On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Scanning the Nation Notebook – January 29, 2015--Hoopville

Oakland is playing spoiler in the Horizon League. The Golden Grizzlies have now defeated each of the league’s top three teams, first Valparaiso and Wisconsin-Green Bay and now Cleveland State after a 59-56 win Monday night. In fact, Greg Kampe’s team has climbed into fourth in the league, just one game out of a tie for first place. Oakland being a tough out is nothing new; Kampe’s teams have been challenging and occasionally beating more established opponents for years. But after a 1-5 start and a 5-12 record after 17 games, this year’s team is a surprise to be causing so much trouble in the Horizon. A less-than favorable schedule down the stretch will test the Golden Grizzlies (three home games, five road games), but it also will provide plenty of opportunities to impress if Oakland can hang around at the top of the conference.

Spartans get much-needed win at Rutgers 71-51--The Detroit Free Press

Up 15 in the first half on some dazzling execution, then back in a brief battle thanks to a mistake-fed Rutgers surge, MSU found the good stuff again in the second half and pulled away for a 71-51 decision. The Spartans (14-7, 5-3 Big Ten) set themselves up for Sunday's home date with Michigan by reviving their transition game, drilling eight three-pointers and getting 18 points from Bryn Forbes and another double-double (17 points and 11 rebounds) from Branden Dawson.
...
In a game postponed two days by a Northeast blizzard that didn't live up to expectations, Forbes blew past his, matching his most productive outing as a Spartan. After coming off the bench for the previous three games, he switched back with Javon Bess – because Bess suffered another ankle sprain – and was aggressive from the start.

The junior transfer from Cleveland State matched his most shots (10) and three-point conversions (4) of the season.

"We told him we were gonna (get him more shots)," Izzo said of a pre-game talking point, "but I thought the key to the game, I thought we were a lot better screening team tonight."

MSU's Forbes comes out shooting in win over Rutgers--The Detroit Free Press
With two extra days to prep, MSU overpowers Rutgers--The Detroit News

Branden Dawson had 17 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks while Bryn Forbes scored 18 as Michigan State rolled to a 71-51 victory at the Rutgers Athletic Center.
...
"The bright spot is I thought we got back to our roots," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "We defended well, we rebounded well, we fast-broke well. … Now we got Forbes more into the game, which helped. And Branden Dawson has been, no question, a player that's gotten better each and every game."

It was the fifth-double-double this season for Dawson, the Big Ten's top rebounder, and the 18 points from Forbes matched his best as a Spartan. Travis Trice had 10 points and five assists while Matt Costello scored nine and had five rebounds. Denzel Valentine added seven rebounds and three assists while scoring eight points. Lourawls Nairn added a career-high eight points.
...
The second half was more of the same as Dawson sparked the decisive run with a running layup that was turned into a three-point play with a free throw, a nice dish to Costello on the fast break and a near steal that led to a Forbes 3-pointer and a 52-36 lead for the Spartans with more than 16 minutes to play.

Delay worked to benefit of Spartans, who shift focus to UM--The Detroit News

For junior transfer Bryn Forbes, it will be his first taste of the rivalry.

And for the Lansing native, getting to play in the rivalry for the first time at home will be even bigger.

"Oh man, I'm so excited," said Forbes, who scored 18 points on Thursday. "It's gonna be crazy."

Injury report

Forbes was back in the starting lineup on Thursday after coming off the bench the previous three games. This time it wasn't about performance, it was because freshman Javon Bess aggravated an ankle injury in practice.

Breaking down Sunday's UM-MSU game--The Detroit News

Guards

Derrick Walton Jr. had a breakout game last year in East Lansing, but an injured foot threatens to keep him out of the Wolverines' lineup Sunday. Spike Albrecht has been solid since joining the starting lineup and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman can step in if needed.

MSU's tandem of Travis Trice and Denzel Valentine has had some huge games this season but inconsistency has plagued them at times. Trice has the ability to take over games, evidenced by a 26-point game against Iowa when he was 7-for-8 from 3-point range, while Valentine is one of the Spartans' best all-around players. Junior transfer Bryn Forbes provides plenty of scoring, shooting 47.3 percent from 3-point range, good for second in the Big Ten.

