On The Horizon

Jim Squire

You’re Supposed to Have Fun During a Cleveland State 40-Point Blowout Win, Right?--More Than A Fan

Women's Basketball Opens Horizon League Play At Oakland--csuvikings.com

Urbanick Hits School-Record Eight Triples as Detroit Falls to Eagles--detroittitans.com

The Morning Dish – Thursday, December 31, 2015--Hoopville

Side Dishes
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Virginia topped Oakland 71-58 in a non-conference game, though the Golden Grizzlies’ Kahlil Felder again stole some of the thunder in defeat. Felder scored 30 of his team’s 58 points.

LATE NIGHT SNACKS: No. 4 Maryland, No. 7 North Carolina win--CollegeBasketballTalk

IMPORTANT OUTCOMES
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No. 5 Virginia 71, Oakland 58: The Cavaliers erased a one-point halftime deficit to take care of the dangerous Golden Grizzlies in Charlottesville. Kay Felder scored 30 points but no other Oakland player scored in double figures (Felder only had three assists) as Virginia’s defense wore down Greg Kampe’s team. Anthony Gill scored 17 points and Mike Tobey, who scored a total of 20 points in the six games prior to tonight, added 16 for Virginia.

Gill leads No. 5 Virginia to 71-58 victory over Oakland--CBS Sports
Oakland Golden Grizzlies Fall In Tough 71-58 Loss To Virginia Cavaliers--Mid-Major Madness
Virginia 71, Oakland 58: Grizzlies can't keep up with Cavs--The Detroit Free Press
Felder scores 30, but Oakland falls to No. 5 Virginia 71-58--The Oakland Press
Oakland loses to fifth ranked Virginia Cavaliers--Oakland Post
OAKLAND FALLS TO NO. 5 VIRGINIA, 71-58--ougrizzlies.com

OAKLAND DOWNS VERMONT, 74-68--ougrizzlies.com

History lesson--Whoosh!Net
Flames Will Ring In 2016 & Horizon League Play at Valpo--uicflames.com

Flames Drop Horizon League Opener at Wright State--uicflames.com

New Year's wish list: better home schedule--Phear The Phoenix

Buck leads UWGB women past Dayton--Green Bay Press Gazette
Green Bay Displays Balance to Win Seventh Straight, Routs Dayton 68-52--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Women’s Basketball Takes Down IPFW--UWM Post

Michael Osipoff: VU's path to NCAA goes through Horizon tourney--The Post-Tribune
Valparaiso closes out non-conference slate with road loss--The NWI Times

Hamlet's Historic Night Highlights Chaotic Win at Northern Kentucky--valpoathletics.com

Toledo pulls away in second half, beats N. Kentucky 90-73--CBS Sports
White’s 20 points not enough for Norse in 90-73 loss at Toledo--Northern Kentucky Tribune
Norse end non-league schedule with loss at Toledo--The Northerner
@NKUNorseMBB falls to Toledo despite career nights--nkunorse.com

NKU women drop heartbreaker to Valpo in Horizon League opener--Northern Kentucky Tribune
GALLERY: Valpo stuns NKU in controversial finish--The Northerner
Final seconds key in @NKUNorseWBB loss to Valpo--nkunorse.com
@NKUNorseWBB closes home stand against UIC--nkunorse.com

Donlon sees multiple postseason bids for Horizon--Dayton Daily News

Raiders women defeat UIC in conference play--The Guardian
Women Defeat UIC in League Opener--wsuraiders.com

Cash, Benjamin lead YSU over Tennessee State--Youngstown Vindicator
Attack pack: YSU rallies--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Cash and Jackson Lead Penguins to Win--The Jambar
Big Third-Quarter Surge Spurs Penguins to 69-58 Win Over Tigers--ysusports.com

#HLWBB Kicks Off Conference Play--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

How the conferences shape up as 2016 approaches--Hoopville

Horizon League: This should come down to Valparaiso and Oakland, two teams that are well-coached and battle-tested. Milwaukee and Detroit should be competitive, but this looks like a two-horse race.

