On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Saturday’s Horizon League MBB Roundup: Hain nears triple-double in Youngstown State win--Press Row Sports
Mid-Major Rankings for the Week of Nov. 30--The Catch and Shoot

3. Valparaiso (6-2). Last week: 2
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18. Oakland (3-2). Last week: 152

Michigan State's supporting cast shows it can carry the load--The Dagger

Forbes, a sharpshooter with deep range, had only attempted a total of 13 shots in Michigan State's past three games. He had 12 shots alone on Sunday and scored 18 points, a product of him being more precise and aggressive on his off-ball cuts and Izzo making a greater effort to design plays to get him shots.

"Tonight he was more aggressive and we did a better job of running some things for him," Izzo said. "It was a combination that worked well."

Sunday's basketball: Detroit women pick up 1st win--The Detroit News

Observations: Syracuse winning by letting it fly from long distance--Eye On College Basketball

This and That
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• Oakland 's Greg Kampe has an absolute gem in 5-9 point guard Kahlil Felder. The crafty floor general has scored 20 or more points and dished out 10 or more assists in each of the Golden Grizzlies' five games so far this season. Felder is currently averaging 24.3 points, 11.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game.

Illinois Rankings for the Week of Nov. 30--The Catch and Shoot

10. UIC (1-3). Last week: 10

UIC remains winless against Division I competition after getting blown out at Drake over the weekend. The Flames return home Wednesday to face DePaul.

Chicago Weekly Awards, Nov. 30--The Catch and Shoot

Freshman of the Week

Dikembe Dixson, UIC

Dixson gets his second award in as many weeks after averaging 9.0 points and 10.5 rebounds in UIC’s two games last week. The 6-foot-7 forward has continued to struggle from the field at 32.5 percent on the year, but he has been the Flames’ second-leading scorer with 10.5 points per contest.

Roots get deeper in Mullins family coaching tree--Daily Herald

Defense leads Green Bay to victory over Akron--Phear The Phoenix

Rob Jeter To Appear On Bill Michaels Show Tuesday Morning--uwmpanthers.com

Mid-Major Madness Power 15: Wichita State Plummets--Mid-Major Madness

t-4. George Washington Colonials (6-1) 6
t-4. Valparaiso Crusaders (6-2) 3

Norse men travel to North Carolina A&T; NKU women rally late to knock off Robert Morris--Northern Kentucky Tribune

Men win again, top Niagara--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Family a key part of Slocum’s career--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Men's Basketball Hosts Robert Morris Wednesday Night--ysusports.com

Wright State's Demmings and Vogelpohl Tab Weekly Accolades--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

The Morning Dish – Sunday, November 29, 2015--Hoopville

Side Dishes
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Couple teams going down unexpectedly on Saturday: Valparaiso lost to Ball State 69-66, while Missouri-Kansas City knocked South Dakota State from the ranks of the undefeated, 64-57.
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Wichita State forward Anton Grady continued to recover on Saturday after a frightening fall in the Shockers’ game Friday against Alabama. Per a school press release, “doctors believe Grady suffered a spinal cord concussion during his collision with an opposing player in the Shockers’ Friday afternoon game at the AdvoCare Invitational, and they anticipate that, with time, his motor function and strength will return.” Praying and hoping for the best for him.

State basketball: Oakland romps in Texas tournament--The Detroit News

Corpus Christi, Texas — Percy Gibson had 23 points and 13 rebounds and Kay Felder added 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds as Oakland rolled over Abilene Christian, 85-57, in the Corpus Christi Coastal Classic on Saturday.

Oakland (3-2) started slow, led 13-9 at the midway point, then sprinted to a 37-24 lead at the break and dominated even more in the second half, winning that period 48-33.

The Golden Grizzles made 10 of 17 from long range and shot 50 percent (32-of-64) from the floor while holding Abilene Christian (3-3) to just 31.3 percent shooting (20-of-64). The Wildcats made only 3 of 21 long-range attempts. The Grizzles also dominated underneath, scoring 42 points in the paint to ACU’s 28.

Jaren Lewis had 13 points to lead ACU and Jalen Little and Jaylen Franklin added eight apiece.
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(At) Oral Roberts 100, Detroit 95: Obi Emegano scored 31 points and Jalen Bradley added 21 as Oral Roberts made 15 of 21 attempts beyond the arc to beat Detroit.