Edge: MSU

Injured Cleveland State has huge home challenge vs. Green Bay on Saturday--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Vikings Start Three Game Homestand on Saturday--csuvikings.com

Vikings Earn 67-58 Victory Over Milwaukee--csuvikings.com
Vikings Begin Three-Game Roadswing At Oakland Saturday Afternoon--csuvikings.com

Foster: Grueling slate steels Oakland for Horizon run--The Detroit News
Detroit Drops Youngstown State 93-87 in OT--Titans Update
Detroit (11-12) Takes On Milwaukee (8-14)--Titans Update
Men's Basketball Earns 93-87 Overtime Win Over YSU--detroittitans.com
#DetroitsCollegeTeam Visits Milwaukee on Saturday--detroittitans.com

Oakland (10-12) Battles Youngstown State (10-14)--Grizz Gang
PETROS NAMED HORIZON LEAGUE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE MONTH--ougrizzlies.com

OFFENSIVE OUTBURST DOWNS OAKLAND AGAINST WRIGHT STATE, 108-89--ougrizzlies.com
OAKLAND SQUARES OFF AGAINST CLEVELAND STATE ON ALUMNI DAY--ougrizzlies.com

UIC losing streak reaches 6 games with loss at Milwaukee--The Catch and Shoot
Technically speaking--Whoosh!Net
UIC Falls to Milwaukee 71-65--Flame Fanatic
UIC (5-17) Takes On Valparaiso (19-4)--Flame Fanatic
Flames Drop Nail-Biter at Milwaukee, 71-65--uicflames.com
UIC Basketball Hosts Second-Place Valparaiso on Saturday at 2 p.m.--uicflames.com

Flames crush Crusaders, host Green Bay Saturday--UIC News
Flames Play Host to First-Place Green Bay--uicflames.com

The Morning Dish – Thursday, January 29, 2015--Hoopville

Despite their #23 ranking this week, the Hurricanes are nowhere near a lock for the NCAAs, either. Miami entered the night with just two RPI top 50 wins, the same number of sub-100 losses they have after getting housed by Georgia Tech, which was previously winless in the ACC. The Hurricanes have more wiggle room than the Wolfpack thanks to seven road/neutral wins, but the impression of getting hammered by Wisconsin-Green Bay, Eastern Kentucky and now Georgia Tech is not a good one. And with six road games left and home games against Louisville and North Carolina, this is a team with work to do.

UWGB men at Cleveland State: What to watch for--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay to Battle at Cleveland State on Saturday Afternoon--GreenBayPhoenix.com

UWGB women at Illinois-Chicago: What to watch for--Green Bay Press Gazette
Balanced attack guides UWGB women past Valpo--Green Bay Press Gazette
Balanced Effort Gives Green Bay 67-52 Win at Valparaiso--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Green Bay to Visit UIC for Eighth-Straight Win--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Matt Tiby leads Panthers to third straight home victory--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panthers Hang on for Third Straight Home Victory--PantherU
Milwaukee Downs UIC 71-65--UWM Update
Milwaukee (8-14) and Detroit (11-12) Square Off--UWM Update
Milwaukee Wins Third Straight At Home, Tops UIC, 71-65--uwmpanthers.com
Panthers Look To Continue Hot Streak At Home, Host Detroit Saturday--uwmpanthers.com

Panthers doomed by slow start--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee Rally Comes Up Short In Loss At Cleveland State--uwmpanthers.com
Milwaukee Heads To YSU Looking To Start New Win Streak--uwmpanthers.com

Crusaders cruise to victory against Panthers--The Torch
6’9” Adekoya acts as guard on offense, center on Crusader defense--The Torch
Valparaiso (19-4) Takes On UIC (5-17)--Valpo Daily
Valpo Looks For Win #20 Saturday--valpoathletics.com

Balanced Green Bay brushes off Valparaiso women--The NWI Times
Poor defense propels Green Bay past Valparaiso--The Torch
Despite Strong Second Half, Crusaders Fall to Phoenix--valpoathletics.com

Concussions end WSU senior’s career--Dayton Daily News
Men’s basketball: Griffin’s career comes to an end--The Guardian

WSU women score 108 in win--Dayton Daily News
Women Explode for 108-89 Win at Oakland--wsuraiders.com

YSU men fall short at Detroit in overtime--Youngstown Vindicator
Youngstown State Loses to Detroit 93-87 in OT--Guin Report
Youngstown State (10-14) and Oakland (10-12) Face Off--Guin Report
Newman and Penguins Take On Wright State--The Jambar
Men's Basketball's Comeback Falls Short in 93-87 Overtime Loss at Detroit--ysusports.com
Men’s Basketball Hosts Oakland Sunday Afternoon--ysusports.com