Cleveland State powers past D-II Cedarville 77-37--CBS Sports
Iowa's Anthony Clemmons (Lansing) finally beats MSU--The Detroit Free Press
Iowa’s Clemmons stymies ex-classmate Forbes--The Detroit News
Cleveland State crushes Cedarville in final non-conference game--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State Wraps Up Homestand Tonight Against Cedarville--NEO Sports Insiders
Cleveland State Dominates Cedarville 77-37--NEO Sports Insiders
Cleveland State 77, Cedarville 37: CSU knocks down 12 3-pointers in win over Cedarville--Cleveland State Hoops
Edwards Ties Mark in 77-37 Win over Cedarville as Vikings Hit 12 Three's--csuvikings.com

Monday's basketball: Eastern Michigan handles Detroit--The Detroit News

Titans Host Eastern Michigan for Final Non-Conference Game--detroittitans.com

The Morning Dish – Wednesday, December 30, 2015--Hoopville

Today’s Menu:
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After almost toppling Michigan State last week, Oakland now goes to Virginia to take on the Cavaliers.

PREGAME SHOOTAROUND: Kahlil Felder gets a shot at Virginia--CollegeBasketballTalk
Oakland-Virginia Preview--CBS Sports
On The Menu: December 30, 2015--Blogging the Bracket

Long Beach State 49ers at No. 15 Duke Blue Devils, 4 p.m. (ACC RSNs/ESPN3)
Oakland Golden Grizzlies at No. 5 Virginia Cavaliers, 6 p.m. (ESPNU)

The Blue Devils and Cavaliers wrap up their ACC prep with a pair of high-quality mid-majors. Don't expect the Golden Grizzlies to keep this as close as their OT loss to Michigan State in Auburn Hills eight days ago.

Metro & state: Felder, Oakland steal win vs. Chicago St.--The Detroit Free Press
Men's basketball survives Chicago State 101-93--Oakland Post
GAME 13: OAKLAND HEADS TO NO. 5/5 VIRGINIA FOR FINAL NON-CONFERENCE GAME--ougrizzlies.com

OAKLAND CONCLUDES NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE AT VERMONT--ougrizzlies.com

Northern Illinois tops Illinois-Chicago 70-65--CBS Sports
UIC comeback falls short against Northern Illinois in non-conference finale--The Catch and Shoot
UIC's Second-Half Comebacks Thwarted by NIU--uicflames.com

Flames Open Horizon League Play at Wright State--uicflames.com

Jamar Hurdle heating up--Phear The Phoenix

Green Bay Set to Close Non-Conference Slate with Dayton--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Arians’ three-point shooting woes deserve patience--PantherU
Former Panther Mitchell Carter Signs Professional Contract--uwmpanthers.com
Panthers And Raiders Get Horizon League Play Underway Saturday--uwmpanthers.com

The Morning Dish – Tuesday, December 29, 2015--Hoopville

NKU set to face Toledo Rockets in final non-conference game of season--Northern Kentucky Tribune
Toledo provides next test for @NKUNorseMBB--nkunorse.com

NKU set to take on Valparaiso in Horizon League opener for both teams--Northern Kentucky Tribune
@NKUNorseWBB host Valpo to open Horizon League play--nkunorse.com

Donlon: ‘I feel we can win our league’--Dayton Daily News

YSU’s Hain out with injury--Youngstown Vindicator
Penguins’ Hain out with foot injury--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle
Men's Basketball Opens Horizon League Play at Detroit Saturday--ysusports.com

YSU women to keep possession vs. Tenn. State--Mahoning Valley Tribune Chronicle

CSU Rides Three-Point Shot to Win--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

LATE NIGHT SNACKS: Rough night for mid-major bubble hopefuls--CollegeBasketballTalk

GAME OF THE NIGHT: Belmont 85, Valparaiso 81

Evan Bradds finished with 26 points and 10 boards and Craig Bradshaw chipped in with 21 points of his own as the Bruins picked off a Valparaiso team that still had some slim hopes of earning an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament come Selection Sunday. There’s no shame in losing to Belmont in Nashville — the Bruins won at Marquette on the season’s opening night, after all — but Valpo’s non-conference schedule is now locked in at 10-3, the only noteworthy wins coming against Rhode Island, Oregon State and Indiana State. The Horizon League is going to be one of the toughest mid-major conferences in the country, with Oakland and Milwaukee both looking like they could be good enough to snag the regular season title from Valpo’s grip, but it’s not a league that will provide the Crusaders with many opportunities to strengthen their at-large profile.

