceled--Green Bay Press Gazette
Cancelled Tournament Leads to Nov. 9 Home Game at the Kress--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Women's basketball: New-look UWGB in same old No. 1 spot--Green Bay Press Gazette

UWM guard Thierno Niang gets back into the action--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Time Warner Cable SportsChannel, Milwaukee Athletics Set 15-Game Basketball Package--uwmpanthers.com

Men’s basketball: Donlon concerned with effects of television coverage - See more at: http://www.theguardianonline.com/sports/2013/10/29/mens-basketball-donlon-concerned-with-television-coverage/#sthash.fBnIKmCo.dpuf--The Guardian

Howloween Hoopla Fun for All--wsuraiders.com

Cleveland State Media Day Press Conference--Horizon League Network
10 Questions with Valparaiso's Bryce Drew--Horizon League Network
10 Questions with Valparaiso's LaVonte Dority--Horizon League Network
Dority, Drew on HLN--Horizon League Network
Lopresti: After Championship Season, Valpo Reintroduces Itself--Horizon League Network
Oakland Rolls in Exhibition Opener, 76-52--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Detroit & Marygrove Come Together For McNichols Clean-Up--detroittitans.com
Rademacher, Shearer Featured on HL Women's Basketball Media Event--detroittitans.com

Oakland’s Travis Bader shoots for J.J. Redick’s NCAA career three-point record--CollegeBasketballTalk
OAKLAND OPENS EXHIBITION ACTION AGAINST TIFFIN--ougrizzlies.com

OAKLAND DEFEATS WINDSOR 60-46 IN EXHIBITION GAME--ougrizzlies.com
OAKLAND PICKED EIGHTH IN PRESEASON HORIZON LEAGUE POLL--ougrizzlies.com

Hannemann and Story Voted Preseason First-Team All-Horizon League--uicflames.com

Women's Basketball Picked to Win Horizon League--GreenBayPhoenix.com

UW-Milwaukee’s men’s basketball Preview--UWM Post
Panthers Set To Host Haunted Hoops For Exhibition Opener Thursday--uwmpanthers.com

Women's Basketball Preseason Show Set For Monday Afternoon--uwmpanthers.com
Rodriguez Named To Preseason All-League First Team--uwmpanthers.com

Crusaders Picked 9th in Horizon League Preseason Poll--valpoathletics.com

Folks weigh in on Donlon’s “to shut us up, play us” comments to UD--Through the Arch

Wright State women picked to finish second in Horizon League--Dayton Daily News
Women Picked Second, Demmings Player of the Year--wsuraiders.com

Women's Basketball Tabbed Third; Schlegel, Davis Named Preseason Second Team--ysusports.com

10 Questions with Cleveland State's Gary Waters--Horizon League Network
10 Questions with Cleveland State's Anton Grady--Horizon League Network
Lopresti: CSU Seeks Return to the Top--Horizon League Network

Green Bay Picked to Win, Demmings Chosen Player of the Year in WBB Preseason Poll--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Titans Ease Past Blue Devils 93-51 in Exhibition Opener--detroittitans.com

OAKLAND DEFEATS WINDSOR 60-46 IN EXHIBITION GAME--ougrizzlies.com

Freshman Buck helps UWGB win exhibition opener--Green Bay Press Gazette
Women's Basketball Takes Down St. Cloud State, 74-63--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Professional athlete to coordinate park district basketball program--Highland Park Sun-Times
Former Division I players Rossi, Nelson feel welcome with Titans--The Pantagraph
GORCHES: VU will be better than predicted--The Post-Tribune
Crusaders rally to win exhibition opener--The NWI Times
Wrapping up Hillsdale--Inside VU Sports
President Mark Heckler presents strategic plan to Student Senate--The Torch

To accommodate for new academic programs and a larger student body, physical changes for campus are in the works as well. Heckler noted the need for biology and chemistry lab space, and introduced the plans for a new building near the Center for the Arts, Kretzmann and Meier Halls. Changes to the Athletics-Recreation Center will be made to add more seating, and possible classroom renovations in the Neils Science Center. Summer 2014 will feature the groundbreaking of an addition to the Chapel of the Resurrection.