Carlton Brundidge led the Titans (2-2) with 23 points, Anton Wilson had 19 and Chris Jenkins chipped in 16 and grabbed 13 rebounds.

Emegano, who made all five long range attempts, was 8-of-14 from the floor and had eight rebounds and dished out five assists. Bradley made 5 of 7 3-point attempts and had seven assists.

Aaron Young added 15 points for Oral Roberts (6-1), which has won five straight.

The Golden Eagles led throughout the second half. Wilson nailed a trey for the Titans and followed with a free throw to close to 100-95 with 38 seconds left.

State women
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Youngstown State 96, (at) Oakland 77: Olivia Nash scored 15 to lead four Golden Grizzlies in double figures, but Youngstown State had more.

Elena Popkey chipped in 14, Taylor Gleason had 13 and Nicole Dodd 11 for Oakland (3-2, 0-1 Horizon).

Kelsea Newman scored 27 and Indiya Benjamin had 21 for Youngstown State (5-0, 1-0), which outscored the visitors, 50-38, in the second half.

Wichita State’s Anton Grady stretchered off court following spinal concussion--CollegeBasketballTalk
Wichita State’s Anton Grady improving after being hospitalized--CollegeBasketballTalk
Carter leads No. 2 Maryland past Cleveland State, 80-63--CollegeBasketballTalk
Scary injury to Anton Grady overshadows Alabama's upset of Wichita State--USA Today
Robert Carter leads No. 2 Maryland past Cleveland State, 80-63--USA Today
Wichita State's Anton Grady to fly home with team--USA Today
Weekend Viewer's Guide: Early season tournaments wrap up--CBS Sports

Other Saturday matchups:
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No. 2 Maryland faces Cleveland State, which can sometimes be a tricky matchup due to coach Gary Waters.

Cleveland St.-Maryland Preview--CBS Sports
Wichita State’s Anton Grady expected to recover from spinal concussion--Wichita Eagle
Wichita State says F Grady's back injury improving--Wichita Eagle
Wichita State's Anton Grady leaves on stretcher in Shockers' loss to Alabama--Eye On College Basketball
Valentine's 32 points lead MSU past Boise State, 77-67--The Detroit Free Press

"We're struggling right now with our bigs a little bit," Izzo said. "And we are struggling with our off-guards to guard somebody."

He was talking about Forbes and Harris, specifically. The team gets today to practice, watch film and try to regroup defensively. Izzo joked that he might send Harris and Forbes to nearby Disneyland to "see if they can find somebody to guard."

Former Cleveland State center Anton Grady recovering after suffering head injury vs. Alabama (photos)--Cleveland Plain Dealer
No. 2 Maryland turns back Cleveland State, 80-63--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State Takes on Powerhouse Maryland in Cancun Challenge--NEO Sports Insiders
Cleveland State Falls to #2 Maryland 80-63 in Final Game of Cancun Challenge--NEO Sports Insiders
Cleveland State vs. Maryland preview--Cleveland State Hoops
Flannigan Scores 20 Points in 80-63 Setback at No. 2 Maryland--csuvikings.com

Vikings Drop Overtime Contest At Niagara, 73-72--csuvikings.com

Emegano leads Oral Roberts to 100-95 win over Detroit--CBS Sports
Titans Drop Shootout At Oral Roberts--detroittitans.com
Former Titan Brandan Kearney Drafted By NBL Canada--detroittitans.com

Titan 8-Game Holiday Pack Now On Sale--detroittitans.com

Titans Return Home to Host Niagara at Calihan Hall on Sunday--detroittitans.com
Detroit Tops Niagara, 80-75, for Coach Scott's First Win--detroittitans.com

Oakland beats Alcorn State 84-51 in Corpus Christi--CBS Sports
Gibson leads Oakland to 85-57 win over Abilene Christian--CBS Sports
Oakland beats Alcorn State 84-51 in Corpus Christi--The Oakland Press
Gibson leads Oakland past Abilene Christian--The Oakland Press
Friday’s basketball: Oakland beats Alcorn State--The Detroit News
OAKLAND SUFFERS SETBACK AT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, 97-88--ougrizzlies.com
GIBSON LEADS OAKLAND TO 85-57 WIN OVER ABILENE CHRISTIAN--ougrizzlies.com

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TRANSFER GLEASON GRANTED IMMEDIATE ELIGIBILITY--ougrizzlies.com
OAKLAND FALLS TO YOUNGSTOWN STATE, 96-77--ougrizzlies.com

