On The Horizon

Jim Squire

The Morning Dish – Thursday, December 4, 2014--Hoopville

Wednesday nights’s action: A very busy night
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Valparaiso is now an impressive 8-1. The Crusaders defeated Eastern Kentucky 72-66 on the road for their sixth straight win. Continue familiarizing with the name Alec Peters; the Valpo sophomore scored 21 in this one, hitting 7 of 8 from three-point range. The Crusaders’ only loss was at Missouri, so hold off on predicting a duplication of that 1998 Sweet 16 run, but still a terrific start for Bryce Drew’s team.
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Today’s Menu
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UW-Green Bay at Georgia State These two are playing a home-and-home this month, and it’s a smart move, given both are going to struggle getting any kind of quality non-conference games. Keifer Sykes against R.J. Hunter or Ryan Harrow would be must-see TV…if this one was on TV.

Pregame Shootaround: College basketball finally takes over Saturday--CollegeBasketballTalk

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR:
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A fun matchup of experienced point guards and some teams with scoring punch as Green Bay (5-2) travels to Miami to face the No. 15 Hurricanes. The Phoenix have senior guard Keifer Sykes and a team that is looking for a NCAA Tournament appearance and a win against an unbeaten Miami team would be great for the resume. Miami will counter with Angel Rodriguez and Shelden McClellan and both transfers have played well this season.

Speaking of Horizon League teams off to a solid start, 8-1 Valparaiso hosts New Mexico in its final chance to earn a nice non-conference win before conference season begins. Crusaders forward Alec Peters is one of the most underrated scorers in the country, as he’s currently shooting 59 percent from the field and 60 percent from the three-point line for the season.

Thursday Viewer's Guide: A slow night highlighted by a fast game--Eye On College Basketball

Thursday Viewer's Guide: A slow night highlighted by a fast game
By Sam Vecenie | CBSSports.com
December 4, 2014 3:11 am ET
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Another one to watch -- Green Bay at Georgia State (7 ET): Your number one team in the RPI isn't Kentucky, Duke or Louisville. Nor is it Texas, Arizona or Gonzaga. Actually, it's the Green Bay Phoenix, who will take that accomplishment into Georgia to face against R.J. Hunter and the Panthers. While it's basically an empty accomplishment becuase the 5-1 Phoenix haven't played a home game yet against a Division I opponent, Green Bay still features one of the best players in the country in Keifer Sykes and could be an at-large team this year. However, it'll be an underdog on the road against Hunter and the Panthers, as the potential first-round pick has scored at least 27 points in each of his previous three games. Really, really good matchup here.

Matchup to watch -- Jordan Fouse vs. R.J. Hunter: From the previously mentioned Green Bay-Georgia State matchup, this matchup on the wing should tell the tale of the game. Fouse is one of the most underappreciated defensive players in the country -- a 6-foot-7 wing that can athletically stop anyone because of his motor and length. On the other end, Hunter is, simply put, one of the best scorers in the country. He's one of the best shooters in all of the NCAA, as well as a good pick-and-roll player who can get into the lane. This is a really good matchup that will be interesting to see unfold if coach Brian Wardle decides to let it happen.

Horizon League Power Rankings: Green Bay’s big win over Miami keeps the Phoenix ahead of the pack--The Catch and Shoot

Big Ten M5: 12.05.14 Edition--Rush The Court

Michigan State came up short in South Bend when they fell to Notre Dame by a point in overtime, but one of the bright spots in the game was the shooting of Cleveland State transfer Bryan Forbes. The 6’3″ junior guard scored 18 points, which included a 4-of-4 mark from deep. Forbes was not only accurate but timely, as he scored on a jumper at 9:03 in the second half that ended an 8-2 Irish run. Unfortunately for the Spartans, Forbes inexplicably did not take another shot after that. Moving forward, it’s going to be necessary to bring him more into the offense as Tom Izzo does not have as much offensive talent as he’s grown accustomed to having these last 15 years.

