On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Mid-Major Rankings for the Week of Dec. 14--The Catch and Shoot

1. Valparaiso (9-2). Last week: 2
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23. Oakland (6-3). Last week: 25

U of L Progress Report | The Good, Bad, Ugly--Louisville Courier-Journal

THE GOOD

There's been much more good than anything else. The graduate transfers Damion Lee (18.8 points per game, 53.7 percent shooting) and Trey Lewis (13.8 points, 3.3 assists) have been everything Louisville wanted and needed. Lee is a shot-maker; Lewis is a nice complementary guard to Lee. Their leadership with Mangok Mathiang has been invaluable to U of L's otherwise young team.
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THE BAD

It hasn't particularly come into play so far this season, save the Michigan State game, but Louisville's free-throw shooting is probably the worst thing on its profile right now. The Cards have made just 67.4 percent of their foul shots, a number that ranks 220th in college basketball.

It does, however, warrant mentioning that U of L's two top free-throw shooters, Lee and Lewis, who have taken a third of the Cards' total free throws, are shooting 88.9 and 87.5 percent, respectively.

Akron, Cleveland State, Kent State establishing their identities: College Basketball 2015 (photos)--Cleveland Plain Dealer
Ohio 76, Cleveland State 67--Cleveland State Hoops

A Look at What’s Happening This Week for the CSU Vikings--The Cleveland Fan

Vikings Set To Host FIU On Health & Physical Education Day--csuvikings.com

Men’s Basketball To Host Military Appreciation Day On Saturday--detroittitans.com

WADL to Air Final 10 Women's Basketball Home Games--detroittitans.com

Mid-Major Madness Player of the Week: Kay Felder, Oakland Golden Grizzlies--Mid-Major Madness
FELDER NAMED HORIZON LEAGUE AND MID-MAJOR MADNESS PLAYER OF THE WEEK--ougrizzlies.com
FELDER NAMED LOU HENSON AWARD NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK--ougrizzlies.com

College hoops: MSU women top Oakland for third win in row--The Detroit Free Press
OAKLAND FALLS TO NO. 25 MICHIGAN STATE, 82-62--ougrizzlies.com

Illinois Rankings for the Week of Dec. 14--The Catch and Shoot

12. UIC (1-6). Last week: 11

After getting blown out at UCF, UIC nearly upset Illinois at the United Center. The Flames look to end a four-game losing streak Wednesday against Illinois State.

Chicago Weekly Awards, Dec. 14--The Catch and Shoot

Player of the Week

Dikembe Dixson, UIC

UIC nearly came from behind to upset Illinois on Saturday, and Dixson was the main reason why. He scored 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting, 10 rebounds, and four assists. Despite six turnovers, the 6-foot-7 freshman still had an efficient afternoon.

Dixson is now averaging 13.3 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 42.1 percent from 3-point range this season. He has scored at least 20 points in each of his last two games.

Honorable mentions: Dominique Matthews, UIC; Tre Demps, Northwestern

Freshman of the Week

Dikembe Dixson, UIC

Honorable mentions: Dominique Matthews, UIC; Eli Cain, DePaul
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Game of the Week

Illinois 83, UIC 79

After falling behind 41-30 at halftime, UIC came roaring back to take a brief, five-point lead in the second period. The Flames hung close until the final buzzer, taking their big brother downstate to the wire at the United Center.

The game featured several thrilling performances. Dixson had his Player of the Week explosion, and fellow freshman Dominique Matthews posted 18 points in the first half, including a stretch where he had 12 points in less than two minutes.

For Illinois, junior guard Malcolm Hill recorded 22 points.