Drake beats Illinois-Chicago 83-62--CBS Sports
Regional basketball roundup: UIC, Chicago State both fall--The Chicago Tribune
Flames Fall to Hot-Shooting Bulldogs--uicflames.com

Bench Play Spark 66-63 Comeback Victory Over Central Michigan--uicflames.com

Green Bay dumps Eastern Illinois 81-72--CBS Sports
UWGB men win third straight--Green Bay Press Gazette
Defense leads Green Bay to victory over Akron--Phear The Phoenix
Green Bay Takes Winning Ways Into Illinois Road Trip--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Second Half Surge Gives Green Bay Third-Straight Win--GreenBayPhoenix.com

UWGB women go cold, fall to Rutgers--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay Cruises to 79-58 Victory Over Tulane--GreenBayPhoenix.com
Green Bay Falls In Island Division Finale to Rutgers, 54-43--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Panthers are overpowered--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panthers bounce back from drubbing--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
First-Half Scoring Runs Propel Miami Past Milwaukee--uwmpanthers.com
Panthers Top Explorers To Close Miami Thanksgiving Classic--uwmpanthers.com

Morning News: Valparaiso Goes Down, Cincinnati Holds Off George Washington, And Tulsa Falls To UALR--Basketball Predictions
Cincinnati Bearcats ranked 20th in updated CBS Sports Top 25 (and one)--Eye On College Basketball

In: Providence
Out: Valparaiso

Ball State hangs on to beat Valparaiso 69-66--CBS Sports
Bracket Bits: Monmouth makes November count--Bracketville

Valparaiso – Until a surprising loss at Ball State, the Crusaders posted road wins at Rhode Island and Oregon State.

Valparaiso Crusaders vs. Ball State Cardinals men's basketball recap: Despite Peter's big night, Ball State hold off Valpo 69-66--Hustle Belt
College basketball preview: Valparaiso at Ball State--The Post-Tribune
Ball State jumps on Valparaiso early, holds on late for shocking upset--The NWI Times
Crusader Men Drop Road Decision at Ball State--valpoathletics.com

Toreros Board Up in 76-60 Win over Valpo Women--valpoathletics.com
Crusaders Claw Back but Fall 77-63 to Northern Colorado--valpoathletics.com

Road tilt at NC A&T awaits @NKUNorseMBB--nkunorse.com
Franson, Roush key fourth quarter comeback at RMU--nkunorse.com

Career high 18 points from Lyttle power NKU women to home win over Tennessee Tech--Northern Kentucky Tribune
Norse women crush Tennessee Tech, 88-62--The Northerner
Hot shooting propels @NKUNorseWBB over Tennessee Tech--nkunorse.com
@NKUNorseWBB on the road to take on Robert Morris--nkunorse.com

George Mason defense swamps Wright State in 66-39 win--CBS Sports
Ernsthausen enjoying jump from spectator to starter--Dayton Daily News
Thomasson relishes status as senior leader--Dayton Daily News
Preview: Wright State vs. George Mason--Dayton Daily News
Ice-cold shooting sinks Wright State--Dayton Daily News
Raiders upset No. 24 George Washington--The Guardian
Men Fall at George Mason--wsuraiders.com

Hayes scores career high--The Guardian
Women Defeat Houston at Lone Star Showcase--wsuraiders.com
Women Upset #24/23 George Washington--wsuraiders.com

Hain leads Youngstown State over Niagara 88-70--CBS Sports
Rebounding effort--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Late Run Leads Men's Basketball to 88-70 Win Over Niagara--ysusports.com

Newman, YSU rain 3-pointers on Oakland--Youngstown Vindicator
YSU’s offensive explosion--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Offense Ignites for Record-Setting Performance in Win at Oakland--ysusports.com

Oakland Cruises to Win--Horizon League Network
GB & YSU Score Road Wins; Oakland Takes Corpus Christi Coastal Classic--Horizon League Network

Four Teams Roll to Victory on Black Friday--Horizon League Network
WSU Upsets #24/23 George Washington; YSU Grabs First Conference Win--Horizon League Network
Detroit, NKU Win Close Contests--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