Defense still issue for struggling Miami Heat in loss to Milwaukee Bucks--Miami Herald

Starter Luol Deng missed the game with a bruised hand, and Danny Granger started at small forward. In addition to Deng’s absence, point guard Norris Cole wasn’t available because of an illness. The Heat started Granger, Bosh, Wade and Josh McRoberts, with Mario Chalmers at point guard.
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▪ The four steals by Chalmers in the first quarter were the most by a Heat player in any quarter this season. Cole held the previous high with three steals in a quarter on Nov.14 in Atlanta.

For starters: Miami Heat at Memphis Grizzlies--South Florida Sun Sentinel

A look at the starting lineups, inactives, referees and a pregame note of note for Sunday's 6 p.m. game between the Heat and Grizzlies at FedExForum (TV: Sun Sports. Radio: 790-AM, 104.3-FM, 106.3-FM, 710-AM-Spanish), with Deng and Cole back for the Heat.

MSU 85, Ark.-PB 52: Tom Izzo pleased, then disappointed--The Detroit Free Press

Senior forward Branden Dawson had 12 points and seven rebounds, junior guard Bryn Forbes scored 12 points, freshman forward Marvin Clark Jr. had 10, and junior guard Denzel Valentine had eight points, eight assists and six rebounds.
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"I mean it's finals week, that's stressful," Forbes said. "But to get our bodies right, that'll be good."

Bryn Forbes' offense for MSU doesn't excuse his defense--The Detroit News

Trice and junior forward Matt Costello each scored 15 to top MSU's five players in double figures. Senior forward Branden Dawson and junior guard Bryn Forbes each had 12 points and freshman forward Marvin Clark Jr. 10. That is Costello's career high.
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Forbes (non-shooting hand) said the brace is getting smaller and he hopes to play without any brace in the next week or two.

Turnovers doom Cleveland State in 59-54 loss to Toledo--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State makes it look easy in 76-54 win over Western Illinois--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Division I Basketball Insider--Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland State (4-4): Unlike Akron, which has found all the pieces to its puzzle, Cleveland State has a missing piece that can't be filled by the current roster. No consistent post presence leaves incumbent and undersized pivot Anton Grady (6-8, 225) open to almost instant foul trouble against bigger centers.

In Cleveland State's loss to Toledo, Grady played 15 minutes and was in foul trouble two minutes into the game. In CSU's victory, he played 29 minutes and had only one foul. Grady scored 14 points in the victory and head coach Gary Waters said the game plan used against Western Illinois, forcing 21 turnovers, will be consistent from now on.

CSU will pressure the opposition, leading to more steals and layups while keeping the ball from getting inside where Grady becomes exposed.

"We have to keep him on the floor,'' Waters said. "We need his scoring."

The other mandate Waters has given is no more than 15 3-point attempts per game. CSU was 9-of-16 against WIU. "And only four players are allowed to shoot them," he said.

Those four are guards Trey Lewis and Charlie Lee, along with forwards Marlin Mason and Vinny Zollo.

Cleveland State strong early but fades at Bowling Green, 67-57--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Toledo 59, Cleveland State 54: Vikings offense stalls in Lee's return--Cleveland State Hoops
Cleveland State 76, Western Illinois 54: New Look Vikings Roll Past Leathernecks--Cleveland State Hoops
Cleveland State-BGSU preview--Cleveland State Hoops
Cleveland State Stumbles with Loss to Toledo 59-54--Vikings Ball
Cleveland State Thumps Western Illinois 76-54--Vikings Ball
Cleveland State (4-4) Battles Bowling Green (5-2)--Vikings Ball
Strong Defensive Effort Lifts CSU Past Western Illinois, 76-54--csuvikings.com
CSU Falls at Bowling Green, 67-57--csuvikings.com
Vikings Return Home to Host Mt. Vernon Nazarene--csuvikings.com

Cleveland State women rally to beat Kent State, 69-67--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Vikings Upend East Carolina, 59-57--csuvikings.com
Viking Seniors Lead CSU To 69-67 Victory Over Kent State--csuvikings.com

Saturday Notes – December 13, 2014--Hoopville

Wichita State 77, Detroit 68: Detroit led for a lot of the second half, so they continue to show promise in non-conference play. Still, this game was there for them at one point before it got away from them.