Detroit rallies from 16 down to shock YSU women--Youngstown Vindicator
Penguins Falter in Second Half In Home Loss to Titans--ysusports.com
Schlegel Named Horizon League Scholar-Athlete of the Month--ysusports.com
Penguins Hope to Snap Short Skid Saturday vs. Milwaukee--ysusports.com

Home Wins for Detroit & Milwaukee on Thursday Night--Horizon League Network
Interview: Paris Bass--Horizon League Network

Oakland's Petros, Youngstown State's Schlegel Collect Scholar-Athlete of the Month Honors--Horizon League Network

Second Half Surge Leads Detroit Over Youngstown State, 59-58--Horizon League Network
Interview: Ashley Green--Horizon League Network
Green Bay, Wright State Remain at Top of League Standings--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Magnus' Birthday Highlights Saturday's Activities--csuvikings.com

Vikings Host Milwaukee To Continue Horizon League Play--csuvikings.com

Titans Welcome Penguins To Motor City On Thursday--detroittitans.com

Wednesday roundup: Powers, Jankoska lead Michigan State--The Detroit News

More state women

Detroit 59, (at) Youngstown State 58: Rosanna Reynolds had 19 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to lead the Titans, who started the second half with a 22-4 run to come back from a double-digit deficit.

Ellisha Crosby added 13 points and Darianne Steward had 10 for Detroit (7-12, 2-4 Horizon).

Heidi Schlegel had 15 points and 15 rebounds for Youngstown State (14-4, 3-2).

Titans Dominant Second Half To Topple Youngstown State, 59-58--detroittitans.com

Night Court: ND topples Duke, URI wins at buzzer, Miami, NC St lose--Eye On College Basketball

Numbers to figure
...
7.5: Oakland's Kahlil Felder is one of the better passers in the country that no one has heard of. After averaging 6.2 assists per game last season as a freshman, Felder is now averaging 7.5 assists after his 13-dime night in the Golden Grizzlies' overtime win over Wright State. If he continues on his pace for the rest of the season, Felder will have over 450 assists by the end of his first two years, which is something only nine players have done in their first two seasons at a school since 2000, and Felder would have a better assists-per-game number than all but three of them (Kendall Marshall of UNC, T.J. Ford of Texas and Chris Thomas of Notre Dame). Just a terrific small school player.

Oakland tops Wright State in overtime to win fifth straight--The Oakland Press
Oakland Defeats Wright State 84-76 in OT--Grizz Gang
Oakland ousts Wright State 84-76--Oakland Post
HAYES' 27 LEADS OAKLAND PAST WRIGHT STATE IN OT, 84-76--ougrizzlies.com

OAKLAND HOSTS WRIGHT STATE ON THROWBACK THURSDAY--ougrizzlies.com

Flames End Three-Game Road Stretch at UWM on Thursday--uicflames.com

Women’s basketball team falls in overtime at Milwaukee--UIC News

Road Trip Continues for Green Bay, Visits Valpo on Thursday--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Panthers Put Home Winning Streak On The Line, Host UIC Thursday--uwmpanthers.com

Crusaders following in the footsteps of “World’s Tallest Team”--The NWI Times
Getting to know the "World's Tallest Team"--Inside VU Sports

Valpo Women Return Home to Host Green Bay--valpoathletics.com

Wright State Stumbles with Loss to Oakland 84-76 in OT--Rowdy Review
Men’s basketball: Griffin’s early exit dooms Raiders in OT--The Guardian
Men Fall in Overtime at Oakland--wsuraiders.com

Women’s basketball: Mingo Climbing NCAA statistic rankings--The Guardian
Raider Spotlight: Van der Keijl has standout performance--The Guardian

#HLMBB Weekly - January 28, 2015--Horizon League Network
Oakland Outlasts Wright State in OT--Horizon League Network

UIC Defends Home Court Against Valparaiso, 60-42--Horizon League Network
#HLWBB Weekly - January 28, 2015--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

The Morning Dish – Monday, January 26, 2015--Hoopville

Tonight’s Menu

We don’t have a big slate, but there are some important games on tap. We also must keep an eye on any impact for games later in the week from the winter storm that is already hitting the northeast as of early Monday morning.
...
It’s a busy night in the Horizon, MEAC, Southland and SWAC. Among the interesting matchups there are Cleveland State visiting Oakland (Horizon), Delaware State traveling to play 7-0 North Carolina Central (MEAC), and best of all is a SWAC showdown with Southern (6-1) visiting Alabama State (6-0).