Valpo may very well be the best mid-major team in the country, a veteran group with size that can really, really defend. They could, in theory, reach the Sweet 16, but to have a shot at doing so, it looks like they’re going to need to win the Horizon’s automatic bid.
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STARRED

Kahlil Felder, Oakland: 23 points, 13 assists, eight steals, five boards and a 101-93 win over Chicago State. Light work.

Big Ten preview: Tony Paul’s team-by-team breakdown--The Detroit News

MICHIGAN STATE

Coach: Tom Izzo (21st year; 508-199)

2014-15: 27-12; lost in NCAA Tournament Final Four

Record: 13-0

Best win: Kansas (79-73, Nov. 17, neutral)

Worst loss: N/A

Outlook: The Spartans are off to their best start ever, but they’ll have to work around the two-week absence of star Denzel Valentine (two triple-doubles). He’s not expected to miss any of the marquee showdowns, but the absence will give Bryn Forbes time to shine.

Predicted finish: 1st

Preview: Cedarville vs. Cleveland State--Cleveland State Hoops
CSU Hosts Cedarville on Tuesday Night in Final Nonconference Game--csuvikings.com

Eastern Michigan's strong second half upends Detroit 88-73--CBS Sports
EMU 88, UDM 73: Eagles' second-half run tops Titans--The Detroit Free Press
Monday's basketball: Eastern Michigan handles Detroit--The Detroit News
Titans Drop Road Affair At EMU--detroittitans.com

Hoop Thoughts: Pressing reset on the season before conference play begins--Sports Illustrated

ALL-DIMINUTIVE
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3. Kahlil Felder, 5'9" junior, Oakland: He ranks second in the country in points (26.9) and is first in assists (8.9) per game. He also just had 37 points and nine assists in the Golden Grizzlies’ near-upset of Michigan State last week.

Felder's big 2nd half leads Oakland past Chicago St. 101-93--CBS Sports
Metro & state: Felder, Oakland steal win vs. Chicago St.--The Detroit Free Press
Felder’s big second half leads Oakland past Chicago St., 101-93--The Oakland Press
FELDER'S BIG FINISH LEADS OAKLAND PAST CHICAGO STATE, 101-93--ougrizzlies.com

NASH AND JONES EARN HORIZON LEAGUE WEEKLY HONORS--ougrizzlies.com

UIC vs. Northern Illinois preview: How to watch, listen, stream, bet--The Catch and Shoot
Dixson adds to collection--Whoosh!Net
Dikembe Dixson Captures Third Horizon League Weekly Award--uicflames.com
UIC Closes Nonconference Slate vs. NIU Tuesday--uicflames.com

VIDEO: Ruvanna Campbell Featured by the Horizon League--uicflames.com
Flames Tame The Panthers 66-54--uicflames.com

Green Bay pulls away from Morehead State in 2nd half, 78-72--CBS Sports
Green Bay Knocks Off Morehead for Seventh Win in Nine Games--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Johnson Named Horizon League Player Of The Week--uwmpanthers.com

Panthers have smooth sailing--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Panthers Close Out 2015 With 73-60 Victory Over IPFW--uwmpanthers.com

Belmont holds off Valparaiso 85-81--CBS Sports
Valparaiso drops nonconference finale at Belmont--The Post-Tribune
Crusaders’ Comeback Falls Just Short at Belmont--valpoathletics.com

Crusaders Enter Uncharted Territory for Horizon League Opener--valpoathletics.com

Women's Basketball Hosts Tennessee State Wednesday in Final Non-League Game--ysusports.com

Milwaukee's Johnson, UIC's Dixson Collect Men's Basketball Honors--Horizon League Network
GB & Oakland Both Win on Monday Night--Horizon League Network

Oakland's Nash and Jones Tab Weekly Honors--Horizon League Network

Jim Squire

WEEKLY AWARDS: Tyler Ulis shines while Harvard makes a statement--CollegeBasketballTalk

THE ‘ALL THEY WERE GOOD, TOO’ TEAM
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Kahlil Felder, Oakland: Felder’s Oakland squad couldn’t quite pull the upset on No. 1 Michigan State, but the Grizzlies got 37 points and nine assists out of their diminutive superstar.
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BENCH: Bryn Forbes (Michigan State), Ben Bentil (Providence)

THEY WERE GOOD, TOO
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Milwaukee Panthers: The Panthers now own two road wins against Big Ten competition, knocking off Minnesota at The Barn this week.