CSU Travels to #2 Maryland for Saturday Night Contest--csuvikings.com

Titans Take On Former MCC Rival Oral Roberts On Saturday--detroittitans.com

Flames Set to Battle Bulldogs Saturday Afternoon--uicflames.com

Syracuse enters Top 25 (and one)--Eye On College Basketball

26. Valparaiso (6-1)

In: Texas A&M, Syracuse, Valparaiso

League Play Begins Saturday at Oakland for Women's Basketball--ysusports.com

Jim Squire

Tournament Week On The Menu: Happy Thanksgiving!--Eye On College Basketball

Cancun Challenge
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The South Dakota State Jackrabbits join Maryland in ending the Cancun Challenge with four wins, a rarity for a split-bracket event, as they rolled past the Cleveland State Vikings, 77-66, to claim the Riviera bracket crown.
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Gulf Coast Showcase
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A bigger surprise is the 0-3 finish the Central Michigan Chippewas, the preseason MAC favorites endured. The Chips fell to the Milwaukee Panthers, 84-78, in the first game of the day in Estero, Fla.

The Morning Dish – Thursday, November 26, 2015--Hoopville

Side Dishes
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South Dakota State continues to roll-the Jackrabbits are now 6-0 after a 77-66 win over Cleveland State.

Parks leads South Dakota State past Cleveland State 77-66--CBS Sports
Cleveland State falls, 77-66, to South Dakota State in Cancun Challenge--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State Falls to South Dakota State 77-66 in Cancun Classic in Mexico--NEO Sports Insiders
Vikings Fall in Mayan Division Championship of Cancun--csuvikings.com

Thanksgiving in Texas: Men's basketball team celebrates holiday on the road--Oakland Post
GAMES 4-5: OAKLAND TRAVELS TO TEXAS FOR CORPUS CHRISTI COASTAL CLASSIC--ougrizzlies.com

Odiase sparks offensive explosion--Whoosh!Net

UWGB men rebound from slow start--Green Bay Press Gazette

UWGB women fall to Virginia--Green Bay Press Gazette
Second-Half Effort From Virginia Hands Phoenix First Loss--GreenBayPhoenix.com

UW-Milwaukee 84, Central Michigan 78 - Panthers apply finishing touch--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panthers Find Way in 7th Place Game--UWM Post
Second-Half Run Sends Milwaukee Past Central Michigan, 84-78--uwmpanthers.com

Milwaukee Set To Play In “Miami Thanksgiving Classic”--uwmpanthers.com

Valparaiso sitting in favorable position after downing Oregon State--The Post-Tribune

Northern Kentucky women open holiday season with Black Friday showdown against Tennessee Tech--Northern Kentucky Tribune

Women Fall Just Short to #25/21 Iowa at Lone Star Showcase--wsuraiders.com

Home cooking--Youngstown Vindicator
Penguins Pull Away in Second Half to Beat Thiel, 69-55--ysusports.com

UWM & YSU Win on Wednesdays--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

The Morning Dish – Wednesday, November 25, 2015--Hoopville

Side Dishes
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Valparaiso concluded its Oregon swing with a split, posting an impressive 63-57 win over Oregon State in a game that wasn’t that close most of the way. Valpo is far from the Alec Peters show anymore; Tevonn Walker and Shane Hammink both scored 15 points each to lead the offense.
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A 5-0 team you need to keep an eye on: South Dakota State, which already has handled Illinois State and TCU on the road and routed Houston Baptist 92-68 last night. Most surprising 5-0 team? Perhaps Southern Illinois, which defeated a good Oakland team 97-88 Tuesday.

Morning News: Another Ohio St Loss, Another Ben Simmons Wasted Performance, Smashed Backboard, And More--Basketball Predictions

Valparaiso Shuts Down Oregon State Oregon State is a Tournament-quality team, yet Valparaiso won this game despite a poor shooting day both from outside (4-for-16 on threes as a team) and from star Alec Peters (3-for-12). They did it with suffocating defense, holding Oregon State to 0.86 PPP, despite a stat-stuffing 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 steals from Gary Payton III. Valparaiso's defense has been great all season long (Pomeroy currently ranks it 6th in the nation).

Valparaiso is a team that would be good enough to earn an at-large bid in a tougher league. Unfortunately, it will be almost impossible for them to pull it off out of the Horizon League when their best non-conference wins will be over Oregon State and Rhode Island. The Selection Committee just does not properly value road games. Via the Sagarin ratings, a road game at Horizon League foe Milwaukee is approximately equal to home games against Georgetown, Wisconsin, or Florida State. We can be damn sure the Selection Committee won't see it that way, though. A home win over Georgetown would be an RPI Top 50 "quality win", while a loss to Milwaukee will be an RPI 100+ "bad loss".