The Morning Dish – Tuesday, January 27, 2015--Hoopville

Monday’s action:
...
Valparaiso is one win from the 20-win mark already after a 73-48 blowout of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Pregame Shootaround: A top-25 Big 12 clash highlights a slow Monday night--CollegeBasketballTalk

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR:

Two of the Horizon League’s top teams play on Monday night as Valparaiso hosts Milwaukee and Cleveland State travels to Oakland. The Crusaders are a game behind the Vikings, but have the better non-conference profile.

Late Night Snacks: Iowa State tops Texas in top-25 Big 12 battle; North Carolina beats Syracuse--CollegeBasketballTalk

STRUGGLED

1. Detroit’s Juwan Howard Jr.

The senior went 2-for-10 for only four points in a loss to Wright State. Howard Jr. is averaging 18.2 points per game on the season. The 6-foot-5 wing only had one other single-digit scoring game this season before Monday night.
...
NOTABLES

Oakland held off Cleveland State for a Horizon League home win as guard Kahlil Felder made the go-ahead bucket and the game-icing free throws to seal the win. Felder led the Golden Grizzlies with 16 points and six assists.
...
Valparaiso raced out to a 30-5 lead on Milwaukee and never looked back for a Horizon League win. Sophomore forward Alec Peters had 24 points as the Crusaders improved to 19-4 and 6-2 in league play.

Horizon League Midseason Review, Second Half Preview--Mid-Major Madness
Valparaiso Shoots Out The Lights In 25-point Win Over Milwaukee--Mid-Major Madness
College hoops: UDM sleepwalks to loss; Oakland holds on--The Detroit Free Press
Mid-Major Rankings for the Week of Jan. 26--The Catch and Shoot

4. Green Bay (17-4, 6-1 Horizon). Last week: 6

Green Bay recorded a huge conference win Friday, defeating Valparaiso. The Phoenix are tied atop the Horizon League standings with the Cleveland State Vikings, who they play Saturday.
...
12. Valparaiso (18-4, 5-2 Horizon). Last week: 13

Valparaiso’s five-game winning streak ended Friday with a 51-50 loss at Green Bay. The Crusaders have a fairly easy week ahead with games against Milwaukee and UIC.

Chicago Weekly Awards: Jan. 26--The Catch and Shoot

Player of the Week
...
Honorable mentions: Alec Peters, Valparaiso; Bryant McIntosh, Northwestern; Myke Henry, DePaul; Vashil Fernandez, Valparaiso
...
Team of the Week

Valparaiso split two games last week and had its five-game winning streak snapped, but there’s no reason not to be an optimistic Crusaders fan right now. The loss came to Horizon League favorite Green Bay by only one point on the road.

The Crusaders sit in third place right now, but after that performance they showed they will be in the mix for the conference title this winter.

Game of the Week
...
Honorable mentions: Valparaiso-Green Bay; Northwestern-Ohio State; DePaul-Seton Hall

Cleveland State continues to win through adversity - Local College Insider--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State rally falls short at Oakland, 59-56--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State-Oakland preview--Cleveland State Hoops
Cleveland State Edged by Oakland 59-56--Vikings Ball
Cleveland State (12-10) Takes On Green Bay (17-4)--Vikings Ball
Lewis Picks Up Second Straight Player Of The Week Honor--csuvikings.com
Vikings Fall at Oakland, 59-56--csuvikings.com

Detroit starts poorly, falls to Wright State at home--The Detroit News
Detroit Falls to Wright State 64-53--Titans Update
Detroit (10-12) vs. Youngstown State (10-13)--Titans Update
Bass Named Horizon League Freshman of the Week--detroittitans.com
Titans Fall To Wright State On Nerd Night--detroittitans.com

Detroit coach Autumn Rademacher suspended one game--The Detroit News
Titans Visit Youngstown State On Wednesday--detroittitans.com

Photos: LeBron James attends Oakland-Cleveland State game--The Detroit Free Press
Monday's roundup: LeBron watches Oakland top Cleveland State--The Detroit News
Oakland Holds Off Cleveland State 59-56--Grizz Gang
Oakland (9-12) Faces Wright State (11-10)--Grizz Gang
Oakland defeats Cleveland State at home--Oakland Post
GOLDEN GRIZZLIES HAND CLEVELAND STATE 59-56 DEFEAT--ougrizzlies.com
HOME COOKING--ougrizzlies.com
GAME 22: OAKLAND FACES WRIGHT STATE--ougrizzlies.com

Sporting Blitz--Oakland Post

Women’s Basketball

The Oakland University women’s basketball defeated Youngstown state 85-82 on Saturday to earn its third Horizon League. Olivia Nash led the team with 20 points in the effort.