Mid-Major Rankings for the Week of Dec. 28--The Catch and Shoot

1. Valparaiso (10-2). Last week: 1
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16. Oakland (7-4). Last week: 18
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25. Milwaukee (9-4). Last week: Not Ranked

New Mexico State will test Wichita State’s ever-changing rotation of big men--Wichita Eagle
BGSU 62, Cleveland State 47: Cold shooting Vikings fall to Falcons--Cleveland State Hoops

WATCH: 2015-16 UIC intro video--The Catch and Shoot
Illinois Rankings for the Week of Dec. 28--The Catch and Shoot

13. UIC (2-8). Last week: 13

UIC ended a six-game losing streak by beating Purdue-Calumet, but the Flames have still not defeated a Division I team this season. They get their final shot in non-conference play Tuesday against Northern Illinois.

Chicago Weekly Awards, Dec. 21--The Catch and Shoot

Player of the Week
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Honorable mentions: Billy Garrett Jr. DePaul; Montel James, Loyola;Fred Sims Jr., Chicago State; Gabe Snider, UIC

Freshman of the Week
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Honorable mentions: Eli Cain, DePaul; Dikembe Dixson, UIC; Dererk Pardon, Northwestern

Top 10 Moments of 2015, No. 4: UIC advances to Horizon League semifinals--The Catch and Shoot

The Morning Dish – Monday, December 28, 2015--Hoopville

Tonight’s Menu

It’s not the lightest slate, but also not loaded with must-see matchups.
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The best game of the day might be Valparaiso traveling to Nashville to take on Belmont, as it will be a battle of two consistent mid-major winners.

Mid-Major Madness Power 15: Valparaiso takes over top spot--Mid-Major Madness
Top 25 Rankings for the Week of Dec. 28--The Catch and Shoot

24. Valparaiso (10-2). Last week: 25

College basketball preview: Valparaiso at Belmont--The Post-Tribune

Jim Squire

Titans Close Out 2015 With A Familiar Foe In Eastern Michigan--detroittitans.com

GAME 12: OAKLAND ENTERTAINS CHICAGO STATE IN FINAL HOME GAME OF 2015--ougrizzlies.com

UIC Square Off With Eastern Illinois Monday Night--uicflames.com

Green Bay Closes Out 2015 With Trip to Morehead State--GreenBayPhoenix.com

Panthers Return To Action Monday Against Mastodons--uwmpanthers.com

John Mutka: Tevonn Walker's return gives Valparaiso a boost--The Post-Tribune
Crusaders Conclude Series With Belmont Monday--valpoathletics.com

Jim Squire

Carmel's 2016 football schedule presents a formidable challenge--The Post-Tribune

Panther pride in Milwaukee: Waukegan grads Akeem Springs and Jordan Johnson are starters on Milwaukee's men's basketball team, and North Chicago grad JayQuan McCloud is a reserve. McCloud had to sit out the start of the season after transferring to Milwaukee (8-4) after a false start to his collegiate career at Murray State.

Springs came to Milwaukee via NIU in DeKalb and Mississippi Valley State. Johnson came to Milwaukee via John Wood, a junior college in Quincy.

Springs is averaging 13 points and is shooting 43 percent (17-for-39) from distance. Johnson is the point guard, and he's averaging 10 points and nearly eight assists.

McCloud is averaging seven points in his first three games with the Panthers.

Milwaukee plays in the Horizon League, and Valparaiso is the league power.

Jim Squire

Snider the savior--Whoosh!Net

Phoenix weekly: UWGB women thriving--Green Bay Press Gazette

Men’s Basketball Closes 2015 with Win vs. Minnesota--UWM Post

Jim Squire

Trojans, Mavericks reminiscent of 1997-98 runs by UIC, Detroit--Hoopville
The Morning Dish – Wednesday, December 23, 2015--Hoopville

If your pleasure is single OT games, there were eight of them, from top-ranked Michigan State’s 99-93 escape from Oakland to Drexel and Penn’s 53-52 game (tied at 44 after regulation) eventually won by the Dragons. If you like two overtimes, there were two of those (Houston 94-89 over Wyoming and Marist edging Brown 84-83).

If you wanted three overtimes, you had it with Canisius and Louisiana-Monroe, where in one of the wildest games you’ll ever see the Golden Griffins came back from 13 points down with 1:02 left in regulation. Each team had a chance but failed to win in the first two overtimes with free throws in the final seconds, and then Canisius blanked ULM 12-0 in the third extra session.

