On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Morning News: Season Begins, Pitino Bowl, VCU Over Tennessee, SEC Debacles, Michigan St Struggles, And Much More--Basketball Predictions

Iona Tops Cleveland State This was an interesting chance to get a look at two teams that will contend for conference titles. I took Cleveland State to win the Horizon preseason. In the MAAC, I gave the narrow edge to Siena over Iona, but with the loss of Imoh Silas things might change. And this was an impressive way for Iona to start their regular season, led by Isaiah Williams (18 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists). This isn't a "bad" loss for Cleveland State, on the road at a good Iona team. So there's no reason to think they're not still the Horizon favorite.

Viewer's Guide: Season kicks off with few impact games on opening night

Cleveland State-Iona is a matchup of two of the best mid-majors in the country this season. If you have a way to watch it, you should. It should be a fast, high-scoring game. Another fun mid-major game will be Boise State-San Diego in Los Angeles.

Important updates about tonight's game, #Heat (5-3) at #Hawks (4-3)--Miami Herald

LINEUP SPECULATION: With Wade out of the lineup, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is faced with his first major lineup decision of the regular season. He could go a number of ways, including starting Shannon Brown, Mario Chalmers or even rookie Jame Ennis at shooting guard. Another possibility could be Norris Cole coming off the bench and Chalmers starting alongside Shabazz Napier. That seems unlikely, but Napier will likely get more minutes one way or another over the next week or so.

Lack of defensive cohesion has Heat hot, bothered--South Florida Sun Sentinel

While the Heat's defensive precepts have mostly remained constant from recent seasons, the roster and rotation haven't. Power forward Shawne Williams and small forward Luol Deng are less than 10 games into their Heat tenures. Norris Cole now is the starting point guard, while Mario Chalmers is the reserve shooting guard, perhaps the starting shooting guard, with Dwyane Wade dealing with a strained left hamstring. And offseason free-agent additions Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger are more injured than ambulatory.

Winderman's view: Bucks 91, Heat 84--South Florida Sun Sentinel

-- Spoelstra, on Norris Cole's recent run of low turnovers and high assists, "I like the decisions that he is making."

-- Cole mostly was uneven Sunday.

-- With three turnovers and two assists.

Poor third quarter dooms Heat in 91-84 loss to Bucks--South Florida Sun Sentinel

"We have to figure it out, regardless of who's out there," Spoelstra said "It was working fine enough in the first half."

Without Wade, the Heat went with the starting lineup of Norris Cole and Mario Chalmers in the backcourt. For a second straight game, the Chalmers led the team in scoring with 18 points.
...
After Shawne Williams hit a 3-pointer to make it 78-74, Bucks guard Brandon Knight responded with a three. Knight then answered Cole's 3-pointer on the next possession.

Shawn Windsor: Tom Izzo coaching for both present, future--The Detroit Free Press

Izzo had a solid recruiting class this season and has an even better one for next. Those two classes, combined with transfers Bryn Forbes and Eron Harris, plus juniors Denzel Valentine and Matt Costello, should give MSU a chance at a deep tournament run.

Michigan State sloppy in win over Navy--The Detroit News

Kelly followed with a pair of free throws to cut the Michigan State lead to 60-57 with 1:57 to play. Trice then hit a runner in the lane and the Spartans followed with a stop. But after a miss on the drive by Bryn Forbes, Kelly got a putback on the other end to make it 62-59 with 23.1 seconds to play.

Western Michigan Broncos vs. Oakland Golden Grizzlies Basketball Preview--Hustle Belt
Western Michigan Broncos vs. Oakland Golden Grizzlies Basketball Final: Solid Performance Gets WMU a Win On First Road Trip--Hustle Belt
Grizzlies roll past St. Xavier in exhibition season finale, 87-72--The Oakland Press
Padraic McMeel named senior associate AD at Oakland University--The Oakland Press
Eastern Michigan pulls away from Oakland, 89-77--The Oakland Press
Oakland’s McCune overcoming the loss of his mother--The Oakland Press
Oakland struggles in crunch time, falls to Western Michigan--The Oakland Press
Oakland Downed by Western Michigan 82-71--Grizz Gang
Oakland (0-3) Battles Western Carolina (1-2)--Grizz Gang
Men's basketball falls to No. 14 Iowa State 93-82 in opener--Oakland Post
Oakland partners with the Violence and Abuse Resource Consortium--Oakland Post
Oakland falls 89-77 at Eastern Michigan--Oakland Post
Femi the freshman shines in win--Oakland Post
Men's basketball's home opener will feature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society--Oakland Post
PASS CHARTERS AND MSHOF ENHANCE METRO SERIES--ougrizzlies.com
EASTERN MICHIGAN BEATS OAKLAND, 89-77--ougrizzlies.com
HORIZON LEAGUE ANNOUNCES TV PARTNERSHIP WITH AMERICAN SPORTS NETWORK--ougrizzlies.com
OAKLAND FALLS TO WESTERN MICHIGAN, 82-71--ougrizzlies.com
OAKLAND HOSTS CBE HALL OF FAME CLASSIC--ougrizzlies.com

Oakland Cheer and Dance work together to put on a show--Oakland Post

Tungate weighs in on upcoming women's basketball season--Oakland Post
Sporting blitz, week of Nov. 19--Oakland Post

Women’s Basketball

The Golden Grizzlies fell to the University of Central Florida Knights 98-65 Monday night in Orlando. Freshman Leah Somerfield led Oakland in scoring with 12 points, while Zykria Lewis had 28 points for Central Florida. Oakland had the lead late in the first half, but Central Florida took a nine-point lead into the half and scored 63 points in the second half. The women Golden Grizzlies will play their home opener Sunday night against the Chicago State Cougars.

