On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Mid-Major Rankings for the Week of Dec. 21--The Catch and Shoot

1. Valparaiso (10-2). Last week: 1
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18. Oakland (7-3). Last week: 23

Forbes sparks MSU to record-tying triumph--The Detroit News
Cleveland State 67, Belmont 65: Demonte Flannigan hits game winner to lift Vikings over Bruins--Cleveland State Hoops

Abshaw Notches Career-High 25 Points As Vikings Fall To Saint Louis--csuvikings.com

Jan. 8 Game Vs. UIC Officially Set For 9 PM On ESPNU--detroittitans.com

Titans Visit Nationally-Ranked Michigan State on Monday Night--detroittitans.com

The Morning Dish – Sunday, December 20, 2015--Hoopville

Side Dishes
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The star stat line of the day belonged to Oakland’s Kahlil Felder. The outstanding junior guard lit it up for 38 points as well as nine rebounds and six assists as his team won at Washington 97-83. The battle between the Golden Grizzlies and Valparaiso for the Horizon League title is going to be a good one.

Saturday Notes – December 19, 2015--Hoopville

Oakland 97, Washington 83: Greg Kampe’s 7-3 team is all that stands between Michigan State and their best start in school history. They’ll come in fresh off this win over a young but growing Washington team behind 38 points and nine assists from Kahlil Felder.

Eight takeaways from an unpredictable day in college hoops--The Dagger

8. Kay Felder may be the nation's most underrated player

Here's what Washington coach Lorenzo Romar had to say about Oakland star Kay Felder on Saturday: "The last guy that played in this building that looked like that plays for the Celtics now."

Felder was worthy of that comparison to former Washington guard Isaiah Thomas after he led Horizon League contender Oakland to a 97-83 victory in Seattle. The 5-foot-9 junior scored a career-high 38 points on 14-for-27 shooting, repeatedly blowing by Andrew Andrews, Dejounte Murray and anyone else in purple and gold who had the misfortune of trying to guard him.

The huge night from Felder was hardly a fluke either. He's averaging 24.6 points and 8.9 assists so far this season, both among the top five nationally. He'll have a chance to showcase himself on a national stage on Tuesday night when Oakland visits top-ranked Michigan State.

Illinois Rankings for the Week of Dec. 21--The Catch and Shoot

13. UIC (1-8). Last week: 12

UIC is the last team in Illinois without a win against a Division I opponent. The Flames will hold that title for at least one more week, as their only game this week is against NAIA Purdue-Calumet.

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