Men’s Basketball

Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond attended the men’s basketball game on Thursday night against Milwaukee. On Monday night, LeBron James attended the game against Cleveland State to support his long time friend and Oakland assistant coach, Brandon Weems. Oakland athletics twitter handle

@goldengrizzlies was trending in Detroit at one point on Monday because of LeBron James’ appearance.

Corey Petros was named as a candidate for the senior class award. He has a 3.43 GPA and is only the third player to earn at least 1400 points and 800 rebounds.

Women’s team off their game--Oakland Post

Illinois College Basketball Rankings for the Week of Jan. 26--The Catch and Shoot

12. UIC (5-16, 1-5 Horizon). Last week: 12

UIC’s losing streak hit five Saturday with a loss at Youngstown State. The Flames wrap up their three-game road trip Thursday at Milwaukee.

Flames lose grip on lead against Youngstown State--UIC News
Not enough juice--Whoosh!Net
UIC (5-16) Takes On Milwaukee (7-14)--Flame Fanatic

Women’s basketball team falls in overtime at Milwaukee--UIC News
UIC's Defense Stifles Valparaiso, 60-42--uicflames.com

Green Bay (17-4) Squares Off with Cleveland State (12-10)--Phoenix Fever
Antoine Pittman adds to his highlight reel--Phear The Phoenix
Rankings and Bracketology: January 26--Phear The Phoenix

UWM Panthers have a bad day at the office--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panthers take on conference monster Valpo--PantherU
Milwaukee Trounced by Valparaiso 73-48--UWM Update
Milwaukee (7-14) vs. UIC (5-16)--UWM Update
Hot-Shooting Valpo Knocks Off Milwaukee, 73-48--uwmpanthers.com

Green Earns National Honors After Leading UWM To 2-0 Week--uwmpanthers.com
Panthers Look To Extend Win Streak To Three In Cleveland--uwmpanthers.com

Men’s Basketball: Valparaiso cruises past Milwaukee--The Post-Tribune
Valparaiso opens on 30-5 run to rout Milwaukee--The NWI Times
Valparaiso Punishes Milwaukee 73-48--Valpo Daily
Crusaders Ride Quick Start to Easy Win Monday--valpoathletics.com

Women’s Basketball: Valparaiso (4-14, 0-5) at UIC (12-6, 2-3)--The Post-Tribune
Women’s Basketball: Without Haylee Thompson, Jessi Wiedemann, Valpo feels pain vs. UIC--The Post-Tribune
First-Half Scoring Drought Costs Crusaders in Chicago--valpoathletics.com

Sharp-shooting Griffin, Benzinger blitz Detroit--Dayton Daily News
Injury doesn’t alter Griffin’s game--Dayton Daily News
Wright State vs. Oakland preview--Dayton Daily News
WSU will try to cool Horizon League’s hottest team--Dayton Daily News
Wright State Gets Win against Detroit 64-53--Rowdy Review
Wright State (11-10) Battles Oakland (9-12)--Rowdy Review
Men’s basketball: Griffin scores career high in win over Detroit--The Guardian
Men’s basketball notebook: Benzinger helps Raiders out of doldrums--The Guardian
Men Defeat Detroit 64-53--wsuraiders.com

Youngstown State (10-13) Takes On Detroit (10-12)--Guin Report
Men's Basketball Visits the Motor City to Take on Detroit Thursday--ysusports.com

YSU women look to rebound against Detroit--Youngstown Vindicator
Nikki Arbanas Named Horizon League Freshman of the Week--ysusports.com
Penguins Look to Bounce Back Wednesday vs. Detroit--ysusports.com

Cleveland State's Lewis, Detroit's Bass Collect Men's Basketball Honors--Horizon League Network
Oakland, Valpo and WSU Win on Monday Night--Horizon League Network

Milwaukee's Green and Youngstown State's Arbanas Collect Weekly Accolades--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

Vikings Head to Oakland for Monday Night Game--csuvikings.com

GAME 21: OAKLAND HOSTS CLEVELAND STATE--ougrizzlies.com

Flames Seek Season Sweep of Valparaiso--uicflames.com

Men’s Basketball: Valparaiso looks to get back on track after long trip--The Post-Tribune
Crusaders limping home after lengthy road trip--The NWI Times