OAKLAND ADDS THREE DURING EARLY SIGNING PERIOD--ougrizzlies.com
OAKLAND FALLS AT UCF, 98-65--ougrizzlies.com
OAKLAND READY FOR HOME OPENER ON SUNDAY VERSUS CHICAGO STATE--ougrizzlies.com

UIC announces early signing period class--The Catch and Shoot
Rapid Reaction: UIC 67, WIU 64--The Catch and Shoot
UIC edges Western Illinois in home opener--The Catch and Shoot
Flames frontcourt shines as UIC holds off Western Illinois--The Catch and Shoot
Yale 70, UIC 58--The Catch and Shoot
Men rally, but fall to rival DePaul 72-71--UIC News
Men’s squad grabs home opener against Western--UIC News
Opening fight--Whoosh!Net
Wiegand flexes muscle--Whoosh!Net
Ivy League education--Whoosh!Net
UIC Drops One to Yale 70-58--Flame Fanatic
Updated: UIC (1-2) Takes On Kent State (3-0)--Flame Fanatic
UIC Men's Basketball Announces 2015 Signing Class--uicflames.com
UIC's Comeback Falls Short at DePaul, 72-71--uicflames.com
UIC Wins Home Opener Against Western Illinois, 67-64--uicflames.com
Flames Drop Opening Game at MABC Classic to Yale, 70-58--uicflames.com
Sharp-Shooting Kent State Defeats UIC, 78-60--uicflames.com

Women’s basketball opens season vs. Bradley--UIC News
Women score decisive win in home opener--UIC News
Women’s basketball cruises past Northern Illinois--UIC News
Flames Open Season With 71-43 Win Over Bradley--uicflames.com
Women's Basketball Cruises to 61-47 Win Over NIU--uicflames.com
Women's Basketball Wins Thriller at Miami Ohio, 72-69--uicflames.com

Seven small-conference teams with Cinderella potential--The Dagger

3. Green Bay (24-7, 14-2): Fueling the Phoenix this season will be the memory of the day they let a gift-wrapped chance to reach last season's NCAA tournament slip away. In one of the most surprising outcomes of conference tournament week last March, Green Bay fell to rival Milwaukee in the Horizon League semifinals, a loss made all the more frustrating by the fact that 7-foot NBA prospect Alec Brown aggravated a shoulder injury early in the first half and explosive pont guard Keifer Sykes played with a hyperextended knee and an injured ankle. Though Green Bay will miss the inside-outside contributions of Brown, the return of Sykes and three other starters gives the Phoenix hope of again ascending to the top of the Horizon League. Sykes will be the catalyst with his ability to get into the lane, finish at the rim or create for his teammates. He'll be aided by sharpshooter Carrington Love, high-flying Greg Mays and defensive standout Jordan Fouse. Look for forwards Kenneth Lowe and Alfonzo McKinnie to each absorb some of the minutes vacated by Brown in the frontcourt. This is a potent Green Bay team with enough talent and experience to do some damage in the NCAA tournament, but getting there won't be easy. Cleveland State is formidable competition in the Horizon League and Valparaiso and Wright State won't be pushovers either

Sixty-eight predictions for the new season that are sure to come true (unless they don't)--The Dagger

62. Mid-major star whose name you'll know by March if you don't already: Green Bay's Keifer Sykes. The 5-foot-10 senior is an elite point guard and maybe the nation's premier dunker. Watch this if you have any doubts.

12 must-watch college basketball players in 2014-15--USA Today

11. Keifer Sykes, Green Bay: At 5-11, Sykes makes up for his size with speed and high-flying athleticism. He’s the reigning Horizon League Player of the Year after averaging 20.3 points a game last season and one of the best mid-major players in the country.

LOOK: Green Bay will wear special unis with names of fallen soldiers--Eye On College Basketball
Here are 68 things worth watching in college basketball this season--Eye On College Basketball

18. Keifer Sykes

CBSSports.com's Jerry Palm projects Green Bay will win the Horizon League's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, at which point the Phoenix would be something like a No. 14 seed. That means some top-three seed will have to deal with Sykes, a dynamic scorer who plays at the mid-major level but would be similarly strong at the high-major level.