As mentioned, No. 1 Michigan State almost went down in its first game without Denzel Valentine. The Spartans trailed by 13 at halftime before the two teams settled into a terrific back-and-forth at the end of regulation and in overtime. It’s possible the only thing that kept the game from going longer was a very poor charging foul on Oakland’s Kahlil Felder (37 points, nine assists) late in overtime, most noticeable for a lack of consistency as it came immediately after the exact same call had been ignored on the other end the play before.
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Side Dishes
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When Bo Ryan retired and Greg Gard was named Wisconsin interim coach, it left an opening on the Badgers’ coaching staff. Gard had said he would only fill the spot if he could find the right fit, but on Tuesday it was announced that Howard Moore will join the staff. It’s hard to think of a more perfect fit than Moore, a player and graduate of Wisconsin who also was an assistant with Gard under Ryan and recently spent five years as the head coach at Illinois-Chicago.

Today’s menu:
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A pair of Wisconsin state schools challenge Big Ten foes on the road as Wisconsin-Milwaukee-already a winner at Wisconsin-faces Minnesota while Wisconsin-Green Bay faces the Badgers (9 p.m., BTN).

The Morning Dish – Thursday, December 24, 2015--Hoopville

Side Dishes
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Greg Gard made his debut as Wisconsin’s interim coach, and the Badgers ran out to a huge lead on Wisconsin-Green Bay before the Phoenix made for some nervous moments late. Wisconsin eventually won 84-79.
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Wisconsin-Milwaukee won for the second time this year against a Big Ten team, defeating Minnesota 74-65. Terrific junior college transfer guard Jordan Johnson nearly notched a triple-double (19 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds), while the Golden Gophers lost for the third time this month at home.

LATE NIGHT SNACKS: BYU’s Fischer, Davidson’s Gibbs go off--CollegeBasketballTalk

OTHER NOTABLE OUTCOMES
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When discussing the Horizon League be sure to include Milwaukee with Valparaiso and Oakland as contenders. The Panthers moved to 9-4 on the season with a nine-point win at Minnesota.

Bowling Green pulls away from Cleveland State 62-47--CBS Sports
VIDEO: Shocker players discuss win over Nevada--Wichita Eagle
Day after: Wichita State 98, Nevada 69--Wichita Eagle

How the game turned: Shockers center Shaq Morris scored the game’s first two baskets, blocked a shot and passed to Evan Wessel for a layup to give WSU an 8-7 lead.

That sequence started WSU’s big men on their way to a productive night. Morris scored 12 points and grabbed four rebounds. Anton Grady finished with nine points and seven rebounds.
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“The bigs did a great job being aggressive and attacking their inside presence,” Grady said. “We just did a great job as a team just attacking their strength and that took it away from them.”
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Rotation watch: Morris and Grady grabbed the important minutes in the post. John Robert Simon earned some run in the first half and responded with a three-pointer.
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Wamukota, who sat on the bench Tuesday, is also battling back stiffness. His long-term absence would rob WSU of a valuable defender and rebounder. If Grady and Morris are as productive as they were on Tuesday, his minutes will be limited.

Wichita State simplifies offense to adjust to demands of 30-second shot clock--Wichita Eagle

With VanVleet’s left hamstring at its strongest since late October and the return of center Anton Grady, the Shockers can take time off for Christmas and look forward to the potential for stability in 2016.

Buzzer thoughts: Cards overwhelm Utah Valley--Louisville Courier-Journal

U of L (11-1) left Utah Valley (5-8) in the dust by scoring easily against the Wolverines’ zone defense. The Cards hit seven 3-pointers and shot 69 percent from the floor in the first half while surging ahead 59-31 at halftime. Louisville finished 31 of 56 (55.4 percent) from the field, led by Trey Lewis (21 points), who was named MVP of the Minardi Classic.
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**In addition to scoring a team-high 21 points (7-10 FGs, 3-6 3-pointers), Lewis also had seven rebounds, and as a 6-2 guard, he deserves praise for the way he pursues boards and pulls them down effectively at the peak of his jump.