No. 11 Wichita State rallies past Detroit--USA Today
Kings can’t find shooting touch in loss to Detroit--Sacramento Bee

Malone changed his substitution pattern off the bench. Instead of Ramon Sessions, second-year guard Ray McCallum backed up Collison.

McCallum hadn’t played in four of the previous five games. He had seven points and two assists.

Malone said he would take the rotation on a game-by-game basis but was pleased with McCallum’s play.

Michigan State Basketball: Oakland University preview--isportsweb
Miller: Dayton will learn from loss to Arkansas--Dayton Daily News

Bass’ game: Dayton guard Ryan Bass played a season-high 20 minutes. He averaged 6.8 minutes in his first four games since returning from a concussion.

Bass had five points, two rebounds, two assists and one turnover. He helped the Flyers deal with a full-court press that gave them fits in the first half.

Oakland Pounds Rochester (MI) 84-52--Grizz Gang
Oakland Narrowly Beats Morehead State 70-68 in OT--Grizz Gang
Oakland (4-5) vs. No. 19 Michigan State (6-3)--Grizz Gang
Golden Grizzlies 'not ready for spotlight', fall to Spartans 87-61--Oakland Post
OAKLAND BEGINS ROAD SWING AT MOREHEAD STATE--ougrizzlies.com
GOLDEN GRIZZLIES PREVAIL OVER MOREHEAD STATE IN OT, 70-68--ougrizzlies.com
DANIELS NAMED HORIZON LEAGUE FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK--ougrizzlies.com
Oakland Falls to No. 23 Michigan State, 87-61--ougrizzlies.com

OAKLAND HITS ROAD FOR MATCHUP AT BALL STATE ON SATURDAY--ougrizzlies.com
OAKLAND DROPS ROAD GAME AT BALL STATE, 75-50--ougrizzlies.com
HAVING THE FIGHTING SPIRIT--ougrizzlies.com
OAKLAND SET TO HOST CONCORDIA ON MONDAY MORNING--ougrizzlies.com

Late Night Snacks: George Washington throttles DePaul--CollegeBasketballTalk

STARRED

1. Jay Harris (UIC)

Harris scored 32 points in the Flames’ 71-60 win over UCF.

UIC snaps skid with 71-60 win against UCF--The Catch and Shoot
Flames fall to rival Loyola at home Saturday--UIC News
Flames seek fourth victory after overcoming UCF--UIC News
Head-scratcher--Whoosh!Net
Cold day in city rivalry--Whoosh!Net
UIC Tripped Up by Loyola (Chicago) 77-67--Flame Fanatic
UIC Defeats UCF 71-60--Flame Fanatic
UIC (3-7) and Tennessee-Martin (5-2) Face Off--Flame Fanatic
Flames Fall to City-Rival Loyola, 77-67--uicflames.com
Flames Take Down Central Florida at Home, 71-60--uicflames.com
Flames Seek Fourth Home Win Against UT-Martin on Monday--uicflames.com

Women’s squad stays strong on defense against SIUE--UIC News
Women’s basketball off to best start in 19 years--UIC News
Women pile up wins for best start since ’81--UIC News
Women's Basketball Eases Past Western Illinois, 67-54--uicflames.com
Women's Basketball Seeks Best Start in D-I Era--uicflames.com
UIC Defeats EIU, 78-66, for Fourth Straight Victory--uicflames.com

The Morning Dish – Friday, December 5, 2014--Hoopville

Thursday nights’s action:
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Georgia State blew out Wisconsin-Green Bay 72-48. The first game of two between these teams was no contest. R.J. Hunter scored 26 and Ryan Harrow added 17. This was a statement for the Panthers. As for UWGB…what happened here? The Phoenix has now been blown out twice this year. One was at Wisconsin, and that’s going to happen to teams in Madison. Now it’s also happened against Georgia State-a good team to be sure, but not a good sign with a game at Miami (Fla.) up next.