Students expressed concerns about tuition costs, and Heckler assured that new growth will be adequate to cover costs.

“We’re not raising tuition in order to accomplish these new objectives,” Heckler stated.

Heckler mentioned the possibilities of raising revenue through the hosting of more camps and conferences, tickets to events in the ARC and possibly from an improved recycling system. There is also discussion over a wind turbine installation to drastically reduce energy costs.

Crusaders Open Exhibition Season With Victory--valpoathletics.com

Second Thoughts: Of course UD should play Wright State--Dayton Daily News
Coaches withholding judgment on NCAA basketball rule changes meant to boost offense--Dayton Daily News

Detroit, Valpo Open Exhibition Season with Wins--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Q&A with Dan Hanner About Preseason Predictions--Big Apple Buckets

Horizon League

BAB: A random aside from my former Chicago days and the Horizon League. I was really surprised by Milwaukee’s 7-9 record. What’s driving that?

DH: If you look at Rob Jeter in his career, he has been a very successful coach. So there are two schools of thought here. One, Jeter lost it last year when the team wasn’t winning and he can’t get it back. Another school of thought is that last year was a fluke. His player development and defense were far below their historical levels. The model thinks that last year was a fluke and the team will bounce back, but I agree with you that this projection may be a little too optimistic given the personnel.

Miami Heat’s 2013-14 roster--Miami Herald

PG Norris Cole

Age: 25.

Pro: 3rd season

Height, weight: 6-2, 170.

Inside scoop: Cole was the subject of trade rumors during the preseason. Being the youngest player on the Heat’s roster and a skilled defender, Cole is a valuable asset to the team.
 PPG  RPG  APG
12-13 5.6 1.6 2.1
Career 6.1 1.5 2.0

Cleveland State men’s basketball receives votes in Mid-Major Top 25 poll--Cleveland State Hoops

UIC's goal: Be ready by tournament time--The Chicago Tribune

Jim Squire

College Basketball Preview: Top 30 under-the-radar performers--Eye On College Basketball

3. Travis Bader

Oakland

Vitals: 6-4 | SG

Comment: Put up 22.1 points per game last season, more than anyone on this list and No. 5 in the country. Barring injury, Bader will break the record for more 3-pointers in NCAA history sometime in January or early February. And it's a good thing he can bomb away, because Oakland's defense was not good last year. Played more minutes for his team than any other player in the country last season.
...
21. Kendrick Perry

Youngstown State

Vitals: 6-0 | SG

Comment: Preseason Player of the Year in the Horizon. Youngstown State is almost never thought about because the program's now gone more than 15 years without a 20-win season. They probably won't win 20 this year, but it won't be because of Perry, who's just as good on D as he is with the ball.

Another title, Dwyane Wade’s health may be key to LeBron James’ future with Miami Heat--Miami Herald

The Heat’s front office understands this just as much as James and also has positioned itself for multiple contingencies. Third-year guard Norris Cole is the only player on the Heat’s roster locked into a contract for the 2014-15 season, and even if the Heat wins its third consecutive championship, Riley, owner Micky Arison, Heat CEO Nick Arison and general manager Andy Elisburg will have some difficult decisions to make in the summer of 2014.

Titan Tip-Off a Slam Dunk--detroittitans.com

Off The Court With Lizzy Connors--detroittitans.com

Infamous quotes by Oakland men's basketball coach Greg Kampe--Grizzlies Den
COUNTDOWN TO CAROLINA: PART 3--ougrizzlies.com

OAKLAND HOSTS WINDSOR IN EXHIBITION CONTEST--ougrizzlies.com

UIC Basketball Programs Participate in Chicago College Hoops Media Day--uicflames.com

Women's basketball: UWGB opens exhibition season Saturday against St. Cloud State--Green Bay Press Gazette
Women's Basketball Takes on St. Cloud State in Exhibition Game on Saturday--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Injuries detract from UWM's annual open scrimmage--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Plenty Of Positives As Panthers Debut With Intrasquad Scrimmage--uwmpanthers.com