Wright State vs. Detroit preview--Dayton Daily News
Raiders look to stop skid in Detroit--Dayton Daily News

Jim Squire

Morning News: Green Bay Escapes Valparaiso, Treveon Graham's Buzzer Beater, Theo Pinson And Isaiah Zierden--Basketball Predictions

Cleveland State 70, Detroit 66: Vikings Overcome Adversity, knock off Titans--Cleveland State Hoops
Vikings Head to Oakland for Monday Night Game--csuvikings.com

Coleman Breaks Three-Point Record As Vikings Fall To Wright State--csuvikings.com

Titans Host Wright State on Nerd Night Monday--detroittitans.com

Strong Start By Green Bay Too Much For Detroit--detroittitans.com

OAKLAND CAPTURES TOUGH WIN OVER YOUNGSTOWN STATE, 85-82--ougrizzlies.com

Flames Lose Grip on Early Lead in Defeat at YSU, 77-64--uicflames.com

Flames Fall in Overtime at Milwaukee, 64-63--uicflames.com

UWGB women bury Detroit with 3-pointers--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay Hits Program-Record 16 Three's to Down Detroit--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Monday Night Showdown At Valpo Awaits Milwaukee--uwmpanthers.com

Panthers top UIC in OT--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Green Shines As Panthers Win Overtime Thriller--uwmpanthers.com

Join the Fun at the ARC For Crusader Basketball!--valpoathletics.com
Valpo Returns Home to Take On Milwaukee Monday--valpoathletics.com

Men’s basketball: Raiders ready to turn season around--The Guardian

Women’s basketball: WSU’s Mingo in the zone in win over CSU--The Guardian
Women Pull Away to Defeat Cleveland State--wsuraiders.com

No sweat: YSU men top UIC, stop skid--Youngstown Vindicator
Superb Second Half Gives Guins First Horizon League Win--ysusports.com

YSU women rally, but fall to Oakland--Youngstown Vindicator
Oakland Beats YSU in Final Minutes, 85-82--ysusports.com

51 Second Half Points Send YSU to Victory--Horizon League Network

#HLWBB Comes Down to the Wire Saturday--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

The Morning Dish – Friday, January 23, 2015--Hoopville

Tonight’s Menu: Six games on tap, though this diet is high in fiber with quite a bit of good stuff, plus three of the six are on TV too.

Valparaiso at Wisconsin-Green Bay (9 p.m. EST, ESPN2) One of the best games of the year in the Horizon League with two of its best players facing off in Alec Peters for Valpo and of course Keifer Sykes.
Detroit at Cleveland State The Vikings are hanging right with Green Bay and Valpo at the top of the Horizon. The Titans are going to be a dangerous spoiler all year, though.

Pregame Shootaround: Horizon League showdown, No. 16 VCU headline Friday slate--CollegeBasketballTalk
Late Night Snacks: VCU remains undefeated in conference play--CollegeBasketballTalk

IMPORTANT OUTCOMES

Green Bay 51, Valparaiso 50

With 30 seconds left and Green Bay clinging to a one-point lead, the Phoenix left the door open for Valpo twice, however, the Crusaders could not capitalize on either possession. Keifer Sykes was 4-of-17 for 11 points, but Green Bay found a way to grind out this win, limiting Valpo to 34 percent shooting and 2-of-10 from three.

With Cleveland State winning as well, Green Bay shares the top spot in the Horizon League. The Phoenix travel to Cleveland State next Saturday with first-place on the line.

STARRED
...
Trey Lewis, Cleveland State: The 6-foot-2 guard was two points off his career-high with 30 points and eight rebounds in a 70-66 win over Detroit.

Spartans search for improvements to half-court offense--The Detroit Free Press

With MSU up, 54-51, and less than 4 minutes left, Costello got the ball on the baseline. He could have forced up a shot in traffic. He could have looked for forward Branden Dawson cutting from the middle. Instead, he saw Penn State collapse on Dawson as Bryn Forbes slid to the corner on the other side of the floor.

That was the read MSU talked about before the game, and in one lunging drive, Costello turned catalyst — first time since high school, he said later — and executed the plan. From under the rim, he whipped a pass to the wide-open Forbes, whose three-point swish was the biggest basket of the game.
...
"Faking backdoor, get them to lean one way so the screen can really help," said the shot-starved Forbes, who has taken just 27 in the past five games.