On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Conference Tip-Off Primer: Horizon League--Mid-Major Madness
Conference-race simulations: Part II--KenPom.com

12. Horizon

The pick: Green Bay. The Phoenix has spent most of the season in the lower end of the top 100 and has the claim to fame of giving Wisconsin its closest game so far (a three-point Badger win in Green Bay).

The contrarian pick: Cleveland State. The Vikings are coming off a road win against Kent State, and as you may remember, put a rather large second-half scare into Kentucky about a month ago.

Green Bay 4168
Cleveland St. 2243
Valparaiso 863
Oakland 648
Detroit 570
Youngstown St. 544
Milwaukee 515
Wright St. 440
Illinois Chicago 9

Durability a staple for Heat's Norris Cole--South Florida Sun Sentinel
Heat brace for Golden State's high-scoring backcourt--South Florida Sun Sentinel

Last year Warriors coach Mark Jackson referred to them as the greatest shooting backcourt in NBA history. Heat guard Norris Cole, who will be among those responsible for defending the perimeter, compared Curry and Thompson to the Sacramento Kings backcourt of Mike Bibby and Peja Stojakovi¿ in the early 2000s.

"They're a challenge but we're going to approach the game the same way that we always do," Cole said. "They shoot the ball well, and all you can do is contest them and corral them into blitzes. They're going to take some shots and they're going to make some shots. Ultimately, we feel like our habits and our depth will be able to wear them down."
...
"Contested 3s are the lowest percentage shot in basketball," Cole said. "If a guy is hitting contested all game, then it's just their game. It's just one game. You live with that than getting your defense broke down. Dribble penetration, that's the way a team gets everything. You can't give a team everything."

Cleveland State gets down to Horizon League business--Cleveland Plain Dealer

Vikings Close Out Non-League Play At South Dakota--csuvikings.com

Titans Ring In the New Year Hosting Wright State on Saturday--detroittitans.com

After Brutal Non-Conference Slate, Oakland Enters 1st Horizon League Season--The Catch and Shoot

UIC Takes Non-Conference Lessons Into Start Of Horizon League Play--The Catch and Shoot
Thursday's matchup: UIC at Valparaiso--The Chicago Tribune

Flames Look for 11 Straight Wins Friday Against Roosevelt--uicflames.com