Scanning the Nation Notebook – Dec. 10--Hoopville

In Wisconsin-Green Bay’s win over Miami, the very athletic Phoenix out-rebounded the Hurricanes 46-37 and, perhaps most impressive of all, it didn’t even take a huge game from Keifer Sykes to get this win. Sykes had 18, but seven of those came at the free throw line in the last 1:30. Sykes was just 5-for-15 from the field, but Carrington Love was the star with a career-high 20. UWGB hasn’t completely replaced the unique inside/outside game of seven-footer Alec Brown yet, but if more players can take scoring load off of Sykes, then look out.

Revisiting the Wildly Upsetting Weekend: Yale, Green Bay, NJIT, USC Upstate & North Florida--Rush The Court
No. 15 Miami to Green Bay--The Sporting News
Pregame Shootaround: No. 18 Iowa State hosts No. 20 Arkansas--CollegeBasketballTalk

Mid-Major Matchup of the Night: Green Bay at Georgia State, 7:00 p.m.

This is as good as it gets at this level. The Phoenix are led by one of the best point guards in the country in Keifer Sykes, and he will be going up against one of the nation’s best back court, regardless of level. R.J. Hunter is a pro, and Ryan Harrow and Kevin Ware are high-major players. This will be almost as exciting as when they square off in Atlanta later this month.

Late Night Snacks: LSU hands No. 16 West Virginia its first defeat--CollegeBasketballTalk

IMPORTANT OUTCOMES
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2. Georgia State 72, Green Bay 48

The Panthers got off to a good start offensively, and the same cannot be said for the Phoenix. End result: a 72-48 triumph for Ron Hunter’s team. R.J. Hunter scored 26 to lead the way for Georgia State, with Ryan Harrow adding 17 and eight assists. Keifer Sykes scored 16 points but he needed 15 shots to do so, and he was also Green Bay’s lone double-digit scorer.

Weekend Preview: Three great matchups, headlined by two top ten battles--CollegeBasketballTalk

UPSET WATCH:
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Green Bay at No. 15 Miami, Sat. 2:00 p.m.: The Phoenix may not pull this off, but Angel Rodriguez vs. Keifer Sykes will make watching them try worth the time.

Green Bay gets signature win on the road against unbeaten No. 15 Miami--CollegeBasketballTalk
Morning News: New Bracket, Arizona/Gonzaga Thriller, NJIT's Upset Of The Decade, Green Bay Over Miami, And More--Basketball Predictions

Green Bay Upsets Miami Green Bay was embarrassed in their last outing, losing by 24 points to Georgia State. But we knew that this was a good team that plays really tough defense along with the best player in the nation that casual fans don't know about - Keifer Sykes. Sykes only had 18 points here, but he hit seven consecutive clutch free throws in the final 90 seconds to put the game away. And Green Bay's defense completely shut down Angel Rodriguez (2-for-15 shooting, 3 assists) and held Miami to 0.81 PPP.

This was a game Green Bay had to have. It's their last game against a likely RPI Top 50 opponent, and it keeps alive their long shot hopes for an at-large bid. In the end, though, they're probably going to have to take the Horizon League. For Miami, this was something of a regression game after such a great start to the season. But there's never any reason to panic about a team after one bad game. The larger sample size still says that this is a borderline Top 25 quality team.

Weekend Viewer's Guide: Busy weekend includes two major games--Eye On College Basketball

Others:
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Green Bay continues its road trip, this time going to Miami to take on the Hurricanes after getting beaten handily by Georgia State. Miami is still unbeaten this year, and has looked excellent in doing so.

Night Court: Zona-Zaga epic; UVA gets road W v. VCU; Green Bay over Miami--Eye On College Basketball
Morning News: Iowa State Over Arkansas And LSU Over West Virginia. Also Talking University of Sciences, TCU And Georgia State.--Basketball Predictions

Georgia State Thumps Green Bay With Kevin Ware, Ryan Harrow and RJ Hunter all in their lineup, Georgia State got quite a bit of media hype preseason. Not as a bubble team, really, but as a team that could be a scary 12 or 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Things had gotten off to a slow start, though, with losses in their only two games against Pomeroy Top 200 opponents. But this was a total annihilation of a really good Green Bay team. George State had 61% of their two-pointers, compared to just 30% for Green Bay. They had a 34-to-18 advantage in paint scoring and a 20-to-4 advantage in fast break scoring. Even Keifer Sykes (16 points on 5-for-15 shooting) was shut down.