Wednesday Preview: In-State Hostility Night--BT Powerhouse
Wisconsin vs. Green Bay preview: The Sykes Show hopes to buck history in Madison--Bucky's 5th Quarter
Wisconsin's Front Line Dominates Green Bay 84-60--Mid-Major Madness
UW-Green Bay vs. Wisconsin: Badgers blow by Phoenix, 84-60--Bucky's 5th Quarter
Keifer Sykes and Frank Kaminsky shared a moment on Twitter-- SBNation.com
Wisconsin 84, UWGB men 60--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay Blown Out by No. 3 Wisconsin 84-60--Phoenix Fever
Green Bay (1-1) and East Carolina (2-1) Face Off--Phoenix Fever
Non-conference schedule at a glance--Phear The Phoenix
Next up: Gulf Coast Showcase--Phear The Phoenix
Green Bay Honors Military, Rolls to Season-Opening Win--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Keifer Sykes Named to the John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 50--GreenBayPhoenix.com
No. 3/4 Wisconsin Overpowers Green Bay at the Kohl Center--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Marquette Women's Basketball Preview: vs UW-Green Bay--Anonymous Eagle
Women's Basketball Suffers 94-66 Loss In Carolyn Kieger's Debut--Anonymous Eagle
Buck, UWGB women roll in home opener--Green Bay Press Gazette
A new Phoenix rises up: Daeshon Francis--UWGB Fourth Estate
Green Bay Falls 68-64 in OT at Vanderbilt--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Green Bay Stuns No. 24 Purdue in Double Overtime--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Buck's Career Game Leads Green Bay to 84-52 Rout--GreenBayPhoenix.com

High school basketball Preseason Fab 15: No. 10, Zionsville--The Indy Star

Zionsville, which was 11-2 through January last season, will have one of the most experienced teams in Central Indiana. Derrik Smits, a 7-foot Valparaiso recruit, is the top returning scorer (10.6 ppg) and also averaged 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots. The left-handed Smits shot 54 percent from the field and 78 percent from the free-throw line last season.

Smits, the son of former Indiana Pacer Rik Smits, has battled injuries throughout his career, but can be one of the best players in the state when healthy and motivated.
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Zionsville will get a significant boost with the return of Cassius Smits-Francisco, a 6-8, 225-pound sophomore who should be back in mid-December as he recovers from surgery from an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his knee. Smits-Francisco, the cousin of Smits, is receiving early recruiting interest from Ball State, Indiana State, Ole Miss, Purdue and Valparaiso.

"He's progressing nicely," Busick said. "He's been working hard in the weight room and is putting on a lot of muscle. He's going to have to get back into a rhythm and back into a flow, but he's going to help us."

Valparaiso to honor Bartow's father before game--Johnson City Press
College basketball: Yeo is back to ruling the court--South Bend Tribune
Bethel's Clay Yeo Earns NCCAA and Crossroads League Player of the Week--BethelCollegePilots.com
Valpo bounces back against IU-South Bend--The Catch and Shoot
Mizzou Hoops Wrap-Up, Game 2: Valparaiso--Rock M Nation
Men’s Basketball: Valparaiso playing five games in first 10 days to start the season--The Post-Tribune
Men’s Basketball: Valparaiso zones out Arkansas-Pine Bluff to start tourney--The Post-Tribune
Homer Drew set to make ESPN broadcasting debut--The NWI Times
Valparaiso sophomore Peters ready to take control--The NWI Times
Crusaders come out strong in season-opening victory--The NWI Times
Offense struggles as Valparaiso falls in road opener--The NWI Times
Valparaiso junior Walker eager to make presence felt after long wait--The NWI Times
Crusaders pour it on in rout of IU-South Bend--The NWI Times
Skara wasting little time making presence felt at VU--The NWI Times
Peters leads Crusaders in wire-to-wire victory--The NWI Times
Valparaiso uses 53-point first half to win early morning men's hoops contest--The NWI Times
Crusaders command Titans--The Torch
Valparaiso Waxes Maine 93-70--Valpo Daily
Crusaders Fall at Missouri--valpoathletics.com
Game Day Parking: 2014-15 Men's Basketball--valpoathletics.com
Valpo Basketball Preview--valpoathletics.com
Balanced Offense Leads Valpo Past IUSB--valpoathletics.com
Crusaders Use Inside Presence to Down UAPB--valpoathletics.com
Peters Sets New Career High in Win Over Maine--valpoathletics.com

Women’s Basketball: Valparaiso beats NIU for first time in school history--The Post-Tribune
Women’s Basketball: Jessica Carr kicks into gear as Valparaiso cruises--The Post-Tribune
Hamlet eager to make an impact for the Crusaders--The NWI Times
Dean’s career night pushes Valparaiso past Butler--The NWI Times
Strong offense propels Valparaiso women to third victory--The NWI Times
Crusader Women Open Season with a Bang--valpoathletics.com
Franklin's First Career Double-Double Leads Crusaders Past NIU--valpoathletics.com
Crusaders Dial It Up From Deep to Defeat Tennessee Tech--valpoathletics.com

On The Horizon

Sunday, November 23, 2014

News On The Horizon 11/23/2014

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