News On The Horizon 10/11/2014

Vague and Tenebrous Tweets by Almario Vernard Chalmers: Did Chalmers get benched today?--Miami Herald

Why would Chalmers be depressed? Well, being demoted to second-string point guard is enough to put anyone from Miami in a bad mood. (Of course, so is being in stuck in traffic on Biscayne Boulevard waiting on that damn bridge, or getting busted for smash porn, or, you know, getting plucked from your bubble by the Coast Guard.) Anyway, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has said several times during training camp that competition is wide open at point guard. Norris Cole has made it clear that he is pushing to be the team's starter, and, of course, Chalmers didn't exactly have the best possible finish to the 2014 playoffs.

He was benched for Game 5 of the NBA Finals, and there was probably a time after The Finals when he thought he wasn't returning to the Heat.

Anyway, Chalmers went 0 of 2 for two points in the Heat's preseason opener. He played just 21 minutes and recorded two assists and two turnovers. Meanwhile, Cole played more than 23 minutes and went 4 of 8 from the field for 10 points and had four steals, two assists and didn't commit a turnover.

Stuff from the Heat's shootaround today, including Spoelstra on LeBron, Stan Van Gundy and this 'microwave society' we all live in--Miami Herald
On the Heat's growing concerns at point guard and other observations from the second preseason game--Miami Herald
Heat's Birdman fascinated with Rio's Big Mac
--South Florida Sun Sentinel

Cole not getting comfortable

"It feels great to start," Cole said "My confidence is always pretty high. It's great to be moved in there, but this is early and it's still preseason. We're still trying to get better and do whatever we have to do to get better. If that means me starting, then that's what that means."

Horizon League Basketball Preview: #7 Oakland Golden Grizzlies--Busting Brackets
Top 25 Countdown: Others Receiving Votes--CollegeBasketballTalk

Dayton Flyers

Last Season: 26-11, 10-6 Atlantic 10 (t-5th), lost in the Elite 8
Key Losses: Devin Oliver, Vee Sanford, Khari Price
Key Returnees: Dyshawn Pierre (11.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 40.9% 3PT), Jordan Sibert (12.2 ppg, 42.6% 3PT)
Key Newcomers: Ryan Bass (transfer), Darrell Davis, Detwon Rogers
Outlook: Dayton was as good as any team in the country in February and March of last season, going 9-1 to close out the Atlantic 10 season before making a run to the Elite 8. Losing Devin Oliver will hurt, putting pressure on Jordan Sibert and Dyshawn Pierre to take on a bigger role offensively. The combination of Oakland transfer Ryan Bass and sophomore Scoochie Smith will be counted on to take over ballhandling duties. Dayton should compete for top four in the A-10.

Redshirt freshman’s foot injury a hit to Oakland’s perimeter depth--CollegeBasketballTalk
Kampe, Hovland nominees for Michigan Sports Hall of Fame--The Oakland Press
OAKLAND BASKETBALL SUSPENDS ARTIS CLEVELAND--ougrizzlies.com
GREG KAMPE AND PETE HOVLAND NOMINEES FOR MICHIGAN SPORTS HALL OF FAME--ougrizzlies.com

Horizon League Basketball Preview: #9 UIC Flames--Busting Brackets

2014-2015 Season Preview: 25 must-watch non-conference games--CollegeBasketballTalk

TEN MORE TIMES YOU’LL NEED TO SET YOUR DVR

16. Kentucky vs. UCLA - (CBS Sports Classic in Chicago) - Dec. 20: Two blue-bloods square off in the United Center.
17. Texas vs. UConn - Nov. 30: Ryan Boatright vs. Isaiah Taylor will be fun.
18. Arizona vs. Michigan - Dec. 13: Sean Miller’s defensive mastery vs. John Beilein’s offensive ingenuity.
19. Arizona vs. UNLV - Dec. 23: The Runnin’ Rebels have a ton of young talent on their roster.
20. Syracuse vs. Michigan (ACC/Big Ten Challenge) – Dec. 2: Syracuse have PG questions while Michigan has an unproven front line.
21. Ohio State vs. North Carolina (CBS Sports Classic in Chicago) - Dec. 20: Are the Buckeyes truly a top 15-caliber team?
22. Minnesota vs. Louisville (U.S. Air Station in Puerto Rico) - Nov. 14: Big Pitino vs. Little Pitino.
23. Green Bay vs. Georgia State - Dec. 4/27: Arguably the nation’s two-best mid-majors. Keifer Sykes vs. Ryan Harrow and R.J. Hunter. And yeah, these two teams meet twice.

Green Bay’s Keifer Sykes will wow you this season (VIDEO)--CollegeBasketballTalk

Son of former NBA star commits to Valparaiso--CollegeBasketballTalk
Rik Smits' Son Derrik Smits Commits to Valparaiso--Mid-Major Madness

Horizon League Preview: #6 Wright State Raiders--Busting Brackets
Wright State parts ways with a veteran forward--CollegeBasketballTalk
Wright State gets three new uniforms (PHOTO)--CollegeBasketballTalk

Horizon League Preview: #8 Youngstown State Penguins--Busting Brackets