Was this performance a fluke or a sign of things to come for Georgia State? Their next game is a tough test, on the road at Old Dominion on December 17th. They also have a road re-match coming up at Green Bay on December 27th for some reason.

Green Bay heads on the road next to play the University of Miami on Saturday. But besides the Georgia State rematch, they likely will not face another RPI Top 100 opponent this season unless it's an intra-conference foe. In the end, it looks like the Horizon League will come down to them and Cleveland State, with Valparaiso hanging in as the dark horse.

Miami vs. Green Bay final score: Hurricanes undefeated season ends against Phoenix, 68-55--SBNation.com
UW-Green Bay men stun No. 15 Miami--Green Bay Press Gazette
UWGB men ready to settle back in at Resch--Green Bay Press Gazette
Phoenix keeps rolling with win over Drake--Green Bay Press Gazette

Green Bay Pulls off Upset over No. 15 Miami (FL) 68-55--Phoenix Fever
Green Bay (6-2) vs. Drake (1-7)--Phoenix Fever
Carrington Love shines in GB's upset at Miami--Phear The Phoenix
Green Bay Posts Historic Road Win at No. 15/15 Miami--GreenBayPhoenix.com
NOTEBOOK: Tough Schedule, Strong Results Have Green Bay Atop RPI Rankings--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Phoenix Feature: Fouse Leads Phoenix Defense--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Sykes Starts Hot, Green Bay Steals Big Win Over Drake--GreenBayPhoenix.com

UWGB women at South Dakota State: What to watch--Green Bay Press Gazette
UWGB women rally on road to beat Jackrabbits--Green Bay Press Gazette
UWGB women vs. Wisconsin: What to watch for--Green Bay Press Gazette
UWGB women outlast Badgers for 'ugly' win--Green Bay Press Gazette
Women’s Basketball rising quickly--UWGB Fourth Estate
Allie LeClaire Garners Freshman of the Week Award--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Green Bay Climbs Back to Knock Off SDSU in Closing Minutes--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Green Bay Guts Out 53-43 Win Over Rival Wisconsin--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Milwaukee vs. DePaul: 3-Point Preview--Big East Coast Bias
Milwaukee vs. DePaul: Halftime Notes--Big East Coast Bias
Wisconsin vs. Milwaukee preview: Will Badgers heed wake-up call?--Bucky's 5th Quarter
Wisconsin vs. UW-Milwaukee: 3 keys to Badgers' 93-54 win--Bucky's 5th Quarter
Panthers lose on a buzzer-beater--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panthers hit another low point--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
No pressure, no expectations for Panthers in game with No. 5 Badgers--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Omaha hits three at buzzer to stun Panthers--UWM Post
Twice the Team: Badgers Beat Up On Little Brother Panthers--UWM Post
Panthers Seek to Stop Demons From Running--PantherU
Badgers present many game changers--PantherU
Beating Badgers a tall order--PantherU
Badgers overwhelm Panthers in rout--PantherU
Back in the saddle--PantherU
Panthers Get Back to Winning Ways--PantherU
Milwaukee Punished by DePaul 83-61--UWM Update
Milwaukee Punished by No. 5 Wisconsin 93-54--UWM Update
Milwaukee (4-6) Takes On Montana (3-5)--UWM Update
Panthers’ Winning Streak Snapped With 83-61 Loss At DePaul--uwmpanthers.com
No. 5/6 Wisconsin Too Much For Milwaukee--uwmpanthers.com
Total Team Effort Keys Milwaukee’s 73-58 Victory Over Montana--uwmpanthers.com

Panthers feast on turnovers--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Indiana pulls away from UW-Milwaukee--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panthers Fall On Buzzer-Beating Three-Pointer--uwmpanthers.com
Huge Scoring Run Sends Milwaukee Past Eastern Illinois--uwmpanthers.com
Hoosiers Use Second-Half Scoring Run To Pull Away--uwmpanthers.com

The Morning Dish – Friday, December 12, 2014--Hoopville

Wednesday night’s action:
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Wright State completed a season sweep of Belmont, winning 79-71 in Nashville. As usual, Billy Donlon’s Raiders are a tough out, while the Bruins again played without high-scoring Craig Bradshaw.