Valparaiso’s retooled roster ready for debut--The NWI Times
What You Need to Know - Valpo Men's Basketball--valpoathletics.com

Donlon to UD: Want to shut us up? Then play.--Through the Arch

Jim Squire

Men’s College Basketball Preview: Horizon League--National Sports Network

Preseason prognosis: Brooklyn Nets at Miami Heat--South Florida Sun Sentinel

While coach Erik Spoelstra went with a typical nine-man rotation against the Pelicans, one that featured James, Haslem, Wade, Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers as starters, with Ray Allen, Chris Andersen, Shane Battier and Norris Cole the first three reserves off the bench, this could be a night when the end of-the-roster players get a look in advance of Monday's cut down to a regular-season maximum of 15 players. The Heat currently are carrying 17. Neither team might show much in this one, with the teams also to meet during the opening week of the regular season next Friday in Brooklyn.

Coach's Corner with Kate Peterson Abiad 10/24/13--csuvikings.com

Detroit Mercy basketball: Men counting on Evan Bruinsma, Juwan Howard Jr.--The Detroit Free Press
Men's Basketball Exhibition Season Begins on Saturday--detroittitans.com

Free Event : Detroit Titans Basketball Returns with Titan Tip-Off at Calihan Hall--Free In Detroit

UWGB introduces new athletic director--Fox 11
Alfonzo McKinnie Out Indefinitely with Knee Injury--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Women's Basketball Ranks Fourth in CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Preseason Poll--GreenBayPhoenix.com

The NCAA did what?!?!?!--Inside VU Sports

Donlon: Time for UD to play WSU--Dayton Daily News
Wright State Insider: Darling cleared for full contact; Vest still 50-50--Dayton Daily News

Jim Squire

Horizon League Preview 2013-14: Wright State and Green Bay enter season as top two--CollegeBasketballTalk

Winderman's view: Heat 108, Pelicans 95--South Florida Sun Sentinel

The Heat's first four subs were same as last season: Ray Allen, Chris Andersen, Shane Battier and Norris Cole.

Akron Zips land No. 10 in mid-major college hoops poll; Cleveland State, Kent State get votes--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Viking Madness tips off basketball season--The Cauldron
2013 Viking Madness Recap Video--csuvikings.com
Viking Voyages Set For 2013-14 Basketball Season--csuvikings.com

Metro & state: Detroit Mercy nets Mt. Pleasant forward Jaleel Hogan--The Detroit Free Press
Replay: Chat with UDM basketball coach Ray McCallum--The Detroit Free Press
Forward Jaleel Hogan commits to Detroit men's basketball team--The Detroit News
Most Detroit Titans basketball games to be televised this season--The Detroit News

Titans Announce Most Aggressive Broadcast Plan in School History at Basketball Media Day--detroittitans.com

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Oakland's Zakiya Minifee to miss 2013-14 season--The Oakland Press
Off The Court With Minisha Frederick-Childress--detroittitans.com

2013-2014 Season Preview: The Top 20 Off-Guards--CollegeBasketballTalk

16. Travis Bader (Oakland): Bader may be the only guy that can get up as many threes in a game as Marshall Henderson. He’s 101 away from J.J. Redick’s career record.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL INJURY UPDATE--ougrizzlies.com

Barlow earns spot on preseason league team--UIC News

College basketball: Indianapolis guard Daeshon Francis commits to UWGB--Green Bay Press Gazette
Daeshon Francis commits to GB--Phear The Phoenix
Sykes Named to Bob Cousy Award Watch List--GreenBayPhoenix.com

#GoValpo--valpoathletics.com

Horizon favorite Wright State’s ‘surprising’ ’12-’13 season was no surprise to the Raiders--CollegeBasketballTalk
Donlon doesn’t want Raiders to get big heads, but hopes are high--Dayton Daily News

Bob Cousy Award watch list released--CollegeBasketballTalk