Oregon State, in contrast, will get plenty of chances to pick up quality victories in conference play. They still look like a team destined to be in the bubble mix in February and March.

Cleveland State looks for second straight win in Cancun: Local College Basketball 2015 (photos)--Cleveland Plain Dealer

Vikings Continue Roadswing At Niagara On Friday--csuvikings.com

Perseverance Paying Off For Brundidge--detroittitans.com

Green Bay holds on to beat Akron 66-63--CBS Sports
Oakland men lose second straight on road trip, falling to SIU--The Oakland Press
GOLDEN GRIZZLIES SHOW OFF NEW BLACKTOP COURT AT THE O'RENA--ougrizzlies.com

Flames Welcome Chippewas To Pavilion--uicflames.com

Defense leads Green Bay to victory over Akron--Phear The Phoenix

LATE NIGHT SNACKS: Vanderbilt advances; N.C. State tops LSU--CollegeBasketballTalk

NOTABLES

Duquesne held off Milwaukee in overtime as Derrick Colter had 27 points and Micah Mason had 26 points and nine assists.

J.J. Panoske leads Milwaukee past Central Michigan 84-78--CBS Sports
Panthers need to find a way to win--PantherU
Panthers Wrap Up Gulf Coast Showcase, Battle Central Michigan--uwmpanthers.com

Peters has double-double, Valparaiso beats Oregon St. 63-57--CBS Sports
Crusaders deliver first Power 5 win in seven years--The NWI Times
Breaking down Valparaiso vs. Oregon State--Inside VU Sports

@NKUNorseWBB hosts Tennessee Tech on Friday--nkunorse.com

Cash keeps YSU perfect--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle

Five Wins for #HLMBB Teams on Tuesday--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

The Morning Dish – Tuesday, November 24, 2015--Hoopville

In the Gulf Coast Showcase, Murray State defeated Wisconsin-Milwaukee 66-63 when the Panthers’ tying three-pointer was ruled just after the buzzer. The Racers will now face Pepperdine, which topped Duquesne 84-70. Drake then edged Western Kentucky 81-79 in overtime behind the individual performance of the night-41 points from Kale Abrahamson. The Bulldogs now get Weber State, which slowed down Central Michigan in a 64-60 win. The Big Sky Conference is quietly putting together some nice wins early on.
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Today’s menu: The day is heavy on tournament action
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The best non-tournament game has Valparaiso at Oregon State. The Crusaders continue a hellacious early season schedule. If they can win one of two at the Pac-12 schools in Oregon, call that a success.

Tuesday's Viewer's Guide: Maui semifinals headline full day of hoops--CBS Sports

Another to watch -- Valparaiso at Oregon State -- 9 ET, PAC12

Can Valparaiso pull off against Oregon State what it barely couldn't at Oregon? It wouldn't be a surprise at all. The Crusaders are a terrific group defensively with experience all over the floor and a genuine star on the mid-major level in Alec Peters. On the other side, the Beavers figure to be much better this season and contend for an NCAA Tournament bid. Gary Payton II is one of the best defensive players in the country, and he's surrounded by more shooting and offense than last season. This is going to be a hard-nosed defensive game that could go either way.

Colter, Mason lead Duquesne past Milwaukee 96-92 in OT--CBS Sports
Edwards scores 17, Cleveland State beats Rider 57-52--CBS Sports
Tournament Week On The Menu: November 24, 2015--Blogging the Bracket

Valparaiso Crusaders at Oregon State Beavers (Beavers Challenge), 9 p.m. (Pac-12 Network National and Oregon)

On Sunday, the Crusaders didn't have enough to win at Oregon, but they get another crack at a Pac-12 NCAA contender this evening. Both squads have already handily defeated Iona in home games as part of this event.

Robert Morris Colonials at New Mexico State Aggies (Air Force Classic), 9:30 p.m. (AggieVision/ESPN3)

The defending NEC Tournament champions have yet to win a game, as they lost by 12 at Air Force to start their participation in this round-robin on Sunday. Tonight, the Colonials will face a difficult contest against a fellow 2015 NCAA qualifier, one who's just lost once—to archrival New Mexico—in their first four.