Miami RedHawks Vs. Wright State Raiders: 'Hawks Can't Overcome Poor First Half Shooting--College Sports Madness
Donlon looking for more D against Blue Knights--Dayton Daily News
Urbana at Wright State preview--Dayton Daily News
Wright State routs Urbana--Dayton Daily News
Raiders ready for rematch with Belmont--Dayton Daily News
Preview: Wright State vs. Belmont--Dayton Daily News
Wright State notches road win at Belmont--Dayton Daily News
Wright State holds off Miami--Dayton Daily News
Yoho double-double key for Raiders--Dayton Daily News
Yoho and new teammates lead Raiders over Miami 68-59--RaiderRoundball.com
Wright State Pummels Urbana 81-58--Rowdy Review
Wright State Defeats Belmont 79-71--Rowdy Review
Wright State Picks Up Win against Miami (OH) 68-59--Rowdy Review
Eye on the Raiders Blog: Coming home--The Guardian
Men’s Basketball: Raiders earn win in return--The Guardian
Raiders faced with surprisingly tough schedule--The Guardian
Men’s basketball: Raiders second-half effort bests Belmont--The Guardian
Men’s basketball: Raiders flying high after big road win--The Guardian
Men’s basketball: Wright State survives a pair of Miami rallies--The Guardian
Men Roll Past Urbana 81-58--wsuraiders.com
Men Rally for 79-71 Win at Belmont--wsuraiders.com
Men Hold Off Miami 68-59--wsuraiders.com

Stanton standing tall in the post for WSU--Dayton Daily News
Women’s basketball: Mingo’s 34-point effort not enough for WSU--The Guardian
Women’s basketball: Raiders bounce back after nine days off--The Guardian
Women Fall at Butler--wsuraiders.com
Four in Double Figures as Women Cruise Past Lamar--wsuraiders.com

Instant Reaction: Aggies defeat Youngstown St 81-63--Good Bull Hunting
Amiker, Hain, Keene power Penguins to fifth win in last six games--Youngstown Vindicator
Tired Penguins cruise past Thiel--Youngstown Vindicator
Money games pay off for YSU men’s basketball program--Youngstown Vindicator
Keene, Hain pace Youngstown State past Thiel 70-45--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Youngstown State Downs South Dakota 87-79--Guin Report
Youngstown State Punishes Thiel College 70-45--Guin Report
Youngstown State Loses Big against Texas A&M 81-63--Guin Report
Youngstown State (7-5) and Kennesaw State (3-7) Face Off--Guin Report
Double-Doubles By Amiker, Hain Leads YSU to 87-79 Win Over South Dakota--ysusports.com
Penguins Win For Sixth Time in Seven Games Beating Thiel, 70-45--ysusports.com
Bobby Hain Named Horizon League Men's Basketball Player of the Week--ysusports.com
Men’s Basketball Falls at Texas A&M, 81-63--ysusports.com
Men’s Basketball Hosts Kennesaw State Wednesday Night--ysusports.com

YSU women off to record start--Youngstown Vindicator
YSU women unbeaten but not perfect--Youngstown Vindicator
Texas A&M transfers too much for YSU men--Youngstown Vindicator
Report: Youngstown State spends less on athletics--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Defense keys YSU women’s success--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Penguins Remain Unbeaten With 92-43 Victory Over Oberlin--ysusports.com
Penguins Earn Impressive 80-48 Win at Canisius--ysusports.com

On The Horizon

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

News On The Horizon 12/16/2014

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