Sullivan | Out of cupcakes, U of L moves on to UK--Louisville Courier-Journal
Michigan State's Bryn Forbes--The Detroit News
Without Valentine, Spartans hold off Grizzlies in OT--The Detroit News
Poor shooting dooms Cleveland State in loss to Bowling Green--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland State Vikings Set to Battle Bowling Green in 1pm Tip--NEO Sports Insiders
CSU Vikings Fall in Afternoon Affair to Bowling Green 62-47--NEO Sports Insiders
Preview: BGSU vs. Cleveland State--Cleveland State Hoops
Vikings Fall to Bowling Green, 62-47--csuvikings.com

Cosby scores 17 to help Western Kentucky beat Detroit 79-74--CBS Sports
Detroit hoops falls 79-74 to Western Kentucky--The Detroit Free Press
Titans Fall In Final Seconds At Western Kentucky--detroittitans.com

No. 1 Michigan State rallies to top Oakland in overtime without Denzel Valentine--CollegeBasketballTalk
Michigan State survives Kay Felder's onslaught to remain unbeaten--The Dagger
Oakland's Kay Felder posting big stats despite his small stature--Eye On College Basketball
Observations: Beating Kansas tonight could save San Diego State's season--Eye On College Basketball

Kay Felder gets his chance to shine Tuesday against Michigan State: Who is Felder?

If you haven't seen him you're missing out, but you don't have to for much longer.

Oakland's 5-foot-9 point guard is the best player in college basketball that nobody knows about and is coming off a game in which he torched Washington for 38 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.

After the Golden Grizzlies' win over the Huskies, Washington coach Lorenzo Romar compared him to Boston Celtics' guard Isaiah Thomas.

Now Felder (25.9 points, 8.9 assists, and 4.7 rebounds) -- who has scored 20 or more points in every game he's played in this season -- and his teammates get a chance to slay the giant Tuesday as they take on top-ranked Michigan State on Tuesday at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Why is this such is a big deal and one of my headlines today?

The last two times these two teams have played at The Palace the Spartans have only beaten the Golden Grizzlies by a combined five points and Michigan State was ranked in the top 10 each time.

Oakland coach Greg Kampe told CBS Sports this week that the game Tuesday is sold out and an industry source told CBS Sports that the Pistons didn't even sell out this season when they hosted LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Another reason why this game is a big deal?

The Golden Grizzlies are the type of team that can win multiple games in the NCAA Tournament.

Many people have already anointed Valpo as the team to beat in the Horizon League and that's for good reason, but the Crusaders are going to have their hands full with Oakland.

Kampe has turned the Golden Grizzlies' program into a mid-major version of Iowa State and has several transfers -- Sherron Dorsey-Walker (Iowa State), Percy Gibson (Iowa State), Martez Walker (Texas), and Max Hooper (St. John's) -- that began their careers at high-major programs.

Add Felder and you've got a heck of a team.

Kampe has been close to upsetting Michigan State several times in the past, but now he's got a player that is capable of being the most dangerous player on the floor in crunch time since Denzel Valentine is out with an injury.

Will Felder get that type of opportunity?

We'll find out Tuesday in Auburn Hills.

Michigan State escapes Oakland's upset bid, improves to 13-0 on season--Eye On College Basketball
Podcast: Who will win Saturday's Louisville-Kentucky game at Rupp?--Eye On College Basketball

Oakland's Kay Felder was great Tuesday night against Michigan State. (USATSI)

I got with Matt Norlander and Sam Vecenie on Wednesday to discuss a variety of college basketball topics and try to answer some questions. Among them:

• How awesome was Oakland's Kay Felder against Michigan State?

No. 1 Michigan State beats Oakland 99-93 in OT--CBS Sports
The top 11 candidates so far for Player of the Year in college basketball--CBS Sports

11. Kay Felder, junior, Oakland.

Rank on our preseason top 101 list: 73

Signature performance: It came Tuesday night, against the No. 1 team the country. Felder had 37 points, nine assists and three rebounds -- and almost willed his team to a win over shorthanded Michigan State.

Case file: Felder is averaging 26.9 points, 8.9 assists, 4.5 rebounds and shooting 40 percent from 3-point range. His points average is second-best in the country to Howard's James Daniel (28.4), while his assists average is college basketball's best by almost one full assist per game. (Milwaukee's Jordan Johnson is putting up 8.0 per game, good enough for second in the country.) My colleague, Gary Parrish, wrote a nice profile on Felder earlier this week. There's a good story there. Considering no player has ever ended the season leading the nation in points and assists, and the fact that Felder is flirting with that right now, we had to include him here.